I was gonna stir the GPS pot, but then it disappeared, so here's a new pot to stir

[CyncySpyder]

There once was a thread about why so many ppl needed a GPS. One poster commented that the Original Poster must just be interested in just stirring the pot, and soon after, the thread was deleted, while I spent 20 minutes of writing my own post to add to the pot. Since I didn't get to add my flavoring to that original pot, I decided to make my own, so here goes.

No surprise here, seems I'm bass ackwards than most,
as I got a GPS not to PREVENT Teddy & I from getting lost as much as

:clap:I love having a GPS so I CAN get lost :clap:
(and found)

On the Zumo 665 & I would think most others, you can customize the settings to show more detail or less, & customize your route to avoid highways & take all back roads and can also zoom in or zoom out on an area to see whats around. We usually ryde without setting a destination (unless on a road-trip) and by doing this, Teddy & I have found so many Awesome roads that I never would have found before, through just looking at the GPS & all the roads that are around us that we may have never taken before & especially some fantastic Twisties.
(Arntufun & Holly can atest to that)


And on that note, with having our Zumo mounted to the top of the dash & in direct line of site on Teds Red Sled, when we get to the beginning of a Twisty stretch, I zoom in pretty close, and then its just like having a Heads Up Display Cheat Sheet of the next blind curve ahead that we might not be able to see, giving a valuable second or two to adjust for it, and allowing for some really exhilerating rydes :yes: to where without it,
:shocked:I would have to be more cautious:shocked:

OK, your turn to stir the GPS pot
:chat:​

 

[spyder3]

Did something bad go on with the previous thread? :dontknow: I must have missed it...thought it was interesting..

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

I'm with you. I have GPS in my car, bu 99% of the time I use it to know what street or bend is up ahead, or to find alternate routes. I get lost pretty easy, so it'll be a definite worth while add on to our Spyder, when I get the bare necessities dealt with

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bob Denman]

I can get lost in a phone booth. (Remember them?) Since I'm normally not going anywhere particularly important, I just consider the off-route excursions as a bonus!

 

[wyliec]

I'm the guilty party that CyncySpyder was referring to. I expressed my opinion as others have done and offer no apology; as firefly might say, I'm fresh out of sugar. If you want to know why the original post was removed, you'd have to contact Lamont.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Just had a request for info, so thought I'd publicly share Teddys GPS Mounting tips

Q: Just wondering how you mounted your gps and how you have it wired? The ones mounted via my local dealer have not had the best outcomes, but then again they were the brp add on.

A: I did (with a buddies help) all the GPS mounting & wiring myself, being a working stiff, I couldn't afford BRPs premium. Got a $30 3" Ram mount with one base from BassProShops, (tho you can easily get them from GPSCITY.com) & used that to mount it to the top of the dash so its in direct view, without having to look down. Much better (IMHO) than BRPs placement, in between the handle bars. I notched a little relief inbetween the two lips of the top dash peices and ran the power cable down to where I unplugged the analogue gauges. If you unplug them, they show up on the LCD screen of the RT & (IMHO) are easier to read & more accurate. I then routed a 6' audio cable from the Garmin wiring harness back to the RTs stereo & hooked it in to there using Posi-taps, as with the power, that way nothing had to be cut/solderd & can always be undone if needed. Works great for us.

Hope this helps anyone else that may want to do this on their own. Just an FYI about costs:

I was able to get the Zumo 665 (which includes XM) late last year, on sale, refurbished for less than $685. I Did have an issue with the unit about a month after recieving, covered under warranty and was sent a brand new unit in replacement.

The Ram mount, I picked up at a local Bass Pro Shops for about $30.

6 foot audio cable extension from Radio Shack for $6.

So, for a little over $700 we got the step up from BRPs Zumo 660 (665) that they want close to $1200, not a bad savings for a DIY job if you ask me (or Teddy:thumbup

 

[Camdenlake]

I use my GPS to find new cool routes. Worked last night great. Told it no highways, no toll roads ect.. and took the coolest route back home on all secondary or less roads (no gravel by fluke i think). Werid part was i beat the wife home who took the multilane highway???


Josh

 

[Yazz]

Navigationally challenged...

