I think you are right Matt, the Nuvi 250 from Garmin is probably a better buy for all the reasons you stated.

When you make your "clear peli case" post some photos.

Happy new year all.

:thumbup1:

Been using a Nuvi 250 for nearly a year now I think - I would recommend one without hesitation.
really good on and off road and no silly tricksy gimmicks - it just maps really well and has some good useable features on it.

Have you loaded different/new POI on it ? like new hotels or camp sites ??

That's good to hear eightpot,

One question: Is that on a bike? If so how did you mount it?

Matt :)

I was hesitant to resurrect this old thread, but it's relevant to my question and saves duplicating effort...

I have a TomTom XL Europe (the 330) for my car, with the "EasyPort" (spring-loaded) circular mounting system, and I'm looking ahead to travelling longer distances and taking it with me. As others have said, there are bike mounting kits available for these type of unit -- such as this one that looks like it's meant for a bicycle (I assume would work on a motorcycle?) and this one by RAM that looks to be the bog's dollocks (if a little industrial - but not as industrial as Matt's ;)) -- but my concerns are mainly about rain/spray and preventing it from making a run for it after too many bumps.

What level of success have people had with just a naked car GPS in the glorious UK & western European weather, or am I silly for even entertaining the idea? My Thundercat has a windscreen, so if I mounted it carefully it could avoid driven rain and spray, but may need a plastic bag over it to protect it when stopped, etc?

What of the strength of its mount? Does anyone have any good or bad stories about the EasyPort mounting system on a bike? I suppose the mini-USB power cable would act as a tether in an emergency, but only until it had a chance to unplug itself. :)

Even if not for my model in particular, it would be good to get more feedback from others on how they go about using their car/non-waterproof GPS units on their bikes.

If you can't be bother or can't get it to work (and have a few spare quid!!) Have a look here: GPS Warehouse

Not the cheapest, but pretty close to being, and they have oodles of bits....

Bike attchment withiout Garmin Nuvi 250...

http://monsieur.smugmug.com/photos/4...79_qsAk2-L.jpg

Nuvi 250 in situ - very safe when attached, very reliable satnav, very cheap satnav with UK and EU mapping :thumbup1:

http://monsieur.smugmug.com/photos/4...93_inKBT-L.jpg

I've been using a Mio 550 pda with TomTom software on my bike for over two years. The pda is protected by mounting it in an Otterbox plastic box and that's fixed to the bike via a Ram mount.

The whole thing looks a bit agricultural but then again so does the bike (CCM trailie) so it's not out of place. The pda has an internal battery that'll last about 2hrs but usually it's powered through a mini usb socket. I bought an in car charger for it for £2-3 on ebay and rebuilt the electronics in it into a small box which is permanently mounted on the bike. The cable goes through a rubber plug arrangement on the Otterbox into the pda.

Feedback after two years use : It works well, particularly on cloudy days but can be a bit dim in bright sunshine. It's waterproof and has been through some horrendous downpours without any problems. The box doesn't seem to affect the signal strength but programming the thing can be a bit hit or miss through the plastic window and it's sometimes easier to take it out of the box to do it.

Biggest problem has been the fit between the Otterbox and the Ram mount. it depends on two springy plastic "ears" with pegs on them to fit into two holes on the Otterbox. These were secure initially but move around with vibration and over two years have worn to the point where they pop out with wind pressure. I was about 2 miles out of Dover the first time it came apart and just managed to catch it. I keep meaning to replace the worn bit but for the time being have just used some elastic cord to keep it in place.

I can't find a pic of it bit if you've got a copy of May's MSL with the report on the overlanding day at the Ace cafe, it's bottom left on page 102. Just ignore me:blushing:

I had a good look at my handlebars this morning and realised that they're not the standard bent tube type, rather are a solid v-shape with short tubes at the end where the grips and such attach. There's no area of handlebar tube free on which to place a mount, so I may have to come up with something creative. :detective:

Either that or simply put the GPS in the clear plastic map pocket of my Bagster Alpha tank bag. Mounted, waterproof, and less likely to leave on the bike by mistake, I suppose...

