Bird Sat Nav

[noobie]

If you use one, why, what type have you found the best/best value for money, where do you normally connect the power supply feed to and any tips and hints you have that might be helpful to others

 

[MrToast]

Garmin Zumo 550 with RAM mount that makes it possible to remove everything but the ball in seconds for security. (I use a waterproof connector for the power lead)
I've owned it for a long time, prefer it to my friends early tomtom, it's only had a replacement battery once in about 9 years (a few quid on ebay and five minutes to fit) and the 'mapsource' computer program is simple to use and lets you plan & load maps easily onto the unit. I'd probably buy the same make if I ever needed a new one.
Tech support at Garmin usually reply within a day with any queries.
Updating mapping is easy too. No problems in the wet, easy to read in all but direct sunlight onto the screen, when a bit of squinting is required, same as other makes. 100% recommended.

 

[jeffa]

TomTom rider, power supply from Finks plug and play loom, details can be found on the 6ers site, instructions for fitting to blackbird is enclosed with it, 5 mins max

 

[MrToast]

I use these connectors for removable things like sat nav, bike cams etc, I run them off an accessory relay from an ignition-operated live feed (like the one to the rear brake light - usually easy to get to but anything from the fuse box that is live when the ignition is turned on) as I don't like too many wires on the battery terminals. Make sure you put an inline fuse in the lead to the battery. Easy...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251989513838?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Red Mick]

I use a Garmin 550 on the bike, as has been said, easy to use and mount. 12v socket wired to battery via a fuse and zip tied onto the left suspension leg top. Yes, I know it sounds Heath Robinson, but it did the job.

I prefer to use the Blue tooth mode to in helmet speakers, but also have a lead into my in ear speaker/earplugs from Ultimate ear, works just as well, if a bit fiddly at times.

 

[Jaws]

Garmin 550, then the new Tomtom rider, then a Garmin 660
I ended up flogging the Tomtom for next to nowt.. Don't get me wrong, I have a Tomtom in the van.. No problem (apart from the known TT issue re toll roads ) to speak of.. But the Rider ?
Compared to the 660 the Tomtom is the equivalent of an abacus to a computer..

 

[Jaws]

Sorry.. Missed the other half !
Hard wired to a switched point, mounted on a home brew mount which was basically a long lump of 8mm threaded rod through the headstock
Bottom end large washer and a nut, top end a plastic ball I got from a chandlers.
I then used the supplied arm to lift the gps up a bit

 

[ScottyUK]

I've got the Zumo 590. Not cheap even with a discount of about £80 but very happy with it. It paints the maps much quicker than others I've seen e.g. 660.

The screen works well in the sun too. The loom has a USB lead so you can have your phone powered which you can use for weather, traffic, calls etc.

On the RAM mount I bought the IPS security bolt from Telferizer for £12 which is smaller than the normal tightener and seemingly more effective than the key lock or new 4-pin lock.

From this :

To this (comes with tool):

 

[Mikeyzf]

I've just set satnav up on my Bird.

It's a system I've used for the last few years,and it's been fantastic.It's seen us through a few trips through France and Spain with no problem.

I bought the tomtom go app on google play.I think it was about ?20 for europe and that gives you free updates for 5 years.

I've been using it on my own phone,but recently,i thought I'd set up a dedicated system.

So,I bought a 2nd hand Samsung Galaxy S4 mini for ?65 off a well known auction site.
No sim card is needed,as only the gps is needed,and wifi is used to download the maps.
I installed tomtom go.
I bought one of these cases.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00R6EUZF8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

A usb power socket.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I0PDD4W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

A gps mount.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M0T1WTM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

I find the system superb.It calculates routes far quicker than my mates tomtom rider,and the latest version includes a winding roads option.

 

[ianrobbo1]

Hiya, I use the Zumo 550 as well, I have had it on a ball mount in the centre of the forks, and wired direct to the battery, with the switch to the lights so the mount is not live all the time, you can pick a good second hand zumo up for pretty reasonable price these days, as has been said waterproof easy to update and well worth it even compared to the newer stuff!! :dunno:

 

[Cougar377]

RAM mount, 5" waterproof case, cigarette lighter adapter wired to battery, Satnav that I used to have for the car (I'm using an old Nexus 7 with Co-Pilot satnav software for the car these days).

 

[Tortoise]

Garmin Zumo390 mounted through the headstock on a ram mount and wired direct to battery terminals. Much better than my old Garmin Quest, much bigger screen and can be used with Bluetooth.

 

[andyBeaker]

RAM mount, 5" waterproof case, cigarette lighter adapter wired to battery, Satnav that I used to have for the car (I'm using an old Nexus 7 with Co-Pilot satnav software for the car these days).

Same for me. Never saw any value in splashing out for a bike specific sat nav. The key for me was hearing the instructions, sorted by a ?3 over the ear earphone from Maplins stuck in the helmet liming.

 

[Steve_Cardiff]

Zumo 660, Ram mount, and wired into the front side light feed. Been fine so far

 

[BirdmanSteve]

Slightly off topic. I used a phone setup on my last bike using a clutch reservoir ram mount. Now I can't use this on the Bird as it hits the screen.

I'm happy to fashion a mount just like jaws did but any ideas where I can get a ball to fit on the top and what size it would be?

 

[andyBeaker]

Slightly off topic. I used a phone setup on my last bike using a clutch reservoir ram mount. Now I can't use this on the Bird as it hits the screen.

I'm happy to fashion a mount just like jaws did but any ideas where I can get a ball to fit on the top and what size it would be?

Pop the nut off the top of the yoke,mrs move the rubber bung and voila, perfect for a ram mount ball

 

[Steve_Cardiff]

Hi Steve, I actually drilled a hole in my top yoke and fitted a Ram ball. Cheapest option but maybe a no no for some other owners @tu*

 

[andyBeaker]

Hi Steve, I actually drilled a hole in my top yoke and fitted a Ram ball. Cheapest option but maybe a no no for some other owners @tu*

A braver man than me!!!

 

[Jaws]

Slightly off topic. I used a phone setup on my last bike using a clutch reservoir ram mount. Now I can't use this on the Bird as it hits the screen.

I'm happy to fashion a mount just like jaws did but any ideas where I can get a ball to fit on the top and what size it would be?

As mentioned in my post, a chandlers.
No idea what they use them for..
I did the yellow pages thing, foned up a chandler and told hi what I wanted and what it was for..

80p plus ?1.20 postage

 

[Cougar377]

Same for me. Never saw any value in splashing out for a bike specific sat nav. The key for me was hearing the instructions, sorted by a ?3 over the ear earphone from Maplins stuck in the helmet liming.

Motorcycle specific satnavs = Undersized and overpriced. A bit like Ducati's....8rfl@