Going to buy a GPS, primarily for gravel roads here in Oregon. In the dual sport World, the handhelds rule (plated dirt bikes). Would I be disappointed in the screen size on a handheld for the Strom on the street? I'm riding 80/20 street to dirt. Anyone out there using a mounted handheld?
pdxVstrom
I've been using a Garmin 62cs for a couple years, mainly on my WRR, but I've found that on my Strom, it is really just too small. It's a great GPS, waterproof, etc., but just not primarily designed for typical road use. I recently purchased a Nuvi 2597 for the Strom, and mounted in the dash, and it's nice and big, and it's obviously better for touring. I can also copy routes from Basecamp onto it without using the Trip Planner. If it rains, I'll put a ziplock bag around it with a rubber band or put it in my tank bag GPS pocket. Here's a couple pics showing both units:
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Garmins
I own an eTrex20 and a NUVI 2595LMT
I have used the NUVI on my Strom. I can't imagine trying to use the eTrex20 on the Strom.
I own an eTrex20 and a NUVI 2595LMT
I have used the NUVI on my Strom. I can't imagine trying to use the eTrex20 on the Strom.
I use and Etrex Legend on my Vee. I'm perfectly fine with its screen size, I feel it's unobtrusive and not distracting. It's beauty is its simplicity. A little bit of a pain to type in addresses with a joystick, but I generally use it as an overview map to connect major roads with shorter roads. If I could afford a Zumo, that'd be neat and all, but the Etrex does exactly what I want it to (as compared to what I NEED it to do).
I use a Garmin ETrex 20 with a pirated (sorry) City Nav SD card. The upgraded memory covers every road and trail in the ConUS.
Prior to that, for 5 years I used a Garmin ETrex Venture Cx with the same SD card. That was the precursor to the current ETrex 20, and it eventually crapped out after half a decade of abuse.
I like the smaller sized units a lot. As noted, they are unobtrusive. Additionally, they are cheaper (to buy, and to replace if stolen or lost), they are more simple, and they require no wiring to the bike (AA batteries, good for about 24 hours on a charge). This also makes them easy to port over to another bike, or use for hiking, etc.
I should note that I use a GPS only to determine where I am, not to navigate. I use paper maps to navigate. I suppose if I was relying on the GPS to navigate I might want one that was larger.
![Image]()
Prior to that, for 5 years I used a Garmin ETrex Venture Cx with the same SD card. That was the precursor to the current ETrex 20, and it eventually crapped out after half a decade of abuse.
I like the smaller sized units a lot. As noted, they are unobtrusive. Additionally, they are cheaper (to buy, and to replace if stolen or lost), they are more simple, and they require no wiring to the bike (AA batteries, good for about 24 hours on a charge). This also makes them easy to port over to another bike, or use for hiking, etc.
I should note that I use a GPS only to determine where I am, not to navigate. I use paper maps to navigate. I suppose if I was relying on the GPS to navigate I might want one that was larger.
I used a Garmin 76cx on my KLR for years. A great unit but you have to change chips to get different maps. No blutooth. Put a 2595lmt on the vstrom and loaded all the maps rite to unit. Blutooth works great and have turn by turn navigation everywhere. The larger screen is great. I use the 76 now for hunting and geocaching and the 2595 for truck and M/Cs.
I already had a Montana for hiking (geocaching nerd here) and such. I recently got a 2012 Wee. I used a RAM mount for my Montana and have about 1,000 miles with the combination. I am very happy with the performance of the Garmin on the bike.
It doesn't have all the features of a Zumo or anything like that. I couldn't justify the cost of a new device while having a fully functional Montana on hand.
Biggest negative for me is sometimes the touch screen can be picky when navigating it with gloves on.
It doesn't have all the features of a Zumo or anything like that. I couldn't justify the cost of a new device while having a fully functional Montana on hand.
Biggest negative for me is sometimes the touch screen can be picky when navigating it with gloves on.
I just purchased a Montana and so far like it, although it took a while to get used to it. By the time i bought NP maps, mount and getting used to operating it,kinda wish I had bought a Zumo.
What I do like is you can use nautical and Topo maps with it :yesnod:
edit: I also like being able to use horizontal or vertical format !
What I do like is you can use nautical and Topo maps with it :yesnod:
edit: I also like being able to use horizontal or vertical format !
I use OsmAnd+ on my Android phone. The 5" screen on my phone is just the right size, I think. The OsmAnd+ app was $7.99 and so far it's been flawless. Easy to load in and save tracks, load in maps, etc.
And a phone does other possibly useful things as well.
Another approach would be to get an old Android phone and use it as a GPS. You don't need a phone or data plan, and you can still use it to connect to WiFi and such; essentially it becomes a small tablet.
And a phone does other possibly useful things as well.
Another approach would be to get an old Android phone and use it as a GPS. You don't need a phone or data plan, and you can still use it to connect to WiFi and such; essentially it becomes a small tablet.
The one advantage that I noticed with the handheld vs. auto-type GPS is that you can download (or upload?) your tracks after the ride to see where you have been.
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