Sat Nav

[allantheboss]

Anything that will work on a bike.

Or, anybody know of any way I can use a car TomTom on a bike?

[maviczap]

You'll need a power source to keep it runningl. I used the Optimate cigar lighter accessories to plug the chaging lead to the TomTom. Otherwise wire up a cigar lighter socket up.

http://www.accumate.co.uk/cg020001.htm

I'd seen some tank bags with a clear pocket to house a sat nav, but most tank bags have a clear map pocket anyway

If not Givi make a waterproof bag that attaches to the top yoke for non bike satnavs

http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/2260-givi-s850-universal-handlebar-sat-nav-holder-(s850).html?source=googleps

[maviczap]

I've got a Garmin Zumo 400, but all bike satnav's are crazily priced, even 2nd hand, especially when car ones are so cheap these days

Use a car one in a waterproof housing. The only thing you won't hear is the voice prompts I guess

[rictus01]

for a cheaper alternative Hein gericke do a streetline gps Holder for £14.99, I've tried it and for the money am well impressed.

Will fit most satnav's (that's a Navman iCN720 in it)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs409.snc4/47175_425882654134_621884134_5081732_5327994_n.jpg

Has a visor to shade the disply
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs361.snc4/44411_425882684134_621884134_5081733_4161858_n.jpg

as well as two velcro straps to go around the handlebars it also has two triangle supports at the back to velcro onto the top of a tankbag
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs205.ash2/46830_425882734134_621884134_5081734_7560614_n.jpg

Rainproof rubberised zip
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs296.snc4/41118_425882774134_621884134_5081736_2449295_n.jpg

Rainproof power lead opening
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs400.snc4/46296_425882809134_621884134_5081737_3328009_n.jpg


Cheers Mark.

[Amanda]

That is what I used this weekend to Porlock. Used my car sat nav and lasted all the way there on the battery. Was saved by Caz650s charging it for me to use on the ride home!

[Supervox]

If you're in the market for a new one I can recommend the Garmin Zumos (I have a 550). There not cheap but they do come complete with both a car cradle + power cable & a bike cradle + power cable allowing you to switch between types of transport at will :-)

The advantage of a 'proper' bike one is that the touchscreen is designed to be used with gloves so you don't have to be ultra-accurate & the buttons down the side are nice and chunky too. On top of this it's also completely waterproof.

[allantheboss]

YES! Exactly what I wanted to hear! Thanks, I wasn't sure if there was a fag-lighter to bike battery adapter which would let it all happen. I can put it in my tank bag for now and keep an eye out for a top-yoke waterproof mount.

I don't feel I'd be missing out on the voices either! :P

But it's like £300-400 for a new Zumo, and I know they're good, but not that good! Im about to spend a week in Greece, all inclusive 4* for that!

[philbut]

They are THAT good if you do lots of touring. I just spent 2 weeks riding round Europe and my Zumo 660 was bloody brilliant. I use it for music and phone calls routed through my autocom too so that was an added attraction for me. Probably not worth it if you also have a car, but I only have the bike so don't mind splashing out on a bit of kit that I will get so much use out of. I tried the car satnav bags and got pi$ed off as the clear screen cover kept touching the screen in the wrong place when I tried to use the buttons near the edge of the screen. Was also a real faff to take on and off all the time.

[Dicky Ticker]

The Zumo comes with fused wiring that only needs connecting to the +/- on the battery so no need to fit plugs or whatever.

[dizzyblonde]

We threw our Garmin in the bin....absolute sh1te with a capital S.
Got a Navman now IIRC much better, and it don't get you lost!

[_Stretchie_]

I got a Garmin 550 earlier this year mate and I wish I'd stumped up much earlier. I've done the cheapo versions, sat navs in bags, in pockets and with ear plugs in, or installed on my phones.

Deffo happy with my Garmin. If you want mate pop around and have a play with mine (oo-eerrr) and you can have a go on the route planning software that comes with it too

Sent from my HTC Hero using Tapatalk

[maviczap]

Seggons pointed me in the direction of Tyre route planing software. Once you've planned a route on Googlemaps, you can download it to a TomTom or Garmin device. Best of all its free

http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/

[maxinc]

I'm in the market for a sat nav since my tomtom car only covers the UK and and I need to take a trip to europe + start touring a bit more.

Garmin 550 seems to be the best compromise for use both in car and on bike with pretty much everything you need while still being practical and looking good. Not to mention keeping it's value over time.

Here's the cheapest I could find for £333.

http://www.satnaveasy.co.uk/garmin-zumo-550-deluxe-uk-ireland-europe-pre-loaded-2008-v10-mapping-copy-i1497.html