'08 klr 650......has kawasaki gone the wrong direction???

[Jim]

Hi all, I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other vehicles when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared to the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names, services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be nice to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the notebook from the danger of being damaged. I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are very cheap to add it. Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should be looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade as I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for. I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity on me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance. Jim Milan, NH 4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding already!

[Ross Lindberg]

Hello Jim. Sounds like a good idea on the surface. I have had Palm units for several years now and have had very good luck with them. I travel almost daily and my Palm units take a ton of beating and abuse but seems to hold up very well. I think your ideas are on the right track. A color screen is very nice. Much nicer than the older grey-scale screens and easier to read. The only concern I would have is if you would be able to read the GPS screen easily while you are riding. The displays are rather small. I don't have GPS on my unit (a Palm LifeDrive), but I use it for spreadsheets. If you are going to use the unit to replace your computer for writing notes at the end of the day, I would strongly recommend that you get a folding keyboard. It will make that kind of data entry much easier. Another useful addition is software called Documents-To-Go. That will allow you to import and export MS Office documents to your PDA, and you will be able to edit them (type letters and notes). I am able to use my unit as an MP-3 player and it works rather well, but I have switched to an I-Pod. The controls for music on the Ipod are easier to operate on the go than with the PDA, especially with gloves on. My PDA uses a bunch of electricity as well compared to the Ipod. Battery life is 3 hours with the PDA, 10 or so with the Ipod performing the same task, so you will want to be able to charge the PDA while you are riding. Another accessory that you definitely want to purchase is a clear screen protector. Don't worry if you can't find an an exact fit for your PDA. These are made of clear plastic and trim easily to any size or shape you will need. The screens on PDA can be scratched easily by repeated use and dirt or grit. As far as which model to purchase, I have always gotten the top of the line model and have never been sorry. At first it may seem like you are paying for features you'll never need, but with time and the advance of technology you will be using the full capabilities of the unit before you know it. My opinion is that by spending some additional money you will increase the usuable life of your PDA by getting something at is at the start of its design lifetime, rather than an older unit which is nearing the end. I would be careful about using a PDA in the rain. I'm very sure the level of waterproofness isn't anywhere near that of a dedicated GPS unit, so keep that in mind. Also, DON'T do any welding with a PDA in your pocket. I fried a unit three years ago, and all I did was hold some parts so they could be tack-welded. The good news is that most of my data was backed up on my laptop, so it was just to purchase a new unit. I guess that is about all I can think of for advice for now. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to help you. Ross Lindberg Fertile, MN

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote: > > Hi all, > > I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but > spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about > trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin > GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the > summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other vehicles > when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared to > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. > > My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS > receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and > photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to > write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save > any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names, > services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already > have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a > Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be nice > to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving > lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and > charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my > notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the > notebook from the danger of being damaged. > > I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay > to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had > for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current > Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or > less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen > don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are very > cheap to add it. > > Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much > about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the > Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my > price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for > getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should be > looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade as > I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good > features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for. > > I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity on > me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance. > > Jim > Milan, NH > 4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding already! >

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:

> the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.

Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not weatherproof. Which is a problem when it starts raining. Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and clunky there on my handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just need to put a big-enough SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its internal memory, so the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin topo maps, crappy as they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can switch between topo and street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily -- they don't do layering).

[Jim]

I'm not too worried about weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the touch screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time, it would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which I have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many. Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long weekend ride, it would be a pain. I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its going to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin software, and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC software leaves a lot to be desired. I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining them (laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have much fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while riding, make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a wifi area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the PDA to use when its not raining. Jim

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote: > > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. > > Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not weatherproof. Which is a problem > when it starts raining. > > Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and clunky there on my > handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just need to put a big-enough > SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its internal memory, so > the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin topo maps, crappy as > they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can switch between topo and > street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily -- they don't do layering). >

[John Kokola]

I don't know much about PDAs, but I think that the reman Garmin 2610 from EdgeGPS for $189 is a smoking deal. http://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=263 --John Kokola Jim wrote:

> Hi all, > > I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but > spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about > trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin > GPS-V that I've had for a few years now.

[Spike55]

Jim: Another alternative, sort of, is a reman Garmin 2820 Street Pilot: Waterproof, XM capable (radio, weather, traffic), MP3 player capable, touchscreen, Bluetooth, all for the low price of $600. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote: > > Hi all, > > I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but > spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about > trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin > GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the > summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other vehicles > when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared to > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. > > My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS > receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and > photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to > write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save > any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names, > services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already > have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a > Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be nice > to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving > lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and > charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my > notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the > notebook from the danger of being damaged. > > I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay > to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had > for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current > Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or > less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen > don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are very > cheap to add it. > > Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much > about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the > Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my > price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for > getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should be > looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade as > I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good > features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for. > > I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity on > me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance. > > Jim > Milan, NH > 4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding already! >

[Greg May]

