GPS MODELS FROM JERRY COUNTS
GPS Make & Model Recommendations + Tips
Only Garmin units are recommend and only those that are easy to use and have a robust power input. This limits the models to a few Hand-Helds and the Montana series.
Hand-Held units
Garmin 70 Series (76, 78, & 79) Any of these units are preferred Hand-Helds.
Garmin 76
Although discontinued by Garmin years ago, this unit is still adequate for a Dual Sport ride. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike. They can still be found on eBay, I would not pay over $100 for one.
ISSUES
The main issue with these antiques is that they only hold 20 tracks which is not enough for most 2-day rides. The rider must come back and get a new download after the 1st day. Other than that, they work fine. A 76 is still my main unit used to record new tracks for new rides. I do carry a 78 as backup when scouting.
Garmin 78
This was the go-to Hand-Held Garmin for many years but they were also discontinued a year or so ago. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike. New ones can still be found, West Marine had them for only $180. Lots of them available on eBay, I would not pay over $200 for one. The 78S has the unneeded electronic compass & barometer.
ISSUES
The only known serious issue with this unit is the sorting on the Track Manager Page. Unlike the old 76 which sorted Alphanumerically, they switched it to Proximity on the 78 which makes it much more difficult to find and turn ON just the tracks to Lunch then turn them back OFF and turn ON the after Lunch Tracks.
Garmin 79
This is now the only new Hand-Held Garmin with a 12V power input. The “S” has the unneeded electronic compass & barometer but looks like there is no option without it. They retail for over $300 but the going price is $270.
ISSUES
Garmin added a universal mounting interface (to RAM Cradle) to all their current Hand-Helds that is subject to vibration failure.
There is a hardware issue; Garmin now has a universal “Spine” on the back of all their Hand-Helds and worse it is on the removable Battery Cover, not the main housing.
RAM has a universal “Spin Cradle” P/N RAM-B-202-GA76U (Ball included) which grabs the Garmin Spine. Retail $14.
It is all plastic and subject to vibration failure. I would epoxy the Cradle to the Battery cover to prevent any movement. I would also use a very short Lanyard backup for safety.
12V Power Cable
The 12V hard wire power cable for all of the above is the Garmin P/N 010-10082-00. It comes with bare wires including 2 for data which must be taped off. You can also use the automotive cable with a Cigarette Lighter plug on the source end that must be cut off Garmin P/N 010-10085-00. There is nothing in the plug but a fuse. A fuse holder must be added near the battery on a motorcycle.
Garmin 60 Series (60, 62, 64, 65, & 66)
Garmin 60
Identical operation to the 76. Although discontinued by Garmin years ago, this unit is still adequate for a Dual Sport ride. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike with the cable above. They can still be found on eBay, I would not pay over $100 for one.
ISSUES
The main issue with these antiques is that they only hold 20 tracks which is not enough for most 2-day rides. The rider must come back and get a new download after the 1st day. Other than that, they work fine.
Garmin 62
Identical operation to the 78. Although this unit has been discontinued by Garmin, they can still be found new on eBay new for $250 or used for $150. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike with the cable above.
ISSUES
Probably just the Track manager sorting by alphanumeric only.
Garmin 64 & 65 (Not Recommended)
Identical operation to the 78 but it has No 12V power input.
ISSUES
For some strange reason after the 62, Garmin deleted the 12V Power input from the 60 series. You can use it with internal batteries but not with the backlight on. They can be powered from the USB Input but that connector is prone to fail due to vibration, making the unit useless.
12V to 5V USB Power Cable
The only option for hard wiring the 64 & 65 unites and other little Hand-Helds to your bike battery is to use a cable with an external power supply built in to reduce the 12V to the 5V needed for the USB power input. The USB connector on the GPS is not designed for motorcycle vibrations and is prone to fail. The best prevention is to use the Garmin cable with a 90 degree USB connector and run the cable down the unit attaching the cable to the unit with tape, rubber bands, or running it between the unit and the cradle to eliminate any vibration of the wire. Garmin P/N 010-11131-10.