For as long as Hubby and I have been touring together, we have used maps. Hubby is the navigator, and I'm the pace setter. Hubby is analytical and goal setting, I just like to ryde and will do so on whatever road is in front of me. When a turn-off comes up, Hubby will pass me, lead onto the turn and I follow. This team-work got us many places and back in good time, without getting lost.

Fast forward to me doing road trips by myself. Went to Cuba a couple times and Gatlinburg using maps. Highways get boring after a while so decided to take the scenic route once using Droid for navigation. Got lost in Arkansas for a day with no clue where I was. The road I was on was not even on the map. Not a good feeling...

Got a Zummo 660 and Spyderfest '12 was her maiden voyage. Left from Austin vs my usual route from Houston so had no clue what the route was going to be like. It was so refreshing to relax, enjoy the ride and let someone else do the navigating. Ended up where I wanted to be, going on new roads.

IMHO, it depends on how your mind works if a map or GPS works best for you.

 

[arntufun]

I have a GPS so I can pretend that I own an RT. :roflblack:


BTW..........

 

[Bob Denman]

How's your stereo working out?? :shocked: :roflblack:
"A hundred bottles of beer on the wall..."

 

[spyder3]

I have a GPS so I can pretend that I own an RT. :roflblack:


BTW..........


View attachment 46814

yes:roflblack:

 

[spyder3]

Q: Just wondering how you mounted your gps and how you have it wired? The ones mounted via my local dealer have not had the best outcomes, but then again they were the brp add on.

A: I did (with a buddies help) all the GPS mounting & wiring myself, being a working stiff, I couldn't afford BRPs premium. Got a $30 3" Ram mount with one base from BassProShops, (tho you can easily get them from GPSCITY.com) & used that to mount it to the top of the dash so its in direct view, without having to look down. Much better (IMHO) than BRPs placement, in between the handle bars. I notched a little relief inbetween the two lips of the top dash peices and ran the power cable down to where I unplugged the analogue gauges. If you unplug them, they show up on the LCD screen of the RT & (IMHO) are easier to read & more accurate. I then routed a 6' audio cable from the Garmin wiring harness back to the RTs stereo & hooked it in to there using Posi-taps, as with the power, that way nothing had to be cut/solderd & can always be undone if needed. Works great for us.

Hope this helps anyone else that may want to do this on their own. Just an FYI about costs:

I was able to get the Zumo 665 (which includes XM) late last year, on sale, refurbished for less than $685. I Did have an issue with the unit about a month after recieving, covered under warranty and was sent a brand new unit in replacement.

The Ram mount, I picked up at a local Bass Pro Shops for about $30.

6 foot audio cable extension from Radio Shack for $6.

So, for a little over $700 we got the step up from BRPs Zumo 660 (665) that they want close to $1200, not a bad savings for a DIY job if you ask me (or Teddy:thumbup
View attachment 46808View attachment 46809View attachment 46810View attachment 46811View attachment 46812

Cyncy, I just ordered a 665 to replace my 660(which i have no issues with at all, just want the xm + in a neat package). I just watched a video and it looks like the entire bike needs to be taken apart to install the new wiring harness. Is that the case?:gaah:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Yup, for the most part, there's no real way around it

Cyncy, I just ordered a 665 to replace my 660(which i have no issues with at all, just want the xm + in a neat package). I just watched a video and it looks like the entire bike needs to be taken apart to install the new wiring harness. Is that the case?:gaah:

If you want the audio to be able to come thru the RTs system, you'll have to take most the tupperware off to get to the radio head unit to connect into & thats above the rear right saddle bag. But look at it this way, the more you "undress" your Spyder, the easier & faster it becomes :thumbup:

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

Cyncy,

Is this what you ordered?

http://www.basspro.com/RAM-Mounts-Universal-GPS-Ball-and-Socket-Dash-Mounts/product/98432/96737

 

[bone crusher]

There once was a thread about why so many ppl needed a GPS. One poster commented that the Original Poster must just be interested in just stirring the pot, and soon after, the thread was deleted, while I spent 20 minutes of writing my own post to add to the pot. Since I didn't get to add my flavoring to that original pot, I decided to make my own, so here goes.

