Nuvi Threadfeast - If it's Nuvi for Autos - it goes here

[Dirtysouth]

Originally Posted by flux_capacitor

Coates has one...

Well there you go. If Coates has one, it has to be easy.

[flux_capacitor]

Originally Posted by Dirtysouth

Well there you go. If Coates has one, it has to be easy.

Jen just busted out laughing when she read this. poor coates!

[gybeman]

Originally Posted by flux_capacitor

Hey guys, trying to find an inexpensive EASY to use GPS and the Nuvi seems like the ticket. But I cannot find the difference between the 200W and the 250W. Anyone know?
Thanks in advance!

Hope you realize its not water proof and jpg viewing is more important than tracks & routes on these models.

[flux_capacitor]

Originally Posted by gybeman

Hope you realize its not water proof and jpg viewing is more important than tracks & routes on these models.

I do, thanks, and my ever changing mind is thinking Quest 2 now. Too many choices.

[Beelzabob]

I was looking at the features of the 250 and notice the "motorcycle frinedly section. See below:

Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."):	yes (internal speaker)
Speaks street names (e.g. "Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.") :	no
Speech recognition (navigate with voice commands):	no
3D map view:	yes
Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route):	no
Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation):	yes
Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road):	yes
Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.):	yes
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest):	yes
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth® wireless technology:	no
FM traffic compatible:	no
XM® Navtraffic (includes basic weather) & Radio for U.S. compatible:	no
MSN® Direct for U.S. compatible:	no
Where Am I? feature (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection):	no
Car locator feature (marks position when removed from windshield mount):	no
MP3 player:	no
Audio book player:	no
Picture viewer:	yes
Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation):	yes
World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, calculator:	yes
Touchscreen:	yes
Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout):	no
Remote control:	no
FM transmitter:	no
Headphone jack/audio line-out:	no
Dead reckoning:	no
Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature):	yes
Motorcycle-friendly:	no
Question is why not?

[Transalp Jas]

Probably because it's not weather resistant. I've got the 200, and I use it on the bike and in the car. Easy to use, easy to read, reasonable battery life, and it works with gloves on. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but it works great for the price (so far.)

[JCook5003]

Hey Guys,

Until I can find a better solution I want to use my Garmin Nuvi 660 as my motorcycle gps, well obviously I dont always want to take the interstate.......

Is there anyway for me to load a custom route into it? I like to map out my route on google maps, but the gps always loads the fastest route?

Maybe this a very dumb question I'm not sure, I know it's a little off topic but hopefully you guys can help me out.

[pckopp]

Originally Posted by JCook5003

Hey Guys,

Until I can find a better solution I want to use my Garmin Nuvi 660 as my motorcycle gps, well obviously I dont always want to take the interstate.......

Is there anyway for me to load a custom route into it? I like to map out my route on google maps, but the gps always loads the fastest route?

Maybe this a very dumb question I'm not sure, I know it's a little off topic but hopefully you guys can help me out.

Not a dumb question.

The Nuvi series does not accept routes externally. You can create one on the unit, but there is no way to transfer one to it. If you check the specs it will show '0' in the Routes line.

Sorry.

[bombarde]

Originally Posted by JCook5003

Hey Guys,

Until I can find a better solution I want to use my Garmin Nuvi 660 as my motorcycle gps, well obviously I dont always want to take the interstate.......

Is there anyway for me to load a custom route into it? I like to map out my route on google maps, but the gps always loads the fastest route?

Maybe this a very dumb question I'm not sure, I know it's a little off topic but hopefully you guys can help me out.

The Nuvi is brain dead about routes.

[JCook5003]

so how do I create a route internally in the unit?

[pckopp]

Originally Posted by JCook5003

so how do I create a route internally in the unit?

I bet if you look under Routes in the manual, you'll find a complete explanation.

Owner's Manual:
http://www.garmin.com/manuals/1262_OwnersManual.pdf

Quick Reference Guide:
http://www.garmin.com/manuals/1264_QuickReferenceGuide.pdf

[JCook5003]

I had previously read the manual the only thing I saw that might remotley come close to creating a route would be to enter the intersection coordinates from google maps and save them each as favorites then every turn set the next intersection as my new destination?

Am I missing something?

[pckopp]

Originally Posted by JCook5003

I had previously read the manual the only thing I saw that might remotley come close to creating a route would be to enter the intersection coordinates from google maps and save them each as favorites then every turn set the next intersection as my new destination?

Am I missing something?

Where to starts on page 9. It describes how to find (ultimately create a route to) a number of different categories; an address, using the map, entering coordinates, spelling something, etc. When you decide where you're going, the Nuvi calculates a route. A route on a Nuvi can only contain one 'via' intermediate point. Your manual calls it 'Adding a stop to your route'. I assume it has a full version of North America maps installed, so you should be able to find just about any place you can imagine; intersections, motels, restaurants, gas stations, interstate exits and the like.

You can certainly use Google Maps to find coordinates, but it isn't required, since you can use the map on the Nuvi itself for that. Surely not as user-friendly as Google Maps, but it will be worth learning when you're out on the road and not near an internet connection.

If you want to follow a specific path with several intermediate points, I believe your approach will work. It may be the only one that works.

The Nuvi is designed for a fairly simple user experience, so lots of techniques and capabilities we use on other (more ADV friendly) units aren't available. If complex routes is something you need or want, you may find a different model is more to your liking. And since its not waterproof, you need to take some extra precautions when using it on a moto.

Hope that helps.

[JCook5003]

That did help a lot, I think my intersection to intersection mapping may be the best.....

Yeah I am going to start researching inexpesive GPS units that allow to upload custom routes.......any suggestions?

[pckopp]

Originally Posted by JCook5003

Yeah I am going to start researching inexpesive GPS units that allow to upload custom routes.......any suggestions?

Everyone here pretty much agrees on the 60 and 76 series as some of the best gps for the money. Excellent route and track handling, lots of moto mounting options , waterproof and run on 12v directly. For more $$ and a larger screen, the 276, 376, 478 series are damn nice units.

All these are ala-carte. You buy the maps, memory card, mounting hardware and power cables seperately.

Zumo's are moto-specific (buttons on the left) and have several models and plenty of features. They come with everything you need to mount and go. StreetPilot 27xx units are now discontinued, but are available for about 20% of their original price. Big screen, pre-loaded maps, waterproof, excellent route handling and good moto mounting options. Not so good; track handling and no battery. You need to buy a moto mount of some sort.

Money will probably be the biggest determinate of your choice. If you're on a KTM 300, you will want a smaller unit. If you ride a GS or something bigger, then you have more room for a larger unit. Lots of folks here have lots of experience with lots of different combinations. Ask.