| GPS on a motorcycle | Rate Topic |
| Moderated by: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page: 1 2   |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14th, 2008 11:09 am | 1st Post |
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I have a Lorance navigation GPS that works fine in the car. Thanks to this forum, I can now connect the audio through my GL1500 sound system. My problem is that I can't see the color screen in daylight. Even on a cloudy day it is washed out. Shading it doesn't help. I practically have to take it indoors to see the screen and navigate the touch screen controls. I have noticed that cell phones with color screens also have this problem. Are there low cost GPSs available that do not share this problem? The product descriptions never seem to address this issue. I would even consider using a non-color unit, but I haven't seen any advertised. Any recommendations? Thanks Rick
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14th, 2008 11:29 am | 2nd Post |
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Hey there Rick;, I've got 6 GPS units (Garmin) including a "non colour" & they are pretty good unless it's direct sunlite on the face then they are hard to see. Your's might have a "Brightness / Contrast " setting that might help. The newer ones are better than previous.  
____________________ Never had a "bad" day riding...Just some better than others!! Dark Side is GOOD !!!! '90 Suzuki Intruder 750 - 88,000 km .... '96 GL 1500 SE - 180,000 km....(130,000 miles) '85 GL 1200 Aspencade - 185,000 km (Gone) '83 Shadow 500 ( Gone) '70 Kawasaki KE-125 (Gone) '?? Suzuki 80 ( Gone) http://www.drivingskills.on.ca skype - bob.joynt |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14th, 2008 01:16 pm | 3rd Post |
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or use my hi-tech method, it never needs batteries, and is visiable in all bright lights. Red grease pencil, look at your map, write each leg on a line in the corner of the windshield, removed each line with a pass of the thumb as it is completed.
____________________ http://WWW.U-FIX-IT-AZ.COM Current Goldwings: 1984 GL1200 "fugly one" 1988 GL1500 "Wings of Freedom" We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ? |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14th, 2008 02:54 pm | 4th Post |
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Find a small piece of smoke colored plexiglass. Cut it in a rectangle and in the center of the rectangle leave the exact distance of the width of your unit sticking out in the middle of the rectangle with another section of uncut material, round the edges of this section, use a heat gun and form the piece to fit over the top of the unit and having legs come down the sides. Fasten it to the unit with velcro. Homemade sun shield and costs about 5 bucks. Kit
____________________ The 1800 is my bike. The very best motorcycle ever made. I was enthralled with my first test ride on this machine. It is a great bike. A crotch rocket with storage bags.............As for oil I use the slick kind, and I like round tires, but as of late I have found square ones work best on the rear. Pirelli Eufori 195/55/16 @ 32 PSI Kit |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14th, 2008 03:26 pm | 5th Post |
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Sun shield is about the best way to go.
____________________ Past bikes in no particular order - 65 Yamaha 80 67 Yamaha 305 Scrambler 71 & 75 HD Sportster 75 HD FLH 72 Suzuki T500 74 Suzuki GT550 77 Suzuki GS750 72 & 81 BMW R75/5, R100RT 83 Yamaha XT200 Current bike: 81 Honda GL1100 |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 12:14 am | 6th Post |
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The sun shields work pretty good. But the best unit I have that works in full sun, is my oldest one. A Garmin GPS III that is plain black and while. the brighter the sun, the easier it is to see. at night, it has a green backlight. The color units I have all suffer the same fate. Direct sun, forget about it. sun shields are a must.
____________________ Meeting my Goldwing Family members, a wonderful experience! 1st law: Be Nice 2nd law: Enjoy result ** PM me if you want some Steve Saunders member cards ** Member Card . . . . . Calendar |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 02:40 am | 7th Post |
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That's something the Honda unit does not seem to suffer from, I have never had a problem seeing mine in the daytime. I don't much like the nighttime screen, but I use it so rarely I haven't fiddled with the settings at all.
____________________ John |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 02:52 am | 8th Post |
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As per my Avatar......super-bright.
