GPS Units

[garyl62]

Is a 3.5" screen pretty readable when you're riding? Seems like there are several models with screens about this size, but I'd hate to spend the $ only to find out I wished I'd spent a little more to get a larger screen. I'm guessing a lot of the time you're really looking at the screen you're stopped so this size would probably be ok.

 

[polarisrider1]

Is a 3.5" screen pretty readable when you're riding? Seems like there are several models with screens about this size, but I'd hate to spend the $ only to find out I wished I'd spent a little more to get a larger screen. I'm guessing a lot of the time you're really looking at the screen you're stopped so this size would probably be ok.

Go big

 

[Hoosier]

Go big

Definitely go big. You have to zoom in quite a bit to see trail detail and see where you are, but with a small screen, you then cant see a large enough area to figure out how to get where you want to go

 

[Mooseflyer]

I've been running my 7" Android tablet on a RAM mount (purchased through GPS City) for a couple of seasons. It's in an Otterbox case to make it relatively weatherproof. I've been pretty happy with it, but a couple of points to note: 1. I had to buy "touchscreen friendly" gloves, and 2. If the screen gets wet with melted snow, it creates all kinds of havoc with the display if it's not wiped dry. Oddly, dry snow powder on it is fine.

I used a Garmin Nuvi 750 for awhile. I never bothered to do any kind of waterproofing, and didn't have any problems.

Why not try your phone on a mount with some kind of mapping program?

 

[Hoosier]

Looks like they have sled brand specific units for a bit more as well, presumably to make install a bit cleaner. The $20 item claims to be not-for-apple-devices: http://www.rsiracing.com/NON-APPLE-DUAL-USB-POWER-CABLES_p_102.html but doesn't say why, I'd guess that they found Apple equipment to be a bit fussier. They don't list that issue on the sled-specific models.

The kit is providing two standard female USB plugs to connect devices to. For $20, that's pretty decent, not tried them though and they don't list the wattage so not sure which units it will run.

Question I have, hoping you've used this with a Garmin GPS, is does it work? Many of the Garmins need about 1000mA to run and charge, lots of USB "power sources" don't put out that much power.
More importantly, those GPS units need a special cable to recognize they are getting power to run and not power to connect to a computer. If pin 4 on the mini USB cable isn't tied to ground, it will put the GPS into "computer mode" instead of "GPS mode".

I've used the Glisson and Garmin "direct wire" connection kits for the GPS units. GPSCity lists the Glisson for $22:
http://www.gpscity.com/gilsson-bare-wire-power-cable.html

Only trick with that setup is that the USB cable is on a 90 degree connector and it will not fit some of the Garmin models due to case or mount design. I've used the Glisson with my Nuvi 550 and (pretty sure) Oregon 450.

I normally run a Montana and 60csx, though I don't recommend 2 units for the average bear.

I keep forgetting to call RSI about whether that power cord would power a Nuvi. Do you know if you can run a NUVI off one of those USB power packs? I was thinking I could possibly charge the power pack off the sled using the RSI cord, and then run the Nuvi off that, providing I get one with more than 1000ma. Maybe I'm just better off getting the cord you suggested though.

 

[heckler56]

I carry a Garmin Etrax in my coat and have mounted a Garmin 60csx. The 60csx is on a Ram mount purchased at GPSCity (see 2TraKR comments) and hard wired to the battery using the 4plug. I have choose to carry the two as I have had my 60csx freeze on long trips.

I run maps from a different vendor (I think it is 2TraKR's - based on the trailer) and have found the maps easy to work with and the service excellent. As we all know, trails get re routed and I always make sure to provide feedback when I observe trail changes.

 

[2TrakR]

Do you know if you can run a NUVI off one of those USB power packs?

Not tried, but the Nuvi needs to see pin 4 tied to ground, so you need a "special" cord, not a regular USB cord that would normally be used to plug into one of those power packs. Without the special cord, the unit will boot up into "hooked to a computer" mode instead of regular GPS mode.