GPS Mount and Power

[dart1963]

Just ordered these:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035TZS14/ref=oss_product]Amazon.com: Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 265WT 500 550 750 755T 760 765T 770 775T 780 785T 850 855 860 880 885T GPS: Electronics[/ame]
Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A4HAQ2/ref=oss_product]Amazon.com: Gilsson Direct Wire Cable for Garmin Nuvi 205 255 265 550 660 755 760 765 775 885 Magellan 1412 4210 TomTom…[/ame]
Gilsson Direct Wire Cable for Garmin Nuvi

Along with a waterproof fuse and relay (so this doesn't kill my battery when not running)...

Hopefully not a waste of money... I use my gps all the time, just when it rains, I have to pull over and throw it in a bag... or if the battery dies (haven't had that happen yet, but would suck to be on a "getting lost" ride and have my gps die), I do have a VA map, just not a full map of U.S.A. Call me adventurous, I like to scout out unknown roads.

 

[MikeN02]

Need to get me one of these... but for radar!

 

[Heineken]

Just ordered these:

Amazon.com: Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 265WT 500 550 750 755T 760 765T 770 775T 780 785T 850 855 860 880 885T GPS: Electronics
Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi

Amazon.com: Gilsson Direct Wire Cable for Garmin Nuvi 205 255 265 550 660 755 760 765 775 885 Magellan 1412 4210 TomTom…
Gilsson Direct Wire Cable for Garmin Nuvi

Along with a waterproof fuse and relay (so this doesn't kill my battery when not running)...

Hopefully not a waste of money... I use my gps all the time, just when it rains, I have to pull over and throw it in a bag... or if the battery dies (haven't had that happen yet, but would suck to be on a "getting lost" ride and have my gps die), I do have a VA map, just not a full map of U.S.A. Call me adventurous, I like to scout out unknown roads.

Please let us know how you like that setup, I'm going to CO next month, and a weatherproof GPS will make my life easier in the afternoon thunderstorms.

 

[dart1963]

Will do... Wish I had it setup yesterday, got caught in a freak summer thunderstorm, had to pull over under an overpass and gear up for rain.... would have been a perfect test.

 

[dart1963]

Case came in today. It is almost identical to the one fz6rgurl got, only mine has screw mounts instead of the quick clamp. Case appears to be the exact same.
I didn't snap a pic, but the bottom is not waterproof, the case must be installed with the bottom down. This is by design, for the power cord to come up into the case!


Now waiting for power!

 

[gearhead]

What kind of GPS unit did you purchase? I'm interested in picking one up, but I have no idea what I should be looking for. Anyone have suggestions for features that should be on a GPS?

 

[2w05thletes]

What kind of GPS unit did you purchase? I'm interested in picking one up, but I have no idea what I should be looking for. Anyone have suggestions for features that should be on a GPS?

One that has US maps and can tell you were to go!

Seriously though I have a Magellan, love it, works well, big screen.

 

[dart1963]

What kind of GPS unit did you purchase? I'm interested in picking one up, but I have no idea what I should be looking for. Anyone have suggestions for features that should be on a GPS?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 255 w/ lifetime map updates (these can get expensive)

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-3-5-Inch-Portable-Navigator-Lifetime/dp/B0039LOX1E]Amazon.com: Garmin nuvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map Updates: Electronics[/ame]

I wanted the smaller screen fr other reasons, but with this new case, a 4.3" screen would be nice.

One thing I didn't know that this GPS had and I think is great, is avoid unpaved roads... kinda nice if you don't want to end up on a gravel or dirt road.

As to GPS makes/models, you can find benefits to all, when I did my research a couple years back, garmin had the best map/routing system. They buy their maps from a place that does real time traffic flow for determining the fastest route... that only works in well traveled roads, but I've never had an issue with the routing.

 

[FZ6Rgurl]

The one that I got does screw down. It only has one screw to twist though. Don't know if yours has two. I guess its a clamp down as well, but I had to twist the knob to tighten it down. I just wish I had a cigarette lighter to plug my phone into it. Went on a trip and my phone died halfway through and I was relying on it for my navigation and to call my brother. It sucks being lost in a city and not having your phone. By the looks of it your mount and mine are extremely similar. The ball joint is the same, the way it tightens is the same.

 

[dart1963]

After 5 hours, tear down to reassembly, I have power for my GPS!

I had a little snag in that I could not find my crimpers... but my soldering iron oddly, was handy... I soldered and heat-shrunk every joint.
Sorry, I did not take pictures... it was 90+ degs, and between coming in to cool down and sweating profusely as soon as I went out, I didn't think about it.

The jist of it is, I ran my own cable from the battery compartment to the front of the bike, I had access to some pretty top dollar cable (oil/heat/water resistant) and ran it along the existing wires and clutch cable . In the battery compartment is a relay and fuse holder, both waterproof. I used the blue/org line as suggested elsewhere for my relay.
Up front, I spliced in that gibson cable and hid it best I could under the front "dash".... that box did not look waterproof, so I'm not recommending anyone else use it. It was cheap, and I'll see how it does (as I ride rain or shine), but I have a feeling first big rain and its going to die on me. Contemplated just gooing it up with bathroom caulk, but, I just needed to get it done... I might come back and do that later as I can easily get to it from the front and it's not buried up under the seats.

