GPS Who uses them...???

[Troy F Collins]

I bought a lowrance endura outback ...for off road with handlebar mount...should have it tomorrow I hope ???

curious if anyone has any experiences or advise...

thanks in advance

 

[Reddog]

I use a Garmin 60Csx on a Ram mount to the bar. Then hard wired to the bike battery to save on AA's.
I find it needs to be on the throttle side of the bar to keep the brake line from hitting it.

 

[glangston]

Garmin 60CsX also with RAM mount, but mine's OK on the left side. 08 TE250. If I find a pic of how it sets I'll post it. Also mount a SPOT on the left, right next to it...RAM mount. Computer still visible.

 

[Troy F Collins]

Garmin 60CsX also with RAM mount, but mine's OK on the left side. 08 TE250. If I find a pic of how it sets I'll post it. Also mount a SPOT on the left, right next to it...RAM mount. Computer still visible.

hmm..that sounds pretty good....


the one I am getting(lowrance) takes GPX maps......I think those are the same as garmin....???

 

[husky123]

hmm..that sounds pretty good....


the one I am getting(lowrance) takes GPX maps......I think those are the same as garmin....???

Another Garmin 60CSX with the RAM mount here too.

Yes, the ubiquitous .gpx is the standard gps file sharing format so you'll be good to go there when you trade with us Garmin types.

 

[petem]

the one I am getting(lowrance) takes GPX maps......I think those are the same as garmin....???

I'm not sure whether you can actually get maps in gpx format? As far as I know it's meant for exchanging data such as waypoints, routes and track logs. The Garmin MapSource software on my PC will read gpx files - don't know whether it can save them.

I have a Garmin GPSmap496 on a Touratech mount. The mount's designed to bolt on top of something like a handlebar brace tube using a couple of U clamps, which was ok on my last bike. Not so good on the TE450 with no brace tube, so I made up a plate which sits on top of the handlebar clamp and cable-tied it on with a rubber sheet in between. The Touratech mount then bolts onto the plate and has its own shock absorbers, which are surely needed!
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So far the GPS has survived whatever vibration gets past the mount, though I did just have to tighten up the nut on the antenna socket as it had shaken loose and was making a very loud rattling noise. I lose the signal more than I did on the old bike (even when the antenna's not loose!), which I think is because the speedo cable and brake hose run right over the top of the antenna and affect it some, but it generally works well enough.

If I could be bothered I'd wire it into the bike's battery, but the battery in the GPS lasts a whole day anyway if you don't have the screen too bright and it's removable so I carry a spare. Though it's very good, this GPS is probably overkill for trail riding but I already had it for flying use.

 

[HuskyDude]

I have been running the GPSMAP 276C with Ram mounts. I've got the Topo maps of Canada loaded in it. Super for off roads, bush, S/T etc. Not very good for the car. This is a old pictures (check out the date) still has my original tank on my bike. I've also moved the Ram mount to the bottom bolt of the handle bar clamp the top one was interfering with the clutch cable moving up and down.

Has anyone else down loaded their coordinates to Google earth? It comes up in a 3D picture.

 

[Xcuvator]

I have been running the GPSMAP 276C with Ram mounts. I've got the Topo maps of Canada loaded in it. Super for off roads, bush, S/T etc. Not very good for the car. This is a old pictures (check out the date) still has my original tank on my bike. I've also moved the Ram mount to the bottom bolt of the handle bar clamp the top one was interfering with the clutch cable moving up and down.

Has anyone else down loaded their coordinates to Google earth? It comes up in a 3D picture.

 

[Xcuvator]

I wondered what Google Earth was all about. That looks pretty cool. Do you find it is helpful for route finding? So your unit allows you to switch the display from GE to flat or 3D?
I use a Zumo 450 and a 2720 Garmin with US Topo for dual sporting on the 610 and KLR with handle bar Ram mount. I wired a plug for the 450 but haven't had the need. The thing I like about the Ram mount is how easy it is to switch to another bike if you have a power wire already.

 

[HuskyDude]

No not at all.
The GPS does not display in 3D. Sorry about that. When you get home and go onto the "Google Earth" web site. You have to down load you gps coordinates to G/E. Then you get to see where you rode in 3D.
Funny I e-mailed Garmin and asked them "Why don't you get on board with Google Earth. Then you would have the Very Best 3D GPS
....Never did get a reply.

 

[petem]

Has anyone else down loaded their coordinates to Google earth? It comes up in a 3D picture.

Haven't done it for bike tracks but I've used it for paragliding flights which is really good as you can basically re-run the flight and get the same views you saw when you did it live. I also use it to check out routes in advance, both for the bike and for other things like finding a building in an area you don't know. Very useful, particularly where street view is available.

I e-mailed Garmin... ....Never did get a reply.

A GPS that could show your route/track on Google Earth as you go along - now that would really be something! I guess it'd need an Internet connection, so maybe they figure that's too much trouble.

 

[Coffee]

A GPS that could show your route/track on Google Earth as you go along - now that would really be something! I guess it'd need an Internet connection, so maybe they figure that's too much trouble.

I think there is much potential for the SPOT. They could make that a full gps pretty easy with an screen. That already connects to the internet so google maps could be viewed (sloooowwwwlllly), assuming spot can receive non-gps info from the satellites. Then with a phone keypad they could have the ability to send out short text messages (twitter?), right now it is limited to a few pre-programmed buttons.

But that is all future sci fi stuff

 

[Fast1]

I don't leave home without it,, Zumo 550 on Ram mount, hardwired to the battery

Purchased another Garmin mount and can swap it to my other bike in a matter of minutes plus it can even serve its purpose well in the autos.

