[stangro]

Has anyone gotten so frustrated with the '06/'07 Nav System that they purchased a handlebar replacement unit as a replacement - if so, I'm interested in you experiences.

I attempted to route out a ride today for my club and it was a disaster - trying to go my way instead of the GPS way did not work (tried routing from town to town via the "via" button).

It seems really dumb to mount two GPS systems on your bike.....

 

[KYBLUE]

I know I'll have to practice with the Nav system to get it right....I do still have my 2720 as a backup....

 

[William Anzik]

I'm no quitter! :lol:

Actually I haven't programmed in any complicated routes. All I really care about is my destination. I put that in and go the way I want. When I get off route it just recalculates. No big deal.

 

[Sunkist]

I can't afford to "upgrade" to an '07 right now, but if I could, I'd get the Nav version, despite it's shortcomings, and augment the capabilities of the built in Nav unit with my Garmin 60CSx. The 60CSx is intended for hiking but can be used for road navigation too, and can be programed via your computer. Also, it has extensive memory for saving tracks, so if I was using the built-in nav, I'd put the 60CSx into the trunk to track my route. The 60CSx doesn't have voice capabilities, but does alert the user to upcoming turns with beeps and a pop-up screen.

 

[Guest]

Replace 06 navy

I use the stock navi system for general city to city routing and finding POI.

If I am on a trip like what Red Hot Riders put on where there are huge amouts of routing changes and turns, I then use a Garmin Quest. (getfeetwet.com for around 250.00 or so) I use the supplied software and load the route. I also carry a 12" laptop wherever I go. Takes up very little space) The Quest is pumped into my head set via Autocom.

mounting pics if you like and will provide the link... let me know...

the Garmin Quest is one of the best GPS for its size that has ever been made. Very pleased with its huge config ability. (this is not the Quest II) they want way too much money for more memory it has and that is the only difference. I have downloaded into the quest most of the western states with room to spare. You can find them referb at a most excellent price.

 

[Golden Wing]

Programming the Honda Nav can be a pain if you have lots of nav points. It is a pain to program any way. To do it in a hurry when others are waiting is like trying to sink a birdie on the 18th to win the coat.

If you are going to try that, try to do it before hand, and verify it before hand with an Internet map from MapQuest, Google or Yahoo. It's always good to bring a printout anyway, if you can.

Personally, I would prefer to have my 2730 mounted for a long trip, because I can program it from my computer with Map Source. Much easier to create routes. Also, the interface is much easier so if I want to add/change something, itis much easier and quicker. So far, I have not mounted my 2730 on my 06, but I intend to have that option available for som of the trips I plan to take.

 

[herjeff]

I put my 2610 on my 07 just for that reason. Want the route my way with via points and want to do it on my computer, not sitting on the bike in the rain. Got the wiring from Jon and put it on an auxiliary(battery) panel so I can turn it on without the key; works great. Keep the NAV on 500' for upcoming streets while in city and listen to Ms. Garmin on the 2610 call out the turns. Now I can go on a trip and figure out creative routes or new things to see while in my hotel room on the computer, the night before.

 

[stevep714]

I figure the on board GPS is great for helping you not be completely lost if you are not familiar with the area you are riding. You can normally find a way back to the highways and gas.

I run a Garmin 2720 for any trip that I want to choose the roads, eats, hotels etc that I run on. The onboard has none of these capabilities it seems. The 2720 has tons of restaurants with detailed info inside that box.

At least the onboard GPS can remember the hotel or camping spot and get you back after having a good BBQ dinner. I use it when daytripping 300-400 miles in a day around the tri-state area if I get turned around somehow.

The onboard GPS is better then nothing IMHO.

 

[speck]

06/07 Navi System

NO
I have no problem what so ever with the Navi system. Works great & easy to program. Via's are easy to enter and sort. I like the Idea of not having a ugly box and a bunch of wires and antennas hanging all over the bike (can cause severe front end wobble and crush washer problems due to poor handlebar weight distrubtion) ....
It does not give me my Altitude or speed but I very seldom get over a Foot or so over the surface of the road and I have a speedometer and tachometer to give me a rough idea of how fast I am going!
Just take the time to read the instruction manual then practice using the unit and I am sure you will be very happy with it. Just remember most but not all of the people using the bolt on portable units did not have the option of the built in unit when they got there's. Good Luck

 

[Cruiseman]

Once the verdict is in on the Zumo I will be putting a handlebar unit on my '07. Navi is worthless for the kind of touring that I prefer. I would really be disappointed if I paid the extra money just to get Navi. The way I look at it, it cost me $3,000 for ABS.

