Navigator III or BestBuy

[rkasal]

Hello, just a quick question before I go gorge myself. I was at the dealer's the other day and learned that there is a special on Navigator III's if ordered by the end of the year.

Besides the GPS features, it's designed for a motorcyle (vibration, water, fuel, etc.) and the big plus, to me, is it has all the BMW dealers in NA added. My understanding is I can add European dealers and Mexican dealers.

But, BestBuy et al offer GPS systems for $130 to $200. I could keep it in my pocket and thus protect against fuel/water and also lessen vibration problems for longevity. I'm still not sure if I want to go bluetooth or if I could even hear anything anyway while traveling.

So, my question is essentially based on the experience of readers; what's the best way to go?

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Regards,


Randy Kasal

[jdmetzger]

I'd go with option C, find the one you want and then look for it online. I find the prices are FAR better than Best Buy with some of the online retailers, and the premium you pay to have the BMW branded one isn't worth the price difference, IMHO. You could always get someone with the dealership locations to export their points of interest to you, or you could just spend those cold winter nights programming them in, as well.

I purchased a Garmin Quest a little while back, and got it for a steal. It was actually a factory refurb, but works great. Even without getting a factory refurb, I can usually beat the local store prices by a good amount (even after you figure in shipping). I'm in the market for a new GPS myself, as I want one with enough memory to load all of the maps North America at one time (I have to pick and choose areas with the Quest) - and I'd like more memory to store track logs, too.

[aerialfilm1]

I have the Street Pilot 2720. A few days back I loaded all the BMW Cycle dealers into it from a free file at poi-factory.com . Works great on a Mac too!:thumb
If Dealer POIs are important to you don't feel like your choices are limited.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/3365

[SNC1923]

I sure dig my Zumo.

I used to ride silent. Then I listened to an iPod for awhile.

XM has revolutionized my riding. I oscillate between XM and MP3s and really enjoy listening on long stretches.

In general, when buying electronics, my philosophy has been to get the latest and greatest (once proven) because the technology changes so rapidly.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decide.

Oh, BTW, I have a full US/Canada dealer network for the Zumo that I'd be happy to send to you.

[sachiwilson]

Zumo. Period.

Spend the extra money, and be satisfied!

[henzilla]

BestBuy in Austin had a Zumo550 in stock for ...$999, ordered one thru PCNation for $720 the next day. Had been using the Garmin QuestII, but my eyes started thinking the screen was a little small,even with RAM magnifying glass over it.

Only used the Zumo last week for the first time going to BigBend but so far so good. The 3-d horizon view is a little different than my Quest, but cool.
I am a map person, but learning that both worlds are very nice and technology should be enjoyed:thumb

[rkasal]

I sure dig my Zumo.

I used to ride silent. Then I listened to an iPod for awhile.

XM has revolutionized my riding. I oscillate between XM and MP3s and really enjoy listening on long stretches.

In general, when buying electronics, my philosophy has been to get the latest and greatest (once proven) because the technology changes so rapidly.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decide.

Oh, BTW, I have a full US/Canada dealer network for the Zumo that I'd be happy to send to you.


This is one thing that I'm not understanding is how people hear anything when they're riding other than wind noise.

For any trip over about five miles at highway speeds, I have ear plugs in. My helmet is a Shoei with a full-face shield so there's not a lot of wind noise but there is enough that over time, it will affect my hearing.

Of course, if I have earplugs in to hear music, or bluetooth my crackberry, or listen to turn-by-turn directions, can these really be heard over the wind noise? I'm sure the music can be turned up loud enough but that would affect hearing, I would think.

The big selling point to me what the pre-loaded BMW dealerships on the water, fuel, and shock resistant GPS devices. It had not occured to me that there were files available to load these so this information was useful and interesting. I did understand that a point of interest like a dealership could be added.

It sounds like my initial unstated premise of buying the $130 to $200 GPS would be good even if it's not water, fuel, and shock resistant if I can add dealers in a file. If I spill fuel on it, throw it away.

But the hearing music or directions I still have a question about mostly as it applies to protecting my hearing.

Thanks,

Randy Kasal

[SNC1923]

This is one thing that I'm not understanding is how people hear anything when they're riding other than wind noise.

I got a set of earplug/phones from Arizona Al, a regular at all the California rallies. He's a dsitributor for EAR Inc., which I believe advertises in the ON.

These are custom molded for MY ears, so they function as both ear plugs and speakers. I can hear some enough road noise to be safe, but mostly I hear music. Some of the real high end is lost, but I don't know if that's road noise or age (I think the former).

Good earphones are essential. Plan on spending something in the neighborhood of $200. I've had mine three years. Repaired once. Work wonderfully.

[wsteinborn]

JVC, Etymotic, and others make earplug/earphones that block out some of the noise.

I either wear triple-flange earplugs or the Etymotic 'phones, and kep the music turned low. I can hear the musinc, and cars, and sirens, etc. The wind is a muted roar in the background.

[henzilla]

been using Etymotic E6RI's for a few years...noise cancelling ( can still hear engine purr and a siren if needed) when k\hooked into my Autocomm system, music,two-way between bikes , radar , and turn by turn are very clear,maybe a little info overload at times though! and when I want silence, turn off the sounds and have a nice set of earplugs that block wind noise.

[BubbaZanetti]

yup, earbuds designed for motorcycle use are plugs first and speakers second. they reduce the ambient noise a ton, THEN play music at an acceptable volume in relation to the dbs they've just knocked off.

i still have yet to get some. i've been riding around for 3 years now with a set of regular, plastic sony earbuds that just happened to fit the contour of my ear perfectly, so they actually act as crude noise reducers. they are comfortable and work and that is the only reason i've not ditched them yet, although i do probably listen to my music louder than i should.:hungover

oh, and take josh's suggestion on the GPS. BMW branding is a waste of cash, IMO, but you probably won't be happy with the features of that Best Buy cheapo. everyone seems to love their Zumos. i've got a 2720 that i bought real cheap right when the zumo came out. it works, i wish some things were different, but it works. it's sort of a "dumb" plug and go GPS, there isn't much interfacing to be had with a PC.

[RocketCowboy]

Save yourself some money and buy any Garmin GPS before you buy a Navigator III ... or just buy my Nav III from me (used). Even on closeout from BMW, the Nav III is simply too expensive compared to it's Garmin labeled brothers and sisters. The Nav III is essentially a 2720, which you can buy now for closer to $300, but BMW has been selling for closer to $1000. But it will have the BMW dealerships pre-installed.

[burromanadero]

I purchased my Zumo from Best Buy and it quit working after a week, thank god I purchased the extra warranty with it and they gave me a new one no questions asked. You don't have that kind of deal if you buy it on line.

[John Brase]

I purchased my Zumo from Best Buy and it quit working after a week, thank god I purchased the extra warranty with it and they gave me a new one no questions asked. You don't have that kind of deal if you buy it on line.

Not necessarily true. I bought a refurb 2610 online (newegg.com). With about a week left on the 12 month standard warranty the screen cover delaminated. Garmin replaced it with a "new" refurbished unit free.

John

p.s. I hear there are off-lease, used, 2610s on e-bay right now for $125. Seems like it might be a good, cheap way to test the GPS waters.

[Voni]

The 2610 is probably the one most used by Iron Butt Riders . . .

And me ; ):groovy

Voni
sMiling