satnav - garmin tomtom or the like

[scotty217]

OMO - Is there a way of weatherproofing a car satnav for a bike? do you guys have any recommendations of where to mount it on my pointy, apart from the clip on handle bars? and if the majority of you say buy a satnav bag, which is the best? Any other thoughts or ideas on this would be great. I may be able to get a garmin for about £100 or cheaper, but im not shelling out loads for a bike specific one.

Thanks all

Scotty

[Kenzie]

I have a handle bar mount made by Hein Gericke (can't spell) and it has velcro to mount it to the bike. Can also be attached to the HG tank bag. Has a small opening to allow a power connector.

[Littlepeahead]

I've got a Givi thing that comes with a rain cover. Now I haven't tested it in heavy rain, so can't say how well it works, but I use it on fine days and it does a job. I use my car one for the occasions when I need a sat nav. It's rubbish for using the touch screen en route but ok if you set it up and just just follow it.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/GIVI-S850-UNIVERSAL-WATERPROOF-HOLDER/dp/B002YEI2U0

[DJ123]

Depends on what you want from a Sat Nav. If you have a car one, install it with a soft mount or the vibrations will kill it fairly quick. The only issues I have found with these are the touch screen is fairly crap behind the clear flimsy screen, reflection from the sun or rain kills any visibility & no Bluetooth directions-so you end up trying to look at the screen.
Bike ones are worth the money, if you buy at the right price. Currently the Zumo 340LM are only £250 or so. which is a fair bargain if you consider they are weather resistant, Bluetooth enabled, Western European Maps, twisty routes instead of only shortest/longest routes etc etc.

[NTECUK]

Ram mount
http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/images/products/RAM-B-342%20BIG.jpg
Use my phone as a sat nav so makes life easier

[Ch00]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bicycle-Motorbike-Waterproof-holder-Tomtom/dp/B00E9X798K/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

I use one of these. I changed mine to work on a ram mount does a great job. I dont need to hear directions just look at the screen every so often. Also mine does work with gloves, and is waterproof.

[LiquidFlux]

I also use a Ram mount, attached to my left clip-on with the X-Grip attached to arm, which is attached to the ball joint.

If you do get an X-Grip from Ram, unless you've the Nexus 6, get the standard phone version and not the phablet variant they recommend for the likes of the Note series. I've a Note 3, the phablet and the phone X-Grip, and the phone grip is infinitely better and more secure.

As for waterproofing, I ride with my phone in light rain. When moving it doesn't get wet, when stopped it can do. I don't actively charge it though, and the phone is only rated to water resistance.

[christian1000]

Ram mount
http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/images/products/RAM-B-342%20BIG.jpg
Use my phone as a sat nav so makes life easier

What case do you stick the phone in?

[NTECUK]

Sony Z1 is water proof.
And you get a magnetic charger port or charge case option so its waterproof
This maybe of interest
http://www.ridermount.com/home/categories/gps-audio-2/

On AR 14 ride up I used the same case as the Amazon link with a garmin.and the mobile, money also fit in it to for general bimble abouts.

[Bibio]

i have water proofed my garmin and its been fine for 20k

i stick the mount to my rev counter and again been fine for 20k

how i waterproofed mine:
removed the screen shroud squirted silicone sealant in there and put the surround back on and cleaned it up.

put some clear sticky film (window film) on the back and used a heat gun to pull the film round the edges then trimmed off the excess, make sure that you cover the button. used a scalpel to trim the usb hole.

doing above works perfect :-)

[Grant66]

How do you attach the z1 to the ram mount?

[NTECUK]

Glued a mount to the case http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00J2QL3Z4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416294395&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
Silicone the USB lead on to the case to keep it water resistant.
Elastic bands round the ends just incase it bumps out lanyard on phone too

[atassiedevil]

I used a 5" waterproof tablet case. Fits my satnav fine, and also my note 2 as well. Got the Mio Nav with the european maps and it works pretty well for touring. Magnetically attached to the left flap in the fairing of the 1000. Job done.

[scotty217]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. I'm on nights at the mo which is why it's taken me a while to read them. Keep them coming.