Cheap GPS Insurance
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
Cheap GPS Insurance
I recently bought a Zumo 660 and Harley's handlebar Mount.
I like the setup, but I wanted to come up with a way that in case the GPS popped out of the mount, it wouldn't hit the pavement at 60 mph and get destroyed.
This isn't totally my idea, I've seen other guys do something similiar. If you want to do this, it's fairly easy and inexpensive.
Go to Home Depot (or wherever you like to shop) and get some Gorilla Epoxy and some 1" x 1" Zip Tie Mounting Bases.
First thing you want to do is to remove the "Sticky Tape" on the back of the Zip Tie Mount. On a really hot day, that Tape will just peel right off.
Next, take some sandpaper and rough up the back of the Zip Tie Mount and the spot on the back of the GPS where you want to mount it. I used the upper portion of the Battery Door.
Next, use an Alcohol Swab and totally clean both mounting surfaces.
Then, mix up your Epoxy and stick the two pieces together where you want them. I clamped them overnite, but you really don't need to get that extreme.
I used 550 Cord (Para Cord) for my Tether. Just make sure to burn the ends so they don't fray.
I had a small Snap Hook laying around that I attached to the other end.
Now, when the GPS is in the Mount, I just wrap the tether around the cable for the GPS Wiring.
If the GPS ever pops out of the mount, it can't go anywhere.
Cheap Insurance!
I like the setup, but I wanted to come up with a way that in case the GPS popped out of the mount, it wouldn't hit the pavement at 60 mph and get destroyed.
This isn't totally my idea, I've seen other guys do something similiar. If you want to do this, it's fairly easy and inexpensive.
Go to Home Depot (or wherever you like to shop) and get some Gorilla Epoxy and some 1" x 1" Zip Tie Mounting Bases.
First thing you want to do is to remove the "Sticky Tape" on the back of the Zip Tie Mount. On a really hot day, that Tape will just peel right off.
Next, take some sandpaper and rough up the back of the Zip Tie Mount and the spot on the back of the GPS where you want to mount it. I used the upper portion of the Battery Door.
Next, use an Alcohol Swab and totally clean both mounting surfaces.
Then, mix up your Epoxy and stick the two pieces together where you want them. I clamped them overnite, but you really don't need to get that extreme.
I used 550 Cord (Para Cord) for my Tether. Just make sure to burn the ends so they don't fray.
I had a small Snap Hook laying around that I attached to the other end.
Now, when the GPS is in the Mount, I just wrap the tether around the cable for the GPS Wiring.
If the GPS ever pops out of the mount, it can't go anywhere.
Cheap Insurance!
Last edited by Talldog; Jan 30, 2012 at 09:36 AM. Reason: Grammar
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Thanks for the post. Sounds like a good idea.
BTW, how do you like the 660? I've been testing it out on the last few rides and really like it. The route recalculation is very fast. The lane guidance is pretty cool. I also like the trip data info.
I haven't tried loading in a custom route yet, but hope to do so eventually.
The handlebar mount on my RG is similart to yours and seems to work well. I was thinking about using the suction mount on the FXDL, but I'm not sure how confident I am with that setup. Have you played around with the suction cup mount at all?
BTW, how do you like the 660? I've been testing it out on the last few rides and really like it. The route recalculation is very fast. The lane guidance is pretty cool. I also like the trip data info.
I haven't tried loading in a custom route yet, but hope to do so eventually.
The handlebar mount on my RG is similart to yours and seems to work well. I was thinking about using the suction mount on the FXDL, but I'm not sure how confident I am with that setup. Have you played around with the suction cup mount at all?
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
Thanks for the post. Sounds like a good idea.
BTW, how do you like the 660? I've been testing it out on the last few rides and really like it. The route recalculation is very fast. The lane guidance is pretty cool. I also like the trip data info.
I haven't tried loading in a custom route yet, but hope to do so eventually.
The handlebar mount on my RG is similart to yours and seems to work well. I was thinking about using the suction mount on the FXDL, but I'm not sure how confident I am with that setup. Have you played around with the suction cup mount at all?
BTW, how do you like the 660? I've been testing it out on the last few rides and really like it. The route recalculation is very fast. The lane guidance is pretty cool. I also like the trip data info.
I haven't tried loading in a custom route yet, but hope to do so eventually.
The handlebar mount on my RG is similart to yours and seems to work well. I was thinking about using the suction mount on the FXDL, but I'm not sure how confident I am with that setup. Have you played around with the suction cup mount at all?
I'm up here in snowy Northern Illinois so I really haven't had a chance to play with the GPS much yet. I really like Garmin units though, I've got a couple 265WT's in the vehicles.
Don't think I could ever trust a suction cup mount for a $600.00 GPS though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,157
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Looks good...... safety lanyards have saved tons of my dive gear....!
But..... isn't the lanyard attached to the battery/usb door? Would that not just pull off if the GPS falls out of the holder and/or dangles from the lanyard...?
Have you tested that? Just curious........
But..... isn't the lanyard attached to the battery/usb door? Would that not just pull off if the GPS falls out of the holder and/or dangles from the lanyard...?
Have you tested that? Just curious........
The battery door is locked in pretty good, you have a sliding lock that is on a good day hard to open. Plus if you ever wanna sell it you can just replace the door and the scratches and epoxy will be gone......
Nice write up and idea, I will be using this for sure.
Nice write up and idea, I will be using this for sure.
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
Looks good...... safety lanyards have saved tons of my dive gear....!
But..... isn't the lanyard attached to the battery/usb door? Would that not just pull off if the GPS falls out of the holder and/or dangles from the lanyard...?
Have you tested that? Just curious........
But..... isn't the lanyard attached to the battery/usb door? Would that not just pull off if the GPS falls out of the holder and/or dangles from the lanyard...?
Have you tested that? Just curious........
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,157
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
OK.... now I'm sold..... Thanks!