Garmin 66S
These are discontinued but can still be found on eBay, new & used. I have never seen one so I am not sure it has the unique 5V external power input like the 66i below which is a MUST HAVE.
Garmin 66i
Identical operation to the 79. The "i" indicates it has a built in inRreach which makes it pricy, $500. This unit has a unique 5V external power input utilizing brass pads on the bottom of the unit that interface with spring loaded pins in the mount. However, it still requires an external 12V to 5V power converter.
ISSUES
None.
The Garmin Cradle for the 66i is 010-12825-00 but it needs a 5V power source. Like the Garmin 010-11131-10 (bottom) or the 010-13081-05 (Top) cables which must be spliced in the cable to the battery.
Garmin 67i
Identical operation to the 66i. Garmin finally solved the power Input issue, this unit has a built in Li-Ion battery with a claimed battery life of 165 hours, making an external power cable unnecessary for a Dual Sport Ride.
ISSUES
None.
Other Garmin Hand-Helds
There are lots of other small Garmin Hand-Helds but the ones above are the only ones I recommend for various reason, mainly because of the hard wire options.
Only Garmin units are recommend and only those that are easy to use and have a robust power input. This limits the models to a few Hand-Helds and the Montana series.
Hand-Held units
Garmin 70 Series (76, 78, & 79) Any of these units are preferred Hand-Helds.
Garmin 76
Although discontinued by Garmin years ago, this unit is still adequate for a Dual Sport ride. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike. They can still be found on eBay, I would not pay over $100 for one.
ISSUES
The main issue with these antiques is that they only hold 20 tracks which is not enough for most 2-day rides. The rider must come back and get a new download after the 1st day. Other than that, they work fine. A 76 is still my main unit used to record new tracks for new rides. I do carry a 78 as backup when scouting.
Garmin 78
This was the go-to Hand-Held Garmin for many years but they were also discontinued a year or so ago. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike. New ones can still be found, West Marine had them for only $180. Lots of them available on eBay, I would not pay over $200 for one. The 78S has the unneeded electronic compass & barometer.
ISSUES
The only known serious issue with this unit is the sorting on the Track Manager Page. Unlike the old 76 which sorted Alphanumerically, they switched it to Proximity on the 78 which makes it much more difficult to find and turn ON just the tracks to Lunch then turn them back OFF and turn ON the after Lunch Tracks.
Garmin 79
This is now the only new Hand-Held Garmin with a 12V power input. The “S” has the unneeded electronic compass & barometer but looks like there is no option without it. They retail for over $300 but the going price is $270.
ISSUES
Garmin added a universal mounting interface (to RAM Cradle) to all their current Hand-Helds that is subject to vibration failure.
There is a hardware issue; Garmin now has a universal “Spine” on the back of all their Hand-Helds and worse it is on the removable Battery Cover, not the main housing.
RAM has a universal “Spin Cradle” P/N RAM-B-202-GA76U (Ball included) which grabs the Garmin Spine. Retail $14.
It is all plastic and subject to vibration failure. I would epoxy the Cradle to the Battery cover to prevent any movement. I would also use a very short Lanyard backup for safety.
12V Power Cable
The 12V hard wire power cable for all of the above is the Garmin P/N 010-10082-00. It comes with bare wires including 2 for data which must be taped off. You can also use the automotive cable with a Cigarette Lighter plug on the source end that must be cut off Garmin P/N 010-10085-00. There is nothing in the plug but a fuse. A fuse holder must be added near the battery on a motorcycle.
Garmin 60 Series (60, 62, 64, 65, & 66)
Garmin 60
Identical operation to the 76. Although discontinued by Garmin years ago, this unit is still adequate for a Dual Sport ride. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike with the cable above. They can still be found on eBay, I would not pay over $100 for one.
ISSUES
The main issue with these antiques is that they only hold 20 tracks which is not enough for most 2-day rides. The rider must come back and get a new download after the 1st day. Other than that, they work fine.
Garmin 62
Identical operation to the 78. Although this unit has been discontinued by Garmin, they can still be found new on eBay new for $250 or used for $150. They have a 12V power input for hard wiring to a bike with the cable above.
ISSUES
Probably just the Track manager sorting by alphanumeric only.
