Can you hear your GPS at speed?

[Bster13]

I am picking up my Super Stalker at the end of August and driving it from the Midwest on a 2k mile trek home. I will definitely want a GPS on my dash as I'll be in unfamiliar territory.

 

I am close to picking out a GPS, but I'm wondering about how loud the open exhaust will be and how audible the GPS will be at highway speeds?

 

One GPS in particular (Nuvi 50/500) meets me needs except is does not have an audio-out jack to output the GPS's instructions to a speaker system or to speakers in my helmet (probably will wear the helmet all the time, and definitely while on the highway).

 

Thanks,

 

Bryce

[jbanker]

Bryce,

I have a Garman NUVI GPS that I use in my Stalker. You might be able to hear it at full volume without a helmet on. Not sure you could with helmet on. I mount mine via suction cup on the CF dash just to the right of the steering wheel. It is easy enough to keep an eye on it when you are driving, even at hi-way speeds.

Jack

[Bster13]

Yeah, not being able to hear the directions probably isn't a deal breaker, but it'd be nice.

[Kitcat]

I took a long convoluted drive over 700 miles last weekend w/a NUVI and didn't use the sound, With earplugs and ear muffs, wind noise and exhaust noise, the Garmin audio never had a chance. But with the Caterham, the windshield is so close it is easy to see the directions on the GPS screen. I never missed a turn. Also nice for accurate MPH and odometer #'s.

[snookwheel]

Glad to hear you are making it happen!! Another 'car thing' to consider. I can't hear my radar detector at speed. Pretty much makes it useless. Get one with an earphone jack. I think Valentine One's have one. there might be a GPS that has one too.

 

EDIT: How 'bout that! I just googled radar detectors with earphone jack.... and whaddya know. Mine has one, just never noticed.:blush: It's an escort 9500i.. works great and now a part of the Stalker!Glad you posted your question Bstr13!

 

Scott

Edited July 12, 2010 by snookwheel

[slomove]

Do yourself a favor and use ear plugs. Without you WILL suffer hearing damage after short time.

 

I have been doing a lot of touring in the Seven with GPS and don't miss the annoying babble. Actually, even when touring in a normal car I usually turn the voice off. Looking at the GPS on the windscreen once a while is easy enough and does not take much attention off the road.

 

I use a Nuvi (older 650 model). Get a 4.3" screen model and make sure to buy one with PC routing capability. The cheap ones don't have that but this will allow you to plan and optimize the route at home at your leisure including the twisty pieces the GPS would normally not use.

 

I am picking up my Super Stalker at the end of August and driving it from the Midwest on a 2k mile trek home. I will definitely want a GPS on my dash as I'll be in unfamiliar territory.

 

I am close to picking out a GPS, but I'm wondering about how loud the open exhaust will be and how audible the GPS will be at highway speeds?

 

One GPS in particular (Nuvi 50/500) meets me needs except is does not have an audio-out jack to output the GPS's instructions to a speaker system or to speakers in my helmet (probably will wear the helmet all the time, and definitely while on the highway).

 

Thanks,

 

Bryce

Edited July 13, 2010 by slomove

[Boxologist]

my 7 is still docile and i was able to hear the GPS over teh headphones paying the radio from my phone. when my induction or exhaust changes, that will not be possible. If u feel it necessary, simply go the bike route and use Autocom and compitable equipment.

[Bster13]

autocomm/starcom needs audio out from my GPS device. The Nuvi 500/500 does not have this feature, but is waterproof as compared to Garmin models with audio out...then I'd need an aqua box to keep things dry.

 

I've always worn earplugs on bikes...thank god. I'll be doing the same, helmet or not with the 7.

 

So it's either the Nuvi 500/550 or something like my (stolen) Nuvi 750 or greater that can take mapsource direct-routes in a waterproof case OR.......... find a comparable TomTom (their interface gives more flexibility and I like their user community sharing road corrections and IQ Routes feature) that does direct routes like mapsource can for certain Garmin models. It pisses me off I cannot find a way for Tomtom to do direct routes (what you make on the PC with Mapsource is EXACTLY what you get on the Garmin GPS, no variation, no recalculating between via points etc. etc.)

[slomove]

Not sure what is your weather gear on the car.

 

I run a full windscreen on my Birkin with "sun"-roof and very large wind deflectors. Otherwise the sides are fully open.

 

When it really pours there is a bit of water mist in the cockpit and I need to wear a rain jacket to keep the arms dry but no problem for a regular unprotected Nuvi. As you can see, even the paper map survives.

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_242PlvPtVpE/SlKVLyWXB8I/AAAAAAAAAGk/oIupeqxml6Q/s400/P1010211.JPG

[Bster13]

It will be a super stalker running w/ no weather protection. I'm used to a motorcycle with full rain gear. we'll see over time what sort of weather protection I add if any, but this first GPS has to account for rain one way or another.

[Al N.]

@Bster13: I am pro helmet for extended drives/highway use...it will cut down on windburn and the previously noted sound issue.

 

I know Gert and his wife (among others) go helmetless on their mega-mile tours, but Laura and I enjoy the protection from the elements that helmets afford. I doubt this will change when I get the new car.

[soareyes]

I used a Garmin Zumo 500 which is a gps geared toward motorcyclists. It has the audio out plug and I used a set of in-ear buds to hear the spoken directions which also gave me protection from engine/road/wind noise. You can load it up with mp3's and listen to music too. Being a motorcycle gps it is weatherproof. One negative is the size as it is bulkier than the newer Nuvis.

[Bster13]

Yup, my motorcycling buds definitely jumped on that device when it came out. When I used to ride the Garmin Quest was the one to have.

 

I am going to go with some sort of Nuvi, but just the auto type and no waterproof designation. This will save me some dough, give me some of the advances features that I can use in my EVO and in the Super Stalker, and then I can throw a ziplock bag over it for rain or go for a RAM Aqua Box.

 

Still researching, but narrowing down my choices within the Garmin line that can do pre-planned routes. (Tomtom is useless since u can't transfer routes I've planned on the PC to the device without the unit trying to recalc)

 

Next I'll need some sort of mixer to take all these audio inputs and output them to speakers inside the helmet. I've come across a few items, but haven't had time to read up on them yet. What are you guys using to tie in a driver & passenger set of helmet speakers, plus an iPod, GPS, and perhaps a CD Radio or FM radio?

[slomove]

......but Laura and I enjoy the protection from the elements that helmets afford. I doubt this will change when I get the new car.

 

But please...chose a time period correct helmet!

http://images.cloud.worthpoint.com/wpimages/images/images1/1/0709/27/1_6ae26f2f3ee82da19fe290f09642a962.jpg