What GPS should I buy

[zippy_gg]

to fit on my "new" 05 which is pre-wired...? (see photo)
Does it have to be a BMW unit or can I buy a Garmin?
http://i9.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/89/87/8b89_12.JPG

[eljeffe]

The only units that will work with the BMW cradle are the BMW Nav II and BMW Nav III. If you got rid of the cradle and fabricated a working mount, any of the new generation Garmins should work with that power connector.

[VitesseLT]

I think I'd skip the Nav III, ditch the Nav III holder you've got there and buy a Garmin StreetPilot 2820. It's street-priced at less than half as much as BMW's Nav III retail price and has a little more headroom for the future while giving up little and getting a few extras. To do that, you'll need the Garmin 2820 holder (or equivalent from other vendors) and the 2820. That's all. Take a look at the install in the link -- order it tonight and you could have it done tomorrow at this time. :)

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18161

[zippy_gg]

Thank you both, that is exactly what I was looking for. Sean, the photos and links are great! Too bad I won't have the bike for another 4-6 weeks...

[Texas42]

Thank you both, that is exactly what I was looking for. Sean, the photos and links are great! Too bad I won't have the bike for another 4-6 weeks...

I have the Garmin mount that will bolt right on in place of the BMW mount, I took it off of the Sprint ST when I sold it. I'll sell it to you for $30.00. I have been waiting to sell it because I'm not sure if I will keep the Zumo that Cindy got me for my birthday. You just remove the 4 screws then exchange the mount put back in the 4 screws. It even uses the same little locking screwdriver.

[zippy_gg]

I have the Garmin mount that will bolt right on in place of the BMW mount, I took it off of the Sprint ST when I sold it. I'll sell it to you for $30.00. I have been waiting to sell it because I'm not sure if I will keep the Zumo that Cindy got me for my birthday. You just remove the 4 screws then exchange the mount put back in the 4 screws. It even uses the same little locking screwdriver.Bo, is this the part you are talking about? Does yours come with the cable? TIA.

[®win]

If it's prewired, the only units that will work on the connectors are the Nav II and Nav III (incl. BMW cradle). If you'd go for a SP2820, you can't use the existing cable, but you'll have to replace it by the Garmin cable.

[zippy_gg]

Bo, is this the part you are talking about? Does yours come with the cable? TIA.Sorry, the link did not make it... Here it is:
http://www.thetwistergroup.com/prod...1%20W02654.html (http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/010-10495-01%20W02654.html)

[tangorider]

If you had to choose between Garmin 2820 or Zumo, which one would you buy? I want to buy one, but don't know which one would be better for my LT 2006.
Any piece of advise is valued.
Thanks.

[VitesseLT]

If it's prewired, the only units that will work on the connectors are the Nav II and Nav III (incl. BMW cradle). If you'd go for a SP2820, you can't use the existing cable, but you'll have to replace it by the Garmin cable.

There are two cables as part of the pre-wire: one if for the power and audio and the other is for the factory 4-button mount connection. If you get a 2820 and a Garmin Motorcycle Mount for it, you use the LT's pre-wired power/audio connection. It fits the Nav III and the 2820 (and many other models) as well. You don't use the other wire/connector. I just tucked mine inside as can be seen in the photos at the link.

[VitesseLT]

If you had to choose between Garmin 2820 or Zumo, which one would you buy? I want to buy one, but don't know which one would be better for my LT 2006.
Any piece of advise is valued.
Thanks.

The Zumo 550 has a lot to like as do most Garmins. A few things are the SiRF receiver, internal battery power and a SD card slot for easy expansion.

Having noted that, I use a 2820 on my LT. Its non-SiRF receiver works well -- better than anticipated. It has around 700 megs of extra room inside for MP3s. It's very compatible physically and electrically with the LT being close to overall configuration of the intended Nav III. It has the features I need and seems to be street-priced substantially less than the Zumo 550 last I checked. (A cheaper Zumo 450 with fewer features is on the way if not already here.) If your needs include greater portability, go with the Zumo 550. Plenty of other comments about them here.

You can go to the Garmin site and do a quick comparison for things that are important to you.

http://www.garmin.com/automotive/compare.jsp

[Steve_R]

I over heard a rider at one the the BMW shops say that the Zumo was his worst purchase. He said if he had to do it over again, he would buy Garmin 378C/478C. I didn't catch all the conversation though, so I don't know the specifics.

[Texas42]

Sorry, the link did not make it... Here it is:
http://www.thetwistergroup.com/prod...1%20W02654.html (http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/010-10495-01%20W02654.html)

Yes that is the one, $12 is a great price. I will send the cable with it but I'm not sure if you will need it. So if you can get one for $12 without the cable and that is all you need then I would do that. Make sure that you get the little screwdriver-key. Garmin charges $12+shipping just for that.

[larryi52]

Okay, I get it that this is a subject that has been rehashed numerous times, but I am new as an LT owner and have a 2005 wired for the Nav. II. However, I want a Zumo 550 with all the features it offers. What am I looking at in terms of mounting it?

Larry from Redmond, Washington

[Texas42]

Okay, I get it that this is a subject that has been rehashed numerous times, but I am new as an LT owner and have a 2005 wired for the Nav. II. However, I want a Zumo 550 with all the features it offers. What am I looking at in terms of mounting it?

Larry from Redmond, Washington

The Zumo comes with a mount and cable that will fit on the current BMW base, just remove the Nav II cradle and bolt on the one comes with the Zumo. I mounted my up with only the top two bolts because it blocked the radio display but I may change that back. You will have to wire in the power cable that comes with the Zumo to replace the one that you currently have.

[larryi52]

Thanks, Bo! Great news!!!! Are you happy with the 550? What other items do you use to connect with it via bluetooth?

Larry

[Texas42]

I am happy with the Zumo, the hardware is excellent. If the software were as good as the hardware the Zumo could be a great GPS for motorcycles. the 3.0 version of the software corrected many of the defeciencies of the previous version.

The bluetooth works great, I am not using the XM Weather and Traffic until my Sirius subscription expires then I will decide if I am going to switch to XM. Maybe they will have merged by then and I can get NPR on XM or Sirius Weather and Traffic.

Techstar built a custom cable to connect the Zumo to my Starcom 1 Avanced intercom, it works perfectly no noise at all.

I have all of the music from my ipod installed, I have the North American Topo maps, the Wanderlust World Map 1.6 and the standard City Navigator North America NT v8.0 all installed and working.

If I were to start over I would eliminate my ice>Link, iPod, and Sirius radio and just have the Zumo.

[larryi52]

Bo,

Do you use the voice direction warnings or a cell phone with it?

Larry
p.s. I've lived in Washington state for 21 years, but am originally from Oklahoma.