Garmin 64 & 65 (Not Recommended)
Identical operation to the 78 but it has No 12V power input.
ISSUES
For some strange reason after the 62, Garmin deleted the 12V Power input from the 60 series. You can use it with internal batteries but not with the backlight on. They can be powered from the USB Input but that connector is prone to fail due to vibration, making the unit useless.
12V to 5V USB Power Cable
The only option for hard wiring the 64 & 65 unites and other little Hand-Helds to your bike battery is to use a cable with an external power supply built in to reduce the 12V to the 5V needed for the USB power input. The USB connector on the GPS is not designed for motorcycle vibrations and is prone to fail. The best prevention is to use the Garmin cable with a 90 degree USB connector and run the cable down the unit attaching the cable to the unit with tape, rubber bands, or running it between the unit and the cradle to eliminate any vibration of the wire. Garmin P/N 010-11131-10.
Garmin 66S
These are discontinued but can still be found on eBay, new & used. I have never seen one so I am not sure it has the unique 5V external power input like the 66i below which is a MUST HAVE.
Garmin 66i
Identical operation to the 79. The "i" indicates it has a built in inRreach which makes it pricy, $500. This unit has a unique 5V external power input utilizing brass pads on the bottom of the unit that interface with spring loaded pins in the mount. However, it still requires an external 12V to 5V power converter.
ISSUES
None.
The Garmin Cradle for the 66i is 010-12825-00 but it needs a 5V power source. Like the Garmin 010-11131-10 (bottom) or the 010-13081-05 (Top) cables which must be spliced in the cable to the battery.
Garmin 67i
Identical operation to the 66i. Garmin finally solved the power Input issue, this unit has a built in Li-Ion battery with a claimed battery life of 165 hours, making an external power cable unnecessary for a Dual Sport Ride.
ISSUES
None.
Other Garmin Hand-Helds
There are lots of other small Garmin Hand-Helds but the ones above are the only ones I recommend for various reason, mainly because of the hard wire options.
Terminology
The only simple to use Garmin Large Screen units is the Montana Series
Montana 600 Series
For several years the 6x0s have been the only large screen choices. They are all adequate but there are some differences in the various models.
ISSUES
The main issue on older 6x0 models is that on the Track Manager Page, it only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. It is MUCH easier to find and turn On the instructed Tracks if they are in Alphanumerical order. With my Track naming method, they will all be grouped together.
Montana 600
This model only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. Not recommended.
Montana 610
This model can be set to Sort Tracks on the Track Manager Page Alphanumerically with the latest firmware version. If yours doesn't show the Menu Icon (=), update your Firmware. A good economic choice.
Montana 650
This model only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. Not recommended.
Montana 680
This model can be set to Sort Tracks on the Track Manager Page Alphanumerically with the latest firmware version. If yours doesn't show the Menu Icon (=), update your Firmware. It also still shows ALL other Tracks when Navigating one Track to make it Wide Pink. A good economic choice.
Recommendations
With the 700 being the GPS of choice for new units, a 610 or especially a 680 on the used market are good choices to save lots of money on a very good GPS unit.
OTHER ISSUE
An issue for many (older) riders are the thin Track lines on all Montana 6x0s compared to all the Hand-Helds.
If you need reading glasses but won’t wear bifocals when riding, I have not found a solution for stupid. However, if you do have good vision but are still having trouble seeing Tracks try these solutions:
First 6x0s with a "T" suffix come loaded with Topo maps. NEVER try to ride with Topo Maps turned on. There have way too many lines and clutter on the Map page and make seeing the Tracks much harder.
Get a set of Garmin City Nav maps or better yet have me download Roads & Recreation (R&R) maps. They are by far the best background maps to make Tracks visible.
Another solution on newer units is to Navigate the Track you want to follow.
At the start of a ride, touch "Where To", touch "Tracks", find the Track you are going to follow and touch it, then touch "Go". That Track will now change to a wide Pink line. The downside is that on older units, none of the other optional tracks (HW, EW) will show on the map even though they are “turned On”. Garmin has fixed this on the latest models and you can “Navigate” my main Dark Green Track and still see the splits to the Hard Way Red Tracks.
