Weatherproof?

[RobC]

Hi Forum,
I've seen lots of pictures of bikes with GPS and other bits of gadgetry attatched to the handlebars. I've been wondering if these electronic bits and bobs are waterproof? Before I buy a GPS system I need to know that a winters riding will not kill it.

As many of you have GPS systems I would expect that they are suitably weatherproof. Is this indeed the case?

Regards

Rob C
*Saving hard for a 1200GS*

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Hi Rob,

My GPS 176 is waterproof to IEC 529-IPX-7 which means waterproof under full submersion to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes... I believe most GPS are the same

 

[RobC]

Hi Paul,
That is excellent news. Pity my boots don't confirm to the same standard.

Regards

Rob C

 

[Greg Masters]

I believe most GPS are the same

Most (in fact, all) Garmin units are waterproof, but I believe that the Navman range is not!

Greg

 

[PanEuropean]

I think what Greg means is "all Garmin automotive and marine GPSR's are waterproof." Some of their products - notably the PDA that has a GPSR built in, and the PCMCIA card that fits into the side of a laptop, are not waterproof. The panel mount aviation GPSR's are not waterproof, as several pilots who have spilled coffee into them will attest...

It's interesting to note that Garmin says that the remote for the SP 26xx is NOT waterproof, but I have had it on my motorcycle handlebar for about 10 weeks now, I never remove it, even when washing the moto with a bucket or with a high pressure spray wand, and the water doesn't seem to bother it.

PanEuropean

 

[richie]

And whilst we are on the subject, they are waterproof in that they guarantee the unit as waterproof. However battery compartments flood and need drying out. (Standard Garmin) if using a battery operated GPS on a bike its best to wire it up to the bikes power as I found that in the cold/rain/bumps it cuts out sometimes just on batteries but works fine with 12V...

 

[Banjaxed]

And...

The eMap is splashproof (?), not waterproof.

 

[Greg Masters]

Garmin say:

"Most Garmin® GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7. IEC 529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use."

The eMap is IPX2, meaning Protected against vertically falling water drops as the enclosure is tilted 15 degrees - but it is now an obselete model.

Greg

 

[PanEuropean]

Richie makes a good point about water in the battery compartment. I remember that when I was using the SP III on my moto (for two years), if I rode all day in rain, there would usually be some moisture in the battery compartment at the end of the day. To be fair to Garmin, they didn't really expect the waterproof spec to read: "Prevents raindrops hitting back of GPSR at 150 km/h from getting squeezed in past the gasket".

Anyhow, after the end of a day riding in heavy rain, I would just bring the unit into the hotel, take the back cover off it, and leave it on the table overnight to dry out. No harm ever came of it, but I would guess if it was stored for a long time with water in the battery compartment, there might be some risk that the batteries themselves could corrode.

The SP 2650 I have has proven to be surprisingly waterproof. At first, I was kind of worried about that fancy seal around the CF card door, but I have never ever found even a hint of moisture in there, either after riding in rain, or washing the moto with the GPSR left in place on the mounting bracket.

PanEuropean