bike GPS opinion

I need your opinions, will a portable GPS designed for a car, hold up if mounted to a motorcycle? How 'bout if it is mounted with a foam rubber base to the handle bars or fairing?

See, I am cheap, and bought this Garmin Street pilot C330 for $125.00, and was thinking of mounting it on my 1000P and wiring in a cig lighter for the power.

I know that they make models specifically for bikes, so I would guess they are more "shock resistant" than the car models. So I thought I would design a "shock resistant" mount.

Suggestions, comments?

I'd imagine that if you insulate it from shock as much as possible, it should hold up fine.

A bigger concern would be, will it stand up to the elements (colder temps, direct wind and sun, etc) like a GPS designed for a motorcycle? :huh:

You can always let me run a "shock test" on it - I've been wanting to get back into off-roading my truck again. :whistle: :laugh:

Thanks Chris, good to see you on here again. You are working way too much....

I wounder about the LED screen and being able to see it in direct sunlight

It has a day and night mode, maybe the night mode would cancel some of the glare....

Rick, I bought the same one (c330) couple years ago. Love that thing, totally awsome! As you said, they do make them for bikes, designed to be used with gloves (large touch screen controls), left or right controls, vibration resistant, waterproof, etc. I would think ours would work well if you made a simple rubber mount and kept it dry! As far as glare, you could make some kind of visor thing for it? Plus, I found that the battery lasts for 3-4+ hours, so you could charge it at home. Remember, it only charges thru the suction cup mount (which would have to be included in your mounting system) or via computor and USB cable.



Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2007/12/01 11:33

Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2007/12/01 11:38

Here is the motorcycle version..

Bluemeanie wrote:

Here is the motorcycle version..

Since I usually go by landmarks (old dead tree, abandoned gas station on the corner, etc) because I have a heck of a time remembering street names, I've gotta get me one of those! :woohoo:

Thanks John! I think I will give it a try, the thing actually will attach to my windshield with the suction mount but, I would be afraid it would vibrate off. May be I'll attach a tether to it..

I've had mine come off the windshield once going cross country but it only fell 1 inch (mount mine lower left windshield,less distance to fall and no "police" problems) Would be VERY nervous sucktioned to plastic windscreen even with teather. Maybe find a simple charger cord (radio shack, etc) with same plug in and same volt/amp rating? Would trust a better "contained" mounting system.

Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2007/12/01 12:10

I was curious so I went and checked... those things cost as much as two of my bikes! Holy cow!
:blink:
I guess I'll have to stick with the old map-in-the-tank-bag non-gps....

I have a Magellan Roadmate 2200T I bought at Costco for a couple hundred.I was mounting it on my Z1B tank with the suction cup till it fell off and hit the ground at about 35 mph.Scratched but still works fine.I went on Ebay,typed "2200T motorcycle" in the search box.Found a few handlebar brackets specifically for my model for about $20. if I remember.Love it.It does get washed out in bright sun,but you can adjust it to minimize the effects.It runs on batteries for about 6 hours so I go for a nice long ride through the countryside,getting myself as lost as possible.When I'm ready I hit the home button and it leads the way.Some of my best rides and it gives you the nuts to explore that road that you always wondered where it went.I love it.

Post edited by: djfisher22, at: 2007/12/01 15:55