Gadget : GPS device on bikes

[Demon]

Hi guys, I'm using the Nuvi 200 on my bike. It charges itself using the usb port from the computer. Can I tap the power from the bike battery or the pilot light wires to charge the gps? i.e. I want to use a usb cable to tap the power from the battery or pilot light wires. I do not want to fix a cigarette lighter socket cos it is too bulky.

 

Please note that there is a circuitry difference between the original garmin USB charger, and the generic USB charger. If you use a generic USB charger, power from car ciggy socket or PC, the Nuvi will not go into data mode ie. the GPS cannot be use for navigation.

 

However, there is a way around this problem.

 

[bikeyroo]

Please note that there is a circuitry difference between the original garmin USB charger, and the generic USB charger. If you use a generic USB charger, power from car ciggy socket or PC, the Nuvi will not go into data mode ie. the GPS cannot be use for navigation.

 

However, there is a way around this problem.

 

 

Wah Demon, can tell us how you cast your spell and make the data mode work....

[Demon]

Wah Demon, can tell us how you cast your spell and make the data mode work....

 

using a generic USB cable, when plug connected, your nuvi will display "GARMIN" in the middle of the screen, and below that is a pic of a PC connected to a nuvi.

 

Unplug the connection, and the Nuvi will immediately reboot and commence the startup sequence into the data mode.

 

Here is the trick, once the connection is unplugged, wait for the nuvi to reboot, as soon as the "pic of a PC connected to a nuvi" disappears, immediately reconnect the USB cable. The nuvi will continue to reboot and go into data mode.

 

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[bikeyroo]

OK man, will try your trick.......

[fir_chan]

Hi everyone,

 

I guess my question is for all Zumo users and the 550 models in particular,

 

Could i ask which bluetooth headset are you using together with your Zumo550?? I am thinking of using the "earplug" types of Sony Ericsson like HBH-DS970.

 

Wonder if it is compatible so that i can hear the voice prompts and also take calls if i ever need to (not that i bother with calls whilst using my GPS and riding.)

 

I am keen on being able to listen to the irritating voice from the GPS and also want to try the MP3 function to see if it is any good..

 

Would appreciate all comments, suggestions..... positives preferred!

[racingter]

thailand maps fully routable is it possible to download from the net btw i am using garmin lengend cx..

[rayhunter]

The nüvi series are for cars and not waterproof. What you want is a GPS that's able to withstand vibrations and rough weather. I dont think the nüvi series are built for that. There are a couple of Garmin range of GPS you can use which is very popular among bikers around here and the world. For cheaper range you can try the 60 series, 76 series, eTrex, the latest Colorado. Or the more expensive ones you can try the Streetpilots and Zumo series with touch screen applications.

 

I had personally used the 76 series, 60 series, eTrex and the Street pilot. I'm still holding on to the 60 series and Street pilot even though had been discontinued. You can go Sim Lim square, check out what you want.

 

thanks for the comment..will consider yr recommendation.

[rayhunter]

nuvi is good, should consider the wide screen, with suffix "W".

The nuvi 200 is the entry model, going for about $299, and the nuvi200W is about $399.

If you can share how you intend to use it, you can probably get relevant comments.

 

Had consider this too but due to space constriant,i guess it would be good if it is on a scooter..

me just require simple function and as long as it can bring me to the right route,it should be fine.

waterproof is not my main concern as i will not use it in if it's rain

 

Hi guys, I'm using the Nuvi 200 on my bike.

Hi able to give some personal reviews on it?

[Murphy]

Hi everyone,

 

I guess my question is for all Zumo users and the 550 models in particular,

 

Could i ask which bluetooth headset are you using together with your Zumo550?? I am thinking of using the "earplug" types of Sony Ericsson like HBH-DS970.

 

Wonder if it is compatible so that i can hear the voice prompts and also take calls if i ever need to (not that i bother with calls whilst using my GPS and riding.)

 

I am keen on being able to listen to the irritating voice from the GPS and also want to try the MP3 function to see if it is any good..

 

Would appreciate all comments, suggestions..... positives preferred!

 

i only can say ur bluetooth earpiece battery dry real fast. if you wan, get a normal earpiece

[Murphy]

Had consider this too but due to space constriant,i guess it would be good if it is on a scooter..

me just require simple function and as long as it can bring me to the right route,it should be fine.

waterproof is not my main concern as i will not use it in if it's rain

 

 

Hi able to give some personal reviews on it?