Now, what to do with the hanging usb plug when I'm not using the gps (parked or riding).

 

[dart1963]

Oh... one more thing... if you use your trip OD's for anything... it will get wiped when you pull the battery...
And... I thought about it... then did the right thing... always, always, always disconnect the ground before wrenching on the positive... I've never had an issue, and that's because I've followed this rule.

 

[gearhead]

I got the Garmin Nuvi 255 w/ lifetime map updates (these can get expensive)

Amazon.com: Garmin nuvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map Updates: Electronics

I wanted the smaller screen fr other reasons, but with this new case, a 4.3" screen would be nice.

One thing I didn't know that this GPS had and I think is great, is avoid unpaved roads... kinda nice if you don't want to end up on a gravel or dirt road.

As to GPS makes/models, you can find benefits to all, when I did my research a couple years back, garmin had the best map/routing system. They buy their maps from a place that does real time traffic flow for determining the fastest route... that only works in well traveled roads, but I've never had an issue with the routing.

Costco has a pretty good deal on the Garmin 255W ($110). I cannot tell from the website if you can enter coordinates (latitude & langitude). Is it possible with this unit?

 

[PaulinItaly]

I bought a Garmin Zumo 660 which is a motorcycle GPS (waterproof, glove friendly, motorcycle hookups) from MemoryC.com - computer memory laptop memory and flash memory supplier - I am very happy with it so far, wiring was easy, sound quality is good. Garmin is (still?) running a $100 rebate I think (possibly until the end of the month?) on the Zumo's - if you are going through memoryc, which I recommend, do a google search for memoryc coupons as there is a 5% coupon floating around somewhere.

 

[dart1963]

Costco has a pretty good deal on the Garmin 255W ($110). I cannot tell from the website if you can enter coordinates (latitude & langitude). Is it possible with this unit?

like this?
It has three ways to enter coordinates.

 

[dart1963]

I bought a Garmin Zumo 660 which is a motorcycle GPS (waterproof, glove friendly, motorcycle hookups) from MemoryC.com - computer memory laptop memory and flash memory supplier - I am very happy with it so far, wiring was easy, sound quality is good. Garmin is (still?) running a $100 rebate I think (possibly until the end of the month?) on the Zumo's - if you are going through memoryc, which I recommend, do a google search for memoryc coupons as there is a 5% coupon floating around somewhere.

also $800.... way more than I was willing to spend (I looked at those and would have loved to have bought it)....

I usually know where I'm going, but at about $150 for power, waterproof case and gps with lifetime map updates, I'm happy!

 

[longtube55]

usb cable

Could try wrapping it around the center of the bars between the risers, obviously leaving enough slack for steering, and using a reusable zip-tie or something along those lines.

Just trying to be helpful and throw out ideas.

 

[ME_with_a_B]

I bought a Garmin nüvi 255W today... before discovering this thread. Heh - what a coinkidink!

I'm trying to figure out which Ram mount to purchase to attach it to my bike - but Ram doesn't have the FZ6R as a bike-choice in their menus. Can I use the FZ6 in it's place? Their website is recommending this mount - and says "Included in this package is hardware that accommodates rails from 0.50" to 1.25" in diameter. Will that work?

U Bolt Mount - Part Details

Holder - Part Details

 

[dart1963]

I bought a Garmin nüvi 255W today... before discovering this thread. Heh - what a coinkidink!

I'm trying to figure out which Ram mount to purchase to attach it to my bike - but Ram doesn't have the FZ6R as a bike-choice in their menus. Can I use the FZ6 in it's place? Their website is recommending this mount - and says "Included in this package is hardware that accommodates rails from 0.50" to 1.25" in diameter. Will that work?

U Bolt Mount - Part Details

Holder - Part Details

http://www.600cc.org/forum/f87/my-new-handlebar-mount-19471/#post250571

That just looks like a mount... I've heard great things about RAM mounts, but have no experience with them. I can tell you, I bought a cheap mount for my other nuvi 680, and now the one I got here.... it looks like these manufacturers, try to do "generic" mounts.... the one I got has rubber strips to fill in the empty space.... it works.... but I really don't know why they can't just make a mount for a 7/8" bar. FZ6Rgurl and I went with a waterproof case that includes a mount. Remember, the 255 isn't built to be outside, so a little protection from the elements (including the sun) is recommended.

 

[ME_with_a_B]

^^^ I have a magnetic tank bag (with clear map-pouch) I can throw the GPS into in a jiffy if I were to get caught out in the rain with it... I'm just trying to make sure I'm not ordering the wrong size mount for our handlebar...

And before anyone asks... why don't I just use the tank bag to hold the GPS?? -- I don't want to look down to read the map, I'd rather it be angled more the way the speedo & tach are.

 

[Heineken]

I bought a Garmin nüvi 255W today... before discovering this thread. Heh - what a coinkidink!

I'm trying to figure out which Ram mount to purchase to attach it to my bike - but Ram doesn't have the FZ6R as a bike-choice in their menus. Can I use the FZ6 in it's place? Their website is recommending this mount - and says "Included in this package is hardware that accommodates rails from 0.50" to 1.25" in diameter. Will that work?

U Bolt Mount - Part Details

Holder - Part Details

If only you knew somebody who has that setup and the same bike to ask, wouldn't that be easier?


Yes it will work.