Hi Jim, something you mentioned caught my interest. I have a Garmin Legend, which while very limited works great for what I use it for, I've never had a real need for something that would guide me on a planned trip. What caught my eye and got we looking was the 2008 Streets and Trips software that comes with a GPS receiver that you mentioned and the 2007 EuroTours for connection to a laptop. It looks like I could pick up both of these for somewhere around $125 which is probably not too much more then the additional cost of a GPS added to a rental car for a couple of weeks when I go to Europe in the spring and of course then I would always have just one more toy to play with.. .. How have you found this too work and for that matter has anyone else out there had any experiences with a GPS connected to your laptop......Have a great evening....Greg Jim wrote: I'm not too worried about weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the touch screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time, it would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which I have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many. Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long weekend ride, it would be a pain. I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its going to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin software, and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC software leaves a lot to be desired. I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining them (laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have much fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while riding, make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a wifi area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the PDA to use when its not raining. Jim

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote: > > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. > > Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not weatherproof. Which is a problem > when it starts raining. > > Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and clunky there on my > handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just need to put a big-enough > SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its internal memory, so > the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin topo maps, crappy as > they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can switch between topo and > street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily -- they don't do layering). > --------------------------------- Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Spike55]

There's only one thing that bugs me about Garmin is the Topo software package. Being a KLR rider I lean toward the Garmin's Topo package vs. their Metro software (I could care less about restraunts, bed & breakfasts, etc). What bugs me about the Topo is to download / upload to my eTrx Legend (limited memory) you need to have the Topo CD in the computer drive for it to work (zoom in / out / scroll / etc). With Metro, you can load it all into a directory on the computer and then you can map-away - leave the CDs at home. It would be a great for me if Topo loaded the same as Metro since my laptop that doesn't have an internal DVD / CD drive and I don't want to carry / damage the CD's while on a trip. I talked to Garmin about this and the rep said it was designed that way becuase computers don't have that much memory - BBBB SSSS! I'd have no other concern with Garmin if that Topo issue was addressed. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Greg May wrote: > > Hi Jim, something you mentioned caught my interest. I have a Garmin Legend, which while very limited works great for what I use it for, I've never had a real need for something that would guide me on a planned trip. What caught my eye and got we looking was the 2008 Streets and Trips software that comes with a GPS receiver that you mentioned and the 2007 EuroTours for connection to a laptop. It looks like I could pick up both of these for somewhere around $125 which is probably not too much more then the additional cost of a GPS added to a rental car for a couple of weeks when I go to Europe in the spring and of course then I would always have just one more toy to play with.. .. How have you found this too work and for that matter has anyone else out there had any experiences with a GPS connected to your laptop......Have a great evening....Greg > > Jim wrote: I'm not too worried about weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof > boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the touch > screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time, it > would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which I > have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan > exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many. > Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long > weekend ride, it would be a pain. > > I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them > aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And > with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just > bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its going > to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin software, > and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC > software leaves a lot to be desired. > > I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining them > (laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have much > fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while riding, > make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a wifi > area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me > to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the PDA > to use when its not raining. > > Jim > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote: > > > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger > > > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just > > > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability. > > > > Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not > weatherproof. Which is a problem > > when it starts raining. > > > > Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and > clunky there on my > > handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just > need to put a big-enough > > SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its > internal memory, so > > the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin > topo maps, crappy as > > they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can > switch between topo and > > street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily > -- they don't do layering). > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Jeff Saline]

On Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:09:45 -0000 "Spike55" writes:

> There's only one thing that bugs me about Garmin is the Topo software > > package. Being a KLR rider I lean toward the Garmin's Topo package > > vs. their Metro software (I could care less about restraunts, bed & > > breakfasts, etc). What bugs me about the Topo is to download / > upload to my eTrx Legend (limited memory) you need to have the Topo > > CD in the computer drive for it to work (zoom in / out / scroll / > etc). With Metro, you can load it all into a directory on the > computer and then you can map-away - leave the CDs at home. It > would > be a great for me if Topo loaded the same as Metro since my laptop > that doesn't have an internal DVD / CD drive and I don't want to > carry / damage the CD's while on a trip. > > I talked to Garmin about this and the rep said it was designed that > > way because computers don't have that much memory - BBBB SSSS! I'd > > have no other concern with Garmin if that Topo issue was addressed. > > Don R100, A6F

<><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><> Don, Below is a "secret" I got from someone in 2005. It might have even been from this list. I did what it suggests and TOPO works on my lap top without the CD. Might be worth a try. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT <><><><><><><> <><><><><><><> "Thank you for contacting Garmin Cartography. There's a "back door" way of installing it to your computer without having to use the CD's every time. Unfortunately, this is not included in the manual. Please feel free to pass this info. along to anyone you know who is encountering the same problem. What you need to do is put the CD into the drive. Empty/Copy the entire contents of your CD drive to somewhere on your hard drive. Then run the install...Straight from your hard-drive. This will allow you to run the program as normal... without... having to put the CD in every time. For those that already have it installed, they must fully uninstall the program and start these directions from scratch." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gary LaRue]

If you ain't never dropped it, you ain't ridin' it like it's s'posed to be ridden! Lash ----- Original Message ----

> dont drop a bike u cant handle?---- Handling a bike doesn't factor in > many times. Flat tire, other riders, ice and many other things. > > Alan Henderson A13 Iowa who has knocked his bike over in the > driveway.

Getting sideways on a steep dirt hill and not being able to get the downhill foot down did it for me. Michael [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]