 

[Motosportz]

I use a Garmin 60Csx on a Ram mount to the bar. Then hard wired to the bike battery to save on AA's.
I find it needs to be on the throttle side of the bar to keep the brake line from hitting it.

+1 same setup here.

 

[Troy F Collins]

I wonder if I can hard wire mine in..??? The WR 125 has no battery....but 12v regulated voltage should work ok.....???

Hmmmm....


I'm thinking with the GPS..it sure would be nice to go to the end of the trail........and know how to get back....


As opposed to being a prude.....and missing half the fun.....cause you turned back...as you werent sure if you could find your way back.... ....... as is my current scenario


of course getting lost can be fun too.....

 

[Motosportz]

I wonder if I can hard wire mine in..??? The WR 125 has no battery....but 12v regulated voltage should work ok.....???

Hmmmm....


I'm thinking with the GPS..it sure would be nice to go to the end of the trail........and know how to get back....


As opposed to being a prude.....and missing half the fun.....cause you turned back...as you werent sure if you could find your way back.... ....... as is my current scenario


of course getting lost can be fun too.....

No, you need constant DC. The batteries on my Gamin 60X last all day EZ.

 

[petem]

I'm thinking with the GPS..it sure would be nice to go to the end of the trail........and know how to get back....

My GPS has a "Track Back" function which can reverse your recent track and show it as a route for you to follow. Needs careful setup and a bit of practice before you rely on it though. It will join the logged points with straight lines so if your logging interval is too long it may miss out some twists and turns, which might be ok on an obvious trail but maybe not if you've been off trail through a tight wooded area and try to retrace your steps. Easily fixed by shortening the interval, so long as you do it before hand! And make sure you have enough memory for the track log so it doesn't run out and lose some of the route.

In fact, relying on it may be a bit risky anyway. Gizmos can always break down, or run out of power if they're on batteries, or lose the signal under tree cover, so it's best to always have a fall-back plan. I have a track log from my paraglider where for a brief period I travelled at over 2000mph to a point 60 miles away from where I'd been the second before. Try back-tracking that one...

The Google Earth thing you could do on a mobile phone right now, if it has GPS built in and can get a decent signal. My phone happily runs it but there would be limitations and I'm not sure I'd want the phone tied to the handlebars, vibrated about and covered in mud! At least the GPS is water resistant.

 

[Troy F Collins]

My GPS has a "Track Back" function which can reverse your recent track and show it as a route for you to follow. Needs careful setup and a bit of practice before you rely on it though. It will join the logged points with straight lines so if your logging interval is too long it may miss out some twists and turns, which might be ok on an obvious trail but maybe not if you've been off trail through a tight wooded area and try to retrace your steps. Easily fixed by shortening the interval, so long as you do it before hand! And make sure you have enough memory for the track log so it doesn't run out and lose some of the route.

In fact, relying on it may be a bit risky anyway. Gizmos can always break down, or run out of power if they're on batteries, or lose the signal under tree cover, so it's best to always have a fall-back plan. I have a track log from my paraglider where for a brief period I travelled at over 2000mph to a point 60 miles away from where I'd been the second before. Try back-tracking that one...

The Google Earth thing you could do on a mobile phone right now, if it has GPS built in and can get a decent signal. My phone happily runs it but there would be limitations and I'm not sure I'd want the phone tied to the handlebars, vibrated about and covered in mud! At least the GPS is water resistant.

Thanks for the good advise.....my cell phone doesnt work within say 20kms of this place...and that bugs me...

trial and error...I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it...as it takes time to asses the battery life etc...and to the extent you can rely on the map info....which I assume is highly dependent of the detail of your download


Lots of great info I'm getting here..thanks guys !!

 

[petem]

and to the extent you can rely on the map info....which I assume is highly dependent of the detail of your download

Indeed. I see the Out&Back has a base map built in, as most GPSs do, so see what that's like first (it has "detailed hill shading, topographic contours, primary and secondary roads and key POIs"). If it has all the detail you want then you won't need any other maps. If it doesn't have enough detail then you can think about adding another map which does give you what you want.

Additional maps, and possibly some other data such as the track log, may need to go onto a memory card and the Out&Back takes MicroSD cards so you might need to buy one if it doesn't come with one (or if it comes with a small one). Once you have the GPS and decide whether you want any more maps you can see how much storage you need (if any) on the card so you'll know how big it needs to be. I always go for the biggest the GPS will take, 32GB in this case, as I find it ends up full even then!

If you don't have enough storage space for a whole additional map, on most GPSs you can upload sections of a map to cover just the area you're going to, then replace them by uploading a new set of sections if your next trip is to a different area.

You'll probably be able to find gpx files or similar with useful data for the areas you ride, e.g. routes which follow the trails, good places for a stop, gas stations, etc. There may be some on the web or other local riders may have them. These are not maps as such, they are just points and lines which will appear on top of the map in the same way you might use a highlighter to mark your route on a paper map, so you still need a decent map on the GPS in order to put them into context. You can follow a route without having a map behind it and in some remote areas the map may have no real detail anyway, but you will still want a map (either the base map that comes with it or a more detailed one you add).

Oh, and one other very important thing... in between experimenting with the GPS don't forget to actually go out and have the occasional ride!

 

[Reddog]

Oh, and one other very important thing... in between experimenting with the GPS don't forget to actually go out and have the occasional ride!

I thought you where going to say: in between experimenting with the GPS don't forget to Look up for trees.
I have found myself headed off the trail a few times.