Member Contributer NorthernVFRDave Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 The new Garmin Zumo 390LM has a new mode called Curvy Roads, which like the shortest and quickes route modes, looks for the route with the most fun. Plus they have added extras like a service history log, tire pressure monitoring system and a bunch of others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Wish I could justify the expense for one. I really miss my zumo 450. The cheapo Nuvi that I have replaced it with is just that...and it's made for a car, not a bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer EhViffer Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Thanks for the heads up on this, I'll see if I can download tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer YoshiHNS Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Sounds like an interesting feature. I wonder how it would handle zones and speed limits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Here's a question: are the yellow diamond curve signs with recommended speeds posted, just that, recommended? Or are they enforceable speed limits? I know I should know this, but I don't... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Here's a question: are the yellow diamond curve signs with recommended speeds posted, just that, recommended? Or are they enforceable speed limits? I know I should know this, but I don't... They are the recommended speed...treat them just like Timmy does the Large white rectangular one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 Here's a question: are the yellow diamond curve signs with recommended speeds posted, just that, recommended? Or are they enforceable speed limits? I know I should know this, but I don't... They are the recommended speed...treat them just like Timmy does the Large white rectangular one... LOL...I hope I can get over to TMAC someday and ride with youins. That's a good thing, cause I have just been thinking that the guy that put these up was somehow dividing them all by two or three depending on which county I'm in...it's the strangest damn thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfr Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 I am using the iphone Garmin NAVIGON app for GPS. It has a motorcycle/scenic route that does an amazing job finding the best twisty routes. I have found you must set it for motorcycle, scenic with the forbid highways setting for best results. With small effort you can also load a route from google maps or other formats into it but it is limited to 25 way points so you have to set up several different routes for long trips. It downloads the regional/national maps into the iphone so you don't need to worry about losing signal. I recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 $700!!!???? That's a just plain stupid price. I think it is pretty cool with the Curvy Roads feature, but no way is it $700 cool. I'll just keep using my Nuvi 750 as I have for the past three years and several thousand miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer belovian Posted September 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 11, 2013 I am using the iphone Garmin NAVIGON app for GPS. It has a motorcycle/scenic route that does an amazing job finding the best twisty routes. I have found you must set it for motorcycle, scenic with the forbid highways setting for best results. With small effort you can also load a route from google maps or other formats into it but it is limited to 25 way points so you have to set up several different routes for long trips. It downloads the regional/national maps into the iphone so you don't need to worry about losing signal. I recommend it. Any chance you could do a tutorial on how you get the Google maps onto your phone. I've tried and can't seem to figure it out? Jesse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 I'm pretty sure the "curvy road" feature was pioneered by a team of guys working at a dutch shop that specialises in GPS systems (aptly named WAYPOINT ) They 1st released special maps for the BENELUX and have expanded their range to other EU countires. It is quite clever what they did, reprogramming how the mapping software looks at the map data. Where the traditional way is "get from A to B" theirs is "from A to A" via the nicest roads for motorcyles. So in determining which roads, motorways get zero points (whereas in A to B it would get top marks), provincial roads (one step down from motorways) are only used when it cannot find an alternative, but would lead you off it asap. It looks for "green" and "blue" on the map (forest and lakes/rivers) and how much a road is NOT a straight line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer NorthernVFRDave Posted September 12, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 $700!!!???? That's a just plain stupid price. I think it is pretty cool with the Curvy Roads feature, but no way is it $700 cool. I'll just keep using my Nuvi 750 as I have for the past three years and several thousand miles. Yup price is a little hard to take that's for sure, but the Zumo units are tough and worth every cent. My 450 has seen 80,000+kms on the bike, exposed to hot sun and blinding rain storms. Plus 10,000km more doing double duty in the winter on the sled, getting hit by -30c temps and freezing rain and snow. After almost 8 years of hell, and always being outside, it still works like the day it came out of the box, wen the battery will still power it for almost 3 hours. I'd like a new one, but can't justify I with this one