Lo-cost GPS

[Old guy]

Has anyone tried using a humble PDA/GPS? I cannot locate either a 2610 or afford a Zumo 550 but I do have an Acer N35S with Destinator Euro software whivh has giving sterling service until it was replaced by a Nuvi 360T.

I spotted http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/bike-mount36.htm and have subsequently ordered the hardware as a lo-cost alternative.

 

[Greg Masters]

Have a look for a Garmin i3 (or the even cheaper monochrome i2). On fleabay for £60-70.

If they come with CN NT v9, the mapping data is more valuable than what you'll have to pay for a complete unit.

But remember, just like most PDAs, the i3 is not waterproof.

Greg

 

[Bumpkin]

The problem with the i3 and other budget GPS units is that you can't load routes created in MapSource or for that matter create them on the unit itself. Even the likes of the Nuvi can't do it, not so sure about the budget Tomtoms but I think the same applies. For recreational bike use, where you want to plan and follow a specific set of roads a GPSR that can't do proper routing is next to useless. Far better to source a 2610 or Quest on eBay, just ensure you get all the mapping and important unlock codes included.

If all you want is A-B navigation where the unit decides which roads to take then an i3 or similar will work, you'll just have to use a plastic bag when it rains, rely on internal batteries or cobble together a power socket and lead and do without audio (unless you butcher the unit and insert an audio jack, this has been done).

Found all this out the hard way, had an i3, now have a Quest. Very happy with it I am to.

PDA solutions might offer proper route planning but IMHO they're too fragile and hampered by hassles and potential weaknesses, and expense, getting the audio, power and waterproofing sorted. A decent 2610 off eBay will probably set you back £150-£200 and a Quest £100-£150. On top of that you'll also need to power and mount it, another £50 to £60 should do that. Audio is a whole different ball park which you can achieve for £5 to £200 and more depending on what you want.

 

[Old guy]

Yes, well, thanks. Touratech and Otterbox offer PDA mounts and I have managed to source most of the items needed to build a system around my Acer 35 thanks to help from Ram-mounts but cannot solve the audio connection to the helmet.

The N35 does not have AFAIK Bluetooth, only a standard audio jack output. A simple lead from the helmet down the left sleeve into a robust connector is the simplest solution?

Therefore two questions:

1. Any ideas on an autonomous Bluetooth TX/RX?
2. Where can I obtain the speaker for a helmet, I refuse to use in-ear 'phones.

The Acer has served me well but is redundant in the car. I would like to find a 2610 or Zumo 555 but prefer to spend my money on the bike.

 

[Bumpkin]

Where can I obtain the speaker for a helmet, I refuse to use in-ear 'phones.

I concur, earphones are a PITA.

I've installed a couple of these (45mm version) in my Arai along with a lead and 3.5mm jack-plug. It's a neat job, if I say so myself, speakers are behind the lining and all wiring is hidden except for where it comes out on the right, near the strap. I recessed the speakers slightly by cutting a penny sized, 5mm deep hole in the polystyrene inner (on the Arai this is part of the cheek-piece) and hot-melt glued the matching rear of the speaker in. Ear clearance is ample, even with my big ears.

I run the lead down inside my collar and out at the waist where I plug it into a curly extension lead attached to my tank bag. I think running down your arm and out at the wrist might be asking for trouble. With my set-up I can dismount and then unplug and as the connectors are straight will detach on their own if I forget, or heaven forbid, have an off.

I can hear the audio instructions clearly up to about 70-80mph with Max-Lite earplugs and can still hear something above that but might have to glance at the screen to confirm. Audible volume is obviously dependant on the output of your GPSR, speaker placement, ear plug type, wind noise (some bikes worse, some better in this respect) and how deaf you already are

Audio quality isn't great, tried plugging in my MP3 player just to see and it wasn't exactly HiFi... my setup is mono anyway but the range of the speakers just wasn't up to it (what do you expect for £2.26 ) However, for GPS audio it's fine and, personally, I don't want music or phone whilst riding anyway.

 

[Old guy]

Thanks for all the good info, I managed to get a helmet set-up from Ray's Rider Wear in Christchurch (top bloke)

However

Last night, I managed to find a car- version of the 2610 on Fleabay. Any advice on what else is needed would be welcome.

Tim

 

[Pukmeister]

The 2610 unit itself is the same be it car or bike mounted. To bike mount you will need a mounting cradle of some description, either by Garmin, Touratech, Ram-Mount or similar. To bike power the unit you will need a bike wiring kit to provide power and also take-off the audio signal if you require voice prompts.

Typical kit: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?C=SO&U=strat320&T=sitenew&ModuleNo=42953

http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-hol-ga9.htm

http://test.globalpositioningsystem...ml?PHPSESSID=6875712c3e8f12a5500f6bc07fc12029

Good stuff this Google isn't it ??

 

[Old guy]

Just tested the Acer PDA in a Otterbox strapped atop the tank bag with the power straight off the BMW output jack and a pair of cheapo earphones- as a proof of concept everything works fine, I cannot read the display but neither could my oppo with his Zumo 550.

An external aerial was a good idea and kept the PDA fed with info and I managed to find my way across the backlanes of West Dorset.

Total cost about £35 to upgrade a redundant PDA to work as well as I needed.

Tim

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Just tested the Acer PDA in a Otterbox strapped atop the tank bag with the power straight off the BMW output jack and a pair of cheapo earphones- as a proof of concept everything works fine, I cannot read the display but neither could my oppo with his Zumo 550.

An external aerial was a good idea and kept the PDA fed with info and I managed to find my way across the backlanes of West Dorset.

Total cost about £35 to upgrade a redundant PDA to work as well as I needed.

Tim

I bought Tims now redundant Acer N35 and it got me all the way across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany to Ulm to pick up Trippys 80g/s PD, and back seamlessly and with no problems whatsoever
Which for a GPS numpty newbie was amazing
Wish I'd had one for the 25 years of continental trucking I did
Thanks Tim