Modern Vespa

So can these be used as an automotive gps? If so what are the pros and cons of using it as such?

It's all good - just need a waterproof case, a bit of padding to protect it from the bumps and some rubber bands or elastic to professionally mount it to the handle-bars.

oops - damn thats big !!

Thanks for the monster sized picture :p

I now know why you should not use a windscreen you cannot see over! If you were riding, you cannot see through this windscreen. This photo should be shown to all that think its OK to ride behind a "shower door".

Loving the tape and wadded towel look... not!

Shrink Ray applied to image.

Looks like a chilly day. Is that snow on the bottom portion of the windshield?

I have and have used the Garmin Map 60CSx mounted on my past three scooters.
Now it is mounted on my GTS 250.

All you need is a RAM mounting system and a cradle.

You can also buy a kit to mount it on the dash of your car.

I used a hand-sized/hiker's GPS on my scooter (a Magellan Meridian) for a while. I can't really recommend it as a direction/navigator tool. In map mode the screen is too small to use while riding (read dangerous). My primary use of it was as a speedometer/compass. Of, course the Magellan is old technology, but I don't think even the newer models give audible directions. Generally speaking the car GPS is less expensive than the hiker models (probably because they're not water-proof, but you can use waterproof cases or plastic bags for them). Consider your secondary usage- if you actually do hike or have a hiker GPS already, go for it - the mounting is fairly cheap, but if you just want one for wandering around a new city I think the car versions are a good choice.

With a name like Oregon it should come with a waterproof case standard

1C with snow and rain. I had to tape up the muffs to keep out the cold. Couldn't work in that kinda weather without a full screen.

Here's my RAM mount for my Garmin 60CX. This is the RAM-B-149Z-GA12U from Amazon.com. It sells for $28.80 for the complete kit with free shipping.
Here are some pics. Sorry for the bad quality. Something happened when I resized them and I didn't save the originals.


The GPS showing a map.


The GPS showing Trip Odometer, Speed, and Max Speed. These fields are customizable.


A view of the RAM mount without the GPS.


Another view. These mounts are almost all metal and hold the GPS very solidly. The installation would have only taken 5 minutes or so, but I cut off the u-bolt a little so the rubber caps would fit down against the nuts.

So these handheld units will not be able to do text to speech, turn by turn, and other things the Car version have?

Or are these all that those are, and more, just in a smaller package?

Also the idea of the kind of battery life these get off of AA rechargeables is nice.

Hey Danny, how well can you navigate with the GPS. Does it give you directions on the screen or only the map??

Thanks!

Yes, it gives very good directions. Before the turn text will come up at the top of the screen above the map and the unit beeps. Then a close-up of the map with the direction of turn highlighted comes up. As you get closer to the turn it beeps and shows on the screen what you need to do.
Fields at the top of the screen are customizable, too. You can set them for speed, elevation, distance to next turn, distance to destination, time to destination, time to next turn, direction of travel, and more. The thing is really very versatile, much more so than the TomTom I use in the car. The only thing lacking is voice prompts. It's also water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes).

That's with the 60Cx??!!? I have the same unit. Couldn't stomach spending an extra fifty bucks for the CSx, of which the only "upgrade" of any note is the electronic compass. I'll have to get out the manual and see how you can navigate with this thing.

Oh, and thanks for the link/tip on the Amazon/Ram kit. I'll place my order tomorrow.

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Oh, to answer the other question ... the Garmin 60Cx and the 60CSx takes two AA batteries. I use the Energizer Lithium e2 batteries and I think the specs state one can get about 18 hours from a set.

Oh. Let me clarify. This is with the Garmin City Navigator maps installed. They're pricey, but worth it. Without these maps the GPS is pretty dumb as far as door to door navigation. The built-in maps are very basic. It's great for hiking and stuff like that, but for street use, I'd advise splurging for the better maps.

I have a 60CS that I'm no longer using since I upgraded to a Nuvi a couple of years ago. If anyone is interested in it just PM me and we can chat. I'll let it go for well below retail.

I'm interested. I teach "Map Interpretation and GPS" at the local community college and if the price is right, I could use an extra unit. With the state budget, I have to purchase my own units for use in the field work portion of the class. PM sent.

Well, I'll be. I picked up an older version from REI for $25 last year, but haven't done much with it yet. I'm slightly bummed that it is a CD version instead of the micro SD version. I'll have to dig it out and see if I can install it.

A trail-type handheld GPS is a good option for the scoot. My experience:

1) Screen brightness. The Garmin 60 series is a nice bright display and is highly recommended. I have a Garmin Oregon 400t and the display is dim and hard to read on the bike in most lighting conditions.

2) The handhelds navigate, but they don't come close to replicating the experience of the automotive dashtop type units. It's a small screen and there are no voice instructions so you are constantly trying to "read" the little screen.

3) Cost of the handhelds are much higher than the automobile dashtop models. The motorcycle specific Zumo is sweet since it offers the waterproofness of the handhelds and the capabilities of the dashtops but it's really expensive.

Too bad someone doesn't come up with a waterproof case for an automotive type unit that includes a bike mounting bracket! It would essentiall make any unit a "Zumo".

Thanks for the answer Danny! One last one: does it automatically recalculate the route if you get off your route?

do these handhelds have a headphone jack so you could listen to the directions and just put the gps in your pocket or something while riding?

Yes, rather quickly. I think it actually recalculates faster than my TomTom. Sorry, no jack on the Garmin 60cx. There wouldn't be much use for one, as there are no voice prompts, just single and double beeps letting you know a turn is upcoming.

Thanks Danny! Seems like a good upgrade from my etrex vista!!!