I was thinking about getting a gps unit or maybe just using an iphone app. I've never owned a gps so I don't have a clue on where to start for something motorcycle-friendly. It would be cool if there were one that worked with gloves on. What are you all using these days?

I use my phone, paired with a Bluetooth system in my helmet. (I have a Uclear Bluetooth system)...
This thread linked below has my phone setup - love it... Its on my bike everytime I go out, not just for GPS, but music always and calls on occasion.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=64338.0

- Bboy

I use a Garmin Montana Handheld on all my bikes with a Ram mounting system, it does what I want.

get a phone handlebar mount and voila! easiest and cheapest option

I mounted my GPS between the spedometer/tachometer and the windshield (GS500F). This way I can see it without moving my head when I look at the road ahead.
At first I had it attached on a velcro on the top of the gas tank, but that was far from perfect: I got a lot of glare, and I had to look down to see the directions. Now it's much better in both respects.
I'm using a Garmin nuvi 255W. It works OK. I can control it with my gloves on, but it had this weird thing to it - whenever I bottom up the front fork, the associated shock makes it lose the directions. I mean - it still shows me the road ahead, but forgets where I wanted to go. I can fix that quikly with just a few taps on the screen (go to recent destination).

I was thinking about putting the unit on the handlebar, but then it would get all the moisture when I ride and potentially be hit by a car/truck mirror when I split lanes. Also in CA you can easily get a ticket when you mount anything that could 'obstruct your field of view'. People get tickets for small parking permits hanging on their rear-view mirror inside their cars, or GPS units mounted on the windshield...

Another advantage of having my GPS right below my windshield is that it doesn't get wet when I ride in the rain.

If you plan to use your GPS on long trips - I stronly recommend getting a 12V socket. I mounted mine in the front of the bike, on the side of the front fairing (right under the right handlebar, making sure that whatever I plug into it, won't obstruct my movements). Make sure you get one with in-line fuse, like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BIUKLI/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's what I did.  I simply got a "cushion clamp" and attached it to the center of the handlebars.  To that I attached the mounting bracket that comes with the Garmin GPS.

I attached some wires to the battery (+) and (-) and brought those wires out to the frame.   I made a connector using Anderson Power Pole connectors.  The other side of the connection goes back under the seat to the Garmin adapter which changes 12 volts to 5 volts to operate the GPS...then I ran this wire along the frame and up to the handle bars, following existing wiring.  This ends in a micro USB connector which fits the Garmin GPS.

The beauty here is the simplicity...no giant Ram mounts...not a lot of exposed wires....no stupid giant cigarette lighter socket and plug.

Also, the Anderson connection that goes to the battery...this is where I attach my Battery Tender Jr to top up the battery during winter or times of not riding enough.

The GPS is shielded from light rain...if it rains heavy, I just un-clip and put in luggage, or pocket.

The GPS was one of the cheapest available at Wal Mart...like $120...don't see the need for a $400 "motorcycle GPS"  This GPS has worked perfectly...vibrations and all...

PS...I attached photos..but don't know if they come up on the message...I may need help in figuring out how to put photos into the text of the message like everybody else does

Cookie





[attachment deleted by admin]

Wow..it looks like the photos came out OK...kinda big...but you can see what I did

Cookie

Oh...just figured out something....if you right click on an image, and then click "view image"  it shows you the full image...uncropped...fit to the screen!

Cookie
(not a computer guy)

Oh yeah..one more thing...you have to put in an "in line" fuse...right after the hot lead  to the battery...otherwise if something shorts...you're gonna blow the battery or start a fire or something.

Cookie

Quote from: twocool on June 06, 2014, 05:40:11 PM
no stupid giant cigarette lighter socket and plug.

12V socket is not super small, I agree, but it's all hidden inside my fairing so I don't care (the cap that protects it from the rain is flush with the fairing). I don't think it's stupid either, because I can always plug something else in there, like my phone or camera charger. You can always get 12V-2xUSB adapter that plugs into the 'stupid giant cigarette ligheter socket', that is also almost flush with the fairing when plugged in, and now you can power a couple of things at the same time.

