I have been using the garmin zumo 550 for the last 4 years been all over europe and it has never let me down . Lifetime maps would be good though.
I had a 660 and it lasted 10 months,started freezing etc, had to take the battery out to reset it every few hours. I returned it to Garmin and they sent me a replacement within 7 days, the one they sent was a complete 660LM in return with all the accessories, so quite chuffed really. This one seems a lot better and quicker than the older one I also find the mapping a bit of a struggle sometimes, I have plotted a map on the computer and downloaded it onto the device where it has rearranged waypoints for me during transfer.....
I think I will also start with a Garmin 'cheapie' to start with Fig as £345 is still 'motorbike buying money' to me despite the recommendations and I would only stress about losing it, damaging it etc at that price. The 'Life Map' idea is a good selling tool and certainly appeals for a future purchase.
The Garmin Nuvi I have cost £90 or so from Tesco. There are an untold number of bike mounts available for pennies on the internet, and waterproofing is as simple as covering it in clingfilm or buying a suitable case off ebay. The only problem I've had is that they don't like to be rigidly mounted on a bike, the charging socket seems unable to cope with vibration, so you need some sort of rubber in the mounting system to damp the vibes a little (I've only had problems with home-made brackets that mount the satnav solidly. Bar mount systems that use rubber strips for packing have been fine). I've been using satnavs for touring for maybe the last dozen or so years, and never felt the need to pay big money. Cheap ones do the job just as well if you can live without MP3 and voice commands. But check you have FULL european mapping before you cross the border into the Czech republic...:redface:
Have always used TYRE ( trace your route everywhere), can be set up for both TOMTOM or Garmin file formats, its very easy to use and to transfer onto sat nav