working so well still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vanion2 Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 Actually the price isn't really out of line to previous Zumos. I picked up my 450 new for under $400 but only after Garmin discontinued it. Then I received the life time map updates which was an additional $100 as a gift. It is included with the 390LM for free along with all the new bells and whistles. Add a couple of TPM's to your tires and no more having to spend time messing with valve stems to do a preride check on the tires, pair it up with your Bluetooth phone and helmet and only answer the calls you need to, select the curviest roads you can find with the latest updated maps, plus all the while not having to worry about weather, vibrations, or even taking your gloves off. I still use my Zumo 450 on every long ride I do and the maps are getting better all the time. Now they are using Basecamp instead of the old clunky setup the old Zumos came with (though I don't know how much of an improvement that is). Yes, $700 is a lot of money but when the 550's were $600 new way back when you are only looking at $100 more for a more complete product package. And if you don't want to pay that price then just wait a year when the next Cadillac model comes out and they price these more competitively or buy a slightly used one. Just like I plan to do while happily rolling along with my rather competent 450 until that day comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 $700 is robbery and these things will eventually die a horrible death. The smart phones are slowly taking all their market. Garmin's apps are $50-60 for the phones and the phone will do GPS and a host of other functions. They even released a HUD to work with the phone: http://www.imore.com/garmin-offers-heads-display-navigon-equipped-iphone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer bryan217 Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 I wish they would add this feature to their previous models (like my 550) via a software update. I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. At the time I bought my 550, I was able to easily justify the price, about $550. I love it to death, and would have a hard time doing without it, even though I don't use it all the time. That being said I would have a hard time justifying the outlay now, even to myself. If there was an easy way to import your own routes into the apps on the iPhone, I'd probably put the 550 up for sale. Everything else the 550 can do, the iPhone can, except for the water and shock resistant, but there are cases available to handle that even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 $700 is robbery and these things will eventually die a horrible death. The smart phones are slowly taking all their market. Maybe for in-car navigation, but since you still cannot buy a truly waterproof smartphone (the Sony and Samsung both have serious flaws that make them unsuitable for sustained outdoor use), there is still a market for a motorcycle-focused waterproof GPS. Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 007 Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 Casio Gz'One Commando 4G LTE + Garmin Nav software for Android + HUD would be pretty cool on a bike. I have the first part of this equation after my last phone got soaked and died. $700 is stupid for a dying piece of technology. This coming from a guy who throws money at a BMW (=Bring My Wallet). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfr Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 I am using the iphone Garmin NAVIGON app for GPS. It has a motorcycle/scenic route that does an amazing job finding the best twisty routes. I have found you must set it for motorcycle, scenic with the forbid highways setting for best results. With small effort you can also load a route from google maps or other formats into it but it is limited to 25 way points so you have to set up several different routes for long trips. It downloads the regional/national maps into the iphone so you don't need to worry about losing signal. I recommend it. Any chance you could do a tutorial on how you get the Google maps onto your phone. I've tried and can't seem to figure it out? Jesse Take a look here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=874100 Ignore all the dropbox stuff, I just email the .target file to myself.(make sure to rename the file to .target) and it loads right into navigon. works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer YoshiHNS Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 Considering how current generation unlocked smartphones cost $500+ pretty easy, I wouldn't call $700 completely outrageous, especially since it will outlast your current phone, and the next two. Speaking mostly just about the cost of hardware, and not how your plan subsidizes your phone cost (Not entirely though). Add in an enclosure that can withstand a drop, extreme weather, and a touchscreen that works with gloves, and the cost isn't entirely unthinkable. The only Gz'One that was good was the original. They need to build a better one next round. Also, the technology isn't dying, it's expanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 I absolutely loved my Zumo 550 but it was pricey ($999 list - I actually paid $650 and thought it a good deal) so when it was stolen from my car I tried to do without another motorcycle specific GPS. I lasted almost 18 months without one, then bought a Zumo 665 before my trip to the Catskills for Sebs fall ride a few years