What's the best GPS set up for bikes?

[mxer1965]

I'm looking to buy a handlebar mount GPS and I need some input from all you throttle junkies.

I need a very stable set up that has battery power to last the miles. But don't make me go broke over it.

I want to add single track loops to the two track loops posted on sneakersmc.com.

[SXP]

I'm looking to buy a handlebar mount GPS and I need some input from all you throttle junkies.

I need a very stable set up that has battery power to last the miles. But don't make me go broke over it.

I want to add single track loops to the two track loops posted on sneakersmc.com.

Garmin 60CSx with the RAM mount. Here are a couple of pics of the RAM mount and GPS on my 99 WR400:

[slnutt]

Garmin Zumo 550 Ruggedized. I have it set up to move from my truck, to the Harley, and to the WR. You can't beat the functionality. It also is Bluetooth capable and you can see on the screen who is calling you just in case you want to pull over and talk.

RR....

[PBDBLUE]

I'm looking to buy a handlebar mount GPS and I need some input from all you throttle junkies.

I need a very stable set up that has battery power to last the miles. But don't make me go broke over it.

I want to add single track loops to the two track loops posted on sneakersmc.com.

If your intention is to ride mostly off-road/dual sport make sure you get a unit that supports stored tracks. The files you get from sites like the Sneakers will contain tracks not routes. The Zumo for instance does not support uploading/downloading of tracks and is not a good choice for your application. Also it's best to stay with Garmin if you intend to do any organized events particularly in District 37 as that is the only format they fully support. The Garmin 60C series is the unit of choice these days. As for mounts the Ram will do a more than adequate job for about $40. If you have the money and want something more elegant the Tourtech mount does a very nice job but $$$. I have used both and prefer the Tourtech but again the Ram will work fine. One last thing if your bike has a battery do yourself a favor and get a hardwire kit to connect the gps to it. The Garmin units have a tendency to shut themselves off due to the batteries vibrating in the case and losing contact. There are tricks to get past this but powering the GPS off the bike battery just eliminates the whole problem. Good luck and have fun.

[Fake Name]

Can you please explain a little more about tracks vs routes, assuming we don't know much about GPS systems yet?

thanks.

fn

[PBDBLUE]

Ok. Well tracks are sort like breadcrumb trail of a path. They can be captured while riding or created manually on a pc in a mapping program like Garmin's Mapsource. A route is a collection of waypoints chained together to form a route. The problem with routes is that a route can only contain 50 waypoints and has very limited detail. A saved track can contain 500 points and is much more detailed. Also every waypoint used in a route will also be added to your waypoint library making it quite large and cluttered. Track points on the other hand do not show in the waypoint directory. When riding the track will be displayed on the screen as a line following the path. All the rider needs to do is follow the line. Almost all of the events that I have riddden use tracks exclusively. I did attend one recently in So Oregon that used routes and quite frankly they were almost useless. They do a good job of showing the major turns but in between you have no clue if you are headed in the correct direction. For more info check out the links in this thread:

http://www.gpsxchange.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7

This a great site that has a very large library of tracks. For mxer1965 check out the Countdown forum. Jerry Counts has posted a whole bunch of files for the Bishop/Mammoth area. Hope this helps a little.

[rich1167]

I paid $275 from www.pcnation.com for my 60csx after $50 mail in rebate. Then I picked up a Ram Mount and hard wire kit from www.cycoactive.com for about $65. I would recomend going the hard wire route. Batts are pain with a lot of vibration. I love this set up. I think its the best $ I have spent on my bike. I only use tracks. I have never even messed around with routes.

[GCannon]

What a great thread!

PBDBLUE and SXP have done a great job.

I am running the Magellen with the Ram mount I am very happy with it.

Hard wired is the way to go a set of batteries will last all weekend. I don't know why but running the back light at night still makes giggle over the coolness factor ( no need to remind me that I am a kook).

