Sat nav mount
 

thinking of getting a Garmin montana 650. ive never owned any sat nav and im confused about Ram mounts e.t.c

I want something well made so it will survive on the trails and also to be secure.

Do you have to buy the powered Garmin mount & another mount (like Touratech?) and combine the two? i really dont never anything about this...any info welcome.

cheers

Don't know about anyone else Phil, but I don't like my Zumo on the bar up near the screen as there's too much vibration going on. I rigged up the stock ram mount on the handle bars right in the middle, and used a cheapo plumbing U bolt from the harware store to secure it. I like it there and it's somwewhat protected too. I hardwired to the spare power source in behind the dash.

As for the mounts - Ebay has everything you need.

I do like those Montanas....:thumbsup:

Actually I have no problems with the Zumo vibrating. I did use the Ram mount that is rubber coated.

I mounted my Zumo 550 on the Ten with the kit in the box onto the handlebars inbetween the clamps - worked fine, didn't shake or fall off - even when I did!!

I already had a RAM mount for my map60csx so I cut a alu round bar in half to make two half moon brackets avid tap/drilled them so it would fit on the mounting. Round knob to attach RAM mount was from something at work too..... I bought a cheap car power adaptor on amazon one cut off the plug bit, joined on some pins and connected to power socket behind plastic cover on dash.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3...e/P1010505.jpg

i have the 60gps and prefer the handlebar way...in the middle.....and use the middle length RAM ext piece

I like it up high as its more in the line or sight so you don't have to take your eyes off the road so much.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3...034smaller.jpg

first put my zumo 660 onthe top bar above the clocks hard wired to the battery. went for a ride and thought there was to much vibration so moved ot to the middle of the bars. last week changed my mind and moved it to the top bar again this time with the standard ram mount and putting a bicycle inertube round the bar first then on top of that i put some foam off a handle bar pad,went for a test ride not so much vibes now.:icon_rendeer:

I use the sat nav on my mobile and had it mounted on the top bar. It was so light that it shook like a lamb's tail. Tacking a sheet of roofing lead (no, not from a church roof!!) on the back improved things greatly. Now i fixed it in the centre of the bar and like it much more. Even without the lead. Stays dry from above in rain as well as long as you keep above 40mph. But it gets wet from behind due to the draft coming up through the fairing. Will sort of box it in for the next tour.

Rob

In my opinion the navigator should be placed above the instruments behind the windscreen. That's a more DAKARISH STYLE.... ;)

Actually I'm in process of developing a GPS Holder that fits both the Garmin Zumo 660 and Garmin Montana! It will be an adjustable holder, made of cnc milled solid aluminium. Light, but with stability and design in mind. It clamps around the whatever 12mm bar you are using, for example the bar in the front. Anodized in black, red, silver or blue (i think...)

Another good thing about it, is that part of it will also fit the BMW F800GS and KTM 990 Adventure. Meaning you would only need to complement with the corresponded parts needed to fit the bike. IF you for some reason would change bike in future! :)

I have a Montana...I ordered it from the USA for about €325.It is an excellent GPS and one with which will be easy for you to learn with. The screen is excellent in sunshine and you can transfer tracks that you've ridden on via bluetooth with other same spec models. My camera is gps enabled so I didn't need the 650 with the built in camera.

I will be ordering the mounts this week. I have my RAM mount(ball and socket) up on the bar above my instruments where I find it easier to glance down at rather than look at the crossbar(where you can get a mount for same)

You can buy the RAM mount and rely on batteries or have it charging through a cigar charger via USB. I'd go against this idea as it opens itself for vibration through time and possibly a loose USB plug eventually. Or you can carry a packet of AA batteries once the main battery looses it's charge.

I will be ordering what's called a Rugged Mount which is hard wired from the battery and which charges the gps as you ride, The gps clips into place and can be locked with a small screw if need be.This in turn is bolted to the RAM mount,which is in turn bolted to the moto.

IMHO there's no need to get the TTech mount which,although is a great bit of kit,is just too expensive. It's your call.

I have a 32GB micro SD card in mine which allows me to put maps into it rather than the main 'hard drive' I also use this to store pictures to view(not great quality but OK) of my family whilst on the road.

I use www.wikiloc.com to download routes,e.g of trails in Spain. Really easy to use once you get the hang of the whole thing.

Here there's a whole post..

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688775


So...all that to say take the plunge and enjoy.



:)















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brillant, very helpful - thanks

Does the RAM mount & memory card come with the 650? i also need to buy the car cradle as well...its �50!

Hi

You need to buy the SD card....even a 4 or 8 gb no doubt will do...You'll have to get your maps after also of which the gps arrives without.RAM stuff does not come with it so you need to budget for all the extra guff.

Having said that the maps should fit on the gps without a card...it'll just use up space that you might want for trails and other info, e.g. All campsites in Europe....WW2 sites in France.....Radar cameras etc etc .

ahem....I have heard that some people living in France with XTZ's try and download City Navigator 2013 from one of those torrent type sites.....and that it works just fine...ahem...so I'm told....but that's illegal and you shouldn't do it.....




You should find the car mount in the USA maybe cheaper if you order them all at the same time thus all for one postage cost??






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bloody hell.....so i need to buy

The 650 Garmin unit
SD card
Ram mount - bike
Car mount
and Maps??

PLUS.... Rugged mount if i want it to charge on the go? (can this be swapped between bikes?)

i need to find another job :)

Correct!!!..

Or just the 600 and not the 650....cheap sd card from china works just the same in mine...a few quid

I use my gps in the car with it just lying somewhere...it does get a good signal so no need to have it right on the windscreen....if need be.

Hence the possible tip about the maps....lol

Can be swapped between moto's if you can be bothered routing the wires from the battery each time....

:)

cheers for all the info...very helpful!!

im confused now about maps....i need it for greenlaning and for the Mrs to use in the Car...so do i have to buy a Topo & a road map? (how much we talkin?)

The reason for my confusion is that i (stupidly) thought that you bought the unit and everything came with it....it just worked straight from the box.

how wrong could i be....

Ive also heard the camera on the 650 is really poor? shame as i think thats a great feature.

If it were I I'd get a road map from somewhere e.g. City Navigator Europe or just the City Navigator UK if you want.....this will let you use it as normal.

You can get the price off Garmin's main website....(or cheaper on ebay). If you do go the way of getting your maps ie from Garmon...I'd get the DVD's as you'll always have them in your drawer. If you download off their site then they're locked to that sd card and can't be transferred(so I'm led to believe)so if you loose the gps/sd card then you'll have to buy another map. DVD will make it easier to have the master disks for a new gps or new card if it malfunctions.

With this then you'll see what detail it has on it before opting for anything else.

You might be surprised to see what lanes and tracks are marked already. There's a few forest trails that I can see in my maps of where I live. Anything else smaller/single track is not there. If you then need something more detailed you can go the topo way....but it'd be good to get some one to confirm single track stuff will actually be on there first.

You can have lots of maps installed and with the gps you just 'activate' which one you want to use from the set up icons...dead easy.

:)


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changed my mind again, putting it back on to the handlebars again. to much vibration on the top bar for my liking.

finally got the montana 650 and the rugged mount, well get it bought for me actually :icon_tongue:

just need the RAM mount now, any recomendations? gonna fit it to the bars after reading about all the vibes of having it above the clocks.

oh..also need maps :angry5: (���). gonna get City Navigator europe first seems im going to France soonish. No where seems to over them on DVD's...always seems to be download or SD card?

Ohlins: did you get the rugged mount in the end? do you use it off road

Hi Phil..

I got the rugged mount from the same company in the USA that I bought the GPS from.. Fast shipping and great customer service. (It arrived with a couple of screen protectors)

I have mine mounted above the clocks with no ill effect to date. I already had a standard cheap RAM mount and all I needed was the 'base plate' ie Rugged Mount....which has a ball on it and fits onto the existing RAM.....The base plate has standard holes drilled in same to allow it to fit the onto the GPS. You could look on ebay for a standard RAM .

After fiddling and setting up I have all I need on one 'page'....no need to delve deeper into the GPS for other guff.

If you need a couple of pics I can take a few snaps to let you see what's what.


It works really well in direct sunlight and is a pleasure to use. When off road,on my Gas Gas,I usually just put it in my pocket to log forest trails here as my buddy has his on his KTM525 with the same rugged mount...so it works on fast enduro stuff with out a hitch.

(As an aside I'd try to see what it's like having to look so far down to the cross brace when riding...)

Some people.....ahem...might use somud dot com to find CN Europe 2013 maps....some people might even find Garmin Middle East and Africa(which will cover Morocco).

:)





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OSM Maps
 

Phil,

With respect to maps, have a read of this thread on Horizons Unlimited regarding the "OpenStreet Map" project and the subsequent free maps:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...eet-maps-64135

I have downloaded them and they are easy to use, but have not field tested yet.

Also, for Morocco, Chris Scott recommends "Olaf" maps that are also free.
http://www.island-olaf.de/travel/marokko/gps.html

I hear both have their limitations, except with value for money :D

thats good then....so the Rugged mount really is rugged? :) thought it was just named that but may fall to peices off road!

Problem: i have two bikes, and want to use the sat nav on both. Now, i understand RAM mounts can just be clamped on and off bikes....but the rugged mount will be wired to the aux fuse box (which i havent done yet) thus stopping me from taking it off the Tenere. Any one cut the the wires and fitted a connector? Also what did you do with those piddley little wires...think theres 3?

i would like the unit landscape up by the clocks as it's easily seen when riding, i would like it as close to the top of the clocks as poss. Ohlins....you said you have pics?? (wink wink nudge nudge :) )

but the ones ive seen all clamp to bars which are a lot thicker than the bar above the clocks? also...i cant really find any from UK sites...how come?

As for maps..think im gonna spend the �68 on City Navigater Europe as i believe it allows you to have up to 4 updates a year?(even though i know cant find where i first read this?) this would be nice as the Mrs will also be using it as her car sta nav while on bussiness.

Right...time to check out the sites you guys have recommended :)

Yip..the rugged mount folks is good...you can even lock the GPS into the mount with a mini torx tool that comes with it (stays on key ring) There's also a rubber cover that protects the power pins from corroding when not in use.

