GARMIN 2597 - Any Good?

[Mtbjay]

The weather (snow) finally killed my Garmin Nüvi 1490LMT. I am looking for another cheap Garmin to replace it. Garmin rep suggested the 2597 or new "Drive" series 51 or 61 (or older 50 or 60). An Amazon reviewer said the 50 (or 51) screen was not visible with his polarized glasses. I wear prescription polarized sunglasses and this could be a problem. I'm not about to drop $500+ for a motorcycle GPS, and am wondering what others have used with success. I need multiple point routing (Trip Planning) to create custom routes in Basecamp or such and want to spend less than $200

The rep stated the 50/60, 51/61 and 2597 were all using the same "plastic" screen cover (vs. glass) just like the moto specific Zumo models, which reduce glare/reflection. The Amazon reviewer (or commenter) of the 50/60 series model stated the lens of the GPS was polarized - and blamed this for the the incompatibility with polarized glasses. I'm not sure if 1) this is true, or 2) if the 2597 has the same issue.

Any thoughts?

 

[Chump]

I have a zumo 660 and a nuvi 2457. I prefer the nuvi. Granted my zumo is older, buts it's slow and crappy. I can use the nuvi with gloves on and have no issues seeing the screen. When it starts raining I just put the nuvi away. It's gotten wet a few times and still works. When the nuvi dies I'll replace it with something similar.

 

[RCinNC]

I've been using an older Garmin Nuvi 2455 for several years now, and it still works great. I even bought a refurbished one on Amazon as a backup; I don't recall what I paid for it, but it was under a hundred bucks I believe. The 2455 has Trip Planner, and I create custom routes on Tyre to Travel and upload them to the Nuvi. It works simply and smoothly.

There is a tutorial on Youtube from a guy who waterproofed a Nuvi GPS. I followed his instructions, and mine's been in the rain multiple times now, with no issues so far. Here's the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2UvIoL78Cg

 

[OldRider]

I've got 4 different GPS's and I can't wear my polarized RayBans while using any of them, can't make out the IPhone either. I love polarized sunglasses, but they have their limits.

 

[Mtbjay]

Thanks for the replies so far, guys. I was hoping the 2597 was going to be a marked improvement over my older (and now defunct) 1490. That unit had terrible screen response, often mistaking a "+" or "-" for re-centering the map. Also, map "scrolling" was useless - it would never stay where you wanted and seemed to have a mind of it's own. I had to break out a pencil and use the eraser to get any acceptable response from the "touch-screen."

However, I could see it (and my iPhone 6) just fine with my polarized glasses! Go figure.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Or just dump the Garmin OS entirely by buying a refurb cellphone with warranty for less than $100. Both Android and iPhone have apps which can route plan. Android has the benefit of being able to add memory.

For example: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorola-refurbished-moto-g-3rd-generation-4g-with-16gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-black/5044700.p?skuId=5044700

with

http://osmand.net/

 

[RicoChet]

I am currently using a Garmin Nuvi 2555LM on my Super Tenere with a Ram Mount. It works extremely well. It does have the ability for trip routing built in but I haven't used it much. Scrolling is quite good on that unit, better then my previous Garmins. It also has that "Instant On" feature like a tablet does, no more rebooting or turning on the unit and waiting for it to start up. I would definitely recommend it.

As far as Polarized glasses go, your really not going to find any LCD that works perfectly well with polarized glasses, sometimes your lucky and they are polarized one way or the other compared to your glasses but you will always get that "Why is the screen dark?" thought when you just tilt your head the wrong way.

My previous GPS was a 1490 and it was truly garbage. Anything would be better!!

 

[Mtbjay]

I know what you mean about polarized glasses... and the orientation of the lines. The 2555 is discontinued, now only available used. Hopefully the 2597 is just as good (or better). It looks like one of the better Garmin alternatives.

Checks wrecks - Good suggestion, however, I often travel in mountainous, remote regions of Eastern Oregon and need reliable navigation in those challenging environments.

 

[RicoChet]

I know what you mean about polarized glasses... and the orientation of the lines. The 2555 is discontinued, now only available used. Hopefully the 2597 is just as good (or better). It looks like one of the better Garmin alternatives.

