Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
Garmin Nuvi 250 car GPS - finally mounted to the bike Garmin Nuvi 250 car GPS - finally mounted to the bike
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Garmin Nuvi 250 car GPS - finally mounted to the bike
Hi folks,

A while ago I posted a question about using a car GPS on a bike, the main difficulties appeared to be waterproofing and mounting. However, the cost savings (I got a Nuvi 250 for just £80 in the January sales) seemed to make the effort worthwhile.

The Nuvi itself is great. Very easy to use, quick to recalculate and the routes it chooses seem sensible.

I mounted to the bike using a small, clear Peli case I used to keep my camera in when canoeing. The advantage of this is I can see it (useful!) and it is protected from the elements. I use small velcro patches to keep it in place. I have cut a small groove in the box which takes the power cable.

The bracket which secures the box to the bars is made of an old clamp from a handlebar-brace and some scrap aluminium.

I have wired a cigarette lighter socket up into my peli case topbox. The cable has a standard connector so I can remove the ciggie socket and plug in my trickle charger.

Anyway, here are the pix in case anyone is interested in fitting a car GPS to their bike:







__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Feb 2009
gixxer.rob's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
Looks Great !
Hi Matt,

That looks great and sure will keep it dry. A nice, neat and cheap bike sat nav.

I loaded the Ulrich points of interest on (copied the AA-Camping-Welt.gpx file into the Garmin\GPX folder on the Nuvi) and there you go a whole lot of camping way points or points of interest (not sure the correct term) on your GPS.

Oh, but you have to change the little car to a bike on the Sat Nav.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
I had my car GPS on my bike for over 30,000km. I never took it off or covered it and ran it in all weathers and it never let me down.

I have just updated to a new TomTom and I will do just the same again.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Feb 2009
adrian74's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 121
Well done!
Well done Matt, nice job, its good to see people actually using their brain and hands to find an alternative to forking out hundreds of pounds on a bike specific sat nav.
__________________
My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 107
Do you find it awkward not being able to hear the instructions via earpieces? I have just gone the same route with a Nuvi 250 and as the screen is difficult to see in sunlight it would be nice to hear the instructions also.
__________________
This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 May 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dundrum, Northern Ireland
Posts: 98
I agree with Matt on this one

Last year I toured Europe with a widescreen Nuvi that was simply attached to my handlebars via a simple home made bracket and a ram mount which came with it so it literally was pop off, pop on.
I simply fed the power lead directly from my battery, under the seat, along the side of the tank where it met the fairing and secured it with a cable tie to the handlebar making sure there was enough slack to allow me to turn the bars but not too much to make sure it didn't get caught in the wind etc.

I had looked at the Garmin Zumo and TomTom Rider and to be honest the additional cost wasn't worth it to me. If you're using it on a bike day in, day out then maybe there is a good case for going the whole way and buying a proper one but for occasional touring mine worked perfectly (even in the rain even though it's not waterproof!).

And.......as it was on a ram mount I could turn it any direction if the sun was shining too brightly. I didn't listen to the woman at all, I just glanced at it every now and then and I never went wrong.

Chris
__________________


"Life is too short to drink cheap wine!"
Last edited by Chris1200; 21 May 2009 at 15:00. Reason: extra info
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 May 2009
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
I've been running a Garmin Nuvi 350 w/ram mount for the last 15 months.

The only problems I see with Matt's approach are the fact that he needs to open the cover whenever he needs to touch the screen for entering/changing directions.

Like Steve, I've been running the car GPS for over 50,000kms without any weather protection. When it rains the screen occasionally darkens in one spot but still works fine. Next day, after it dries out, its perfect again.

Garry from Oz.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 May 2009
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Hi Garry,

The box is actualy very easy to flip open with one hand, I did think of going with just a bicycle mount, but as I had all the stuff to make the box already, it seemed daft to spend money on a mount that wouldn't protect the GPS from the rain (and we get A LOT of rain!)

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Vehicle-mounted mag compass Chris Scott Equipping the Overland Vehicle 9 18 Jul 2018 13:54
Nuvi? DAVSATO Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 2 8 Feb 2009 18:26
Vehicle mounted air compressors Sam Rutherford Equipping the Overland Vehicle 176 25 Jun 2008 15:04
BMW HPN 43L tank mounted on a Scrambler? NothingMan Triumph Tech 0 21 Sep 2006 03:59
Has anyone mounted hard luggage for a xr650r NothingMan Honda Tech 3 8 Feb 2006 14:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:00.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top