Am I the only one?

[CAC]

It seems like there is always a thread going on about GPS, GPS mounts, etc. Do the majority of the wingers have GPS's? I have quite a few miles under my belt and have been in all of the lower 48 states and all of them more than once with the exception of the north west states, plus Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. I'm wondering if I am missing the boat on my travels by not having one. I always have a map and the 08 navi on my bike that has never been updated. When I do a trip I am probably the most laxed at planning, I basically just head a direction and play it by ear on the road.

[CaptLen]

"C"-I like to use a GPS since it makes life easier. Of course I can read a map, but you don't want to have to keep stopping to look at it. I don't like the NAV on my '12-I use a Garmin Nuvi

[TravelinLite]

Here is my GPS:

My CB utilizes the same high tech....We can talk when we get there.

[Lone Ranger]

I have a Garmin 2610, don't want to change after all these years. I have maps in the trunk/bags for when I want an overview of where I am at. I like the GPS for showing me the roads and how they are configured, especially at not. We communicate using the CBs and I am often called upon to give course corrections when the guy in front is off route or just plain lost. I don't have a phone that is GPS equipped nor does the phone allow for searching for lodging, food, and fuel, so the GPS service other purposes for me.

[JGDJR]

I just use the GPS that came with my bike...works fine for me

John

[MMR]

CAC, yes, you are the only one. And it is all because you have not visited the North West states...more than once . Bad CAC...bad !

Now, I use a Garmin Zumo 550, and have used the same one for more than 8 years. Well, not correct. After the lightning strike, Garmin replaced my Zumo 550 with another one, for free. But I prefer the Zumo 550 over any of the newer models, as it is the most glove friendly while riding.

I still carry a full USA atlas with me in the trunk, for perusing at night in the motel. I do NOT live and breath by what my GPS tells me. I use it as a tool, with mileage info, routing info, etc, but I use my brain more than I use the GPS. Just like a set of highway pegs, or a cruise control, or a good pair of boots...the GPS is simply another tool. I can easily ride coast to coast, border to border, and never look at the GPS, because I know 93.13149 % of the roads in this country, but I do like using it for doing calculations of mileage routes....it is fun.

Now, no more excuses, CAC, you have officially been invited to visit the states in the North West....a second time.

[Fatwing]

It seems like there is always a thread going on about GPS, GPS mounts, etc. Do the majority of the wingers have GPS's? I have quite a few miles under my belt and have been in all of the lower 48 states and all of them more than once with the exception of the north west states, plus Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. I'm wondering if I am missing the boat on my travels by not having one. I always have a map and the 08 navi on my bike that has never been updated. When I do a trip I am probably the most laxed at planning, I basically just head a direction and play it by ear on the road.

I'm the same when it comes to a trip.I have a general direction and even that changes with the weather,but if you don't plan anything you don't have to make a point of being anywhere on time.I do however use the GPS for finding lodging and fuel the odd time.Nothing worse than driving around a strange town at the end of a long day searching for a room.As a matter of fact most times when we've had enough for the day I'll pull over and check what's available and then call ahead and see if they have rooms.Again it just saves driving from place to place.GPS's can be had dirt cheap,so why not have one.

[TravelinLite]

Fatwing, have you ever tried the free App "Hotel Tonight" on you Smartphone? It can save you some $$ when making last minute reservations which it sounds like you do.

[Touringon2]

I use my GPS to find rooms, gas stations, install a route to where we are going. The GPS give me a more acculturate speed, Total miles, and trip miles. Can be set to let you know when you need gas, at the millage you want. Down load music. It works for me. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry

[clayusmcret]

I never had a GPS until I bought my 03 and my 2720 was already on the bike as an accessory. Since then, I traded the 03 for my current 08 and had Gertrude (the 2720) transferred over to the new-for-me at trade-in. Normally I know exactly where I'm going, but it's convenient not having to keep running the math in my head. Also, since neither bike had an accurate speedometer, I've grown accustomed to using the GPS vice my speedometer for the speed. I bet I haven't looked at the actual speedometer in two years.

