GPS mapping and GPS units you use

**Rosie** · 4th February 2013, 14:11

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-colora...wer-cable.html

2 options here.
1. cut off the adaptor, split the wires and hard wire with spades to the battery.
2. Use this with a 12V Cig adaptor up around the dash? Good for other toys as well

Either way, cheap and in the country for less than $30.00

We hacked up a car charger for my GPS power supply but (Clint can correct me if I'm wrong), it's hard-wired onto the bike, so avoids rattly, dusty connectors. I just bundle it up and zip-tie it to the bars when I'm not using the GPS.
The power supply is on a relay (from the headlight?) so it powers on and off with the bike.
It's a very good setup, I haven't had any real problems with it

**Howie** · 4th February 2013, 16:59

Originally Posted by Eddieb

After my 9 day ride just finished I'm thinking a GPS with a decent hard wiring connection will be in my future. I love my Colorado except it won't run very well using the USB cable to power it from the bike. For short trips it's no problem but longer ones get to be a pain and expensive with batteries required.

So you want something like this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics...-559429712.htm

**Waihou Thumper** · 4th February 2013, 17:04

Originally Posted by Howie

So you want something like this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics...-559429712.htm

apparently mounting aint the issue, it is the mini USB, similar issues with the 62s, see previous posts.
My 62CsX had the occasional hic-cup, but the design of the plug (round 6 pin) was better fit that a right-angled mini usb.
I guess at the end of the day, battery life being what it is now, 16 hours life way exceeds a days ride. Then there is the logistics of re-charging your Eneloops.... Solar? That works well, have the unit on the top box or at least in daylight somewhere....

**Eddieb** · 4th February 2013, 17:06

Mine was hard wired into the ignition, it's the connection of the wire into the GPS thats the issue.

**pete-blen** · 4th February 2013, 17:29

Originally Posted by Howie

So you want something like this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics...-559429712.htm

i use one of those on my XT660... easy to wire straight to the batt...
i got mine off E-bay... not seen them on TM before..

**Howie** · 4th February 2013, 17:47

Originally Posted by pete-blen

i use one of those on my XT660... easy to wire straight to the batt...
i got mine off E-bay... not seen them on TM before..

Yeah if I could find one with the correct plug for my old Magellan eXplorist I'd probably get it, as the part that seems to lose contact on mine seems to be the USB connection into the 5v output supply plugged into the cig lighter socket. So I'm probably going to pull it all to pieces and hardwire my own up.

**pete-blen** · 4th February 2013, 18:08

I had the car charger hard wired...
easy to do...
wrap a wire around the centre pin twist tight with plires.. (positive)
the same with one of the side loop contacts.. (Neg)
double both wires up over the body...wrap the shit out of it with tape...
then wire to batt...

**clint640** · 5th February 2013, 10:07

Originally Posted by Eddieb

Mine was hard wired into the ignition, it's the connection of the wire into the GPS thats the issue.

Blu-Tack Bro!

As per my prev post, when I had that problem 2 weeks ago I just put a big blob o' Blu-Tack around the plug into the GPS & problem solved. That's with the GPS bolted to the notoriously shaky 640 so the method should deal with the comparatively wimpy DR vibes no worries.

I soldered 12V to the cig-usb adapter & insul taped the usb plug into that, none of that gave any probs.

Cheers
Clint

**Waihou Thumper** · 9th February 2013, 18:20

Check out the Trader section Guys n Gals....
I don't need another GPS but it came with the bike brand new in the box....
So....of course I tried it out in my wagon, mounted it to the bike but as far as that goes it is all new....
Plastic bags, all RAM mounts etc containing spare screws, spacers are included....

Open to offers...I do not need 2 GPS units...

**Waihou Thumper** · 27th February 2013, 18:37

Damn, that 660 was a good unit!
Maybe I will buy one after all...

**BMWST?** · 18th May 2013, 12:58

anyone use these guys.Montana is cheap(ish)

http://gps-newzealand.com/index.php?...product_id=200

**rastuscat** · 26th June 2013, 14:09

Anyone got views on this?

http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/sto...us-maps-p-1585

I'll be buying a Zumo in the next couple of weeks. Just would like to hear opinions on the 660 versus the 350. The 350 has lifetime maps, but do our roads change that much? Like, is it worth the extra dosh? I know the 660 is an older model, but that doesn't always mean the newer one is better.

**Eddieb** · 26th June 2013, 15:28

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Anyone got views on this?

http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/sto...us-maps-p-1585

I'll be buying a Zumo in the next couple of weeks. Just would like to hear opinions on the 660 versus the 350. The 350 has lifetime maps, but do our roads change that much? Like, is it worth the extra dosh? I know the 660 is an older model, but that doesn't always mean the newer one is better.

Can't comment on the merits of each device but I bought off trig a few years ago and had great after sales service. Weekly updated Garmin maps are available from the NZ Open GPS project for free. Around where I am (The Tron) the roads are changing a lot at the moment.

**NordieBoy** · 26th June 2013, 18:23

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Anyone got views on this?

http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/sto...us-maps-p-1585

I'll be buying a Zumo in the next couple of weeks. Just would like to hear opinions on the 660 versus the 350. The 350 has lifetime maps, but do our roads change that much? Like, is it worth the extra dosh? I know the 660 is an older model, but that doesn't always mean the newer one is better.

I would use the free NZ maps anyway.