 

have u tot of using it and then it suddenly rain

[Demon]

Had consider this too but due to space constriant,i guess it would be good if it is on a scooter..

me just require simple function and as long as it can bring me to the right route,it should be fine.

waterproof is not my main concern as i will not use it in if it's rain

 

In that case, the nuvi200 is an ideal choice, it's the best bang for buck.

 

A few droplets of water will not kill you nuvi, but do have plastic bag within reach in case of sudden downpour. Another suggestion is to seal off the SD card slot to prevent dust and water from slipping into the internals.

 

[fir_chan]

i only can say ur bluetooth earpiece battery dry real fast. if you wan, get a normal earpiece

 

Ok... i will try out with that first.

 

Thanks for the tip!

[bikeyroo]

Had consider this too but due to space constriant,i guess it would be good if it is on a scooter..

me just require simple function and as long as it can bring me to the right route,it should be fine.

waterproof is not my main concern as i will not use it in if it's rain

 

 

Hi able to give some personal reviews on it?

 

I'm using the nuvi 200 with no problem at all. What I did was to make a leather purse pouch with a window in front to house the gps. At the back of the pouch I have two shoe laces attached to it. The laces are to tie it down to the centre of the handle bar or to tie it down on top of the meters just behind the windscreen. With the pouch, it is already 90% protected from the rain. To further improve it, I have also made a few simple rain covers. The cover acts like those rain covers over those tank bags.

Usage so far is excellent. Don't worry about vibrations from the bike. There are no moving parts in the gps. It has proven to me to be an excellent cheapo gps. It's half the cost of the 60hcx and has a bigger screen. My next project is to tap the power from the bike battery.

[flareon1982]

Hi guys. Just a simple qn. When i open my GPS, the microSD card is a no brand one with a golden sticker on it. I suspect that it is a pirated one as the GPS box mention that it will include a 512mb card but what i have got is a 1Gb card. Does changing the microSD to a one with reputable brand help in running the GPS faster as it has a noticable and irritating slow reading speed and slow updating speed. Took 15 min to copy a 60mb file into the card.

[Speedpass]

Hi guys. Just a simple qn. When i open my GPS, the microSD card is a no brand one with a golden sticker on it. I suspect that it is a pirated one as the GPS box mention that it will include a 512mb card but what i have got is a 1Gb card. Does changing the microSD to a one with reputable brand help in running the GPS faster as it has a noticable and irritating slow reading speed and slow updating speed. Took 15 min to copy a 60mb file into the card.

 

Some cards have a higher transfer speed . Anyway , i always go for brands like kingston or toshiba .

[Demon]

Hi guys. Just a simple qn. When i open my GPS, the microSD card is a no brand one with a golden sticker on it. I suspect that it is a pirated one as the GPS box mention that it will include a 512mb card but what i have got is a 1Gb card. Does changing the microSD to a one with reputable brand help in running the GPS faster as it has a noticable and irritating slow reading speed and slow updating speed.

 

Besides the speed of the card, the transfer speed is also dependent on the speed of the reader/writer. Don't waste money buying high speed SD card for the GPS because it will not make a difference.

 

Anyway I just got a 2Gb Toshiba SD card for $18 at Mustafa.

 

Took 15 min to copy a 60mb file into the card.

 

i just did an experiment, it took 3 mins to transfer 81mb of data from my PC to the 60CSx. However if I plug the SD card directly into my PC, it took less than 30 secs, to transfer the same amount of data.

 

Now you have to figure, if the problem lies with the SD card or the GPS.

 

[Speedpass]

I'm using the nuvi 200 with no problem at all. What I did was to make a leather purse pouch with a window in front to house the gps. At the back of the pouch I have two shoe laces attached to it. The laces are to tie it down to the centre of the handle bar or to tie it down on top of the meters just behind the windscreen. With the pouch, it is already 90% protected from the rain. To further improve it, I have also made a few simple rain covers. The cover acts like those rain covers over those tank bags.

Usage so far is excellent. Don't worry about vibrations from the bike. There are no moving parts in the gps. It has proven to me to be an excellent cheapo gps. It's half the cost of the 60hcx and has a bigger screen. My next project is to tap the power from the bike battery.

 

Bro , is tying shoe laces to the handle bar safe ? I dun wan it flying away while blasting down NSH leh .

[bikeyroo]

Bro , is tying shoe laces to the handle bar safe ? I dun wan it flying away while blasting down NSH leh .