The other three odd wires are for other irrelevant stuff that I can't remember....(speakers?)I just snipped them off where they leave the main cable.

There's enough cable to thread along under the dash and fuel tank straight to the battery.

I'll take a few snaps tomorrow to show you my set up

My buddy's RAM mount kit came with a few U brackets of different sizes to use on different diameter bar as far as I can remember.

For any others I''ll look up the name of the site I used. I ordered my GPS on a Tuesday night online (ebay) and it arrived here Thursday lunchtime,all the way from California.

The good thing about the GPS is that it takes AA batteries also. I drove,Sunday past from 0700hrs North to get a trailer,returning at 1930hrs...I had the GPS on for about 80% of that time,and still had power left. I turned the screen brightness down which seems to conserve the battery.

If using on the lesser moto you could get a normal mount and just have battery power,with a couple of AA's in your pocket if need be? Maybe though,a normal one can't be locked?

I must also look for a camera lanyard (from GPS to mounting bar above dash)so as I can have that as a further back up should I go for a big get off....
(There's a hole in the GPS already for such a purpose)

You can also get a temperature sensor that'll beam same to the GPS as an option.

You can also annually subscribe to 'Birdseye Imagery' where apparently you can see what you'd see if you were looking at Google Earth. I haven't tried that yet...

:)
















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D'oh!

Site I used was www.gps4us.com

They even answered a couple email queries I had!!

You'll see them on ebay too.

:)




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Here we go......
 

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/tahc40.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/2415ehl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/p9jbl.jpg[/IMG]
















Protective cover for charging pins...

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/2q83336.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/512aut.jpg[/IMG]








Key ring tool

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/15g58y.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/1r2oev.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/2qjdq44.jpg[/IMG]








Cable comes out through from under the tank...(LHS)you don't even need to take it off as it'll thread through really easily...ahem ....excuse the Moroccan dust....

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/210jfc5.jpg[/IMG]


Here's the GPS mounted...it's sits just a bit lower from eye level.

[IMG] http://i46.tinypic.com/2wdn1j8.jpg[/IMG]



There's no clouds here today at all and the sun is shining directly onto the screen...

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/206hmcn.jpg[/IMG]


I bought a €7 cycle bag in Decathlon to store the GPS when sauntering about. It fits perfectly and is also padded.

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/2vvnewm.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/2gvstbm.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/16iii6p.jpg[/IMG]


:)


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nice one Ohlins...thanks for the pics!

i reckon my AMP rugged mount is slightly different to yours, maybe a newer version? the charging pins on mine look a tad different.

That key mounted torx screwdriver is nifty...need to get myself one of those.

I want mine to sit landscape just above the clocks, on your first pic yours looks about...3.5 inches above them? might buy a RAM mount and dismantle it and get something welded up maybe...or look it to getting a bicyle one and modding it??mmmm....best get thinkking :)

i like this mount http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/motorcycl...249-c-281.html
but that U-clip is going to be to fat for the bar above the clocks.

Yip...I see that...too big a U clamp...Have a wee peep at that US site and see if they do a smaller mounting system?

The short RAM looks fine for sure for what you want.....

:)






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I have a similar problem with my 660Z - fitted a new Zumo 350 to the top rail above the clocks using the mounts supplied.

I had to cut the excess threads off the U bolt so it would fit nicely without touching the screen.

However, I'm really unhappy with the vibes. Makes it difficult to read and can't be doing it any good!

I'll try using inner tube to isolate the vibes but is there any other way?

That's odd..I have no vibration at all. It wouldn't be that your GPS is heavier?..shouldn't matter though.....

Do you have any vibration through the handlebars when riding normally?

Mine works really well...

:)


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Hi Ohlins,

I like the mounting on your bike, and plan on replicating it. I want to avoid paying someone else to do it but can't find a decent guide on how to wire up the AMPS mount to the battery. Do you have any tips, or places online that give a good guide?

Thanks!

It's really easy to do....install the gps mount and run the power wire down behind the dash and route along the fairing support....a couple of small zip tys will keep the wire in place as you go. I ran my cable on along from here under the fuel tank coming out to be routed over to the battery when the seat is off..just connect it to the battery and it even comes with its own fuse.

All the best


:)



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Thanks!

It's the wiring I'm not familiar with. The battery end of the wires are just loose ends rather than the 'hoops' my heated grips came as. How do I attach these to pos and neg, or do you just wind the wires around the pos and neg terminals.

Thanks again!

Hi

Go to the likes of Halfords/any supermarket DIY section and just buy two wee loops that just need squeezed with pliers. They usually come in small packs of five or six.

Crimp/solder them on and bolt to the terminals with the existing bolts. Make sure you get the correct diameter that'll fit onto the bolts.

If you just wrap them on they'll eventually come loose.

I hope you get it sorted. Anything else just ask.

All the best

:)







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Thanks Ohlins, I appreciate the help again! I should be able to get it sorted based on this.

No problem....just route it so it doesn't get snagged on anything and all should be OK.

All the best

:)



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