Last year I decided that I wanted a new GPS for riding rallies. Of course there are all of these requirements that go along with long distance (LD) riding and GPS needs. An example would be "waterproof". Since LD riders are on motorcycles, the GPS unit needs to be able to withstand all kinds of weather situations. LD riders ride in all kinds of weather - rain, heat, cold so the GPS must be able to withstand those primary conditions - along with the normal road vibrations of motorcycling.
GPS units comes in several different types, but the ones mostly used by most motorcycle riders are "automotive" and "motorcycle". Of course, there are different brands as well as different features within each model.
Some of the core feature that you are looking for in a GPS unit is
- Waterproof
- How many predefined routes will it hold
- How many "waypoints" or locations (generic or custom) does it hold
- Audio
- does it have output jack
- Bluetooth integration
- Play MP3, Audiobooks
- XM radio
- Maps - some GPS units come with life time free map/traffic updates. You will see "LMT" or "LM" as the designation on the GPS units.
After all the research - their are only a few models that I was considering.
- Garmin Zumo 665
- This is a motorcycle specific model. The price for this model is around $700. The GPS also comes with the wiring harness that is wired directly to the motorcycle for reliable / consistant power source. No batteries or portable cables. The 665 has all of the features above
- Garmin 2595 LMT
- This is a car specific model and is not waterproof. This unit does have all the core components that I was interested in
- 100 Routes / 1000 Waypoints
- Bluetooth
- Lifetime Maps
After much research and reading some articles I decided on the lesser unit. I choose the 2595 based on two things
- Cost - $$$$
- After reading an article in the IronButt Magazine - specifically targeted at LD riders - the subject was using non-motorcycle specific GPS units as an alternative. They actually provided good information on their testing of the 2595 unit.
I did my searching for the 2595LMT on the Internet at some of the places I normally shop at online. I finally chose the Garmin Refurb site and purchased a refurbished unit that was on sale for $149. Garmin provides warranty on the item - which I was happy about. I also purchased the extended 2 year warranty just in case.
The unit that I am replacing is the Garmin Nuvi 1350 LMT.
Of course with any purchase, there is all the miscellaneous purchases that must occur as well. Example, my RAM mounts that I had for the Nuvi 1300 does not work with the 2595. The 2595 screen is wider/bigger unit so I have to purchase new RAM cradle for the unit.
All of the new Garmin units work with the new Garmin Basecamp mapping software, so I don't have a learning curve with any new software. My previous maps / waypoints will directly work with the 2595
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