A GPS That Is Useful?
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 2
From: Greenwood, Miss.
A GPS That Is Useful?
There have been many posts by people using an automobile GPS on their motorcycles with great success.
After reading these posts I bought a Ram Motorcycle Mount for my Garmin Nuvi 765T, mounted the GPS and went for a test ride.
Man, was I in for a surprise! Even after adjusting the display brightness to 100% the display was virtually invisible when riding in the sunlight. All I could see was the vehicle icon in the middle of the screen. And with sunglasses on the icon disappeared.
My question is, "Is there a GPS (other than the very expensive motorcycle models) with a display that is actually useable in the direct sunlight? If so, what brand and model?"
Thanks for your advice.
After reading these posts I bought a Ram Motorcycle Mount for my Garmin Nuvi 765T, mounted the GPS and went for a test ride.
Man, was I in for a surprise! Even after adjusting the display brightness to 100% the display was virtually invisible when riding in the sunlight. All I could see was the vehicle icon in the middle of the screen. And with sunglasses on the icon disappeared.
My question is, "Is there a GPS (other than the very expensive motorcycle models) with a display that is actually useable in the direct sunlight? If so, what brand and model?"
Thanks for your advice.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
There is more to the motorcycle units then just being able to read them in sunlight. Much easier to use with gloves for one thing. My garmin has some other features unique to the bike models also.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Northern, NJ
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I have a 765tw and in bright light with sunglasses (and tinted shield) I can still see the display, just not well. Usually the angle changes quickly to I can get a good look, or I can just lean a little and block the sun.
But I went another step after finding out how bad the glare can be: I had read about shades like in the link above, but decided to try out a temporary solution before spending money. I took some good thick cardboard, and started cutting a shield of my own design. I used double stick automotive trim tape to stick it to the RAM mount (making it possible and easy to get the unit out for use in my car without the shield).
I then cut and trimmed to make it look and work better. Much deeper than the store bought shields. Then I decided it might last a little while, and I put about 15 coats of semi-gloss outdoor black paint on it. Why so many? To waterproof the cardboard.
IT looks good...(OK, it doesn't look bad....OK, it doesn't look truly awful and cheap!), and has been on for a year and cost me about 50 cents to make and a couple hours time.
Don
But I went another step after finding out how bad the glare can be: I had read about shades like in the link above, but decided to try out a temporary solution before spending money. I took some good thick cardboard, and started cutting a shield of my own design. I used double stick automotive trim tape to stick it to the RAM mount (making it possible and easy to get the unit out for use in my car without the shield).
I then cut and trimmed to make it look and work better. Much deeper than the store bought shields. Then I decided it might last a little while, and I put about 15 coats of semi-gloss outdoor black paint on it. Why so many? To waterproof the cardboard.
IT looks good...(OK, it doesn't look bad....OK, it doesn't look truly awful and cheap!), and has been on for a year and cost me about 50 cents to make and a couple hours time.
Don
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Switching it to "night" makes it easier to read. The black background leaves it less washed out.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 2
From: Weston, Florida
One of the Guys on here took the DYI one step further than the Cardboard. He went to an office supply store and bought one of those plastic binders and cut that up. Cut to size, score where you want it to bend and attache with velcro or UHB tape. No waterproofing required.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 2
From: iowa
ummm... because I have one and there is no issue with glare. Also as another poster has said there are other features that the Zumo ( or any GPS meant for MC use ) has. H2o proof, Vibration proof, bigger buttons, fuel guestimator. I know it costs a lot but if you get the chance to try one you will be amazed at the difference.