Montana 700 Series
Montana 700
This is definitely the "State of the Art" "Go-To" Dual Sport model. One great new feature is it shows ALL other (Hard, Easy) Tracks when Navigating a Track to make it Wide Pink line. Another really handy new feature is that you can set & view the ON/OFF status and the color of each track on the Track Manager page. This really saves time checking your On/Off settings
Montana 700i
Your GPS must be on your handle bars so there is some risk to have your satellite communicator there also. However, having text messages visible on your bars is great feature if you ride in groups along with someone back at home that can log on to Garmin and see where you are.
Montana 750i
Identical to the 700i but has a built in Camera. Very expensive!
Montana 7x0 Cradle
The correct Cradle for 700s is the Garmin AMPS Rugged Mount P/N 010-12881-08 which comes with the Cradle and the power cable. The 010-12881-08 Bundle also comes with a Ball for back of the Cradle.
ISSUES;
TRACK VISIBILITY
Many riders have trouble seeing Tracks on the Map. The one great feature the Zumos have over the Montanas is the ability to set the Track width.
If you need reading glasses but won’t wear bifocals when riding, I have not found a solution for stupid. However, if you do have good vision but are still having trouble seeing Tracks try these solutions:
1) Use Background Map with less Clutter.
It comes with this choice of Maps;
Woldwide Basemap, OK,
Public Lands, OK,
CN North America All Canada & Mex, Don't Need, Turn OFF
CN North America NT all US, Possible,
TopoActive Central, & TopoActive North (NEVER have these turned on).
From the Map page:
Tap the “Menu” Icon (=),
Tap “Map Setup”,
Tap “Map Manager”. You can turn ON/OFF each Map set (switch on the right).
First try riding with just the Woldwide Basemap on.
If you want more information, try riding with just CN NA All US on.
Try reducing the clutter by changing the "Detail" from "Map Manager" page.
2) By Far, the best Maps to use are Garmin Roads & Recreation (R&R).
They are hard to find, but at a ride, I can download them to your unit.
3) Many riders "Navigate" the Track they are following which turns it into a Wide Pink line, but makes it easy to then miss the Hard Way Options.
POWER CABLE
By far the biggest hardware issue with the 700 and it is literally a big one is the giant ugly power cable.
All the 600 models have a 12V power input to wire direct to your battery with a simple 2-wire cable and a fuse at the battery.
The 700 series requires a power cable with a 12V to 5V Power Supply built in.
In the cable between the mount and the Power Supply, there three unused wires (Blue, Yellow, & Purple), the Black & Red 5V, and additional signal wire (Grey) that is required to turn ON the Power Supply only when the 700 is in the Cradle.
There are two Pig Tail Cables coming out of the Power Converter. One is an Audio out coax cable (unused). The other contains the +/- 12V wires (Red & Black) plus three Serial In/Out wires (unused).
I believe that the typical length between a GPS and the Battery is between 45 and 50 inches.
The length of the cable between the 700 and the Power Supply is only 38 inches.
The length of the pigtail going to the battery from the Power Supply is only 34 inches.
Most riders opt to mount the Power Supply behind the headlight and then coil up the 38"cable between the Power Supply & the Cradle.
Unless you tap into 12V somewhere behind the headlight, you probably will have to lengthen the Black & Red 12V wires to make it to the Battery. All other wires can be cut off.
Other Montana 7x0 Power Cable Options:
Option 1, Shorten the OEM Power Cable
With the Power Converter located behind the Headlight, you can remove a large section of the 38" cable between the Power Converter and the Cradle.
Remove the plastic cover from the section to be removed.
Cut the excess out of the Red, Black & Grey wires and reconnect (splice).
Remove the foil from over the Purple wire.
Coming from the Cradle, cut off the hot but unused Purple, Yellow, and Blue wires with each ¼ inch longer so the conductors can't touch.
Doesn't matter on the dead wires coming from Power Converter, cut them all the same length.
Option 2, Zumo Power Cable
You can use a Garmin Zumo Power Cable P/N Cable 010-11843-01.
