Author Topic: GPS for the 690  (Read 1819 times)

Alabama Adventurer

  • Adventurer
  • ****
  • Posts: 156
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Huntsville, Alabama
    • View Profile
GPS for the 690
« on: March 15, 2014, 07:59:26 pm »
Any thoughts about a GPS unit for the 690?  I don't mean just the type that will find the nearest gas station, but one that could actually have trails in it.  Looking at this ariticle - http://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/bid/100890/The-Best-Motorcycle-GPS-4-Options-Tested-Only-1-Survived - they seem to really like the Garmin Montana 650; expensive but worth it?

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


coarsegoldkid

  • Explorer
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Location: Coarsegold, Ca
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2014, 11:24:42 pm »
I have a Garmin Zumo 665 with lifetime maps for use on my BMW R1200RT and the KTM690.  I've ridden through some very rocky terrain with it and it keeps working.  It will show all the trails available on the maps.  Some regions have specific maps with better detail I've been told.  I just use the lifetime ones and Basecamp for planning.  Basecamp has gone through many changes since I first decided to learn it.  I like it.  Others hate it with a passion. No matter what GPS you get you can't beat a detailed paper map to assist you in the field.  I especially like to collect tracks of rides and see where I've been.  I hear that the Montana allows topo maps and maybe a few other functions that the Zumo does not.  The Zump 350 series has a great screen for bright sunlight.

Rusty Shovel

  • Aimless Ne'er Do Well
  • Administrator
  • Grizzled Adventurer
  • *****
  • Posts: 553
  • Karma: +8/-1
  • Houston, TX
  • Location: Katy, TX
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2014, 04:16:46 pm »
I've had the Montana for a couple years now.  I love it.  I especially like how easy it is to read in bright sunlight.  I haven't bothered with topi maps because I think all the lines make it hard to see the roads.  I do, however, have a subscription to Bird's Eye, which lets me download arial imagery of unmarked trails.  I really like that feature.
D==[#)
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

Dogfarm

  • Traveler
  • **
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2014, 05:39:02 pm »
I am planning to upgrade to a Montana so I am selling my Oregon if you want to ease into things. I always ran it off rechargeable batteries instead of trying to wire it to the bike. I always carried a spare set of AA batteries but never had to use them.

The kit includes: Oregon 450T, City Navigator North America NT 2011.11, Topo USA 100K Map, 16 Gb Micro SD Card, 4 rechargeable batteries and charger, Ram Mount Holder. $200 plus shipping.

So to put it on the bike you would need to mount a Ram ball and add a Ram arm. I am not selling mine because I need them. To hook it your computer you just need a cord with a micro USB on one end and regular USB on the other end. Garmin Basecamp is free and can be used to plan trips and interface with the Oregon.
2009 KTM 690r
2009 KLR 650
2008 WR250R

Alabama Adventurer

  • Adventurer
  • ****
  • Posts: 156
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Huntsville, Alabama
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2014, 08:47:21 pm »
Thanks for the info; I'll have to check-out ' Bird's Eye'.  What I don't like about the Oregon is the smaller screen.  Originally I had a small screen device (I forget what some kind of Garmin) that was made for hiking; there is no way that you can read it at speed.  It would help if you were lost, but not while ridding.  There are area in Colorado that are 40 square miles where you can ride, and a lot of it looks the same; neat, but easy to get lost.  I have heard an interesting debate between the Zumo and the Montana; some say that you can see the trails on the Zumo, and some say that you need a trails type GPS.  I could see some forest roads being on the Zumo, but single track?  What I do like about the Montana is how customizable it is, and how you can run a normal type of Garmin screen on it for highway navigation.  Torturetech (Turatech) makes a holder for it, but I think it is about $200.  I just checked 'Bird's Eye'; I'm glad it worked for you - maybe it's good in your area - the Amazon reviews were less than favorable.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2014, 08:54:45 pm by Colorado Rider »

Rusty Shovel

  • Aimless Ne'er Do Well
  • Administrator
  • Grizzled Adventurer
  • *****
  • Posts: 553
  • Karma: +8/-1
  • Houston, TX
  • Location: Katy, TX
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 09:14:32 am »
The extra screen size is why I went with the Montana and I haven't regretted it.  I would advise against the touratech mount.  Get the Rugged AMPS mount and attach it to a long arm Ram Mount.  It works great and is about $130 cheaper.
D==[#)
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

Alabama Adventurer

  • Adventurer
  • ****
  • Posts: 156
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Huntsville, Alabama
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2014, 06:40:53 pm »
Thanks for the advise on the GPS mount.  I've noticed that the latest debate seems to be between the Garmin Montana, and the similarly named Garmin Monterra.  The Monterra has WiFi and Bluetooth, but as with a lot of early releases, may yet be buggy.

