GPS for adventure riders

[Transalper]

....Bung it on your scooter with one of these mounts http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/cat...roducts_id=574....

My experience of those handlebar mounts resulted in the vibration induced shutdown issue for me. Maybe your big BMW's handlebars don't vibrate as much as the DR's do.
I really really prefer the RAM mount system.

[richyrich]

The car specific ones in harvey norman etc often won't go offroad, as soon as you leave a sealed road they get all upset and just present a 'go to road' message or similiar. Also they don't tend to be water/dust/etc proof.

i had a cheap garmin 1250 in the us,worked like a charm,was surprised at how well it showed roads when they were only a couple of wheel tracks across the parts of nevada.i had it mounted on my dr sceen using the standard suction mount.she fell of a few times due to the heat,got rained on in alabama and gave up on the LA freeway at the most inoppertune (sp) time.
lasted 0ver 8000 miles,one of the other guys had tomtom,and his worked just as well.
they took a beating off road and i preferred it to my oregon 550.it even talked to me.recalculating...recalculating.......

[Padmei]

Hi Stormtrooper

I'm a bit of a numpty on the technogolical front but bought a Garmin 60csx handheld after wanting something more durable. It has been great & I made a mount to fit my bike with some crap lying around. It has been very handy & I would recommend getting something similar. What I like is the different datafields visible - speedo & time or distance to go/ covered etc.
I definitely wouldn't even consider a smartphone app myself as I can't see myself having something so vulnerable out there in the elements

All in all I recommend GPS' for adventuring.

[Rosie]

Forget your flash as ram mounts, Get your self a Garmin 60 series GPS and the power cable. Bung it on your scooter with one of these mounts http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/cat...roducts_id=574
Get NZopen maps, Bobs ya uncle

My experience of those handlebar mounts resulted in the vibration induced shutdown issue for me. Maybe your big BMW's handlebars don't vibrate as much as the DR's do.
I really really prefer the RAM mount system.

Running the GPS on external power seems to get around the vibe-induced shutdown (for me anyway, the WR might be a bit smoother than the DR).

[Oscar]

I have a Strike GPS, which is made specifically for motorcycles.
It's coped with some reasonably rough and fast tracks.

[Eddieb]

My experience of those handlebar mounts resulted in the vibration induced shutdown issue for me. Maybe your big BMW's handlebars don't vibrate as much as the DR's do.
I really really prefer the RAM mount system.

Running the GPS on external power seems to get around the vibe-induced shutdown (for me anyway, the WR might be a bit smoother than the DR).

I've used a RAM mount on both my airhead GS's, the 950 KTM and now the DR and have never had a vibration shutdown issue.

[clint640]

I've used a RAM mount on both my airhead GS's, the 950 KTM and now the DR and have never had a vibration shutdown issue.

The mount I made for Rosie is tapped for a RAM ball also so I can use it on my bike, maybe in the interests of science we will do a comparison between bolted direct to bars & RAMounted sometime, I had also thought of having a rubber isolated base like the Touratech one.

Hints for powering: Lots of things use a 12V lighter plug to 5V 1A mini usb power supply so have a look around for a cheap one before buying the $50 Garmin one. I soldered ign switched 12V directly on to the lighter plug & zip tied it behind the dash - 1 less place to have a dodgy connection.

Cheers
Clint

[pete376403]

CraftyCoder over at ADVrider is/has developed an Android app with additional hand controls etc.

Looks promising http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691537

Someone who knows better than me might be able to say if it would work here

[drbandit]

Hi all, i am thinking of putting a GPS unit on my adventure bike but dont really know much about them.
Do you need a special bike GPS?
Can you use any GPS that is designed for cars? i see that some give you options for car, bike, motorbike.
What size works best?
Does the unit shake around at high speed, how stable is it offroad?
Are there options for using it as a speedo?
How detailed are the maps and can you input new ones?
How well do they last?
Are they just a wast of time and money?


STORMTROOPER

Hi
Ive been using a Garmin 255W car gps on my bike for the last 3years.. It has NZ open GPS maps on it.. Internal audio connection to speaker, a basic protective cover and Mtb holder... Has worked fine when you are on limited budget.. See http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=974312
plus others on this site,
Just look after it.. Im thinking of using my Garmin Asus phone ??

[Squiggles]

CraftyCoder over at ADVrider is/has developed an Android app with additional hand controls etc.

Looks promising http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691537

Someone who knows better than me might be able to say if it would work here

Tis about time I got a new phone...