This Cable has only a 22 inch 12V Pigtail so the Power Converter must be located fairly close to the Battery but it is less than half the size of the giant 7x0 Power Converter and easy to locate.
It has a 52 inch 5V cable so you can splice it to the cut off 7x0 Power Cable coming from the Cradle after terminating the unnecessary Purple, Yellow, and Blue wires as in Option 1.
Zumo & Tread Large Screen units
(Not Recommended)
All of these new models are NOT intended to be Standalone GPS units. They are intended to be used in conjunction with a Smart Phone and are very unfriendly for Dual Sport rides unless you are a true gadget Geek.
I have found backdoor ways for you to use a Data Card to get my Track Files into your XT & XT2. I can't find any way to get my Tracks into a Tread, you are on your own from my e-mail. Haven't seen a Tread 2 yet.
In the XT, you can still Turn Tracks ON/OFF to see them on the Map, but in the XT2 & the Tread, you can't. After downloading my Track Files, you must create "Collections", then you must populate each Collection with the Tracks you want see (typically start to lunch the first day, etc.) than then set the Collection to be viewed on the Map. A real PITA.
At Sign-In;
I can E-Mail you the Tracks to your Smart Phone. You must have the proper Garmin app installed on your phone which you then use to transfer the Track Files to your GPS (one day at a time). I can not offer any help with this process, you are on your own!
or
Bring in your Micro SD card and I will copy your track Files to it (for XT & XT2).
Zumo XT
Make sure you have Software version 6.30 and GPS Firmware version 9.00.37 or newer.
ISSUES
The Track Manager Page only Sorts by Proximity, and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. A big consideration to get a Montana or XT2.
I have discovered a clever backdoor workaround for the above problem. I can download the Track Files to your Data Card. When the XT views the card, the Tracks ARE sorted Alphanumerically. You can then easily "Import" only the desired Tracks you need to the Main Memory and then turn them all On. At the end of that section, delete all Tracks and then Import the ones for the next section. This is a lot of work at the ride.
Unlike Montana, you cannot view the ON/OFF status and the Color of each track on the Track Manager page.
Zumo XT 2
The Track Manager Page CAN be set to Sort Alphanumerically. This makes life much easier than the XT.
Tread
The is a very popular Street/Adv bike unit but a VERY unfriendly Dual Sport unit.
ISSUES
At Sign-In, I will E-Mail you 2 Files with your Tracks for each day, use your Cell Phone to send the Track Files to the unit.
You can not turn ON/OFF Tracks (Show on Map) from the Track Manager page like all other Garmins. You must first create Collections (Day 1 AM, Day 1 PM, Day 2 AM. & Day 2 PM), then populate each Collections with the appropriate Tracks. Then use Explore, choose the appropriate Collection, then finally see all the Tracks for that 1/2 day on the Map.
Tread 2
Have not had a chance to test one of these yet.
Sources for GPS hardware
GPSCity.com is a good source for all Garmin unites, another is TheGPSStore.com. WestMarine.com is probably the best source for Hand-Helds, they have frequent sales. TouraTech-USA.com is good source of RAM Mount components (Balls & Arms).
Issues with other choices
Trail Tech
Many riders are using the Trail Tech Voyager but they do have a couple of big drawbacks. First they screw with my track colors. They admit this flaw and say they will fix it "sometime in the future"! My main track is Dark Green, Hard Ways are Red, and Easy Ways are Dark Magenta which is what is on the map I give you. The track colors can be restored in the Trail Tech and I advise you to learn how to do it after uploading my tracks from your micro SD. The other issue is they do not import my Icons for Way Points like a Gas Pump or Knife & Fork. Had a rider ride right past gas on Mex2Can because all he saw was a stick pin, not a gas pump.
A tip if using Trail Tech is; I will put a file for each day on your chip. Treat your chip like the Archive folder in a Garmin. Only upload the File you are riding that day to make turning On/Off the desired Tracks less confusing.
Cell Phones
These are very popular with new riders. First NEVER EVER use a communication phone that you need to call 911 on your handle bar, that is beyond dumb! Buy a burner phone for $35, it will work fine. Vibration will also destroy the camera especially in I-phones.