 

[Hazle]

I use mine it helps a lot I enter my destination from here to there lets say than I start out riding when I see a road I want to take I take it and the Nav unit recaculates for the road I'm now on and and gives me a new route from were I am to were I want to go, than I see another road I want to take and I take it and the Nav recaculates for the road I'm on and gives me a route from were I am to were I want to go. No sitting at a computer loading a route no extra gps just the one on the bike, it has not got me lost yet it seems to know every road I go on and how to get to my final destination from whatever road I'm on Now why would I want to sit at a computer and load a route into a gps that I already know I want to take If I already know the route,it seems like a waste to sit and load it into a gps unit but maybe my memory is still good enough to remember the route I already know. The stock Nav unit works great for what it is intended to do just like everything else on my 06 Touring bike.
Hazle

 

[cycledude]

I

I run a Garmin 2720 for any trip that I want to choose the roads, eats, hotels etc that I run on. The onboard has none of these capabilities it seems. The 2720 has tons of restaurants with detailed info inside that box.

are u saying the Honda GPS does not have a list of motels and resturants ?

 

[Hazle]

mine does

 

[speck]

GPS

Mine also does resturants (All Kinds), Motels, Gas Stops, truck stops,Casinos, and just a ton of other POI information. In addition mine (ONBOARD Honda Unit) Has all the Honda dealers in the US & Canada, if you have a problem or just want to stop by it will give you the name, address, phone number, time & distance to and route you there, very handy while traveling. (Does your Garmin do that????)
Bottom line is I am very happy with the Honda unit and it is a very handy tool to have, but, like all toys it does have a learning curve just as the Garmin or I-Way has. Until you read the manual and use the system for a peroid of time it is difficlut to use (Just like the portable units).
Most of the posts I have read on the board are complaining about a feature on the unit they can not find or dont know how to program when in fact the feature is available and easy to program when you learn how to do it. The other complaints come from people stuck with a portable unit who have never used the Honda GPS.
Having said that, there are features I would like changed or added to the unit that would make it better. However I think the unit does a great job just the way it is and I look forward to the upgrades that are sure to come, After all how many Garmin upgrades have and will be done? They have a model list as long as my arm and are always coming out with a newer and beter version every coupla months.
As far as cost by the time you buy the super dooper Garmin, Ram mounts , interfaces ect the price is not that much more for a intergrated unit without all the garbage hanging all over the bike and you get a better & larger display along with the comfort package and ABS if you want it..

 

[Jeff in Ferndale WA]

doesn't the Honda unit operate from a CF card?
Can you take the card to your computer,plan your route in Mapsource and load on to the card with a card reader?

 

[speck]

GPS

Jeff:
The Honda has a 2 GIG CF card but it is pre loaded and it is locked out. That is one thing that I would like to see them change. You need to program the unit from the controls on the bike and while this is inconvenient to some people it is not hard to do once you get the hang of it. In one respect it is a good feature as you do not need a computer to do the programing! However It would be nice to be able to access this card to update POI as well as pre program and hopefully this will be a future update.

 

[William Anzik]

I'm with you, Speck. :yes1:

 

[Jon]

Where've you been, Jeff?

The Navi system is not programmable from a PC. Any route that you want to plan has to be done from the bike, and just before the ride since there is no way to save it. You also need to add any waypoints to your route from your destination back to your starting point (pretty intuitive).

Don't forget the 'unverified road' message if you venture off the beaten path and the inability to operate it while moving (or after you've started moving)

Speck, any current Garmin (or even the sacred cow iWay) unit can have the Honda dealers loaded in as a waypoint, all you need is the POI file. The nice thing about the aftermarket units is that you can load in only as many dealer locations as you need and delete them when you're done traveling if you want.

The GPS documentation is much more intense for the on-board unit, and there's no GPS that's easier to use than the iWay (including the Navi unit).

Speck, the Garmin product list is long, but what you have to remember is that this is a Honda product and not a Garmin so the update schedule won't even match Garmin's relatively weak release profile. They will update their units to correct bug fixes, but very rarely add functionality to an existing product. How many product updates have you received for the Navi unit so far?

 

[George Lewis]

Question to all. Can the nav system be upgraded as time passes and new roads are built? If so, how is it done? Just wondering as I may upgrade bike/trike and was interested in the GPS. Thanks.

 

[William Anzik]

Question to all. Can the nav system be upgraded as time passes and new roads are built? If so, how is it done? Just wondering as I may upgrade bike/trike and was interested in the GPS. Thanks.

Yes it can be upgraded. What most people are saying is that you'll have to buy a new memory card. It all depends on what options Honda allows. Maybe dealers could just put the files on your current memory card. Maybe Honda could provide a reader with a CD or a download and you could do it yourself from your own PC. Some people with the right software have already updated the maps on the chip with files from Garmin and the right software (never paid attention so I don't know the details).

Anyway, yes the maps can be updated. 8)