____________________ Having a Great Time in Mandurah, Western Australia with my 1998 GL1500 SE (Black of course with Cyclemax chrome !! ) |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 03:47 am | 9th Post |
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These work pretty well, but it's still better if your GPS screen is bright enough and has an anti-glare screen. http://www.glarestomper.com/ John
____________________  Blue 2000 GL1500SEalso 84 Inst. 84 Aspy past 86 GL1200 Aspy 87 Inst. 84 STD. 80 Yam Midnight Special 1100 79 Suz SP400 Enduro 72 Honda SL350 81 Honda XR500 |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 04:27 am | 10th Post |
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I just love the good old methods, or may I call it KISS. keep it simple stupid.
____________________ ulster |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 04:40 am | 11th Post |
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Jluvs2dive wrote: These work pretty well, but it's still better if your GPS screen is bright enough and has an anti-glare screen. Actually, Rudy made a couple for both of us for the Magellan 2200T from an old plastic saddlebag divider and it didn't cost $18. Works good.
____________________ Mike http://goldwingtech.info http://RudysBackyard.com/ http://GLHelpers.com http://SERRASJ.com http://smartlight.rudysproducts.com |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 10:12 am | 12th Post |
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Thanks for all your comments. I'll try making a sun shield, and see how that works for me. Rick
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 04:32 pm | 13th Post |
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You must have the iWay 250c. That was my first GPS, and it is definitely a booger to see in direct sunlight. I now have the iWay 500c and it is bright enough to see in any light. Full-on sunlight is no problem. I even gave my glare stomper to my son for his gps, didn't need it any more. Joe
____________________ Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. --Helen Keller |
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18th, 2008 05:10 pm | 14th Post |
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Mine has the built in GPS. When I picked up the bike, I could hardly seet he screen. Got in and changed colors and it's fine now. Color scheme has a lot to do with visibility.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18th, 2008 10:56 pm | 15th Post |
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Yes, I do have the iWay 250c. I've never seen the 500. Does it have any other improvements besides brightness?
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19th, 2008 02:53 am | 16th Post |
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I have a Garmin Nuvi 780, and I can see it in pretty much any light. I used to use a Navigon cheapy unit, but couldn't see it well at night or in the day, but it didn't have a backlight. The Nuvi does.
____________________ David T 98 GL1500SE 06 Kawasaki Ninja 650R 05 Honda Shadow Aero (war department's) 08 Piggy Backer XL Iron Butt #34375 |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19th, 2008 10:01 am | 17th Post |
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Just go one for my Birthday to add to my bike. the 260Nuvi. I hope to put it on soon. Is there a way to wire the sound to your head set? or into your radio?
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19th, 2008 02:11 pm | 18th Post |
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als4life wrote: Is there a way to wire the sound to your head set? or into your radio? Yes, if there is a headphone jack there is several ways. A cassette adapter, an FM modulator or a J&M universal Cell Phone/GPS/Radar Detector Integration Terminal, (CFRG-390C), to name three.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have.John Last edited on Fri Dec 19th, 2008 02:15 pm by Jluvs2dive ____________________ Blue 2000 GL1500SEalso 84 Inst. 84 Aspy past 86 GL1200 Aspy 87 Inst. 84 STD. 80 Yam Midnight Special 1100 79 Suz SP400 Enduro 72 Honda SL350 81 Honda XR500 |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19th, 2008 08:05 pm | 19th Post |
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A ton of differences....starting with a 20GB hard drive (10GB for the programming, 10 reserved for your MP3's). Much larger screen, therefore a lot easier to use with my fat fingers. And, it's faster than my 250C was in locking on to satellites. You can only buy them used now, but can pick one up on eBay for $100 if you are patient and watch for them. Joe
____________________ Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. --Helen Keller |
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20th, 2008 01:51 am | 20th Post |
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I bought a Tom Tom XL. Made a custom bracket. Looked great - in the garage. As soon as I took it outside I discovered that the angle reflected the sky and I could see nothing on the screen. Adjusted the bracket to face it down a bit and I find that it works. It is a little feint in direct sunlight, but works good enough. Attachment: tomtom.jpg (Downloaded 132 times)
____________________ Scepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer. George Santayana. Life is always dangerous, but only tragic when you let the fear keep you from living it. Cousin Jack |
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