Using GPS?

Lubbz · May 24, 2005

I was just wondering what GPS systems were being used out there on the bergs. My dad is using a Garmin 276 for street riding and says it's great. I would not mind getting one but I wanted to see what info I can find fist because I would use it for both street and dirt. I am leaning toward the 276 but am concerned with the durability I guess. Also, if any one has input on the topo software that would be helpful. I know that Risky1 had posted info about the DeLorme topo usa, but I have found that Garmin has topo programs too, any experience with it?

Thanks.

Marky_Mark · May 24, 2005

I have a garmin etrex vista. Not as big and fancy as a 276 that is for sure but it has saved my butt in the desert a couple of times.....

LeFrog · May 24, 2005

I have heard great things about the III+ (now discontinued, but still on eBay) or the V because they can lay horizontally across the bar, which protects it in case of shock.

I have a tiny Geko in my camelpak just "to save my butt". I am thinking about keeping it as backup GPS and getting a more serious unit to put on the hand guard for navigation.

What do you recommend as far as system to hold the unit? It seems that Touratech makes some great mounts which also limit the vibrations (batteries hate that).

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/searc ... GPS_Mounts

Bobzilla · May 24, 2005

I use a garmin v with a tourtech mount hard wired with the V mod done by tourtech and find it to be durable and has enough memory for me. The roads and rec software is not all that great for N Nevada but it will do. The software is better for Ca and other states and around the Vegas area. No complaints but still haven't learned how to use all the functions. I have used it to follow some one else's track log and it works great and found my way home a few times when I got turned around.
BTW I crash often

PowerCell · May 24, 2005

I use the Garmin 276 in Baja with great success. Sorry about the photo quality. I fabbed my own rubber isolating mounts. It's never given me a problem. I also added a thin plate of glass over the display, attached with silicone. This allows me to wipe the dust off without scratching the display:

iceberg · May 24, 2005

Hi,
Im an using the Garmin III+ on my FE400E. I have mounted it with the touretech mount and have it powered direct fron the bike, no need for batteries..

Its a real usefull tool. I totaly recomend it. I also use it for hiking.

regards

iceberg

LeFrog · May 24, 2005

Powercell what are those two things at the front of your bike behind the gps?

PowerCell · May 24, 2005

LeFrog -

Those are the ballasts for the HID lighting... ya' shoulda' known!

LeFrog · May 24, 2005

Cluttered... :twisted:

PowerCell · May 24, 2005

Yea, it can seem that way. Really depends on where and how you ride. The dual HID's are big, but only add 5.5 lbs. to the bike. At an effective 500-watts, that's the best lighting value going... assuming you're moving fast enough to need 'em. If you're a woods or trail rider, a simple 55-watt halogen and an etrex will do ya' just fine.

I run a single HID Tecate most nights. But when I ride solo at night, specially in Mexico, the big lights and quality GPS are indespensible. One missed corner and your night's gonna start to suck, big-time.

The 276 in pretty light and compact for what it offers. The display is clear enough to read quickly at speed, both day and night. The controls are pretty easy to manipulate, even at night.

~ Ken

jmumme · May 24, 2005

WOW! That's some setup.
Just picked up a Magellan Sportrack Pro. It's not mounted, and I don't have the cool mapping software(yet). But it's kind of cool to collect and review all of the data after a ride. I have done a bit of geocaching.com stuff with it. All in all there pretty fun. What was the question again?

John

Marky_Mark · May 24, 2005

jmumme said:
WOW! That's some setup.

:hugeeyes:

LeFrog · May 24, 2005

Those bark busters are minimalistic

PowerCell · May 24, 2005

Good enough for Scott Summers...

~ Ken

Lubbz · May 25, 2005

Thanks all.
Powercell, nice set up. You said that you fab'ed the rubber mounts, did you fab that bracket as well? Looks clean and simple, unlike what I am seeing with the touratech, and Garmin mounts look like it would be ok for the street but not dirt. I may have to wain until I get something to see how the mounts will work and make adjustments then so I can switch the mount easily from street bike to dirt. The glass over the screen is a great idea and that will be done with whatever one I go with but I am leaning more toward the 276.

LeFrog · May 25, 2005

Garmin mounts are not even good for street, unless it's rubberized asphalt all the way. They do not absorb vibrations. I will have to get something else for the son's eTrex...

Marky_Mark · May 25, 2005

LeFrog said:
Garmin mounts are not even good for street, I will have to get something else for the son's eTrex...

Maybe something could be fab'd using rubber mounts sort of ala the Taffy's Totally Integrated Timecard System ????? :wink: More T.I.T.S. up front can only be good right?????

But having seen Powercell's job, it looks almost like an OEM option. Hard to imagine an etrex on there after seeing that cool set-up..

Lubbz · May 25, 2005

Marky_Mark said:
But having seen Powercell's job, it looks almost like an OEM option. Hard to imagine an etrex on there after seeing that cool set-up..

No kidding. Compare Powercell's with the others I have found and I wonder what those companys are smoking. To high tech and gaudy and paying the $$ for it. Maybe if powercell fab them he would be willing to mass produce and sell? :wink:

PowerCell · May 25, 2005

I would be willing to produce a short run of these mounts. They're actually 2 parts; the GPS receiver and the active antenna mount which is tucked away up front using the original speedo holes. Using the active antenna allows the GPS to work in the forrest or in deep canyons. (once again, I appologize for the poor quality pix)

The mounts by themselves, with the rubber isolators would run somewhere around $275. But you'll also need a GPR top mount for attachment.

The hard part about taking on a project like this would be getting everyone to completely disassemble their new 276's, including breaking the foil RF shields, and drilling the necessary holes for installing the Rivnutz.

Lubbz · May 25, 2005

Powercell, yeah I could see how it would be difficult to mass produce. It's hard to get someone to tear a new system down like that. Those mounts look like mounts from an electric motor, maybe from a compressor? Thumbs up on that.
The touratech heavy duty bracket is about 160. so I think I am going to research it some more, but I am almost 90% sure on the 276 now that I see it will work well. And the pictures were great by the way. Thanks for all the trouble.
Nice Vrod too. :thumbup:

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