So,

My wife loves me apparently She got me a Nuvi 500. After a short learning curve I can say that I love it. I mounted it with the Strombone (you can search for the posts - its super slick mounting) and RAM system.

OTD for GPS and mounting, it cost less than 260.00. Nice.

Now for a bit more detailed review.

Out of the box the system doesn't look too sexy. But I don't care about looks. I ride a yellow Wee.

Instruction manual is lacking SERIOUSLY needed information. Files you need to download:
a) garmin webupdater (to update GPS firmware)
b) garmin POI loader
c) garmin communicator plugin
d) WinGDB3 (see reasons below for this)

The screen is more than bright enough, even at 50% brightness setting.

Touch screen is very responsive and volume is good for in car. On a bike at hiway speeds it will most likely be inaudible. But hey. That's ok by me. I have it mounted with the above Strombone which puts it right above the Speedo. Easy to see and read.

Routes. Here's where the learning curve kicked in. I hate. HATE. hate mapsource. It really sucks. I'm sure its powerful enough, but the learning curve and ease of use suck. So... I figured out how to load google map routes onto the GPS. And it works. And it is SLICK!!!

Here's the trick.
1) Plan a route in google maps. Using multiple "destinations" is a good tip (say 1 destination per day of route).
2) Copy the link to the map (its on the top right of the map, you have to click "link" and the ctrl-c on the url)
3) goto GPS Visualizer and click on "convert to GPX". Paste the google map url into the associated box on the form (halfway down).
4) Adjust max waypoints/viapoints/etc to 200 per track.
5) Click convert and then download the gpx file that this creates.
6) Download WinGDB3
7) Use WinGDB3 to convert the GPX from gpsvisualizer.com from a track to a route.
Either use Mapsource to send to GPS or copy/paste the file into the GPX folder in the GPS.
9) DONE!! The route(s) will be in the My Data folder and can be imported. Then they'll be in Custom routes sorted by destination (for a multi-day/multi-destination ride)

Nice. Sounds like a lot of steps, but it really isn't that bad and is easier IMO than using mapsource. Planning a route in google is just super slick.

Routing has been flawless so far. Which is good.

Satellite acquisition takes about a minute from start-up. Not terrible.

Reception is great outdoors and, predictably, sucks indoors (especially in my basement).

Here's the only REAL negative. Getting the Garmin Communicator Plugin to work in Windows 7 (I also have a Mac and it was easy as pie) is a huge HUGE pain in the arse. Had to eventually turn off the windows firewall to get it to work and use Internet Explorer 32-bit edition. Eh. This little plugin is needed to register and update the GPS at my.garmin.com

So. Value (bang for buck) A- (headphone jack would have made it an A+). Performance A+. Ease of use A+. Ease of setup B- (maybe even a C). Route planning (with google) B+ (need an option to send google map routes directly to GPS skipping silly steps converting files). Route planning with mapsource D+/C. Custom POI loading and use A.

About custom POIs. These are awesome and fairly easy to use with Garmin POI loader. Just download a POI file (I got Guy's Diners Drive-ins and Dives POI file). Save it in the 'My Garmin\Poi' folder on your computer. Use garmin POI loader to load the POI file onto your GPS. Custom POI files are under the "Extras" menu and once you have more than one custom POI file, they'll be organized by the name of the file. I now have KOA POIs, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, State and National Parks, and others.

Ok. Long. But hopefully you find this useful if you're in the market for a GPS that isn't your cellphone (I don't own a cellphone :P )

__________________
Paul "Happy Wanderer"
"I want to live. I want to experience the universe,
and I want to eat pie"
2008 DL650 (VStrom/WeeStrom/BeeStrom)

http://motophotofile.blogspot.com

Thanks for posting! Had mine since last summer and still trying to figure the ins and outs.

Thanks for the info. I have a Nuvi 500, but can't even figure out how to get it registered with Garmin on my computer.

Fortunately I have a son who can translate what you just wrote, and maybe show me how to make things work. I wondered if it could be done.

I am such a dinosaur.

I have had mine since last year. Good for the money. Why get Zumo 220 just to locate the buttons on the left side of the screen.

I find it easy to make up routes on the screen. The maps could be more up to date. In day mode around here the secondary streets are hard to see.

There are a few tricks to it and ways to see elevation.

__________________
Vstrom 650 ABS

I use streets & trips 2010 to do the mapping. The GPX's that it produces work well as does Bing maps. The Mac version of mapsource I find worse than mapsource if that is possible.

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K4 DL650