No surprise here, seems I'm bass ackwards than most,
as I got a GPS not to PREVENT Teddy & I from getting lost as much as

:clap:I love having a GPS so I CAN get lost :clap:
(and found)

On the Zumo 665 & I would think most others, you can customize the settings to show more detail or less, & customize your route to avoid highways & take all back roads and can also zoom in or zoom out on an area to see whats around. We usually ryde without setting a destination (unless on a road-trip) and by doing this, Teddy & I have found so many Awesome roads that I never would have found before, through just looking at the GPS & all the roads that are around us that we may have never taken before & especially some fantastic Twisties.
(Arntufun & Holly can atest to that)


And on that note, with having our Zumo mounted to the top of the dash & in direct line of site on Teds Red Sled, when we get to the beginning of a Twisty stretch, I zoom in pretty close, and then its just like having a Heads Up Display Cheat Sheet of the next blind curve ahead that we might not be able to see, giving a valuable second or two to adjust for it, and allowing for some really exhilerating rydes :yes: to where without it,
:shocked:I would have to be more cautious:shocked:

OK, your turn to stir the GPS pot
:chat:​

That's a funny joke when you say you look at the GPS when you're going around twisties to see what lies ahead...I was LOL when I saw that!

 

[Bob Denman]

That's a funny joke when you say you look at the GPS when you're going around twisties to see what lies ahead...I was LOL when I saw that!

Gee... I was imagining if such a person was coming at me... :shocked: :yikes:

 

[kinggeek]

It is easy.

Cyncy, I just ordered a 665 to replace my 660(which i have no issues with at all, just want the xm + in a neat package). I just watched a video and it looks like the entire bike needs to be taken apart to install the new wiring harness. Is that the case?:gaah:

A lot does need to be taken off but it is not hard, the instructions are great. Do yourself a favor and mount it up high like Dave & Teddy and I have it. It will save you from doing it twice.

This is what you will need:

2 - https://www.gpscity.com/ramb347
1 - http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-med...am-b-201u.html

You will need screws and nuts to attach it all but these are the Ram parts you need. I also used a 1/4" thick black foam rubber material under the mount on the dash. I makes the flat Ram mount fit more snuggly to the curved dash.

 

[spyder3]

A lot does need to be taken off but it is not hard, the instructions are great. Do yourself a favor and mount it up high like Dave & Teddy and I have it. It will save you from doing it twice.

This is what you will need:

2 - https://www.gpscity.com/ramb347
1 - http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-med...am-b-201u.html

You will need screws and nuts to attach it all but these are the Ram parts you need. I also used a 1/4" thick black foam rubber material under the mount on the dash. I makes the flat Ram mount fit more snuggly to the curved dash.

Thanks King, I am actually very comfortable where it is on the bars since i listen to it in my helmet more than I look at it. THe video i watched says you have to take out the headlight and just about everything else to fed the wiring through.....way above my pay grade....but I'm still going to consider trying it:dontknow: If i only need a hammer i'm good tool wise:gaah:

 

[NancysToy]

I generally use the GPS to navigate accurately and quickly in unknown territory...especially on long trips, or to home in on a particular address when I am alone, and can't read Google trip directions and ride/drive. Your post does bring up some other good uses, though. For instance, "GPS Roulette". Set the GPS to avoid highways, then pick a spot on the map at random. Say "Go", and you get to drive some interesting roads to that destination. Another variation is to just ride around exploring aimlessly, then tell the GPS to take you home...in time for supper. I also have used the GPS as a map, without directions, just to show what the road ahead does. This was especially useful in the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway last year. It's nice to know a sharp curve is ahead when you are riding an unknown road. It also makes it easier to find the landmarks off the beaten path that you didn't want to miss. I resisted the devices for a long time, being accustomed to maps, but the GPS technology has spoiled me. I like it, and I still can get lost when I want to. Easier than a trail of breadcrumbs to follow back home, though.

 

[Doodah]

Some of my more interesting rides have been coming home after getting lost. Besides setting it to avoid highways, set it to "shortest distance". That'll sometimes take you through areas you would have never thought to try.