ISSUES
None of the phone apps will transfer the Colors of the Tracks that match my paper Map. You must change the Color of each track to show the type (ie HW, EW, Main Track)
Motorcycle vibration will kill the Camera.
Battery life is another disadvantage.
Overheating causing the screen shut-down.
Managing tracks.
And on and on.
Bottom line, just spend the money on a real GPS
Standalone Garmin inReach
They are great for what they are intended for, communicating location with back home, sending/receiving text, and emergency locator use.
They are clearly NOT intended for navigation of saved tacks for a Dual Sport ride. They do not have a Track Manager page or a way to turn On/Off tracks to show on the map. You can get tracks into them but you can't view them on the map like all the other Garmins!
Again great device to have in you jacket but not for Navigation on the Bars!
Setup Instructions
I have updated the Setup Instructions for Montana's & Zumo on DualSportWest.com/GPS. Please check them and e-mail any questions or corrections.
Happy Trails,
Jerry
Link to DualSportWest
Montana 600 Series
For several years the 6x0s have been the only large screen choices. They are all adequate but there are some differences in the various models.
ISSUES
The main issue on older 6x0 models is that on the Track Manager Page, it only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. It is MUCH easier to find and turn On the instructed Tracks if they are in Alphanumerical order. With my Track naming method, they will all be grouped together.
Montana 600
This model only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. Not recommended.
Montana 610
This model can be set to Sort Tracks on the Track Manager Page Alphanumerically with the latest firmware version. If yours doesn't show the Menu Icon (=), update your Firmware. A good economic choice.
Montana 650
This model only Sorts Tracks by Proximity and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. Not recommended.
Montana 680
This model can be set to Sort Tracks on the Track Manager Page Alphanumerically with the latest firmware version. If yours doesn't show the Menu Icon (=), update your Firmware. It also still shows ALL other Tracks when Navigating one Track to make it Wide Pink. A good economic choice.
Recommendations
With the 700 being the GPS of choice for new units, a 610 or especially a 680 on the used market are good choices to save lots of money on a very good GPS unit.
OTHER ISSUE
An issue for many (older) riders are the thin Track lines on all Montana 6x0s compared to all the Hand-Helds.
If you need reading glasses but won’t wear bifocals when riding, I have not found a solution for stupid. However, if you do have good vision but are still having trouble seeing Tracks try these solutions:
First 6x0s with a "T" suffix come loaded with Topo maps. NEVER try to ride with Topo Maps turned on. There have way too many lines and clutter on the Map page and make seeing the Tracks much harder.
Get a set of Garmin City Nav maps or better yet have me download Roads & Recreation (R&R) maps. They are by far the best background maps to make Tracks visible.
Another solution on newer units is to Navigate the Track you want to follow.
At the start of a ride, touch "Where To", touch "Tracks", find the Track you are going to follow and touch it, then touch "Go". That Track will now change to a wide Pink line. The downside is that on older units, none of the other optional tracks (HW, EW) will show on the map even though they are “turned On”. Garmin has fixed this on the latest models and you can “Navigate” my main Dark Green Track and still see the splits to the Hard Way Red Tracks.
Montana 700 Series
Montana 700
This is definitely the "State of the Art" "Go-To" Dual Sport model. One great new feature is it shows ALL other (Hard, Easy) Tracks when Navigating a Track to make it Wide Pink line. Another really handy new feature is that you can set & view the ON/OFF status and the color of each track on the Track Manager page. This really saves time checking your On/Off settings
Montana 700i
Your GPS must be on your handle bars so there is some risk to have your satellite communicator there also. However, having text messages visible on your bars is great feature if you ride in groups along with someone back at home that can log on to Garmin and see where you are.
Montana 750i
Identical to the 700i but has a built in Camera. Very expensive!
Montana 7x0 Cradle
The correct Cradle for 700s is the Garmin AMPS Rugged Mount P/N 010-12881-08 which comes with the Cradle and the power cable. The 010-12881-08 Bundle also comes with a Ball for back of the Cradle.