ago. That unit had a little catch in the latch and the GPS fell from the mount when it was bout a month old in my cul de sac, no damage. About a year ago, I was riding across a bridge on a two lane not far from home when the unit popped out of the mount and tumbled across the bridge, I could see it in the rearview mirror, discarding clothes/covers like a college kid on a Friday night. MiniCarver was right behind and we got turned around and found a spot to pull off. It took 10-15 minutes but we found the door, the battery and the gps unit, scuffed and dinged and looking a bit worse for the wear. I contacted Garmin and they immediately sent a new base unit out, helped me recalibrate the screen (beyond the settings in the menu) and it worked ok for a few more months. Lately it has been acting up, giving me an L when I type A kind of stuff. A couple more calibrations and still it wanders sooner rather than later. So I called Garmin back and they had recorded the initial incident and have authorized a replacement unit be sent out. All I have to pay is shipping of the current unit to them. As much as I would like to agree that $700 is too much for a gps nav unit, like others here have stated, not when it is robust enough for two wheeled excursions, waterproof to 1meter for 30 minutes, glove friendly, and has a good reputation for standing behind their products. Now if they would just hire some developers who actually ride motorcycles or relocate from the KC area so they can provide better motorcycle-centric navigation options of their existing product line. Maybe this "curvy roads" feature is step in the right direction but like someone posted earlier, this should be a firmware upgrade for existing owners as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 $700 is robbery and these things will eventually die a horrible death. The smart phones are slowly taking all their market. Maybe for in-car navigation, but since you still cannot buy a truly waterproof smartphone (the Sony and Samsung both have serious flaws that make them unsuitable for sustained outdoor use), there is still a market for a motorcycle-focused waterproof GPS. Ciao, They make waterproof cases for phones. And since I've been using mine for GPS duty, I just put it away if the threat of rain is present. I have a bluetooth communicator (Sena SMH10r) so i will still hear directions. Not a big deal. If it is, get a waterproof case. Either way, I have to have a phone so a m/c GPS is one less thing I have to worry about or tote around. Plus the phone does a whole host of other things. And the cost is subsidized through my carrier. I think these GPS specific devices are on their way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BonusVFR Posted September 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 12, 2013 Still have my Z550 which does most everything the 390 appears to do. The curvy road feature really does not standout for me as all my tour routes are preprogrammed on the PC/Tablet anyway. I see the Curvy Road feature as a point and shoot navigation option...............but who knows what the algorithm will really do when selected...but it sounds good. My experience is that sometimes those route limiters do weird things. Don't think I will be dumping the Zumo for a smartphone just yet. I want the glove friendly, waterproof bigger screen with a bunch of preloaded routes ready on standby. I use the phone GPS as backup and weather guesser. If I had to buy now not sure what I would get: Zumo 660, 390 or even perhaps the Montana which handles tracks better for off road adventures. I always look for these on tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted September 13, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2013 As a smart phone owner for the past 6 years (subsidized by my job) it does not yet compare to a dedicated GPS for dependable signal when navigation is critical, nor is the limited screen size a benefit. I do think that in the next 5 years or so the dedicated GPS units (if the remain singular in function) will be on the way out but not yet. Bonus, your initial reports on the Zumo swayed me to getting the 550 instead of the 450 when I went shopping and you are spot on regarding the attributes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted September 13, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2013 WOW $500 !!!! Zumo 550 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted September 13, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted September 13, 2013 My 2 cents.... Me too a company sponsored smartphone user, from the HP iPAQs, PALMs and now a HTC. Tried them on my bike with Very tricky to operate while driving, neigh on impossible to see what is on the screen. For many years now I have a Nuvi510, which is water&shock proof, paid equiv of $200 It is hacked into thinking is is a ZUMO, so I can switch off "recalculate route", can set LARGE keys for typing (instead of one keyboard it is divided in 4-5 screens and a few other gimmicks like fuel meter. Garmin Customer support is good (in NL at least). Dropped it a few times, still works a charm. Put it to good use during TMAC12 But apart from GPS and all this stuff, let's not forget to teach our children how to NAVIGATE using a map (and compass) for when the battery dies... (I have encounterd people on the Scottish hills in adverse weather, trying to navigate holding their smartphone, near sheer cliffs. No map, no skills, no nothing) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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