gps By curiousgeorge (Read 606 times)

[curiousgeorge]

hey guys, do you know of a good universal gps mount for a scooter that will be sturdy? and also do you guys think that if i have a gps mount on my scooter it will make thieves more likely to try to break into it?

[vintner]

The problem with a scooter is where and how to mount a GPS. You can't mount it on the handlebars like you could on a motorcycle since a lot of scooters have the handlebars under plastic. If there was an open area, there are plenty of mounting options for on the handlebars.

I bought a mount from Amazon (I love Amazon, I should be a part owner as much as I have bought through them). I have it mounted on the mirror shaft. I bought a model that has a water resistant case that fits onto that mount. I can use that case or my cell phone auto dock. I have only done a couple rides with the GPS or cell phone mounted, but they are secure and didn't cause any problems while riding.

As far as theft, I don't know. The GPS can be removed and hidden, the mount is visible but not obvious. I don't know that it will be any worse than not having the mount showing.

[jct842]

I bought a cheep tom tom for my majesty. Never mounted it. I did test it in my car. You can't see the screen during the day with out shielding it from the sun. I have a hand held garmin and you can expand it to find where you are in relation to say state borders but you can't do that with the one for the car so having it is pointless for me. I wanted one to see where I was, (during the day) not where I was going to, so it sits some where in my shop. john

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks guys, vintner could you link me to the case you speak of?

[vintner]

One I got was ARKON SM032 BICYCLE & MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBAR MOUNT WITH WATER-RESISTANT CASE FOR SMARTPHONES
www.amazon.com/BICYCLE-MOTORCYCLE-HANDLEBAR-WATER-RESISTANT-SMARTPHONES/dp/B004PFG6TU/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1347673887&sr=1-1&keywords=arkon+sm032+bicycle+%26+motorcycle+handlebar+mount+with+water-resistant+case+for+smartphones

Plus-Fits my Droid and my Garmin.
Minus-Plastic front screen is very reflective, so bright sun can be a problem.

Also mentioned, the smartphone car dock allows the smartphone to be used which doesn't have as much sun glare, but there is no sun shielding so you can't eliminate sun glare.

[jct842]

Its not the plastic front that is going to be a problem, its that a gps designed to use in a car doesn't have enough brightness to use it in bright sunlight. If you can get some one that has a nice bright one for a car see if they can get it out the window so that it is in bright sunlight and see if you can see it. If you can read it thats the one to buy./


There are gps's that are designed for a motorcycle, last I checked they run in the3-$400 and more price bracket.

[daddue11]

I've got an old Magellan Meridian Gold hand held gps with the large screen and I bought the handlebar mount with the case from gpscity online. It shows up perfect in the daylight and you can adjust it how you want,but I also have the bare handlebars space.

[NickPappagiorgio]

I posted my setup on another board. I used the part below which I separated and only used the ball. So I used the GPS mount and pressed in onto the ball which I mounted in a fixed position on the handlebars. I don't have an issue with sun, I turned up the brightness and regularly use this as my speedo.

I found this attachment from GPScity for $5 + $2 S/H which has a removable ball (17 mm)
Model: Garmin Nuvi AMPS Adapter Mount
Part No: 010-10969-00

Read more: scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=tipsandtricks&thread=53465&page=1#ixzz26YQUhDOW

[curiousgeorge]

Vintner, does that securely fit to the thin stem for the mirrors?

[vintner]

It fits fine on the stem but I did add more padding to make it fit. I had considered cutting the housing over the handlebars to add it properly, but I am glad I didn't.

But the more I use the case, the more disappointed in the plastic front. While I will agree with JCT842 (somewhat), a GPS may not be super bright, however, I can see the GPS when it is not in the case. I went on a 165 miles scooter ride today and used my cell phone because I couldn't get the GPS power working with the scooter. I got home fine, so it was bright enough for me.
This model I own may not be your best choice because of the case.

Couple things to think of as you look for your model:
You need to look your equipment (GPS or cell phone) size. What will match it?
The hardware you buy needs to hold your electronics secure. Not only does it need to grab it, it can't shake loose when going over bumps. Anything that can shake should have hardware that backs it up (rope or nuts that secure pieces together).
Do you currently have any hardware that you may want to use and just need mating hardware? Maybe you only need pieces to make the system. That is essentially what I have done with my case and what NickP looks like he is doing also. Good way to go if you have the other hardware.

Couple things I learned today:
Need to add power for GPS or cell phones. I am looking into adding a 12V power outlet as well as learning what the USB connector on the scoot will do for me.
Need to look at adding something to the seat for those longer rides. Fun ride, but got a little tough at the end of the ride.

[relsky]

I had a different cause for a similar need. My speedometer is very inaccurate, so I decided to use a speedometer app on my phone (could be used for gps, just as easily).

I just used an old belt clip for my phone that I had laying around, secured to the left side handlebar just above the controls with a zip tie. If the zip tie were black instead of blue, it would look like it was made to be there. And when I park I can simply remove the phone from the clip.

It's probably not the safest (the belt clip is hooked on to the brake line, with the zip tie securing it, but I honestly don't see a problem with it) but it works extremely well.

And come to find out, my speedometer is a consistent 12-14 mph off!

EDIT: Let me know what you find about adding a 12v outlet or a usb outlet (12v more versatile, I would think). Having the gps running on my phone sucks it dry in just a few hours.

[Bashan]

Here is an old thread on GPS mounts, and here is an idea from Kiwiscoot.