affordable GPS

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May 18, 2010 | 03:11 PM

#41

lo-rider

Thread Starter

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

Likes: 9

From: Marina del Rey

installed

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizdc

Battery tendar pigtail off of bike battery .. $5 adaptor for 12 V. That is my set up for all things that use a 12 v. That way you can use a battery tender in winter.

Thanks Liz,

that's basically what I did--bought the battery tender and installed the pigtail that comes with it; bought a cell-phone adapter and just plugged them all together. By splicing some wires I was able to run the GPS cable inside the existing conduit under the tank. Fuse is accessible behind the battery cover.

When I return from another road trip I'm just about to leave on I'll post some photos--probably as a new thread?

May 18, 2010 | 03:59 PM

#42

bhunter00

Novice

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

I have garmin nuvi 500 it is water proof and not as costly as the one they sell for motorcycles

May 18, 2010 | 04:17 PM

#43

OsoFat

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 224

Likes: 0

From: Republic of Texas

Tom Tom One 130 and a Ram mount. It's not water proof, but fits in a zip loc baggie. You can find the GPS on ebay, new for about $75 and the mount runs about $30. Like other posters have said, you can power it off your battery tender or it'll hold a charge for about 3 hours.

May 18, 2010 | 04:30 PM

#44

fireman-jim

3rd Gear

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: Mt.Pleasant WI.

Here's a good website for many different mounts. Enjoy!

http://www.mountguys.com/

May 18, 2010 | 04:33 PM

#45

fireman-jim

3rd Gear

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: Mt.Pleasant WI.

GPS / Phone mounts

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizdc

I am worride about having my iphone on my bike. 1 I will break it. 2 I get calls texts ect they will pop up and I will get distracted.

What map program do you use? I mainly use my phone but have in my pocket.

Also can you send me the link to the bike mount?

Heres a good website that would cover any mount you need. Enjoy

http://www.mountguys.com/

Last edited by fireman-jim; May 18, 2010 at 04:36 PM. Reason: forgot to post the website info

May 18, 2010 | 07:06 PM

#46

PFWiz

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 3,424

Likes: 421

From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)

You do not want to use a phone for dedicated GPS work. No phone, not the Iphone, not the Droid, not the Pre is as good of a GPS as a dedicated GPS.
I use a old Garmin Nuvi 250 on a $10 mount I bought on Ebay. If it rains I wrap it in a baggie with a rubber band. I installed a Kyriakin (sp?) power pod. That way I can charge my phone or my mp3 if I want.
This rig has worked well for last 7500 miles....

May 18, 2010 | 11:13 PM

#47

Driften

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 199

Likes: 0

From: Issaquah, WA

One thing to understand about using a cell phone GPS is that it only works when you have cell data service. I have both (iPhone and Android) as well as a TomTom. There are a number of places on trips I did not have data service and no maps on the phones. They are great when data is available since its more up to date then a normal GPS but its a big issue about data service.

May 18, 2010 | 11:44 PM

#48

monenypitof07

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 40

Likes: 0

Garmin.com ....pick one that suits you.

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May 19, 2010 | 12:44 AM

#49

Zenmervolt

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 566

Likes: 7

From: Seattle, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruise_carter

I am using this setup, a Garmin etrex Vista HCx with a Ram-mount on the handlebar. The etrex has a micro sd card which I have all of Canada and the USA maps on. It supports turn-by-turn routing.

The etrex is waterproof and runs on AA batteries. I carry some extra Ni-MH batteries and swap out as needed. I get several hours on a freshly charged set with the backlight set on a lower power setting. If travelling, I can get AA batteries cheap at the local Walmart if needed.

Works well for me and didn't have to run extra power cords/wires.

Very similar to what I use. I have a DeLorme PN40 and a RAM mount. The PN40 is waterproof, shockproof and the screen is ridiculously readable in bright sunlight since it's designed for outdoor and hiking use, just like the eTrex. As an added bonus, I can load it up with the hiking trails I want to use and go exploring in the woods with it as well.

I completely agree on the AA batteries too. A charged pair of NiMH are usually good for a full day and even in a worst case scenario I can always pick up a pair of normal AA batteries at the gas station.

I tend to prefer this to using my Droid since, like all cell network-based GPS software, if I'm in areas where I don't have a data signal the Droid's map cache will eventually run out and then I'm stuffed. Since the PN40 has the maps stored in the device itself, it doesn't need a continuous data feed and will work wherever I am.