Serious answers preferred as I am not rich and will not be putting it back into a bin and buying a new expensive model as too many 'seasoned' GS riders do... 
just bought a 2620 - any tips?
- Thread starter Michael R1150GS Adventure
- Start date
Bumpkin
Registered user
Earlier 2620s had mini hard drives that weren't suited to bike use as the vibrations/shock destroyed them after a while. I think that later models had Compact Flash cards like the 2610. The Microdrives are actually Compact Flash devices anyway but I'm not sure if on the 2620 the user is able to change one for a solid state card 
At the time the 2620 was introduced CF cards of a suitable capacity were silly money, they soon became significantly cheaper and now only cost a few quid.
Apart from the above it's a great for regular, no frills, GPS functionality. Regrettably Garmin no longer support that model or it predecessors with mapping updates. The last update was for 2009 so for most purposes that'll do for the next few years.
Get yourself familiar with Mapsource so you can make the most of your new GPS.
At the time the 2620 was introduced CF cards of a suitable capacity were silly money, they soon became significantly cheaper and now only cost a few quid.
Apart from the above it's a great for regular, no frills, GPS functionality. Regrettably Garmin no longer support that model or it predecessors with mapping updates. The last update was for 2009 so for most purposes that'll do for the next few years.
Get yourself familiar with Mapsource so you can make the most of your new GPS.
Not suited to bike use?
I have a 2720 which also has a mini drive and after many thousands of miles on poor roads in Ireland and a ride across the US have had no problems at all with the unit.
Your point about functionality is well made though. The 26** series is much more customisable than the later models which seem to have been dumbed down.
Not suited to bike use - that's what he said.....
Since it is panto season.......Oh no it doesn't! It's solid state, old chap -
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6387
I stand corrected so. 
Sell it immediately,cos they're shite..............................
hated mine, sold it a few months after I got it,couldn't find anthing I wanted it to when on holiday in France ( you know, like bloody great hotels and the like) so was delighted to sell it on.
hated mine, sold it a few months after I got it,couldn't find anthing I wanted it to when on holiday in France ( you know, like bloody great hotels and the like) so was delighted to sell it on.Bumpkin
Registered user
As Schtum says, 2720 is solid state. I should know, I have one myself. Solid bit of no frills kit. Still would like a Zumo 660 but the StreetPilot does all I need from a sat nav point of view.
One of the problems with the 26** series and original Quest is that the postcode look-up is very limited to the point of being useless.
One of the problems with the 26** series and original Quest is that the postcode look-up is very limited to the point of being useless.
just make sure it is isolated from vibration, had one for a while with touratech mount and worked fine on the GS, mates on FJR gave up as it kept switching itself off as the 4 cyclinder had higher frequency vibes.
2610 spot on
Teejay
2610 spot on
Teejay
Whereas the Zumo 660 and the nüvis (700 series, at least...) do a great job of looking up postcodes and zip codes.
RAM-man
depleted member !
allow more beer tokens for, unless included in your buy..
Garmin power/audio lead (part 010-10495-02)
Cradle, Garmin 010-10495-01 (or with power lead is xxx-00 ending), or Touratech or RAM with GA9
Mounting (more beer tokens) TT will clamp onto cross bar, otherwise RAM-B-149Z; RAM-B-149Z-202 depending upon cradle.
Garmin power/audio lead (part 010-10495-02)
Cradle, Garmin 010-10495-01 (or with power lead is xxx-00 ending), or Touratech or RAM with GA9
Mounting (more beer tokens) TT will clamp onto cross bar, otherwise RAM-B-149Z; RAM-B-149Z-202 depending upon cradle.
dizzyrascal
Registered user
POWER AND AUDIO
Hi
Could somone please explain to another GPS novice the best way to power up and provide audio to this unit.
I have also recently purchased a 2620, and yes I have realised that I might have made a mistake but now have a touratech mount that seems to be well contructed and i am hoping that it will isolate the unit from any vibration.
I have a power cable that I can run from the battery but this will not provide audio, I also have the car 12v speaker / power lead that will provide power and audio but i would need to use a converter in order to use the BMW jack.
First question is can you hear the audio when riding with an external speaker / jack, if not is the audio a must have or would using the power cable that I have be sufficient.
If I purchased the power/audo cable - Garmin power/audio lead (part 010-10495-02) where is the best place to tap the power from. Sorry for so many questions but there must be lots of users of the 26--- that have already found the best solution, Thanks in advance
Hi
Could somone please explain to another GPS novice the best way to power up and provide audio to this unit.
I have also recently purchased a 2620, and yes I have realised that I might have made a mistake but now have a touratech mount that seems to be well contructed and i am hoping that it will isolate the unit from any vibration.
I have a power cable that I can run from the battery but this will not provide audio, I also have the car 12v speaker / power lead that will provide power and audio but i would need to use a converter in order to use the BMW jack.
First question is can you hear the audio when riding with an external speaker / jack, if not is the audio a must have or would using the power cable that I have be sufficient.
If I purchased the power/audo cable - Garmin power/audio lead (part 010-10495-02) where is the best place to tap the power from. Sorry for so many questions but there must be lots of users of the 26--- that have already found the best solution, Thanks in advance
On my 1200RT, the power is taken from the back of the 12V accessory socket (5 years without a problem).
Bumpkin
Registered user
IMHO with the 26**, 27** and 28** series StreetPilots it's best to have them fed from a source that's constantly live. As they don't have an internal battery having them connected to a switched live would turn them on/off with the ignition. This is inconvenient if you want to put your GPS in the cradle and set-up a route before setting off, especially the case if you have a headlight that's on the with ignition.
I have my 2720 wired directly to the battery but with an in-line switch. I've built a harness that connects my Optimate and also provides this feed to the GPS.
I also have a switched feed under the seat for Autocom and PMR.
I have my 2720 wired directly to the battery but with an in-line switch. I've built a harness that connects my Optimate and also provides this feed to the GPS.
I also have a switched feed under the seat for Autocom and PMR.
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