Does anyone know for sure if you can use the Olaf Morocco map with the Nuvi 250?

Ive been using my TomTom one on my bike with no problems.

Try this site for good mounting options..

Tomtom Accessories, Ram Mounts, Tom Tom Accessories, SatNav Store


The mount I use is for a bicycle and Ive adapted my screen brace to fit.

Im only using it for reference so I dont need all the features of a more expensive unit. I just send a location to the unit as a POI through Google maps and away I go. I use a clear pencil case as a make shift cover for when the weather gets rough, but as it is positioned behind the screen it does not suffer from much.

A serious tourer could justify the price of a bike sat nav, but if its only as an extra aid then this fits the bill just fine.

Thanks for the links. Looks like there's two choices for a bike with next to no handlebar tube available: one that attaches to a brake/clutch bracket or a stem-mount.

Anyone else tried these? I like the idea of the stem mounted one, but it's all money. :)

My Triumph Trident bars did not allow the fitment of one of the cheap handlebar brackets but there is a fairly easy fix. Find yourself a bit of handlebar sized tube just long enough for the bracket and attach that somewhere suitable. I actually used a piece of the plastic tube you get given with Oxford Hot Grips. With a long bolts going right through the tube and a large washer at one end and a piece of plate to use as a fixing bracket on the other it works perfectly.

this is my solution
 

This is the method I have come up with to use a GPS intended for cars on a bike.

I bought the case from this company but I have to admit that it was only £14.99 when I bought it. I think it must have been a mistake as it is now £124.99!!!!:eek3:

I houses a Tom Tom 730 with full European maps. I have used it to check everything works but I have not used it for anything other than testing trips so far. We are heading off for two weeks into mainland Europe in August so I can let you know a full report afterwards.

Here are a few pictures showing how it mounts etc.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/...8d089f.jpg?v=0


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/...6fd61f.jpg?v=0http://www.flickr.com/photos/23531027@N04/3707376841/
mounted on the original headstock nut with a Ram Mount fitting (uses UNF nut - not supplied).


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/...7bb3a1.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23531027@N04/3708187086/Case with Ram Mount fitted to rear.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/...ae8c7c.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/...ee3785.jpg?v=0

It looks big, but bear in mind this is an SV650. You can reach the ignition key easily and the clocks are not obscured at all from the riding position. The Ram Mount does offer adjustment forwards and backwards. As it is it clears the Bagster tank bag easily.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/...8ced4e.jpg?v=0

I had to make some small modifications to allow for cable access. The lump that can be seen on the left of the case in other pictures is for cable access and has all the seals needed to stop water ingress. However, I completely forgot about the fact that the Tom Tom needs to have the cables fed in from the bottom, not the side as the PDAs do that this case was originally developed for do. My own fault and I kick myself for it a little :oops2:

When in position the water should not be a problem as it will just drip down in the still pocket of air... I hope :innocent:

The leads are for power (needed a cheap micros USB lead because the Tom Tom original was 90 defree item) and iPod connection along with Audio that plugs into my AutoCom.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/...6ee67f.jpg?v=0

The front surface it flexible and you can control the Tom Tom when inside the case. I have found that even when outside the case a fat finger can give problems, but a small point similar to a PDA stylus works perfectly. I may add one on a cord to the case so that zooming the map to check details of the route is easier. But in testing I have not found it a problem as the route will be planned beforehand.




All in all I think it will work well as I have used Tom Tom on the phone linked to the intercom, but the problem came when in and around large junctions etc. The ability to look at the screen is a big help and also just reasures that all is well when the thing has been quiet for 10 minutes. Also I can control my iPod fromt he screen.

Cheers,
Simon





http://www.flickr.com/photos/23531027@N04/3707377417/

Just entered the 21st Century with a purchase today of a shiny new Nuvi 255 - hurrah! Should be useful on my week-long trip through northern Germany this coming week... now how to programme a preferred route into the damn thing... :funmeterno::confused1::eek3: