How to Choose the Best GPS Unit For Your Motorcycle 2011

Global Positioning System, or more popularly known as GPS, is now available for motorcycles, too! It's a worldwide navigation system that uses orbiting satellites to get information about a person's immediate surroundings; its main application, for travellers, is getting from one place to another via the easiest and fastest routes. If you are a motorcyclist looking to buy a GPS unit for your bike, you have to know how to choose the best GPS unit for your motorcycle.

There are several important things you have to check before purchasing a GPS unit. First of all, find out if you can understand the GPS map that comes with it. Check if the resolution of the display screen is good as well as its other specifications; vertical and horizontal displays are available and choose whatever is more convenient for you to use. The LED display should be clear and should come with a built-in visor so you can still see information clearly even under direct sunlight. Another thing to consider is the battery life of the GPS unit, especially when you're planning to use it on a very long trip. Choose a GPS model with a high antenna voltage. And lastly, it should be water-resistant.

Here are two of the best GPS units available for your motorcycle:

Garmin Zumo 550: Just like most GPS units, the Garmin Zumo 550 looks like a small TV screen. This GPS unit has a touch screen function and a very durable outer shell. Directions are provided through text and voice. It comes preloaded with a map but you must take note that if certain roads have had their names changed recently, the map will still show their old names in Zumo. Added features include Bluetooth to allow hands-free calling and an mp3 player. The Zumo kit comes with the following: an AC charger, a power cable that can be attached to the bike's battery, a USB cable, a car charger, the installation tools to attach the unit to the bike's frame, and a small screwdriver. In addition, you are also provided with a city navigator DVD, an owner's manual CD ROM, and a quick set up guide to help you install the unit. The Garmin Zumo 550 is priced between USD 700 and USD 1,000, depending on the deal you make.

The Tom Tom rider: The Tom Tom rider is a water-resistant GPS unit that carries the same features as the Zumo 550. This GPS unit comes in four separate parts that is very easy to assemble and install on your bike with the help of the installation guide that comes with it. It has a built-in visor so the rider won't have difficulty reading information on the screen even when it's under direct sunlight, but it also provides voice messages. The North American maps are preloaded into an SD card that goes into an SD card extension found at the bottom of the unit.