 

Very safe lah. That is why I use 2 laces. If 1 lace is untied, the other lace will still hold it although the gps will be dangling loh....by that time you will be able to notice it. Besides, if you are still using the FZ1, you will notice that our handle bar at the centre is not totally rounded. So when you tie it down there, the gps is resting on 3 points. Very stable wan. In fact, I've now found a better place: rest the gps on the meters and lean against the windscreen. Use the laces to go through the ventilation holes at the windscreen and tie it to the mirror stem.

[Speedpass]

Very safe lah. That is why I use 2 laces. If 1 lace is untied, the other lace will still hold it although the gps will be dangling loh....by that time you will be able to notice it. Besides, if you are still using the FZ1, you will notice that our handle bar at the centre is not totally rounded. So when you tie it down there, the gps is resting on 3 points. Very stable wan. In fact, I've now found a better place: rest the gps on the meters and lean against the windscreen. Use the laces to go through the ventilation holes at the windscreen and tie it to the mirror stem.

 

 

Tats a good idea , cos i was thinking of fabricating a bracket for the gps .

[rayhunter]

have u tot of using it and then it suddenly rain

 

will get it wrap up with ziplock bags..

[worean]

To All GPS Gurus,,,Need help to install map on E-Trex Lagend.Bought A set From Forumer few months back(set +cable) with jb map install.As I'm using a mac ,find it difficult and do not know how

to load map frm malsing.thanks In Advanced....i can be contacted on 93371804

[MiddleAgedBiker]

To All GPS Gurus,,,Need help to install map on E-Trex Lagend.Bought A set From Forumer few months back(set +cable) with jb map install.As I'm using a mac ,find it difficult and do not know how

to load map frm malsing.thanks In Advanced....i can be contacted on 93371804

 

I'm with you man! I'm a newbie too and spent hours trying to understand what to do, GPS is damn cheem for beginners like us. Very very intimidating for gadget dummy like me....

 

Anyway mine is Zumo so I don't know if it'll be the same, but what I had to do is buy a SD card, insert into my Zumo, plug it to my PC using USB cable and I see the SD card as a removable drive in WinXP, create a subfolder called Garmin and copy the .img file of the free map there. I don't think there's much difference between Mac and PC beside how you access stuff on the SD card in Mac's OS. As long as you know how to do that, everything else should work the same.

 

Then there are other add-ins. You can create a subfolder called Poi in the Garmin folder and copy the red-light camera files (I think it's .gdb), ERP files and speed trap files into there.

 

You can read everything when you go to http://www.malsingmaps, then just click on the Wiki link. The links to the red light camera, ERP files and speed trap stuff is outdated, so make sure you follow the "superseded" forum thread they paste above.

 

That's all I know for now, hope this helps.

[Demon]

To All GPS Gurus,,,Need help to install map on E-Trex Lagend.Bought A set From Forumer few months back(set +cable) with jb map install.As I'm using a mac ,find it difficult and do not know how

to load map frm malsing.thanks In Advanced....i can be contacted on 93371804

 

 

Can you confirm if yours is "Legend" or "Legend C" ?

 

If it's Legend, it's not a color screen, and it interfaces with the PC using serial cable. You can use the malsing maps because of its limited internal memory - only 8mb. The latest malsing "free' map is about 16mb.

 

If yours is Legend C or later (ie, Cx, HCx), pm me, can get it done in under 30 secs.

 

[worean]

yup mine is just the legend with 8mb on board.did try using my office pc(win xp)to connect with the serial cable but there's nothing shown on pc screen.Do i need A driver for that?or is it just plug n play(serial to set)....I'm so .blur..blur

[worean]

I'm with you man! I'm a newbie too and spent hours trying to understand what to do, GPS is damn cheem for beginners like us. Very very intimidating for gadget dummy like me....

 

Anyway mine is Zumo so I don't know if it'll be the same, but what I had to do is buy a SD card, insert into my Zumo, plug it to my PC using USB cable and I see the SD card as a removable drive in WinXP, create a subfolder called Garmin and copy the .img file of the free map there. I don't think there's much difference between Mac and PC beside how you access stuff on the SD card in Mac's OS. As long as you know how to do that, everything else should work the same.

 

Then there are other add-ins. You can create a subfolder called Poi in the Garmin folder and copy the red-light camera files (I think it's .gdb), ERP files and speed trap files into there.

 

You can read everything when you go to http://www.malsingmaps, then just click on the Wiki link. The links to the red light camera, ERP files and speed trap stuff is outdated, so make sure you follow the "superseded" forum thread they paste above.

 

That's all I know for now, hope this helps.

 

Thanks a lot....bro.had in mind in getting something like this ,i mean one with SD card..heard its a lot easier to upload maps e.t.c.