GPS, good or bad idea?

[vrecksler]

I have recently thought about getting a GPS for my bike. I can strap it on with a RAM mount and after uploading a few Canadian and US maps, I can go anywhere with ease.

I know a few people who have them and love them, they keep track of distance travelled, average speed, top speed, etc and if you get a marine GPS, they are weather proof.

The cost is a little daunting, around $300 US, but I have a few things I could sell on eBay to raise most of that.

What do you think?

[thr1]

that would be a cool mod

[Hu99]

GPS is a great toy, but I think it's just one more thing to get in the way. If I were going to get something mounted on the tank/fairing, I'd go with a digicam or a DV cam. They are a useful resource for when you get back and want all that data, but is it really useful for recreational rides?

[vrecksler]

Yes, it is probably better saved for people who do touring, but it just seems like such a cool idea, never getting lost again..

[Hu99]

Originally posted by vrecksler
Yes, it is probably better saved for people who do touring, but it just seems like such a cool idea, never getting lost again..

I can see that being a consideration in Europe, in B.C.?? Inconceivable!:D

[RyanR]

I think it would be sweet to have all the local roads at your fingertips

[bl1tz]

good idea !!
buy it before you change your mind;)

[adamantium]

Which brand are you looking at getting? I was looking at them @ London Drugs and they range from $150-$300CDN.. not real big screens, and there black and white, but they'd probably do the job..

Most of them have pretty tiny buttons, so operating while riding would be near impossible (and probably dangerous to start with anyways)..

It's always been an idea I've thrown around..

[Hu99]

Would it operate in your tankbag/trunk?

[xenz]

Hello... BCAA ? I ran out of gas and my current position is 49°15'N 123°08'W bearing 178°23', able to send someone to help me please ? Oh... street name... err.. Hwy 1.

Sorry, but GPS gave me the above thoughts. Do they have maps ? If so, the unit must be big enough to hold a DVD disc of maps.

[Hu99]

Originally posted by xenz
Hello... BCAA ? I ran out of gas and my current position is 49°15'N 123°08'W bearing 178°23', able to send someone to help me please ? Oh... street name... err.. Hwy 1.

Sorry, but GPS gave me the above thoughts. Do they have maps ?

:roflmao :spinsmile :hopmad You a funny guy.:laughing :laughing

[adamantium]

Originally posted by xenz
Hello... BCAA ? I ran out of gas and my current position is 49°15'N 123°08'W bearing 178°23', able to send someone to help me please ? Oh... street name... err.. Hwy 1.

Sorry, but GPS gave me the above thoughts. Do they have maps ? If so, the unit must be big enough to hold a DVD disc of maps.

I think you upload the maps to most of them... the smaller ones anyways.

[vrecksler]

The one I was looking at is made by Garmin, and it is a weatherproof marine model. You just load the maps from a CDROM into the unit, and you get all the streets available. They can be mounted on your triple clamp, and provide a large, colour screen for reading.

[xenz]

Nice unit. it will defintely help to find certain roads in town. But.... would it be one more things to worry about people stealing from your bike ?

[Human]

I want the Casio GPS watch.......it's been out for a few years now....that would be way cool....screw mounting it to anything...

[GTI]

I watched Collateral Damage and the bad guy had a palm with gps attached to his bike. :)

[ZRX]

I have a GPS unit (Garmin GPS12). It was neat when I bought it but I have found that it spends a lot of its time searching for a signal, especially in mountainous areas. It is almost useless on the Squamish-Whistler Highway because half the sky is blocked. However, I can report that it works quite well in Alberta.

The person who said that it would be hard to operate a GPS unit while riding a bike is right. The buttons are very small and the operation is not exactly user friendly. Maybe the more expensive units are better.

From what I understand, good maps are available for the U.S. I'm not sure what is available for Canadian roads.

[TeeTee]

Well it won't tell you which way to point the bike but if you want average speed, miles travelled, max speed for the session and a couple of other things just get a good bicycle speedo.

Getting lost and learning about new roads is half the fun. Although I've had a few people ask me if I felt like a dork for leading them up a dead end for the 3 time in a day :rolleyes

[bl1tz]

Originally posted by BMatthews


Getting lost and learning about new roads is half the fun. Although I've had a few people ask me if I felt like a dork for leading them up a dead end for the 3 time in a day :rolleyes


it's good cause it gives me time to catch up to you guys:)

[Hu99]

Bruce is right, it would take something intangible away from the whole "on the road" experience. Getting lost is part of it.

[vrecksler]

I gave up on the idea a few days ago. In theory it seemed like a good idea, but I do not really ride in 'unchartered' territory that much. And you are right, when riding a bike who cares if you get lost? It is just more time in the seat! :)