| GPS on a motorcycle | Rate Topic |
| Moderated by: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page:   1 2 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Author | Post |
| Posted: Sat Dec 20th, 2008 03:46 am | 21st Post |
|
|
I have very little problem with glare on my Magellan 2200T. I have it mounted on the bridge behind the igntion lock. It's face is just about parallel to the instrument panel face. The only time I have a problem is with the sun very low to the horizon behind me at a 45 degree angle. I can still see it but usually shade it with a hand to increase it's contrast. With the sun at a narrower or wider angle behind me I don't see any problem. All other directions including the sun straight overhead I can still see the screen easily.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 2004 Silverwing 600 Paul W. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 05:21 am | 22nd Post |
|
|
Or, if you live here in the Pacific NW, visibility is seldom obscured by sun Three hours of riding today- zero sun, but more importantly- no rain.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 08:03 am | 23rd Post |
|
|
BigWa wrote: Or, if you live here in the Pacific NW, visibility is seldom obscured by sun A big warm welcome BigWa, good to have you on board!!  It sounds like your priority is having a waterproof model, like we need over here on this side of the Pond!!   That said we do get the occassional day of sunshine and for goldwin's information, the Garmin range I have found good in sunlight.
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 02:34 pm | 24th Post |
|
|
Welcome to the World's best GoldWing forum BigWa from another Washatonian! What part of Washington are you in? 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:08 pm | 25th Post |
|
|
Thanks for the welcome Pete and John, I feel like I know you guys a little because I have been lurking for a while I live in Everett John, across the water (the little pond, as it were) from you. I guess I ought to post in the new member spot and introduce myself a bit. I have been mostly using this bike (89 GL-1500) for local travel, as HOV lanes are available to me that way. But I am scheduled to do a basketball tournament(I am a BB official) Memorial day in Reno, and I think I'm going to wander either coming or going there for several days. Probably down the backside of the Cascades. It will be warmer/dryer there. Thus justifying a GPS! Looking at Newegg, I can get by for 100-150 for a non-waterproof Garmin or Tom-Tom. Too cheap and seems you lose a few features that I care about. Too expensive and you lose dollars out of the wallet. Sure the Garmin Zumo has great features, but money is limited so... I'm still unclear on how I will mount it. I see that I can spend 30-50 on a good aftermarket mount, but that puts it up on the bars. I picture it front and center.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:20 pm | 26th Post |
|
|
Welcome from the Steve Saunder's GOLDWING FORUM A Big Welcome From TEXAS
____________________ Jim & Louise "The government cannot give to anyone anything that it does not first take from someone else." "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb." Benjamin Franklin Masons check out http://masonicwings.com/forums/ 1998 Goldwing SE |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:26 pm | 27th Post |
|
|
I love the carpool lane being open to bikes. Very handy around here. That trip to Reno should be fun. We came back up through Vegas and Reno last October, on our way back from Calhoun, GA, but then cut over into Northern CA and up to Medford OR. Memorial Day could go either way. Two years ago I rode to Boise on Memorial weekend, and it was quite warm all weekend, 80's & 90's, but I've seen lots of rain on that weekend too.  Several people have built a mount that goes on the bridge inbetween the false tank and the ignition switch. I'll get exavid to look at this thread again and he can tell you more about it. I personally like mine up on the handlebars, but I can definitely understand not wanting it there. What features are you looking for? Glad you came out of lurker mode BTW. 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:52 pm | 28th Post |
|
|
Hey BigWA! Another Wa****onian here. The ride down through Central Oregon through Lakeview and into Reno is nice.
____________________ Gun totin', motorcycle ridin', whisky drinkin', meat eatin' American. That's who I am... Joined the Darkside-03.28.2010 IBA #38226 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:54 pm | 29th Post |
|
|
I was told that the two main features about bike dedicated GPS units are that they have the big icons for gloved fingers and that the components inside are silicon covered to make them more resiliant to vibration etc. I absolutley love my new Garmin 500, so simple to use.  ( only as good as the person programming of course!!! )I do know that Bob ( 96aspencade) has a non motorcycle Garmin that he keeps in a waterproof holder that he likes and has all the features available today. Exavid I know likes his Magellan model too and that was not an expensive model. A good search around on here will throw up many threads about ones people have and how they have mounted them. Again, I can testify that the Ram Mounts are great but not absolutely necessary, with a little inginuity, a good bracket can be made for the centre cowl on a 1500, where the badge goes normally .
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 04:03 pm | 30th Post |
|
|
Never had a problem with the GL1800 Navi screen. Very bright, good contrasts. Night/Day modes work perfectly as designed. Placement, curved screens and specifically set options for color/brightness all seem to help.
