2012 gsa........i just want simple inexpensive....something easy to mount easy to power and waterproof.....I would like capability to search for a restaurant, hotel, gas etc.....thanks ahead. I have done a few searchs to no avail...honestly dont know that much about them..
I bought a Garmin Montana refurb from an ADVRider vendor (Jordan at GPS City) for a good price that meets those requirements.
A price range would give us a much better idea on what you would like to spend? The 60/76cs/x series is getting pretty cheap these days. They are more aimed at hikers with their smaller size, but with the City Nav loaded on them, they can certainly lead you to a hotel, gas, restaurant with no problem. The Montana series is my current favorite GPS to recommend to bike riders. The 600 is the low end, but it does everything you need it to. Most of the car series GPS like the Nuvi is not waterproof, but a simple zip block bag works in a pinch. It's not optimal, but it works.
You can always get a non-waterproof GPS cheaper and use the RAM mount waterproof case, I used a Garmin Nuvi 2555 in the case for 4-5 yrs, a few years are I scored a great deal on a BMW Nav IV so thats what I use now, but the RAM case worked good!
I have a 60CSx that looks miniscule on the R1200GS and works ok just not in traffic but it works and let's you find what you need, just remember you'll need to sign up for the lifetime maps after you buy it so check out the pricing. I scored my wifes older Bluetooth enabled Garmin I'll put in the tank bag map case also this year as a back up but I mainly have the Note 4 with Google maps Bluetoothed to the helmet and in the map case or bag and use the 60CSx for visual cues.
I use the garmin 650t. It's a bit spendy but I use it all the time. Car, geocaching, hiking, and with the TT mount on my second bike. Fits well on my 15 GSAW and very versatile. I like if the lithium battery goes out I can throw in some double "A's." It doesn't have the best road graphics compared to the current models but it still works very well, readable and understandable. I only wish I could manipulate it with the wiz wheel. Can't justify buying another just for wiz wheel functionality.
an old $50 smartphone does that. or you could skip it all and ask at a gas station, since you're already in a town.
I changed "it" to "or " ... we gotta blame smartphones fur something around here, autocomplete looks like a good whipping boy
on road: HERE maps Sygic Navigon Copilot off road: backcountrynavigator oruxmaps locus osmand maverick when you search for one of those on the market, you should see more listed as 'similar' or 'related' applications. if you find one you like, look again on the market for the 'donate' or 'pro' version of them. if you REALLY like it, toss a few bones to the developer and buy it. :) everyone has different preferences, one of those, or a combination of two, should cover most preferences nicely. if not, holler. :)
I tried to use an old iPhone with free OsmAnd Maps, and it worked okay. I wasn't thrilled with the battery life, screen size, need for a charging cable, lack of weather protection, etc. So it is definitely doable, but if you have the inclination and are willing to spend a little, there are better options (IMO). I used a ram x-mount and it held the otterboxed iPhone pretty well on most terrain up to and including rough forest roads.
one of the better options would be to not use any iphone. They are lagging behind the droid market. Flame suit on
i should have said "waterproof android" instead of just smartphone. my very limited understanding of iphone stuff is older isn't always great.
