Input requested on Magellan RoadMate 2200T

[karp]

Does anyone have any input on this unit? It seems to have many of the features of the Garmin units but it is going for about $450 street-price (about $300 less than comparable Garmin units). The only feature that it lacks seems to be bluetooth, but I don't plan on using a cell-phone WHILE riding anyway. I do like that the unit has .mp3 abilities since I do like to listen to music on long trips.

I have a buyer for my my well-used (bought new) '91 K75S and am planning on getting a new RT (sans GPS) in a couple of months. I am looking for a unit that I can use on both the bike and my truck (while spending as little money as possible).

TIA
Karp

(Unit details below - from the Tiger GPS site)


It's cheap. It's easy. You just "turn it on and go." It's the Magellan RoadMate 2200T. This new offering from the creators of the Hertz NeverLost system features a pre-loaded autorouting map of all of North America in an ultra-thin and compact 3.5" color touch-screen unit. This is the perfect solution for travelers on a budget that don't want to sacrifice ease-of-use or portability. The RoadMate 2200T at Tiger GPS also has features found in more expensive units, such as SayWhere technology, MP3 player/photo viewer and traffic receiver availability. The RoadMate 2200T is also the first full automotive system that accepts topographical maps, meaning you can take it off-roads and onto trails with Magellan Topo 3D software (coming soon for RoadMate 2000 series).

New Features

The RoadMate 2200T is the Magellan's first pocket sized auto navigation system expandable to add traffic updates and outdoor adventures. It includes all the components of the Magellan RoadMate 2000 plus other features including:

SayWhere text-to-speech navigational guidance which audibly announces the name of the next turn
Integrated MP3 player and picture viewer
Traffic and outdoor upgradable

Compatible to add:

Live traffic updates (available Nov/Dec 2006)
Use as an outdoor product (e.g. add topo maps on SD card)
Compact, Powerful and Water Resistant

Sleek, intelligent design (4.3" W x 3.4" H x 1.1" D)
Powerful, integrated antenna
Water resistant to IPX-4 standard
Other Product Features

SmartDetour:
Automatically prompts you to route around sudden, slowed or stopped traffic on freeways, highways or motorways

QuickSpell:
Intelligently sorts, searches and checks spelling for rapid address entry with minimal keystrokes

Auto-reroute:
Re-calculates a new route automatically if you miss a turn

Accurate, built-in maps:
NAVTEQ maps of 50 United States, Puerto Rico and Canada

Battery:
Integrated battery with best-in-class life for up to 8 hours

TrueView:
Pop up visual of upcoming turn

Map View:
3D birds eye and standard map views

Night View:
Display automatically turns to the "night view" based on time of day

Color touch screen:
3.5" hi-resolution anti-glare screen

Points of interest:
Almost 2 million pre-loaded points of interest. Find restaurants, hotels, airports, etc.

Reception:
Integrated antenna facilitating clear signal

Product Specifications:

Battery Type: 1900mA Li lon rechargable
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
USB: 1.1
GPS Chipset: SiRFstarIII
User Interface: Touch screen
Route Calculator: Choose from four different route methods: Shortest Time, Shortest Distance, Least Use of Freeways, Most Use of Freeways. You may also choose Avoid Toll Roads
Address Book: Holds 250 addresses

[messenger13]

The first yellow flag is "Water resistant to IPX-4 standard". The Garmin units are waterproof, tested in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. If you don't ride in the rain, maybe this won't be a problem. Also, Garmin's customer support is second to none. Food for thought. Lastly, most of us in here use the Garmin units. It's nice to be able to share files and advice in here and not have to worry about a unit that a lot of the guys are using.

[mwnahas]

FYI

the last digit means protection against moisture.

1 Protected against vertically dripping water
2 Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15°
3 Protected against spraying water @ up to 60° from vertical
4 Protected against splashing water from all directions
5 Protected against water jets
6 Protected against heavy seas & streaming water
7 Protected against effects of short-term immersion
8 Protected against submersion

The X means no rating for protection against solid objects.

[messenger13]

Most of the Garmins that we use are IPX-7, right Mike?

[deputy5211]

Anyone know how waterproof/water resistant the SP III is?

[spikester]

I have had mine for about two weeks now and like it alot, it has a few things that are not perfect, but nothing ever is.
you cannot listen to the mp3 player while navigating, and the audio output is not very strong. I connected mine with an isolation cable to an Intaride EVO intercom system, (I am the US dealer for them www.wirelessbiker.com )
But i had to add a boosteroo amp to bring the output up enough to overide the music coming in the intercom. works great now. I have bluetooth phone on my intercom so have no need for it on my gps and I got mine for less than $400, which leaves enough $ for a intercom, radar detector or something else cool.

Use what works for you, like I said nothing is perfect, for everybody.

Later Spike

[Steve_R]

Tony, The SPIII was one of the units rebadged for BMW, so I would figure BMW thought it was water resistant enough or they had Garmin upgrade the water proof capability of the rebadged unit. Looking at the Garmin SPIII spec (http://www.garmin.com/products/spIII/spec.html) page it say fully gasketed as does the 2720 spec (http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2720/spec.html). While the 276C spec (http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap276c/spec.html) says waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards. My uneducated guess is since the SPIII and the 2720 are automotive units, they don't carry an IPX standard like the marine units, such as the 276C and 376C, do.

YMMV

[karp]

Do the Garmin units play .mp3's while navigating? While I could see myself using the player without navigation in my truck, I only listen to music on the bike during longer trips. This is when I would need the GPS functions the most! I like the idea of having fewer devices to deal with so having a built-in player seems like a good idea.

As far as waterproof vs water-resistant, I would tend to think that on a well-faired bike that the unit will probably not get submerged ;)

[messenger13]

Do the Garmin units play .mp3's while navigating? While I could see myself using the player without navigation in my truck, I only listen to music on the bike during longer trips. Yes, the Garmin units can play mp3s while navigating...but I believe that the music mutes when the GPS talks to you.


As far as waterproof vs water-resistant, I would tend to think that on a well-faired bike that the unit will probably not get submerged ;)You haven't ridden in the stuff I've ridden in then. ;)