Quick connector required for 2610

[Ibex]

Having finally got my 2610 working on the GS - and very nicely it does too, all I need to do is master this MapSoft tool. Seems a lot trickier than Autoroute...
Anyway, having done the above, the first thing I want to do is have the ability to swap the thing over on to my old Commando in time for an epic run to Lisbon. What I need is an electrical connector for easily unplugging the entire RAM mounted GPS etc and transferring to second bike, without having to rewire the bikes every time. Any recommendations from you sparky types out there?

 

[xpi0t0s]

Why not just get 2 garmin power leads and wire one into each bike permanently? The only quick unplug solution is going to be the lead with the BMW plug which means trailing the wire back to the underseat socket or installing the front power socket. Dunno what a Commander is but if it's not BMW the lead probably won't fit that...if it is, then you can just use one BMW to 2610 power lead.

 

[nadeem]

A power lead that runs straight to the battery is about 25 quid from GPS Warehouse and a ram mount is also available from them...I have the same set up on my Husky to use mine on it as well as my GS.

 

[tiller269]

As you'll be stopping every few miles to fix the 'ol commando, you wont need the GPS. You can just whip out the mapbook!

 

[PanEuropean]

...Why not just get 2 garmin power leads and wire one into each bike permanently?

Agreed, that's the most troublefree way to do it. The cables that have the removable connector on one end (the plug-in type connector) work fine on motos that already have a plug-in connector, but they are a PITA on anything else. If you try to jury-rig a female inline connector, you will find that the damm thing always wiggles loose, usually at the most inconvenient time. Buy a second cable and hardwire it, then you can count on power being there when you need it. Just a tip - connect to ignition switched power, not directly to the battery. This minimizes concerns about the exposed connectors shorting out when the GPSR is not in the mount.

Michael

 

[xpi0t0s]

Yeah, good point, what it also minimises is corrosion on the connectors due to the thing being live all the time (even using the plastic cover). That's how I did it, and a problem I had, before I got one with the BMW plug on the end.

 

[Ibex]

GPS on a Commando?

Thanks for your help and suggestions - even those from the comedians! I have no defence to such barbs, even though the old Commando did make it to Switzerland and back a couple of years ago, and a chance encounter with a team of incredulous GS mounted, Flash Harry (Herman?) Germans at the top of the Brunig Pass was worth more than money. You know what achievement is when you get there on an old Brit bike. I've since been to Spain twice by GS (Channel Tunnel every time) and it hasn't come close in terms of personal challenge. Still Everest, but by GS it feels like I used the escalator...... On the Commando it's more about the getting there which is just as well because youre certainly fit for **** all by the time you do get there!
At least I won't get lost this time,

Thanks again

 

[PanEuropean]

Having finally got my 2610 working on the GS - and very nicely it does too, all I need to do is master this MapSoft tool. Seems a lot trickier than Autoroute...

Well - you know the old saying: "If all else fails, try reading the manual." You can download a free copy of the MapSource manual from Garmin, in PDF format, by clicking here. In fact, it's a worthwhile download even for folks who KNOW how to use MapSource, because that link points to a new revision of the manual from the summer of 2005, and that new revision explains all the new tricks that have been incorporated since version 4 of MapSource, which was released in the around the end of the late Paleozoic period.

Truth is, MapSource is pretty simple to use, but like any other GIS (Geographic Information System), it is not 100% intuitive. If you can find a fellow rider who is a whiz with it, they can teach you 80% of what you need to know in about 5 minutes. The rest you can figure out by reading the book.

Michael