Small project idea(gps+mount+12v socket)

1861 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by rito, May 25, 2016

Vince

Discussion Starter · Oct 15, 2015

don't really have time to work on this yet but here's what I have planned(probably sometime in November when there's a day off/holiday). Planning on mounting an old garmin gps with 12v socket on the bike instead. As smart phones getting more and more useful/fancy/multifunction I would hate to lose it from riding. I would have to spend 150 to have my moto x screen replaced. Just not a good idea to put my phone out in danger(no matter how stable the mount is, it'd be gone if I crash).

just saw this went on sale on slickdeals if anyone interested
55LM($70) + 12v socket($8 in ebay) + motorcycle mount($10)
here's some link if anyone interested
http://slickdeals.net/f/8162250-gar...m-110-new-garmin-zumo-660lm-300-free-shipping

http://www.r3-forums.com/forum/554-electronics/20793-ideas-how-mount-12v-power-socket-2.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-...-56LMT-65LM-/121329040533?hash=item1c3fc63c95

Basically no tools needed(toolkit has them all if you insist, maybe few bucks on wiretie/tape) <$100 total for a dedicate GPS for the bike
I'm not handy when it comes to DIY but if i think I can do this, this should be within anyone's ability

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Bird

· #2 · Oct 15, 2015 (Edited)

That is going to be a nice setup. I like it. I might consider that to have dedicated screen. Is it good in sunlight?

Or you can buy a $40 Moto E or LG Volt and hook them up free at RingPlus and have GPS and a backup phone / internet. I used a gopro mount and hard phone case. Still working on a metal mount, will post pics when done. Tiny screens compared to that GPS though.

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StraydogEOD

· #3 · Oct 15, 2015

Vince said:
don't really have time to work on this yet but here's what I have planned(probably sometime in November when there's a day off/holiday). Planning on mounting an old garmin gps with 12v socket on the bike instead. As smart phones getting more and more useful/fancy/multifunction I would hate to lose it from riding. I would have to spend 150 to have my moto x screen replaced. Just not a good idea to put my phone out in danger(no matter how stable the mount is, it'd be gone if I crash).

just saw this went on sale on slickdeals if anyone interested
55LM($70) + 12v socket($8 in ebay) + motorcycle mount($10)
here's some link if anyone interested
http://slickdeals.net/f/8162250-gar...m-110-new-garmin-zumo-660lm-300-free-shipping

http://www.r3-forums.com/forum/554-electronics/20793-ideas-how-mount-12v-power-socket-2.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-...-56LMT-65LM-/121329040533?hash=item1c3fc63c95

Basically no tools needed(toolkit has them all if you insist, maybe few bucks on wiretie/tape) <$100 total for a dedicate GPS for the bike
I'm not handy when it comes to DIY but if i think I can do this, this should be within anyone's ability

Where do you normally put your phone when you ride? Odds are unless it's in hard luggage it could be damaged just as easily if it's anywhere on you or in soft luggage on the bike.

Regardless, I like to have a dedicated GPS so I don't chew through data and battery on my phone in case of emergency. Your setup should work nicely. Personally, I always go with Ram Mounts. They are made in America and proven to work very well in the adventure bike world which would make them just as good for street riding. Not too pricey either.

http://www.rammount.com/products/motorcycle#/

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Vince

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 16, 2015

Bird said:
That is going to be a nice setup. I like it. I might consider that to have dedicated screen. Is it good in sunlight?

Or you can buy a $40 Moto E or LG Volt and hook them up free at RingPlus and have GPS and a backup phone / internet. I used a gopro mount and hard phone case. Still working on a metal mount, will post pics when done. Tiny screens compared to that GPS though.

garmin usually stays pretty good under sun, better than a lot of phones actually
gps can easily do 5-6" inch screen(6" is usually 90-110ish instead of 70ish), better than a lot of phones
lots of mountains in california don't have cell phone reception for some reason(perhaps from t-mobile only? better with verizon maybe?)

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Vince

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 16, 2015

StraydogEOD said:
Where do you normally put your phone when you ride? Odds are unless it's in hard luggage it could be damaged just as easily if it's anywhere on you or in soft luggage on the bike.

Regardless, I like to have a dedicated GPS so I don't chew through data and battery on my phone in case of emergency. Your setup should work nicely. Personally, I always go with Ram Mounts. They are made in America and proven to work very well in the adventure bike world which would make them just as good for street riding. Not too pricey either.

http://www.rammount.com/products/motorcycle#/

my phone is usually in my leather jacket pocket or in tailbag. The tailbag is stuff with my garment to change at work and stuff so it'd hardly get damaged(i would probably break in two halves before that happens.... lol)
navigation don't really use much data, but drains alot for battery(a-gps/cell/wifi) if you want accurate mode for google map

I would just like to share if anyone wanna do similar thing for cheap. Just feel it sucks when people start bringing out their flashy new phone and some already broke the screen after two weeks

Yea still need a lil more time on the mount research, heard of RAM but gets specific when it comes to garmin nuvi models

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StraydogEOD

· #6 · Oct 16, 2015 (Edited)

Hear ya there, thankfully so far my S5 has withstood some use and abuse with an intact screen for the past 2 years *knocks on closest wood*.

I love the ram stuff for it's quality, I did get a brand and model specific cradle for my old TomTom but they do make some universal holders that would work with anything. Plus, someone here did a cool write up on how to replace the front tank bolt with some all thread and a ram ball which would allow awesome mounting of a GPS out of the way, very trick.

Check out the X-grip-

http://www.rammount.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=x-grip

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rito

· #7 · May 25, 2016

@xorbe saw your Youtube vid. I have the X-mount there for my phone. What ramount parts did you use? What model Garmin and how is the visibility during daylight hours?

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