An unusual use for a Streetpilot GPS

[Ben]

Having splashed out big bunce last year on a 2610 Garmin Streetpilot, I got wondering if I could use it on the front forks of my bicycle.

I'm not barking, just need a reliable navigator for a forthcoming
9 day/ 700 mile ride from Spain to UK. Having plannned all the route on the PC Garmin software, it makes good sense to download it to the unit and use the damn thing. Keeping the route off the beaten track is the main aim.

The main question is how much of a battery would I need, where to source it, and how much It and IT'S charger might weigh?

Weight is everything.


Boffins out there, any ideas?

Ben

 

[ianf]

Touratech do a battery supply for the 2610, have a look at them for cost.

You can probably also use some sort of 9*D-cell arrangement, or a small 12v alarm battery to provide power. Either use nimh wall power overnight for the d-cells or a 12v-trickle charger for the alarm battery.
Should be able to build this out of maplins for £20 or so. www.pfranc.com for the little plugs to get the power into the unit.


Weight will probably be in the order of 1kg for the gear to do this.

 

[Mouse]

A Quest would be much much lighter Not sure if you'd fit your route into the 243 MB memory it has but the chances are good.

However this ain't much use to you if you haven't got a Quest! Maybe you could borrow one?

 

[PanEuropean]

The weight and power consumption of the 26xx would kill you on a bicycle. The 26xx is designed specifically for automotive use, and the assumption was that it would be supplied with power from the DC bus of the vehicle. For that reason, Garmin made no effort at all to reduce power consumption - heck, they don't even make a battery pack for it!

I think your best options are as follows:

1) Get a very, very simple handheld GPS, and use it whenever you need to confirm your position - don't use it as primary guidance.

2) Investigate what products Garmin makes for handheld use that will accept uploads of routes from MapSource. I don't think you need (or want) a GPSR that will accept an upload of detailed cartography - e.g. CityNavigator or CitySelect - you just want to be able to upload your route, and view it overlaid on a basemap.

Michael

 

[Bert]

Consider the Garmin 60CS- fab unit- runs on 2 AA batteries -
And use Scotty solar panel to recharge nicads

 

[TheJoker]

Or, eTrex Legend C - 30h battery life on two rechargeable AAs