Cheap GPS
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 98
From: NC
Cheap GPS
Going on a one way ride across the country in a few weeks and I'm looking for a CHEAP gps that I can mount to the bars. I would like to upload route from Harley Ride planer or mapquest. Don't care to get a motorcycle model, if it rains i'll just put it up.
Any suggestions? Doing this trip on a budget so needs to be cheap.
Thanks
Any suggestions? Doing this trip on a budget so needs to be cheap.
Thanks
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 10
From: Shenandoah, TX
Garmin make a Nuvi 500 and a 550 model that is water proof. I thing they run about 150 bux. I have the 550 as back up for my Zumo and use in my truck. I have downloaded many routes from mapsource with no probs at all. Ram also make a heavy duty motorcycle mount for it also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,946
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Doing a round trip NC to CA myself with a couple buddies end of summer. I use an older Garmin nuvi that has those features you need.
You can probably check out gpscity.com. GPS price is competitive and they also have mounts, as well.
Good riding on your trip.
You can probably check out gpscity.com. GPS price is competitive and they also have mounts, as well.
Good riding on your trip.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 90
From: Charlotte
Sir, if you have a smartphone, why not just use Google Maps. It's extremely reliable and accurate. You can even download and use the map offline. That way, if there are no cell phone towers around, you'll still be able to find your location.
The Garmin motorcycle GPS are damn expensive. You can use an older model or a car model but you may have to sacrifice the audio.
The Garmin motorcycle GPS are damn expensive. You can use an older model or a car model but you may have to sacrifice the audio.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 7
From: Wantagh, ny
I bought a garmin Nuvi couple of years ago on sale for about 120 bucks.
Got a mount and hardwire cable from mountguys.com pretty cheap.
Just make sure that the gps you pick has the ability to have routes downloaded into it.
Got a mount and hardwire cable from mountguys.com pretty cheap.
Just make sure that the gps you pick has the ability to have routes downloaded into it.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 473
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels TX
Cheap suggestion I would have.
Go to ebay, buy a used cell phone that has Android 3.5 or better on it. No phone service needed. When you are at home link it up to the wifi at home, then update the google maps already on the phone.
Download your route planned on the computer and save it to the phone.
Go to Home depot and get a small piece of plastic (sold where the glass is at) and stop by the hardware area and get some earth magnets, glue the earth magnets to the plastic, glue the plastic piece to the back of the phone then put on your tank. 2 of those earth magnets will hold it just fine. Put a piece of fabric between the magnets and tank to prevent scratches.
Then if it rains pull out a zip lock bag, (freezer bag) drop the whole thing in the bag and suck out the air as you zip it shut sealed up, and touch will still work through it if needed. Cell phone on ebay about $50.00, plastic and magnetics about $5.00.
Harley sells a sealed magnetic pouch also ($25.00) and there are windshield bags made to hold a cell phone gps through the bag.
Go to ebay, buy a used cell phone that has Android 3.5 or better on it. No phone service needed. When you are at home link it up to the wifi at home, then update the google maps already on the phone.
Download your route planned on the computer and save it to the phone.
Go to Home depot and get a small piece of plastic (sold where the glass is at) and stop by the hardware area and get some earth magnets, glue the earth magnets to the plastic, glue the plastic piece to the back of the phone then put on your tank. 2 of those earth magnets will hold it just fine. Put a piece of fabric between the magnets and tank to prevent scratches.
Then if it rains pull out a zip lock bag, (freezer bag) drop the whole thing in the bag and suck out the air as you zip it shut sealed up, and touch will still work through it if needed. Cell phone on ebay about $50.00, plastic and magnetics about $5.00.
Harley sells a sealed magnetic pouch also ($25.00) and there are windshield bags made to hold a cell phone gps through the bag.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 673
Likes: 29
From: NE Ohio
I've always used a Garmin before I purchased my Limited this year, & always had good luck with them.
That said, on an extended trip, a unit that is not waterproof can become a real pain when it starts to rain. Yes, you can wrap in plastic with rubber bands, use Ziplocks, etc., but if you are depending on it to get you where you are going they are less than easily visible wrapped up that way with water all over them. If you are using an earpiece to listen to the directions, or have it connected to an onboard audio system, you'll have to disconnect it so water doesn't enter through the output jack. The small internal speaker won't really be able to be heard wrapped up that way - but they are hard to hear at any time on a motorcycle.
That said, I ran that way for years. Then I bit the bullet & bought a motorcycle specific, waterproof GPS. It did cost a good bit of $$, but I never regretted the purchase.
But if you can't see your way to do that, I'd buy a Garmin & get one with the biggest screen you can afford so it is easier to see at a glance.
That said, on an extended trip, a unit that is not waterproof can become a real pain when it starts to rain. Yes, you can wrap in plastic with rubber bands, use Ziplocks, etc., but if you are depending on it to get you where you are going they are less than easily visible wrapped up that way with water all over them. If you are using an earpiece to listen to the directions, or have it connected to an onboard audio system, you'll have to disconnect it so water doesn't enter through the output jack. The small internal speaker won't really be able to be heard wrapped up that way - but they are hard to hear at any time on a motorcycle.
That said, I ran that way for years. Then I bit the bullet & bought a motorcycle specific, waterproof GPS. It did cost a good bit of $$, but I never regretted the purchase.
But if you can't see your way to do that, I'd buy a Garmin & get one with the biggest screen you can afford so it is easier to see at a glance.