my GPS on a budget
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,457
Likes: 83
From:
my GPS on a budget
a couple of years ago, my wife wanted a navigation unit for her car. at the time, they were relatively new and a bit expensive. i picked up a Garmin StreetPilot C330 for her and it had been problem free since a couple months ago. she said that the touch-screen wasnt registering properly and it seemed as though the settings were off. i went to Best Buy and bought her a new TomTom that was much smaller/thinner, brighter display- on sale. she loves it. works great.
so i took the Garmin and updated the software through their website- all of her complaints appeared to have been fixed, so i put it in my glove compartment should i ever need it.
i had periodically looked for a handle-bar mount for it so i could put it on the bike, but the only thing available was a RAM mount- which, honestly doesnt look very secure, so i passed.
about a week ago, i found a generic handle-bar mount on ebay for $12. i figured id order it and if it didnt work, id only be out $12, it was worth a shot. a few days after ordering, it was delivered. everything fit pretty well, however, the unit clips in to the cradle (same as the factory cradle) which has the charging port in it. it was tight, but there is no way it would stay in the charger- ESPECIALLY mounted on the bars- due to the vibration. so, what i did was remove the charging port from the factory cradle, screw it into the new unit and applied some clear silicone adhesive inbetween the cradle and GPS. i let it dry over night and all is well. this thing isnt going anywhere (well, not due to vibration at least).
no, its not waterproof and i plan on running the power lead in the nacelle with the connection poking out a bit. as of now, the battery should last about 5 hours on a full charge. so, for a 2nd hand unit, a $12 mount and a couple dabs of silicone- im good to go.
so i took the Garmin and updated the software through their website- all of her complaints appeared to have been fixed, so i put it in my glove compartment should i ever need it.
i had periodically looked for a handle-bar mount for it so i could put it on the bike, but the only thing available was a RAM mount- which, honestly doesnt look very secure, so i passed.
about a week ago, i found a generic handle-bar mount on ebay for $12. i figured id order it and if it didnt work, id only be out $12, it was worth a shot. a few days after ordering, it was delivered. everything fit pretty well, however, the unit clips in to the cradle (same as the factory cradle) which has the charging port in it. it was tight, but there is no way it would stay in the charger- ESPECIALLY mounted on the bars- due to the vibration. so, what i did was remove the charging port from the factory cradle, screw it into the new unit and applied some clear silicone adhesive inbetween the cradle and GPS. i let it dry over night and all is well. this thing isnt going anywhere (well, not due to vibration at least).
no, its not waterproof and i plan on running the power lead in the nacelle with the connection poking out a bit. as of now, the battery should last about 5 hours on a full charge. so, for a 2nd hand unit, a $12 mount and a couple dabs of silicone- im good to go.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque
Good deal.
I use a C340 with a ram mount that has worked great. Another idea for the power is to run a 12V outlet and use a motorola (usb style) cell phone car charger to charge the GPS. The Garmins usb port for hooking up to the computer will charge it also. This way you can plug it in when you want and not have a cable coming from the cradle all the time. Just a thought.
I use a C340 with a ram mount that has worked great. Another idea for the power is to run a 12V outlet and use a motorola (usb style) cell phone car charger to charge the GPS. The Garmins usb port for hooking up to the computer will charge it also. This way you can plug it in when you want and not have a cable coming from the cradle all the time. Just a thought.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,457
Likes: 83
From:
the factory charge port is a cigarette adaptor and i swapped the connection into the 'new' cradle. to be honest, i didnt even think of the USB charge option.
can a USB cable to spliced and powered easier than the cig lighter?
the reason i swapped it over was due to my having to dab the adhesive and needed the charger as well.
can a USB cable to spliced and powered easier than the cig lighter?
the reason i swapped it over was due to my having to dab the adhesive and needed the charger as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
I have a GPS that I use extensively while riding around. The key is
ONLY USE (enter data) WHEN PULLED OVER OR OFF THE ROAD!!
I have had my Garmin for several years and am getting ready to replace it with a Zumo 755.available at BJ Wholesale for $299.99 afet an imediate $50.00 rebate. Just saw this ad last night but will research and see what is available. My point is. these are very valuable while on the road. Just dont use while driving. When I say use while driving, I am referring to inputting data such as locations, favorites etc. An ocasional glance is no different than looking down at the speedo or any other gauge. It is the lenght of the "gazing" that causes problems.
I will not leave on a long trip without mine.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
The 755 isn't a Zumo, it's a Nuvi, which means it isn't weather resistant. In general, how well do the Nuvi units hold up to the vibration on a bike? I would really like to have a GPS unit for my bike but am still having a real hard time justifying the Zumo prices. I think I could just use a Nuvi unit with a zip lock bag for unexpected rain. Things behind my fairing don't get that wet anyway.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
The 755 isn't a Zumo, it's a Nuvi, which means it isn't weather resistant. In general, how well do the Nuvi units hold up to the vibration on a bike? I would really like to have a GPS unit for my bike but am still having a real hard time justifying the Zumo prices. I think I could just use a Nuvi unit with a zip lock bag for unexpected rain. Things behind my fairing don't get that wet anyway.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque
the factory charge port is a cigarette adaptor and i swapped the connection into the 'new' cradle. to be honest, i didnt even think of the USB charge option.
can a USB cable to spliced and powered easier than the cig lighter?
the reason i swapped it over was due to my having to dab the adhesive and needed the charger as well.
can a USB cable to spliced and powered easier than the cig lighter?
the reason i swapped it over was due to my having to dab the adhesive and needed the charger as well.
Not sure about how to splice the usb. I think the 12V car cell phone/usb chargers have some type of voltage control built into them. That is why they have the big 'ol plug on them. Not an expert on this by any means and would hate to see you ruin the GPS. I have a fairing on my king and it has a 12V outlet, so it was easy to do it this way for me.