Rusty Shovel

  • Aimless Ne'er Do Well
  • Administrator
  • Grizzled Adventurer
  • *****
  • Posts: 553
  • Karma: +8/-1
  • Houston, TX
  • Location: Katy, TX
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2014, 07:16:34 pm »
Also the Monterra's GPS receiver is supposed to be more sensitive, but I don't see how it's sensitivity could be a vast improvement; the Montana is spot on.  WiFi might be nice if it could be used for downloading tracks at sponsored events and between GPS's.  If all it lets you do is download photos, who cares?
D==[#)
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

Endo

  • Explorer
  • ***
  • Posts: 73
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • =Endo=
  • Location: Redding
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 10:58:53 pm »
Check these guys out http://www.rokform.com/

I haven't got a GPS for the bike yet but was toying with just using my iphone as said GPS not only to save money but I'm going to carry my phone anyway so its one less thing for me to pack around also. Just found out they finally make a motorcycle mount so with any luck I hope to get one before  to long. I already have one of their iphone cases &  can honestly say Rokform makes a bitchin product. Just another option to consider  ;)

ChipStevens

  • Wanderer
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2014, 02:57:48 pm »
I use my iPhone with a Garmin app on my GS. It works well but does have some shortcomings.
1) It uses more then 1.2 amps when also using audio with the GPS. It needs the 2.1 amp adaptor.
2) the vibration is hard on the USB connector on the iPhone. The smaller iPhone 5 plug is better.
3) you can't create tracks on the iPhone for off road use. You can create routes for on road and limited off road use. You can create tracks in a program like Basecamp and email the track to your phone and open the attachment in the Scenic Map App.
4) you can't transfer routes or tracks to and
from Basecamp directly.
I understand you can create tracks in Google earth convert them to a file that Scenic Map can open but I haven't tried it yet. I use a Garmin Montana for off road.  chip

Rusty Shovel

  • Aimless Ne'er Do Well
  • Administrator
  • Grizzled Adventurer
  • *****
  • Posts: 553
  • Karma: +8/-1
  • Houston, TX
  • Location: Katy, TX
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2014, 10:26:42 am »
The biggest shortcoming I see with a phone based GPS is that it's not REALLY a GPS.  A phone relies on cell towers to get its location data, not satellites.  This works fine in most of the eastern U.S., but out west there are very large areas where you'd never dream of getting a cell signal.  The same applies to remote areas in Canada, Mexico, etc.  And, really, these are the places I like to go.

 If you want something to help you around the city, a phone is great; it's not suitable for ADV.

*** I've since been educated on this issue and learned that I was exactly WRONG.  DaveKubler and others helped set me straight.  Thanks Dave.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2014, 09:12:35 am by Rusty Shovel »
D==[#)
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

ChipStevens

  • Wanderer
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2014, 05:01:46 pm »
Rusty
If one gets the iPhone that has cellular data and not just wifi it will have a GPS chip in it.  It is a very good chip set and works almost as good as my Garmins. It is the same as the iPad. I use the GPS in the iPad along with the Forflight app to fly all over the south west and Mexico.  chip

Alabama Adventurer

  • Adventurer
  • ****
  • Posts: 156
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Huntsville, Alabama
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2014, 08:01:11 pm »
My android Note II is of good size and knows where it is on GPS, so I can see roads and sometimes even trails, but often it does not know the name of the road or how to do the routing without the cell signal.  Of course finding anything by searching does not work either.  I would pay the money for a good system since getting lost in a large area could be a big risk.

Rusty Shovel

  • Aimless Ne'er Do Well
  • Administrator
  • Grizzled Adventurer
  • *****
  • Posts: 553
  • Karma: +8/-1
  • Houston, TX
  • Location: Katy, TX
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2014, 06:50:34 pm »
Rusty
If one gets the iPhone that has cellular data and not just wifi it will have a GPS chip in it.  It is a very good chip set and works almost as good as my Garmins. It is the same as the iPad. I use the GPS in the iPad along with the Forflight app to fly all over the south west and Mexico.  chip

I didn't know that!  I was told otherwise.  I Googled it, and read a great article Here: http://tewha.net/2011/10/how-the-iphone-gps-differs-from-a-standalone-navigation-gps/

The writer claims that the iPhone does have a GPS chip, but it's dependence on the cloud for mapping is it's weak point.  If you find an app to map independently of the cloud, an iPhone would be a terrific ADV GPS.

Of course, you'll wanna armor up and waterproof an iPhone, but there's plenty of options out there.  Also, you'll need a charger running from the bike's battery--according to the article, an iPhone uses a lot of battery when it's in GPS mode.

Thanks Chip, a little late for me  >:(, but thanks anyway.
D==[#)
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

Dogfarm

  • Traveler
  • **
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: GPS for the 690
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2014, 04:44:54 pm »



Just installed my new Montana. I wired it to the accessory power so it comes on when I turn on the bike.

I have used my smartphone in my car for GPS. It does work but I didn't really like the interface. I have some idea how to manage tracks, routes and get new maps using basecamp so I wasn't crazy about the idea of starting over learning some new smart phone based system.
2009 KTM 690r
2009 KLR 650
2008 WR250R