____________________ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson, (attributed); US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882) WHAT I RIDE: 2008 Honda GL1800, 2002 Indian Chief |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 05:11 pm | 31st Post |
|
|
Matt G wrote: 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. Great Idea, I used paper.. I'm off to the store for a grease pencil..........
____________________ Back to riding after a 30 yr lay off.. Started with a 86 Magna 750 on to a 02 Shadow 1100,99 Magna 750,91 ST1100, finaly a 93 Wing.. Loven Life... |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 07:41 pm | 32nd Post |
|
|
Jluvs2dive wrote: These work pretty well, but it's still better if your GPS screen is bright enough and has an anti-glare screen. I second this - I bought one for my TomTom, and it works wonders.
____________________ http://www.goldwingdocs.com Read my illustrated How To guides! |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 11:19 pm | 33rd Post |
|
|
Silverfox wrote: I was told that the two main features about bike dedicated GPS units are that they have the big icons for gloved fingers and that the components inside are silicon covered to make them more resiliant to vibration etc.Not needed for Goldwings but a must for American built V-twins.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 2004 Silverwing 600 Paul W. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 02:46 am | 34th Post |
|
|
Here is a thread I posted of how I mounted mine on the bridge as mentioned. Maybe it will help you with an idea. My GPS Mount - General Motorcycle Discussion Forum - Steve Saunders Goldwing F
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 03:34 am | 35th Post |
|
|
I intentionally avoided the 'front and centre' option when mounting my GPS. I don't want to be contemplating my navel when riding. I much prefer to be looking towards my left mirror which is where I should be looking occasionally anyways. I also didn't think it was a bad idea for me not to be able to poke it with gloved fingers. I pull to the side and program where I want to go. I have enough going on riding the bike withoput beign distracted by my GPS. As these things drop in price, many more options will open up. There are lots of options for less than $200 that can be bolted on accordign to your preference.
____________________ 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 05:26 am | 36th Post |
|
|
The reason I prefer the GPS in the center is that one has a tendency to go the way you look. With a GPS mounted to the side it's very possible one may tend to drift to that side while looking at the display. Normally a glance is all it takes but there will be a time when you have to give it a closer look, that's when I'd rather not drift to the side. I know that's not a thing that would happen often but I'd rather not tempt fate.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 2004 Silverwing 600 Paul W. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 09:38 am | 37th Post |
|
|
My preference is for the left side, so that Helen can look over my shoulder and keep an eye on the screen, rather than me watching it and also, so that I can do the one thing that I do punch on the screen, which is the repeat of verbal instructions from that nice lady inside, when I missed what she just said. One slightly different mounting point, for those with a slim, lightweight GPS and a passenger, is to velcro it to your jacket shoulder and let the passenger play with it. My first one, a Medion GPS ,we mounted like that and it worked very well, I could even hear the verbal instructions myself from the built in speaker.
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 10:00 am | 38th Post |
|
|
Pete, is that like having a "Back seat driver" giving directions, I know Helen would refrain from that practice 
____________________ 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 10:08 am | 39th Post |
|
|
96aspencade wrote: Pete, is that like having a "Back seat driver" giving directions, I know Helen would refrain from that practice Doesn't make much odds Bob, whether it is one woman yelling in your ear or two, still no reason to take any notice!!! 
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 11:55 am | 40th Post |
|
|
I like the Honda GPS on the 1800. I do not look at it much unless out of traffic and then I like to glance at it to see how many more miles it is or how far to the next turn. But mainly I just let it talk to me. I have one on my cell phone now too, I can program an address on it and just stick it in my pocket and listen to it, it is loud enough I can hear it. It is actually better as it talks you down right to the exact turn and does not take you to something like this: That darn Honda one will say one mile to turn, then half mile to turn , and now 500 feet to turn, but just as you get the 500 feet.........uh oh there are two roads about 50 feet apart. Now what? It is time for a few U-turns and a trip through the farmers chicken pen. The cell phone is updated all the time, and will take you by voice right to the exact turn, it actually says, turn here dummy. Not turn in 500 feet and leave you to make the choice when there are two roads. Yep like that new cell phone, I use it a lot around town and just leave it on my belt or in my pocket and it will talk me right there. It even tells me if there is a wreck and to detour, or if traffic is very heavy and congested on a particular road, pretty neat. 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Current time is 11:49 pm | Page: 1 2 |
| Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums > Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums > General Motorcycle Discussion Forum > GPS on a motorcycle | Top of Page |
Copyright © 2007-2008 Data 1 Systems