Car GPS mounted to bike

[RCinNC]

I've don't pull over and remove my Nuvi when it rains. There's a Youtube tutorial about how to weatherproof a Nuvi using silicon sealant; I did that a couple years ago, and have been in multiple downpours since, and the Nuvi is running strong.

Good luck using a car GPS with gloves on? It's a pressure sensitive screen on a Nuvi; it works just fine with gloves on. I just used mine with gloves on today.

I'm sure the Nuvi isn't as bright as the Zumo. I combat that by cranking up the brightness to 100%, and leaving it always on "night" mode to increase the contrast. I also have a sun shield I made from sheet plastic that helps. It's still probably not as bright as a Zumo, but it works for me. I'm sure a Zumo is better (and it better be, to justify the difference in price), but not all car based GPS units suffer from the deficiencies you mentioned.

 

[Traveler]

The comments i'm looking for , Thank you very much !

 

[MIMSEY]

Nothing I tried would work with thinker gortex gloves on. I was impossible to input an address from the keyboard an always had to pull over and remove them, worked ok with thinner summer gloves.
For me the features of the Zumo make it the best. I tried a Nuvi, TomTom, and Magellan. and a couple cell phones.
Maybe my fingers are too fat.. haha.
To each his own..

 

[jjc1957]

I have used car GPS for years due to I am too cheap to buy a real one. The setup I use works very well but I do stop and change any directions. I don't even try to put in addresses in my truck when I am driving and would never try on a bike. They waterproof case was purchased on ebay. My GPS has never been wet even in pouring rain conditions.

 

[MIMSEY]

I don't even try to put in addresses in my truck when I am driving and would never try on a bike.

Who Said that they were putting in addresses while on the move?? I said I had to pull over and remove my gloves. Pain in the royal rear end when then are wet, hard to get back on.
Ones I used kept saying device over heating, when it was in the case. I gave up got the zumo, almost bought the TOM TOM rider but is not great in water either causes the screen acts up when it was wet. May be they fixed it buy now but this time last year they hadn't.
Glad some got the car version work for you but I couldn't.

 

[Traveler]

Garmin Drivesmart 61 GPS tested today , Went for a ride with 28f temp and very bright sun, Some glare on the screen depending on sun orientation , but also had the same glare on my speedo / tach display. Love this GPS and all the great features. So far a win , win !

 

[SHUMBA]

Anyone use a car GPS mounted to your bike ? If so , What make and model held up to the vibration and outdoor conditions ? Not looking to use one in the rain or everyday , but only as a cheap alternative to the more expensive motorcycle GPS.

Yup, I sure do. I have a Garmin Drive Smart 61. LMT.
Six inch screen and I bought a handle bar mount on Ebay for 25 bucks or so. The mount fits onto the handlebar and there is Garmin compatible ball attached. Just put your GPS on the ball. Here's why I bought the 6 inch and not the 5 inch screen.
In the sunlight it is nearly impossible to see the 5 inch, but the 6 inch is very good in sunlight, because the pixel count is much much tighter than the five inch.
Only draw back is if it rains, cover it up or remove it and put it a dry place.
Vibrations, well I have used the Garmin GPS for two years now and all good (Africa Twin).
I also have a car Dash Video camera mounted up near the speedo. When I turn on the key, GPS and camera both light up.
Hope this helps.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Traveler]

Yup, I sure do. I have a Garmin Drive Smart 61. LMT.
Six inch screen and I bought a handle bar mount on Ebay for 25 bucks or so. The mount fits onto the handlebar and there is Garmin compatible ball attached. Just put your GPS on the ball. Here's why I bought the 6 inch and not the 5 inch screen.
In the sunlight it is nearly impossible to see the 5 inch, but the 6 inch is very good in sunlight, because the pixel count is much much tighter than the five inch.
Only draw back is if it rains, cover it up or remove it and put it a dry place.
Vibrations, well I have used the Garmin GPS for two years now and all good (Africa Twin).
I also have a car Dash Video camera mounted up near the speedo. When I turn on the key, GPS and camera both light up.
Hope this helps.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

Same GPS I bought , Love it !