Checks wrecks - Good suggestion, however, I often travel in mountainous, remote regions of Eastern Oregon and need reliable navigation in those challenging environments.

DIscontinued or used is perfectly fine, they work just as well, and at usually a fraction of the price. You can buy 10 of them for the price of a new ZUMO.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I know what you mean about polarized glasses... and the orientation of the lines. The 2555 is discontinued, now only available used. Hopefully the 2597 is just as good (or better). It looks like one of the better Garmin alternatives.

Checks wrecks - Good suggestion, however, I often travel in mountainous, remote regions of Eastern Oregon and need reliable navigation in those challenging environments.

I've used mine in lots of more remote 3rd world places than that, as my Samsung S7 and previous S5 phone GPS works just fine offline. Same with the current work iPhone 6 and previous iPhone (5?).

Just download the maps before you turn off the data.

 

[Mtbjay]

I've used mine in lots of more remote 3rd world places than that, as my Samsung S7 and previous S5 phone GPS works just fine offline. Same with the current work iPhone 6 and previous iPhone (5?).

Just download the maps before you turn off the data.

So.... I've never used the "off-line" feature on smart phone map apps. Do they actually give turn-by-turn directions? What about forest service/BLM roads? What are you using to plan complex, off-the-beaten-path, routes?

 

[snakebitten]

I probably have the least amount of experience for offline smartphone GPS usage, but the ONE time I needed it to work, it did!
It was marvelous and it resulted in me getting a really good finish in a 210 mile long desert challenge in the middle of no-where. (Big Bend area)

Someone that put the event together built a "track file" (Is that what it is called?) and made it available. Something like a .gpx or something like that.
I loaded it on a Windows 8.1 mobile Lumia 1520 phone. Then downloaded the Texas map, instead of relying on real-time rendering of the map.

Once in the desert, sure enough there was no cellular signal available so it was really cool to see the Texas map come up in the map program and the route being overlaid.
I was a funny little circle that was moving on the screen. A couple of times my little circle suddenly got off the pink line and I knew I missed a turn.

I realize that the very language I am using reveals my total lack of GPS prowess. I don't use them. Never bought one. But I needed one that day because it was the first time I ever rode alone in the middle of unmarked territory.

I imagine, as fast as technology is advancing, that whatever I was doing that day is even better today.

I think eemsreno will be along shortly to throw his expertise into the discussion.

 

[Cycledude]

I am also a Nuvi 1450 owner, mine has been used on a motorcycle for over 200,000 miles.
Here is an outfit that refurbished mine last year. http://www.palmdr.com Took less than a week .
Have u tried pulling out your little SD card or whatever it's called and cleaning it ? And gently blow some compressed air into the slot the card locks into to get accumulated dirt out ? That has worked great on my 1450, the touch screen works as good or better than new now.

Would love to have one of the new GPS with 7 inch screen but they seem a little big to hang on handlebars, however everyone that I've talked to seems to love them. Am kinda planning on buying a new Zumo 595 next time they come on sale for only $700 !!! I'm kinda tired of messing with plastic bags every time it rains . A friend has a Zumo 590 and that curvy road feature is cool as heck that's the main thing that has me wanting one.

 

[Checkswrecks]

So.... I've never used the "off-line" feature on smart phone map apps. Do they actually give turn-by-turn directions? What about forest service/BLM roads? What are you using to plan complex, off-the-beaten-path, routes?

I have been using OsmAnd+ and it can but it seems like there are new players which may be better. Here are several threads to check into.


OsmAnd and Osmand+
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/osmand-osmand.997618/


In this "GPS for Android" thread, Kurviger looks promising:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/gps-for-android-is-there-an-app-to-rule-them-all.1221981/


Check into Locus on this thread:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/setup-your-rugged-android-for-all-things-gps.1097943/

 

[2daMax]

I found Here We Go app for Android to be good. IOS support as well. Offline n online mode. 3D terrain n buildings. Even can view inside a building such as a shopping mall with layers to different floors.

It is also supported in a PC much like Google maps. Haven't figure out it a planned route can be transfered from PC to device. Doesn't have customized points of interest function. Garmin is still ahead n I particularly like the custom poi to warn me of speed cameras.