Garmin Portable GPS - Will they work on the Spyders ?

[Motogordo]

I have the portable Garmin that I use in my cars. Will they also work on the Spyders ?

Gordon

Aug 13, 2011,
I want to thank all of you for the info. I will try to figure out a place to put the suction cup bracket. All I need is a small flat surface, but I didn't notice any. I haven't tried sticking it on the inside of the windshield yet. As far as 12 volts dc hookup , unfortunately there is no power source up front, only in the rear trunk. Of course I could hook one up to the battery connections or fuse box.
Gordon

 

[mike3069]

Yes

 

[NancysToy]

They will work nicely, with the right mount, but most are not waterproof. Some also don't care for the vibration. I use a Nuvi 550, which is an automotive unit, but it is waterproof. No audio output to the speakers or helmet, though.

 

[Dragonrider]

Indeed they will work, but I bought a used Zumo 550, because I could hit the buttons with gloves on. I never use audio, don't have or want intercom or voice commands -

 

[billybovine]

yes they work

Yes they work and can be an economical way to go ( read cheap) but with limited features. I took the garmin 255w from my car ( recently Tiger Direct had them on sale for 79.95 ). Ordered the Ram mount bits, pieces and power cable from GPS City for about 60.00. Add about an hour to install, most of that to hook up and route the power cable. Of course it is not waterproof and you can't hear instructions when your moving at highway speeds. At city speeds I can hear that it is saying something and will look down and see if it is warning me of a red light camera or a speed trap. If someone decides that they need it more than you it is cheap to replace.

 

[gmacd77]

GPS Install

Yes they work and can be an economical way to go ( read cheap) but with limited features. I took the garmin 255w from my car ( recently Tiger Direct had them on sale for 79.95 ). Ordered the Ram mount bits, pieces and power cable from GPS City for about 60.00. Add about an hour to install, most of that to hook up and route the power cable. Of course it is not waterproof and you can't hear instructions when your moving at highway speeds. At city speeds I can hear that it is saying something and will look down and see if it is warning me of a red light camera or a speed trap. If someone decides that they need it more than you it is cheap to replace.

I just installed a Magellan Maestro 4050 on my 2011 RT. I used the Can-am mount and cable ($150) which allowed me to hear the voice instructions from my gps and also hear calls from my Bluetooth cell phone. The gps instructions and cell phone calls mute the radio and come through the speakers. All I had to do is buy a 3.5 extension cord at Radio Shack and plug the male end into my gps's headset socket and the female connects to the Cam-Am's cable. As long as your gps has a headset input and Bluetooth it will work as good as the Garmin Zumo the factory puts on the LTD.

 

[AndyIsRiding]

I use a Garmin car GPS, I just carry a small plastic bag in the "glove-box" in case of rain.

Works great

 

[StanProff]

garmin mount on Rt

I used automotive 3M weather stripping glue and glued the garmin ball mount suction cup to the center of the handlebars (same location of the factory mount). this glue is tough! It is like welded to the metel. I don't intend to remove the mount as I simply bought another suction mount for the car at Target. I have ordered another garmin 500 that is waterproof to use on the bike (279.00 on line from target). the mount is solid, not sure if I could get it off if I wanted to. I powered a plug direct from the battery (inline fuse) and velcroed it in place under the seat and run the wire up through the panels and out near the handlebar to the garmin. Word of caution, the hot battery bolt will back out fine for you to put a spade on it. Don't try this with the negative side! The nut on the bottom is not fastened to anything and if you try to remove the bolt it will loosen a little and that's it. the bolt and nut both turn then you will have a good time trying to get it tight again. A real pain. I just drilled the negative spade that connects the cable to the bolt, it is flat metal for about a half inch before the cable is crimped to it. plenty of space to run a screw in to secure the wire to.

 

[billybovine]

Voltage?

I used automotive 3M weather stripping glue and glued the garmin ball mount suction cup to the center of the handlebars (same location of the factory mount). this glue is tough! It is like welded to the metel. I don't intend to remove the mount as I simply bought another suction mount for the car at Target. I have ordered another garmin 500 that is waterproof to use on the bike (279.00 on line from target). the mount is solid, not sure if I could get it off if I wanted to. I powered a plug direct from the battery (inline fuse) and velcroed it in place under the seat and run the wire up through the panels and out near the handlebar to the garmin. Word of caution, the hot battery bolt will back out fine for you to put a spade on it. Don't try this with the negative side! The nut on the bottom is not fastened to anything and if you try to remove the bolt it will loosen a little and that's it. the bolt and nut both turn then you will have a good time trying to get it tight again. A real pain. I just drilled the negative spade that connects the cable to the bolt, it is flat metal for about a half inch before the cable is crimped to it. plenty of space to run a screw in to secure the wire to.

You did not say where you got the harness from that steps down the voltage from the spyders 12-14V to the garmins required 5V.

 

[Motogordo]

Garmin 255W

Yes they work and can be an economical way to go ( read cheap) but with limited features. I took the garmin 255w from my car ( recently Tiger Direct had them on sale for 79.95 ). Ordered the Ram mount bits, pieces and power cable from GPS City for about 60.00. Add about an hour to install, most of that to hook up and route the power cable. Of course it is not waterproof and you can't hear instructions when your moving at highway speeds. At city speeds I can hear that it is saying something and will look down and see if it is warning me of a red light camera or a speed trap. If someone decides that they need it more than you it is cheap to replace.

I also installed the Garmin 255W , but on my 2006 Honda Goldwing. There just aren't a lot of places to put them on the RTS. A 12 volt accessory outlet up front would sure help. I can still use the Garmin, and just put it on one of the flat surfaces and keep it charged in the trunk until ready to use.
Gordon

 

[murphybrown]

Prepared & On my Future I WANT list

I have had a 12v installed on my RT "dash"...waiting for the GPS to rise to the top of my "I Want" list. Elka shocks next then GPS...:thumbup: Getting ready to buy rear tire...that will be #2...hmmm must be something about all those miles (20k)...:thumbup: