Over the years I have used a wide range of GPS and motorcycle navigation devices on journeys throughout the UK and Europe. This section contains manuals, technical information and reference material for many of the units that have accompanied me on those travels.
While some of these devices are now considered legacy equipment, others remain in active use. In particular, I still regularly use both the Garmin Zumo 660 and Garmin Montana 600 on my BMW R1150GS Adventure, running a variety of third-party maps alongside the standard Garmin mapping.
I hope these resources help fellow riders keep older navigation equipment working and on the road.
Garmin Zumo XT2
The Zumo XT2 represents Garmin’s latest generation of dedicated motorcycle navigation devices. Featuring a bright display, modern route planning tools and improved connectivity, it is rugged, weatherproof and built for life on two wheels, the XT2 continues Garmin’s long tradition of motorcycle-focused GPS units.
This Garmin XT2 does not to connect to a PC/Mac to update and route planning can be done on device so BaseCamp is redundant.
Garmin Zumo 660
For many years the Zumo 660 was one of the best motorcycle sat-navs and is reliable and easy to use. The battery is long lived and it is still a capable navigation device with straightforward route planning and excellent touring credentials. I still use a Zumo 660 on my BMW R1150GS Adventure, running a selection of third-party maps alongside the standard Garmin mapping as the internal memory cannot support EU Garmin Maps. It’s a legacy device but i love it.
Garmin Montana 600
Originally developed as a rugged outdoor GPS, the Montana 600 is versatile and durability. It is capable of handling road navigation, tracks and off-road routes with equal ease, it remains one of the most adaptable GPS units Garmin has produced. Mine continues to see regular use on the R1150GS Adventure, particularly when using specialist third-party mapping. I consider the Zumo 660 to be my SatNav and my Montana a Map… so I know where I am and know how to get to where I am going.
Garmin Zumo 590
The Zumo 590 built upon the success of earlier Zumo models by introducing a larger display, enhanced route management and improved motorcycle-specific features. The well known battery issue limits its use on the bike and I no longer use this device. It was popular with touring riders throughout. Although superseded by newer devices, it remains a capable and respected motorcycle GPS so long as it is always 12v power on.
Navman N-Series
The Navman N-Series belongs to an earlier era of satellite navigation, when dedicated GPS devices were rapidly replacing paper maps for many travellers. Simple, reliable and easy to operate, these units provided straightforward turn-by-turn navigation and helped introduce countless riders and motorists to GPS technology long before smartphone navigation became commonplace.
Garmin BaseCamp
Garmin BaseCamp has been my primary route planning software for many years. Before setting off on a trip, I use BaseCamp to create, edit and organise routes, tracks and waypoints, allowing me to plan journeys in far greater detail than is practical on the GPS unit itself.
One of BaseCamp’s greatest strengths is its ability to display routes using the same mapping installed on the navigation device, helping to reduce surprises when transferring routes to a GPS. It is particularly useful for planning multi-day tours, managing large collections of routes and maintaining a permanent archive of previous journeys.
Although Garmin has largely shifted its focus towards smartphone-based navigation and cloud services, BaseCamp remains a valuable tool for riders who prefer dedicated GPS units such as the Zumo and Montana series. Combined with both Garmin and third-party mapping, it continues to provide a flexible and powerful platform for motorcycle route planning.
Many of the routes featured within the Tyclyd travel archives were originally created, modified or recorded using Garmin BaseCamp.
Why Keep Older GPS Units?
Technology moves quickly, but good equipment often remains useful long after newer models appear. Many older GPS devices continue to offer reliable navigation, excellent route planning and robust construction. For riders willing to maintain them and explore alternative mapping options, these units can still provide many years of dependable service.
Mapping Beyond Garmin
One of the reasons I continue to use older GPS units such as the Garmin Montana 600 and Zumo 660 is the availability of high-quality third-party mapping. While Garmin’s own mapping remains perfectly usable, there is a thriving community of map creators who produce specialised maps tailored to the needs of motorcyclists, adventure riders and travellers.
Over the years I have used mapping from a variety of sources, including TalkyToaster, and OpenStreetMap-based projects and several commercial suppliers. These alternative maps often provide more frequent updates, better coverage of minor roads and tracks, and additional detail that can be particularly useful when travelling in remote areas.
The ability to load custom maps is one of the great strengths of Garmin devices. Rather than replacing perfectly functional hardware every few years, riders can often extend the life of older GPS units simply by installing updated maps that suit their own style of travel.
For my own riding, particularly on the BMW R1150GS Adventure, I continue to use a combination of Garmin and third-party mapping, allowing these older navigation devices to remain practical and reliable companions many years after they were first released.