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Trike Dealers
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GPS Receivers
So you want a GPS? This section will not deal with which brand or model to specifically buy. It will relate more to what features are nice to have, required, and other specifications you might want to consider. The ideas come from many folks who use GPS units on their motorcycles, boats and cars. Depending on you situation, you might want a unit that will work fine on all three scenarios or just one or two. There are various mounting solutions available for just about all commonly-available models. Non weatherproof options are using a
plastic bag and rubber band when it rains.
Motorcycle-specific systems such as the (TomTom Rider / Zumo 4/550) are rather pricy, generally in the $700 range, so defining your needs vs. wants is important.
GPS Considerations
Ability to create custom multi-point routes or download existing routing info
The ability to connect the audio output to the bike's audio system, etc.
Weather proof models for your cycle or trike [no GPS is waterproof, just water resistant]
MP3 compliant for listening to music
Dim or brightness of LED screen and LED screen size in nighttime or daytime driving
Hard drive on GPS, can be a problem with vibration and driving. Beware.
US, Canadian and/or European maps. Check as you may have to buy new maps each year for a fee.
Multiple routing, tracking features, integration with bluetooth, NexRAD weather
GPS Software for Route Mapping
MapSource [Free Garmin software] called to map out custom waypoints/routes for your trips. These custom routes can be loaded onto certain GPS models, so that the GPS provides turn-by-turn directions along your custom route.
Harley Davidson Ride Mapping Website - Free
Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010 [purchase for about $30]
.gpx files may not work on many or most GPS units. Beware.
Models Used by Many Cyclists and Trikers
TomTom One 3rd Edition -
[free map updates.]
Garmin Nuvi 680 [transmits through the audio, is also Bluetooth for phone compatiblity]
Garmin StreetPilot 2730 [water resistant]
Garmin 300 [not waterproof, not route mapping compabible]
Garmin Nuvi 500 [ waterproof, route mapping compabible]
Garmin 2820 and 478 [waterproof and are marine GPS units]
Garmin 765T [handles route mapping features]
Garmin Nuvi 1450 and 1490T [support MapSource and the ability to create routes and transfer them to you GPS from your computer]
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The cheaper automotive units may not support the creation of a multi-point route, maintain your track file, provide an interface for your MP3 music files or Bluetooth phone or headset or be very visible in the daylight, but you may decide some of those features aren't required for your first GPS, if ever.
The larger the screen, the easier it will be to create a route on the unit. I've always argued that I can create a route directly on the iWay as fast as you could create one on Mapsource and download it to the unit. Garmin 's route-creation software on the units sucks - if you are editing the route and adding waypoints for your route, why does it force you back to the route table after you select a point and then make you select 'Add' again and place you back at your current position? This is very cumbersome, especially when you're used to a better process...
Google Maps to GPS
You can use www.maps.google.com to find any POI,address etc and transfer direct to you gps. Often when searching for an address,hotel etc with either my Zumo or 765T, the unit or mapsource won't find it. It's so much easier to just plug your device to the computer, search with google maps then above the map click "send" then "GPS" then choose your brand it will then ask for your garmin log in name and send the file direct to your unit as a favorite with name/address/tele and of course directions.....sweet!
If you have a wireless capable 1690 you can do this from any computer and have it sent to your device. I was reading user reviews where the owner is in his car out of state and calls work or home and has somebody look up and address/POI and send to his device instantly. I almost bought a 1690 for this but recently purchased a 765T for my wife (worked great on our recent 3000 road trip) and just picked up a 1450 (5" screen but no traffic or wireless which I don't use) for less than the 765T.
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