The point about sharing files should be well taken the Magellen and Garmin don't share files well and most everyone is using Garmin.

The Key is how well you get to know your own GPS system and How well you utilize your mapping software and interface with your PC this where your big payoff will be.

The only thing I have to add is watch out for that front Brake Hose when Mounting. You know that Hose moves up and down.

I put a patch of clear shipping tape on the GPS screen which did in fact save the screen from a scratch during a crash.?

[mxer1965]

Awesome guys. Thanks for the info and great pics.

Hey PBDBLUE, Cool someone else knows Jerry. I'm the so called webmaster for the Sneakers and Jerry's the one that gave us all the loops we have so far. They're all 2 track so I wanted to start mapping some of the single track. Note that I said some. LOL... Gotta keep the good stuff secret. LOL

Thanks SXP.... I think I'm going with the same type of set up. Thanks for your time to post the pics.

[PBDBLUE]

Cool someone else knows Jerry. I'm the so called webmaster for the Sneakers and Jerry's the one that gave us all the loops we have so far.

Thanks SXP.... I think I'm going with the same type of set up. Thanks for your time to post the pics.

I've ridden a lot of Jerry's rides and we've traded a few tracks. Just got back from Lone Pine/Bishop area a few weeks ago. Nice to see the Sneakers website back up.

[Birdy426]

I'm the so called webmaster for the Sneakers

Thanks for all the info you provide on the Sneakers website! Great rides...

[Fake Name]

Ok. Well tracks are sort like breadcrumb trail of a path. They can be captured while riding or created manually on a pc in a mapping program like Garmin's Mapsource. A route is a collection of waypoints chained together to form a route. The problem with routes is that a route can only contain 50 waypoints and has very limited detail. A saved track can contain 500 points and is much more detailed. Hope this helps a little.

Yes, this is VERY helpful, thanks!

fn

[mxer1965]

Everyone's info was very helpful. Thanks. Heck, I didn't know they had hard wire kits. I ordered the 60CSx, RAM mount, wire kit and a Scotts dampner late today.

Ya PBDBLUE, I'm glad I finally got it back up too. Had to switch servers to save $ but hit some road blocks during the move. It sounds like we need to ride sometime.

[mxer1965]

Thanks for all the info you provide on the Sneakers website! Great rides...

And your welcome Birdy but you should thank Jerry Counts for the loops that are posted. He did all the work, I just posted them.

[Jackary]

Awesome thread. Thanks for the information and the links to buy the right products and the links to find sneakersmc with more instruction.

?

[rich1167]

I’m sorry I didn’t mention this before. It slipped my mind. The only issue I have with the Garmin GPS is that the base map in the hand held units are useless. You will need to buy Mapsource software if you want to see more then just the main highways in your area. I picked up a copy of Mapsource Roads and Recreation on E-bay for $30 shipped. This is older software, last produced in 04. It is good mapping software for off Roading. But if you are going to use your GPS in the city I would go with TOPO 2008 or City Navigator. I believe the 60csx turn by turn feature with only work with the City Nav software. Amazon has the best prices on the newer software.

[04WR450F]

Here is a picture of my Garmin GPSMAP76 mounted with a Ram mount.

[bicyclebob]

I have a vista HCX and just leave it in my coat's chest pocket. It has worked very well in heavy cover and does not get all beat to pieces during a ride.

Have you guy's tried uploading to google earth and printing out your tracks on a satellite image? It's pretty slick.

[rich1167]

I use google earth all the time. Check out GPS track maker its free software http://www.gpstm.com/

If you make paths and points in google earth and save them as a .kml file. You can convert them to a .gpx with GPS track maker and lode them to your GPS. I think GPS track maker can do a lot more. But I havent figuered it out yet.

[Butta]

Here is a picture of my Garmin GPSMAP76 mounted with a Ram mount.

How's this stand up to the vibes? Is it hardwired or AA powered?