What's the best GPS set up for bikes?

[rich1167]

I had a good experince with PC nation. Amazon must have just dropped their price on the 60CSX. When I was shopping around about 2 months ago they were about $50 more then PC Nation.

I used Amazons free shipping once and the item took 7 business days to get to me from Texas. I was kinda put off by that. But Amazon does have excellent customer service.

[spidennis]

.... figured I'd throw in my setup into the mix ... this is tested to be crash proof!

[GCannon]

Spidennis:

Can you post a shot that is panned out a bit? It looks like you have a very interesting set up with a lot going on there!

[number9]

Garmin has a $50 rebate going on on the 60 series that expires on 12-31.

I got a 60cx from amazon at $309 and FREE shipping, it took about 3 or 4 days to get here. With the Garmin rebate it was like $259

I got the Ram cradle and mount from cycoactive and installed it like SXP's setup. Looking forward to using the GPS on the dirtbike......

...

[spidennis]

Spidennis:

Can you post a shot that is panned out a bit? It looks like you have a very interesting set up with a lot going on there!

there's more here:

http://www.sandslave.com/2003wr250f/dashdec07/index.html

also see my list of mods (i try to keep this updated to some extent)

http://www.sandslave.com/2003wr250f/

Note: first I started out mounting enduro stuff, then it was dp stuff, and while my dp stuff wasn't meant to really be used in hard core dirt biking I found that was where this stuff really needs to be used and protected. If it can last in the dirt/sand/or whatever then it'll survive my dp rides. All those other mounting devices just don't look like they'd hold up on a hillclimb crash, know what I mean? and note my hand guard, broken, but the gps is still ticking ..... yeah, I'm happy with it. and the gps is lockable as well but quickly removable.

[GCannon]

Spidennis Good read should keep me busy for a while. I remember your post about that crash on the beach. Lucky you came out of that as well as you did.

What is that holder to the right of the GPS is that for a roll chart?

[spidennis]

Spidennis Good read should keep me busy for a while. I remember your post about that crash on the beach. Lucky you came out of that as well as you did.

What is that holder to the right of the GPS is that for a roll chart?

actually that is my quick release camera tripod head. Originally I had my gps mounted on it and I guess it can still be used there as it's easier to read there, but it's got zero protection up there. With this camera mount I can now get into some of my own pics ..... comes in pretty handy!

[Backroad-Bob]

What is that box that the GPS is mounted in? Where did you get such a box and does it come in fluorescent orange like the green is or is blue out of the question? Is the bottom full of foam to hold the GPS to the top like that? In the first photo it looks like you have a shade cover of some sort. This is definitely a protected mount for the GPS.

[spidennis]

It's an "otterbox"

http://www.otterbox.com/products/otterbox/3500/index.htm

I don't exactly remember which one, but look at the sizes .... it is a perfect fit though. most of the dp guys think it's just ugly, but if your a hard core dirt guy, then this is about the only way of going about it. There might be other boxes out there but I already had this for a few years back with my first digital camera, and it was a perfect fit as well! Sure the otterbox WAS waterproof, but then again, so is the garmin 2610 gps. As for color, I was going to paint it flat black to blend in and be stealthly with the rest of the dash. Out of sight, out of mind kinda stuff. I also have a chain the wraps over the box to lock it, as my bike is tagged and I use it as a errand runner. Also on trips it nice to have EVERYTHING locked up on the trailer, just incase. The only thing I still have to do with my setup is to rebuild my sunshield as the first one was only a quick prototype put together with tape, and even as such, held up pretty darn good! .... and the best thing about all this, it's crash test but good ........ if there's something not to like about this ....well, I wish I coulda jsut bought this, installed it, and went riding ..... I did spend a bit of time thinking about all the features I required, then somehow building it. ..... make it better, share with the rest of us ...... try not to crash test it too hard! dennis

[t rev]

I am using a garmin foretrex 201 with bike mount batt will last 3 days of riding! Awesome at only R1800 or $240!!!

How do you find this GPS in the trees? Do you lose reception much?

[Bob Connett]

I wouldn't say it's the best,but it works well for me. It's a Garmin Quest and I did a buy it now off E-bay for $139. I carved out the foam pad.I cut a hole in the cover and used a layer of clear vinyl glued with vinyl glue to the inside to hold the garmin in place.

[un450azul]

The Garmin 60cx/csx are good, I use a Zumo at the moment.

New kid in town is the Garmin Colorado and it sounds like a winner;

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/garmin_colorado_400t_review.php

Ron

[2006wr450f]

I got the Garmin forerunner 101 for Chirtmas with the handlbar mount. Works great to find your way back to camp.

[t rev]

I wouldn't say it's the best,but it works well for me. It's a Garmin Quest and I did a buy it now off E-bay for $139. I carved out the foam pad.I cut a hole in the cover and used a layer of clear vinyl glued with vinyl glue to the inside to hold the garmin in place.

For dual-sportin that looks like the ticket.

I'm looking to do the same thing but with a forerunner 205, that apparently gets great reception in the woods.

[sparkyincali]

The Garmin 60cx/csx are good, I use a Zumo at the moment.

New kid in town is the Garmin Colorado and it sounds like a winner;

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/garmin_colorado_400t_review.php

Ron

I would wait a bit on the Colorado until they get the bugs worked out with a few firmware releases if you really want one also for the price of the colorado you could pick up a 60csx and whatever maps you want for less.I love my 60csx no reception issues will even get a good lock inside a house with no real view of the sky.

As far as maps the basemaps are pretty useless and topo would probably work great for most riding offroad.The nice thing about the topo is its unlocked so it can be installed on several gps units as well

[blackdog9]

Gpsmap 276c on touratech mount:

[dirtysouth]

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

Dang dude all you need now is a couple servos and this bike looks like it should be able to ride itself

[dirtysouth]

Some of these set ups look pretty cool and some look like inhibitors. I have to say that I have the most fun ridin when I get to ride somewhere that I have never ridden and have to figure out where I am. For the places that I have actually ridden, I could just about ride them blind after a few solid rides. I say keep the GPS in your pack because when the tree meets the bars the GPS probably meets the trash can.

[SXP]

Dang dude all you need now is a couple servos and this bike looks like it should be able to ride itself

I only use the GPS for organized events that require them and when I'm in Baja. And, I agree, it's one cart wheel away from finding a home in the trash can.

[2006wr450f]

I crashed good on MLK weekend and my GPS survived.