ISSUES;
TRACK VISIBILITY
Many riders have trouble seeing Tracks on the Map. The one great feature the Zumos have over the Montanas is the ability to set the Track width.
If you need reading glasses but won’t wear bifocals when riding, I have not found a solution for stupid. However, if you do have good vision but are still having trouble seeing Tracks try these solutions:
1) Use Background Map with less Clutter.
It comes with this choice of Maps;
Woldwide Basemap, OK,
Public Lands, OK,
CN North America All Canada & Mex, Don't Need, Turn OFF
CN North America NT all US, Possible,
TopoActive Central, & TopoActive North (NEVER have these turned on).
From the Map page:
Tap the “Menu” Icon (=),
Tap “Map Setup”,
Tap “Map Manager”. You can turn ON/OFF each Map set (switch on the right).
First try riding with just the Woldwide Basemap on.
If you want more information, try riding with just CN NA All US on.
Try reducing the clutter by changing the "Detail" from "Map Manager" page.
2) By Far, the best Maps to use are Garmin Roads & Recreation (R&R).
They are hard to find, but at a ride, I can download them to your unit.
3) Many riders "Navigate" the Track they are following which turns it into a Wide Pink line, but makes it easy to then miss the Hard Way Options.
POWER CABLE
By far the biggest hardware issue with the 700 and it is literally a big one is the giant ugly power cable.
All the 600 models have a 12V power input to wire direct to your battery with a simple 2-wire cable and a fuse at the battery.
The 700 series requires a power cable with a 12V to 5V Power Supply built in.
In the cable between the mount and the Power Supply, there three unused wires (Blue, Yellow, & Purple), the Black & Red 5V, and additional signal wire (Grey) that is required to turn ON the Power Supply only when the 700 is in the Cradle.
There are two Pig Tail Cables coming out of the Power Converter. One is an Audio out coax cable (unused). The other contains the +/- 12V wires (Red & Black) plus three Serial In/Out wires (unused).
I believe that the typical length between a GPS and the Battery is between 45 and 50 inches.
The length of the cable between the 700 and the Power Supply is only 38 inches.
The length of the pigtail going to the battery from the Power Supply is only 34 inches.
Most riders opt to mount the Power Supply behind the headlight and then coil up the 38"cable between the Power Supply & the Cradle.
Unless you tap into 12V somewhere behind the headlight, you probably will have to lengthen the Black & Red 12V wires to make it to the Battery. All other wires can be cut off.
Other Montana 7x0 Power Cable Options:
Option 1, Shorten the OEM Power Cable
With the Power Converter located behind the Headlight, you can remove a large section of the 38" cable between the Power Converter and the Cradle.
Remove the plastic cover from the section to be removed.
Cut the excess out of the Red, Black & Grey wires and reconnect (splice).
Remove the foil from over the Purple wire.
Coming from the Cradle, cut off the hot but unused Purple, Yellow, and Blue wires with each ¼ inch longer so the conductors can't touch.
Doesn't matter on the dead wires coming from Power Converter, cut them all the same length.
Option 2, Zumo Power Cable
You can use a Garmin Zumo Power Cable P/N Cable 010-11843-01.
This Cable has only a 22 inch 12V Pigtail so the Power Converter must be located fairly close to the Battery but it is less than half the size of the giant 7x0 Power Converter and easy to locate.
It has a 52 inch 5V cable so you can splice it to the cut off 7x0 Power Cable coming from the Cradle after terminating the unnecessary Purple, Yellow, and Blue wires as in Option 1.
Zumo & Tread Large Screen units
(Not Recommended)
All of these new models are NOT intended to be Standalone GPS units. They are intended to be used in conjunction with a Smart Phone and are very unfriendly for Dual Sport rides unless you are a true gadget Geek.
I have found backdoor ways for you to use a Data Card to get my Track Files into your XT & XT2. I can't find any way to get my Tracks into a Tread, you are on your own from my e-mail. Haven't seen a Tread 2 yet.
In the XT, you can still Turn Tracks ON/OFF to see them on the Map, but in the XT2 & the Tread, you can't. After downloading my Track Files, you must create "Collections", then you must populate each Collection with the Tracks you want see (typically start to lunch the first day, etc.) than then set the Collection to be viewed on the Map. A real PITA.