Quote from: twocool on June 06, 2014, 05:40:11 PM
Also, the Anderson connection that goes to the battery...this is where I attach my Battery Tender Jr to top up the battery during winter or times of not riding enough.
The GPS was one of the cheapest available at Wal Mart...like $120...don't see the need for a $400 "motorcycle GPS"

Once you go with a Li-ion battery, you can sell your tender and forget about battery maintenance once and forever
And yeah - these GPS units are cheap. I got mine for $25 on craigslist

Whatever suits you!....

EVERYTHING I own..I have changed to Anderson power pole connector...so everything is compatible with everything else...like batteries and chargers, cell phone, GPS, all my model airplanes, helicopters, even my "real" airplane batteries, radios, flight computer,  chargers, any accessory for my car uses the same,  etc.......all use Anderson power pole connectors..

Just way smaller and more streamlined than having to put the cigarette lighter hardware onto your bike.......

So for example, I could throw a mini model heli into my seat pack, ride down to the park and fly the model, and recharge right from the Motorcycle.....

My flying club also adopted this standard, so we can switch equipment among all 80 members!

Back when I had the OEM battery this plug set came in handy for charging the battery...now I have a "fancy battery" but  it works both ways...I can use the same plug to charge other stuff...

My main point is that the way I installed the GPS looks "clean"... wiring is mostly hidden, not a lot of exposed wires running all over, not a big clunky cigarette lighter and the associated large plug, and not a large Ram mount as most people have done...

The OP asked how people set up GPS..and mine is but one example.

The problem with my set up is you do need the expertise to install a 12v to 5 volt converter under the seat, along with an inline fuse.  If you use the Garmin cigarette lighter set up which comes with Garmin, the fuse and converter are "built into" the large clunky cigarette lighter plug...

Cookie

Quote from: jsyzdek on June 06, 2014, 11:06:35 PM

Quote from: twocool on June 06, 2014, 05:40:11 PM
no stupid giant cigarette lighter socket and plug.

12V socket is not super small, I agree, but it's all hidden inside my fairing so I don't care (the cap that protects it from the rain is flush with the fairing). I don't think it's stupid either, because I can always plug something else in there, like my phone or camera charger. You can always get 12V-2xUSB adapter that plugs into the 'stupid giant cigarette ligheter socket', that is also almost flush with the fairing when plugged in, and now you can power a couple of things at the same time.

Quote from: twocool on June 06, 2014, 05:40:11 PM
Also, the Anderson connection that goes to the battery...this is where I attach my Battery Tender Jr to top up the battery during winter or times of not riding enough.
The GPS was one of the cheapest available at Wal Mart...like $120...don't see the need for a $400 "motorcycle GPS"

Once you go with a Li-ion battery, you can sell your tender and forget about battery maintenance once and forever
And yeah - these GPS units are cheap. I got mine for $25 on craigslist

i use my phone. in my pocket with a single ear bud. no need to look away from the road.

I use the same GPS that I do in my car but find that glare sometimes is an issue depending on how you mount it.

Quote from: rexpepper651 on June 07, 2014, 08:30:58 AM
i use my phone. in my pocket with a single ear bud. no need to look away from the road.

Which is why I think this is a better idea and plus, no need to take your eyes off the road. I have trouble getting a helmet on without knocking the earbud off though.

Quote from: twocool on June 07, 2014, 02:59:06 AM
Whatever suits you!....

Exactly! I also like clean solutions, and 12V socket is just another standard. With the 12V to 2xUSB converter (that is almost fully contained in the plug) I have two standard connections out. All I'm saying, that calling it 'stupid' is just a notch too far. Piece brother! 

Quote from: twocool on June 07, 2014, 02:59:06 AM
My main point is that the way I installed the GPS looks "clean"... wiring is mostly hidden, not a lot of exposed wires running all over, not a big clunky cigarette lighter and the associated large plug, and not a large Ram mount as most people have done...

All wires run underneath the fairing and gas tank (alhough I do have a quick access to the fuse right under the seat). My rationale for keeping a second in-line fuse, is that there is 0.0001% chance the 12V plug will get shorted itself, when nothing is plugged in. I'd rather play it safe My battery gives 800A cranking current (according to ICE standards) and about 2400A short current (although this one is an estimate, I don't dare to try). I put fuses wherever I deem necessary.

obviously I'm from another (earlier) generation!!!

so the phone talks to you while you ride and tells you the directions to go?

What if you don't want to got the way the phone tells you?  What if yuo want to see there is a sharp S curve ahead? OR weird intersection...?


