Triumphrat

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

I recently purchased a Magellan Roadmate 760 GPS and was wondering if there are any handlebar mounts which might include a waterproof case for the unit? When I go on longer trips I'd rather not have to stop and store the thing when even a light rainfall happens.

I rode up to Detroit monday and used the GPS this week navigating from place to place using street addresses. Holy ***** does that thing literally have just about EVERY street you could think of. I don't think I'll ever leave home without it unless I know exactly where I'm going.

Right now my only option is either the map pocket of my tank bag is is reasonably water resistant, or getting a handlebar mounting kit and using a ziplock bag with a zip tie to seal it...

rudebwoy85 · 11-17-2005

I happen to be a Garmin man, they seem to be rather weatherproof (60cs & 2720), you can try places like www.cycoactive.com and the like to see what options they have for gps devices and their mounting option to motorcycles (as I recall they may be kind of 'garmin'-centric).
As it goes, what could be more effective and cheaper than plastic wrap?

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

If Magellan doesn't email me back tomorrow saying the roadmate is waterproof then I'm going to maybe go return it and go with the Garmin, especially since Best Buy's website says the 2720 is waterproof and Garmin's website says the case is fully gasketed. It is also a bit smaller. Magellan's website says nothing about it being even water resistant, and I'm having an annoying time finding anything to mount it to the bike.

jbt56 · 11-17-2005

Can't comment on the Magellan, but the Garmin Quest I recently bought says it can be submerged for 1/2 hour. That's enough for me, as I'm not a rain-rider (by choice) anyway.

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

Wow, that was the easiest exchange I've ever done at Best Buy. I swapped over to the Garmin 2720 with my 4-year service plan so if it ever goes to ***** it's listed on Best Buy's website as being waterproof and they'll have to replace it.

skeepee · 11-17-2005

I've been looking around for a moto-friendly GPS but can't seem to find the sweet spot. They're either too big (iWay 500), don't have a battery (Garmin 26xx, 27xx), don't have a touch screen (Garmin's marine models), or aren't waterproof (most everything else).

I'm holding out for the TomTom Rider, which should show up in the U.S. someday, but if it's anything like the other TomTom's it will have a weak screen that's hard to read in sunlight.

I'd normally gravitate toward Garmin as a brand, but have heard very bad things about the point-of-interest database in their latest CityNav 7 software. Apparently there are way fewer POIs (like 1/2 as many or less) than in previous versions.

Oh well.

Here are some good sites I've found on the topic:

<UL>
http://www.gl1800riders.com has a very active GPS forum. It's a great place to get motorcycle-specific GPS info.

http://www.gpspassion.com is an awesome site for GPS info in general. These guys are indeed passionate over all things GPS .[/list]

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

Well, I'll be able to give a full review of the useability of the Garmin 2720 as I'll be using it tomorrow on my trip down to Florida and back to Ohio. I'll test out the waterproof and bike useability when the weather warms up again, even if for only a day or two over the winter. Right now it is below freezing and just ugly out here in NWOH.

From playing around with the Garmin sitting at my desk, the POI seems fine. Hell, my local optometrist even popped up and I live waaay outside the city. As far as batteries go, I ordered a mounting kit and hardwiring kit from twistedthrottle so it'll just run off the battery when I plug it into my bike.

rudebwoy85 · 11-18-2005

Be sure to post a review and most importantly pics of your usage of the GPS nav system on your bike.

I too have the 2720 and even purchased the motorcycle mount kit (garmins unit) but couldnt visualize how on earth I was going to mount it so that it wasnt an absolute eyesore on such a naked bike so I instead got a 'control mounted' Ram Mount and associated pieces and use it with the 60cs unit which (if you also happen to have the city select map software) is a fantastic all round GPS nav system in it's own right and it's transreflective screen cant be beat for daytime viewing in direct sunlight.

Still looks like a geeky gadget hanging off the bike but only because that area is so naked on mine (removed flyscreen and put on clip-ons). a few pics that detail this (4-pics)

I should also state that Garmin offers a very sensible handlebar mount for this device (60cs and Quest) that works perfectly for placing the GPS device between the handlebar clamps on the triple. It's easy as pie and works wonderfully. I used the Ram mount because I have put clip-ons on my bike and so no longer have that convienience. Nothing like having a "never get lost again" companion along for the times you are in new territory and just want to explore with no particular destination in mind, you always rest assured that you will always make it back home..

Sure does sound like I work for them... :razz:

kuhlka · 11-18-2005

Yeah, I'm planning to use the RAM mount I ordered to mount the thing right in the center of the handlebars near the ignition. I'd like it to be as easy to look down and see the screen as it is to check the speedo. I'll post pics of all my bolt-ons and mods when I get my bike back from the dealer (12k valve checkup) and put the GPS ones in here.

Celt · 11-18-2005

my mate has garmin quest (waterproof) on his bmw and he loves it.