Motorcycle GPS
Because motorcycle GPS systems are used for driving and other outdoor adventures, it’s only natural that motorcycle GPS devices have been developed for the sole purpose of riding bikes. The main thing to look for in motorcycle GPS systems are waterproof units with a display that can be read during both the day and the night. They should also have a sturdy mount from which the unit can be removed when not in use. Garmin has three different units that are popular among riders including the zumo 550, the GPSMap 378 and the newer GPSMap 478.
Zumo 550:
The zumo 550 starts with a large 3.5″ diagonal, sunlight-readable, UV resistant touch screen that it definitely biker friendly. It is easy to read in direct sunlight and also bright enough for nighttime riding. Wearing gloves while riding isn’t a problem because the screen is laid out so that having them on doesn’t make the screen awkward to use. Garmin has had the unit tested for vibration, made it waterproof, and built it with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements over a long period of time. The toughly built zumo 550 also comes with a sturdy motorcycle mount with universal hardware that can be mounted almost anywhere, and comes with an automotive mount as well.
Garmin didn’t forget about the software features when it developed the zumo 550. The zumo 550 comes preloaded with City Navigator NT street maps with thousands of points of interest, including lodging, restaurants, gas, and much more. Just enter a destination, and zumo 550 takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions. This information can be heard from the speaker, a Bluetooth headpiece, or from an optional helmet equipped with a Bluetooth earpiece. As well, zumo 550 accepts custom points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you as you approach them. The zumo 550 also comes with a rechargeable, removable lithium-ion battery for trip planning or for use while away from your bike. Optional features include hands free calling and live traffic reports. There is a Jpeg picture viewer; and SD card expansion allows for music options and additional file storage while on the road. There are also an incredible amount of accessories that are sold with this model to really customize it.
Garmin GPSMap 378/478:
The Garmin GPSMap 378 was developed from the pros and cons of its predecessors: the 176C, the 276C and the 376C. It has a fiercely loyal following of riders who won’t use any other motorcycle GPS unit for good reason. The screen is especially bright which means that it won’t wash out in direct sunlight. The operational buttons are easy to use without looking at them, and the unit is completely waterproof. It comes with preloaded City Navigator NT North America, which provides full detail coverage of the US and Canada; and quite a bit of additional marine data is loaded into the receiver. Its memory card socket accepts up to 512 MB of additional memory, allowing for the use of other maps. There are lots of included accessories and many optional features that can be purchased.
The GPSMap 478 is almost the same as the 378, with one big exception. Computer planned maps cannot be downloaded onto the GPSMap 378 because it is preloaded with a combined road/water map that will not allow it. So, if you need external maps loaded into the GPS receiver, you have to purchase the GPSMap 478. If this not a concern, the two models are almost alike and both are exceptional devices to use when riding.
Garmin is a manufacturer that prides itself on a hands-on approach and is very thorough when testing its products with the people who actually use them. In the case of its motorcycle GPS systems, this approach has really paid off.
Posted in General GPS Information
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