I like maps...I like to look at maps..the Garmin GPS is  a moving map...I like...I can't hear the nice lady in the GPS when I'm riding the bike...I don't like people talking to me from some little box while I'm riding.  I don't like telephones...I don't like telephones while I'm riding...

I ride to get away from things like telephones

When I ride I listen to the engine...I like

I listen to the wind...I like..

I don't like little gizmos stuck into my ears....I can't hear the engine or the wind with some little gizmo stuck into my ear...little gizmo in my ear makes my ear itch...

Cookie

Quote from: rexpepper651 on June 07, 2014, 08:30:58 AM
i use my phone. in my pocket with a single ear bud. no need to look away from the road.

Yup, I like listening to music when I drive (even use Bose noise cancelling headphones on long drives), but I don't like to hear anything but the engine and wind when I ride.

And I also like moving map. I can estimate the speed for the turn pretty well from the way it looks on the map. I do the same in my car, driving with my TomTom. Once you get used to the map, you can get a good feel for what to expect with just a quick glance.

Yes...driving car is no brainier...so music is Ok and nice to help pass the time.

But riding bike..if you do it correctly takes lots of concentration....no distractions..

Only glance at GPS, tach, speedo,  during "quiet" times...otherwise, eyes on road, listen to engine for shifts


If you get bored when riding bike...you're not trying hard enough...try taking turns faster, sharper, lean more, play with gears...take new route

have fun...

Cookie

Quote from: jsyzdek on June 07, 2014, 05:40:15 PM
Yup, I like listening to music when I drive (even use Bose noise cancelling headphones on long drives), but I don't like to hear anything but the engine and wind when I ride.

And I also like moving map. I can estimate the speed for the turn pretty well from the way it looks on the map. I do the same in my car, driving with my TomTom. Once you get used to the map, you can get a good feel for what to expect with just a quick glance.

I use my phone linked to a Bluetooth headset in my helmet. The Bluetooth I got was actually from China and was only about $25 shipped (I think?).

I installed a cigarette lighter plug under the seat and I replaced the master cylinder handlebar clamp with a Ram mount. On longer trips, I run the charging cable from under the seat to the top of my gas tank (magnetic tank bag holds the wire in place). On shorter trips that my phone won't need charged, I just keep my phone in my pocket. Oh yeah - the Ram mount that attaches to my phone (called the X clamp or something) gets transferred from the motorcycle to the bicycle and to my truck on a regular basis.

Twocool - the biggest difference I've noticed between car type GPS units and smart phones is when you miss a turn. On a car type GPS, it says something like "recalculating" and then it tells you where to go. My phone doesn't notify me of a missed turn.... it just gives me the next turn I need to take.

Quote from: Erika on June 06, 2014, 06:44:01 AM
I was thinking about getting a gps unit or maybe just using an iphone app. I've never owned a gps so I don't have a clue on where to start for something motorcycle-friendly. It would be cool if there were one that worked with gloves on. What are you all using these days?

software:
iphone = motionx
android = Locus Pro (or free, just fewer nice things like auto-zoom to speed), Sygic, Osmand+

the android options i listed work completely offline, no cellular data required, download a state wide VECTOR map which is tiny and highly detailed for free, right in the application

hardware:
ram mount
dry bag + velcro (about 10,000 miles this way, no issues)
otterbox
whoever, it's an iphone, EVERYONE makes waterproof enclosures for it

wiring:
KISS, it's just a plug, get it at walmart or spend a gazillion dollars, it's still only going to charge the phone




gps vs phone:
phone = always up to date, always available, different applications if you hate the way one works, just use a different app
gps = ancient, archaic, odd, small screens, expensive as hell, very few import/export options for sharing tracks/routes/waypoints/MAPS with friends

i'm surprised anyone still buys a standalone gps when locus does so much more so much better.

Soooo many options. I think I'm leaning towards using my iphone with a bluetooth earphone... I use Waze already and Google maps in my car. You all definitely gave me a bunch of ideas for mounting. I'm digging what Ram mounts have... like the X grip and options for mounting....

http://www.rammount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/MountingBases/tabid/4748/Default.aspx#RAM-B-252U

I also like the idea of using a battery tender hookup to charge the phone. I wonder if somebody makes a usb iphone connection for those. It does seem silly to use a cigarette lighter to make the connection.

I'll have to take some measurements today at the garage to make this happen.