 

[SHUMBA]

Well this is what I bought , Tons of features , Some i'll use , many I won't ! Time and miles will tell how long it lasts.
1 Garmin DriveSmart 61 NA LMT-S Advanced Navigation GPS w/ Smart Features - 010-01681-02 $189.99

I use the Garmin Drive Smart 61 LMT as well.
I must try it in the "portrait" position.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SHUMBA]

I tried a nuvi once, and luckily gave it a quick test ziptying it on just to get an idea if it would be good enough to use. It was no good at all because the screen was pretty much unreadable out in sunlight or even out in cloud cover. It wasn't made to be used out in the sunlight. This was not a very expensive model though. I took it off right away, as it was not going to cut it.
I buy things anymore and look at purchase price over time and even $1000 is really nothing. Say it lasts you 10years, that is $100 a year or a little over a quarter a day. For a quarter a day I just buy the motorcycle unit that works much better. They are less than $1000 even for the best ones. Just get the right unit, worth the expense.

Try the six inch screen models, much better screen resolution
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SHUMBA]

Garmin Drivesmart 61 GPS tested today , Went for a ride with 28f temp and very bright sun, Some glare on the screen depending on sun orientation , but also had the same glare on my speedo / tach display. Love this GPS and all the great features. So far a win , win !View attachment 52855

Drive Smart 61, that is what I use.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Longdog Cymru]

Dumb question here, do the car GPS units have Bluetooth? I find I rely more on spoken instructions via my Bluetooth headset than visual images which take my eyes from the road.

 

[SHUMBA]

Dumb question here, do the car GPS units have Bluetooth? I find I rely more on spoken instructions via my Bluetooth headset than visual images which take my eyes from the road.

Depending upon what model/make of GPS you buy. The Drive Smart 61 does support blue tooth, but I haven't used this function. The "voice command" function works, but I don't find it very useful because I have to scream at it and it rarely gives me what I ask for.
So, I just load in my destinations and use my let my fingers do the walking.
Again, the Drive Smart 61 has a clear display and comes with a data base for the US and Canada and I think one or two central American countries.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Cycledude]

I used a Nuvi 1450 on my motorcycles for over 300,000 miles, usually put a sandwich bag over it when riding in rain, 2 years ago I bought Zumo 595 and not having to worry about rain is very nice. Gave the old Nuvi 1450 to one of my brothers so it’s still being used. I highly preferred the much brighter screen on the 1450 over the Zumo. The Zumo is much more handy for moving from one bike to another just press one simple button and the Zumo can be removed from the cradle in one second, that makes it very handy to carry into a restaurant or a shady area.
Will be interesting to see the changes in GPS in the next ten years.

 

[SHUMBA]

I used a Nuvi 1450 on my motorcycles for over 300,000 miles, usually put a sandwich bag over it when riding in rain, 2 years ago I bought Zumo 595 and not having to worry about rain is very nice. I highly prefer the much brighter screen on the 1450 over the Zumo. The Zumo is much more handy for moving from one bike to another.

Yes, but the difference in price
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Traveler]

New weatherproof enclosure mounted for my Garmin gps.

 

[Cycledude]

Yes I agree the price for a new Zumo 595 is crazy high ! That’s why I didn’t buy one years ago but now that I have one I’m pretty happy with it, since I ride over 30,000 miles per year that kinda helps justify the crazy price.

Yes, but the difference in price
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[RicoChet]

I've used a Garmin Nuvi 250 for almost 10 years until the cradle I used broke, so that could of gone forever but I opted to go for a new Nuvi instead to replace it, a Garmin Nuvi 2555 and a 2595 (I have 2 bikes) both of these are mounted with a ram mount to the handle bar and they have both worked flawlessly for years. I don't ride in the rain but when I do, sandwich bag or if its parked at work I just cover it with a grocery plastic bag and its been great. My other bike (MT-01) with the 1700cc has a motor mounted to the frame and vibrates like crazy -- GPS still works great!! You could buy 5 of these for what it costs to buy a Zumo -- I just don't see the value in the Zumo.

 

[jjc1957]

New weatherproof enclosure mounted for my Garmin gps.
View attachment 53121View attachment 53122

I really like that case. I have used 1450's in a case for years without any problems. Where did you buy that case?

 

[Traveler]

I really like that case. I have used 1450's in a case for years without any problems. Where did you buy that case?

Really nice and well made ! Bought on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWS1MJ0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1