At Sign-In;
I can E-Mail you the Tracks to your Smart Phone. You must have the proper Garmin app installed on your phone which you then use to transfer the Track Files to your GPS (one day at a time). I can not offer any help with this process, you are on your own!
or
Bring in your Micro SD card and I will copy your track Files to it (for XT & XT2).
Zumo XT
Make sure you have Software version 6.30 and GPS Firmware version 9.00.37 or newer.
ISSUES
The Track Manager Page only Sorts by Proximity, and cannot be set to Sort Alphanumerically. A big consideration to get a Montana or XT2.
I have discovered a clever backdoor workaround for the above problem. I can download the Track Files to your Data Card. When the XT views the card, the Tracks ARE sorted Alphanumerically. You can then easily "Import" only the desired Tracks you need to the Main Memory and then turn them all On. At the end of that section, delete all Tracks and then Import the ones for the next section. This is a lot of work at the ride.
Unlike Montana, you cannot view the ON/OFF status and the Color of each track on the Track Manager page.
Zumo XT 2
The Track Manager Page CAN be set to Sort Alphanumerically. This makes life much easier than the XT.
Tread
The is a very popular Street/Adv bike unit but a VERY unfriendly Dual Sport unit.
ISSUES
At Sign-In, I will E-Mail you 2 Files with your Tracks for each day, use your Cell Phone to send the Track Files to the unit.
You can not turn ON/OFF Tracks (Show on Map) from the Track Manager page like all other Garmins. You must first create Collections (Day 1 AM, Day 1 PM, Day 2 AM. & Day 2 PM), then populate each Collections with the appropriate Tracks. Then use Explore, choose the appropriate Collection, then finally see all the Tracks for that 1/2 day on the Map.
Tread 2
Have not had a chance to test one of these yet.
Sources for GPS hardware
GPSCity.com is a good source for all Garmin unites, another is TheGPSStore.com. WestMarine.com is probably the best source for Hand-Helds, they have frequent sales. TouraTech-USA.com is good source of RAM Mount components (Balls & Arms).
Issues with other choices
Trail Tech
Many riders are using the Trail Tech Voyager but they do have a couple of big drawbacks. First they screw with my track colors. They admit this flaw and say they will fix it "sometime in the future"! My main track is Dark Green, Hard Ways are Red, and Easy Ways are Dark Magenta which is what is on the map I give you. The track colors can be restored in the Trail Tech and I advise you to learn how to do it after uploading my tracks from your micro SD. The other issue is they do not import my Icons for Way Points like a Gas Pump or Knife & Fork. Had a rider ride right past gas on Mex2Can because all he saw was a stick pin, not a gas pump.
A tip if using Trail Tech is; I will put a file for each day on your chip. Treat your chip like the Archive folder in a Garmin. Only upload the File you are riding that day to make turning On/Off the desired Tracks less confusing.
Cell Phones
These are very popular with new riders. First NEVER EVER use a communication phone that you need to call 911 on your handle bar, that is beyond dumb! Buy a burner phone for $35, it will work fine. Vibration will also destroy the camera especially in I-phones.
ISSUES
None of the phone apps will transfer the Colors of the Tracks that match my paper Map. You must change the Color of each track to show the type (ie HW, EW, Main Track)
Motorcycle vibration will kill the Camera.
Battery life is another disadvantage.
Overheating causing the screen shut-down.
Managing tracks.
And on and on.
Bottom line, just spend the money on a real GPS
Standalone Garmin inReach
They are great for what they are intended for, communicating location with back home, sending/receiving text, and emergency locator use.
They are clearly NOT intended for navigation of saved tacks for a Dual Sport ride. They do not have a Track Manager page or a way to turn On/Off tracks to show on the map. You can get tracks into them but you can't view them on the map like all the other Garmins!
Again great device to have in you jacket but not for Navigation on the Bars!
Setup Instructions
I have updated the Setup Instructions for Montana's & Zumo on DualSportWest.com/GPS. Please check them and e-mail any questions or corrections.
Happy Trails,
Jerry
Link to DualSportWest