It's also good for weekend rides. I can plan out a ride on my computer for a route I've never gone before and drill a new hole in the map with a preplanned circular route; again knowing where I'm going...but not to the finest detail.

Bottom line: it's my paper map (equivalent) and my speedometer, but not my brain. I choose the route and Gertrude reminds me of the turns and lets me know how long until our arrival.

[530ktm]

It seems like there is always a thread going on about GPS, GPS mounts, etc. Do the majority of the wingers have GPS's? I have quite a few miles under my belt and have been in all of the lower 48 states and all of them more than once with the exception of the north west states, plus Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. I'm wondering if I am missing the boat on my travels by not having one. I always have a map and the 08 navi on my bike that has never been updated. When I do a trip I am probably the most laxed at planning, I basically just head a direction and play it by ear on the road.

No you are not the only one, I thought I was. I like to plot my course on a map and look at it once in a while when we stop, never have had a problem or wished I had something different.

[tommyone]

I as others enjoy building my own routes and downloading them into my zumo 660. You can find the twisties if that's what you like or the fastest routes. Its ideal if your riding the twisties to zoom in close and you have the layout of the curves as you getting close to them and you will learn quick the speed you can hit them at. Wouldn't do without one.

[azdryheat]

My Wing has GPS as does my truck. My car does not so I use my smart phone. Tonight we went to a dinner party and used GPS to get there. I've used my GPS all over the country and find it invaluable. It has helped me find gas stations, rest stops and restaurants in unfamiliar locations. I wouldn't travel without one.

[HBarlow]

I traveled for years using an atlas or free road map but started using a Garmin 2720 in 2005 when I was transporting trailers for-hire all over the US. It was extremely valuable for locating addresses of RV dealers for delivery in strange cities. It was perhaps even more valuable for finding my way out of those cities to travel a different direction. I became dependent on a GPS and have never been without since.

A GPS will provide more than just turn direction. The NUVIs in service now provide elevation, accurate road speed, speed limit, time of arrival, driving time to arrival, distance in miles to arrival, and will keep a rider from missing a turn in a complicated route over several interstate intersections in some big cities if he's day dreaming.

My Goldwing has the oem GPS unit but I added a Garmin Nuvi on the handlebar because it is easier to use, change, and provides more information.

It's hard to go wrong with a new refurbished Nuvi for $84 from Wal-Mart online. If it is stolen while I'm in a convenience store or having lunch it's not a big loss.

[Yellowbird]

Some of my best rides were the ones with out GPS. Congrats to for not using one. I have a OEM GPS i think its crap but it has helped me find locations i use my iPhone 90 percent of the time. I have never updated my OEM and would not spend the money to do it. I would buy a cheap one from wally world but for my iPhone works fine

[SneakySnake]

I never ride without one now. A GPS doesn't force you to take the route. Go where you want if you do not like it and let it reroute you back when you are tired of wandering. To me , there is nothing like having a long trip planned and on the gps for worry free travel.

[speckfisher]

I never used a GPS until I bought the '12 Wing with GPS. My favorite thing to do is to ride country roads and purposely get lost and follow it back home. I am addicted to it when I tour and love the weather/traffic updates.

[murgie]

The primary use of a GPS on my wing is to cram as much twisty riding I can on a ride. Those who have ridden with me would agree on the amount of twisty roads we can get in on any given trip.

[TravelinLite]

The primary use of a GPS on my wing is to cram as much twisty riding I can on a ride. Those who have ridden with me would agree on the amount of twisty roads we can get in on any given trip.

Ah yes, I have definitely benefited from that.

[CAC]

I think the reason I haven't got one is I don't want the extra hassle. I know it doesn't amount to much, but it all adds up. I used to have all the helmet communication ad I got rid of that also. I'm not sure how many times a season I get on and off my bike, but its enough fiddling around that I choose to just have my helmet and gloves to deal with. With me riding for work and going to meetings with paper work, measuring tools, etc. I just get tired of packing, unpacking and saddling up and unsaddling it gets to be a pain. So I choose to ride with less. Makes the ride more enjoyable for me.