Budget Motorcycle GPS
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- Опубліковано 22 гру 2016
- I bought a value-priced adventure motorcycle for a reason...I didn't have $25K to spend on the latest BMW GS1200 Adventure!
So when it came time to purchase a dedicated GPS unit for my bike, I wasn't about to spend $500-$1000 on one of the specialized Garmin Zumo GPS units designed specifically for motorcycles!
So here's how I made my own dedicated Budget Motorcycle GPS for $50 by modifying a Garmin Nuvi 1490!!!
Here are some links to the items I purchased:
- Cradle and Bike Mount: www.ebay.com/itm/151200945526 (No longer available!!!)
- New and Improved Version: amzn.to/36P0b8Q
- Cheaper Version: amzn.to/2CnqnJZ (I have not tested the quality of this unit!!!)
- Version with Protective Water Resistant Case Case: amzn.to/34Lwe7M
- Garmin 1490: buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/36082
- USB Cable (power for GPS): www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-5-Ft-USB2...
- Waterproof Power Port (Connected to the options plug and mounted under my seat. Both the mini-usb for gps power, and a micro-usb for Galaxy S7 power, are plugged into this unit.): www.ebay.com/itm/12V-USB-Cigar...
I also followed the instructions on this post to seal my Garmin 1490 from the elements using silicone: • How To Waterproof a Ga... .
Hope this helps someone else looking for a budget-oriented motorcycle navigation device.
You’re a man after my own heart. I had a car gps when I bought my bike. Gooped it up with silicone, clamped it on my bars. Used it for years, never regretted it!
HAHA!!! Thanks Lucky! Sounds like we're cut from the same cloth. :-) I hope you'll subscribe and check out some more of our videos!
I found me an auction tonight for that model and wanted to say thank you very much. for the 595 LM motorcycle specific they want $1,000 or so depending on where you buy it. Not paying more for a GPS than I did my first bike.
That's great, Aaron! Use the savings to put gas in your tank and take a cool trip!!!
I've been using a Garmin Nuvi 52 car GPS for years, rode Montana to AZ and across the USA twice with it velcroed to my phone mount. Easy to use on the fly. When I hit dirt, I use my Gaia app on the phone. Lifetime updates from Garmin too. it's been in rain, sun and humidity when it dies, I will get another for $20 on CL.
That's awesome! Glad it's working for you.
Hea, thanks for the info. I actually had an older model garmin sitting around that I no longer use and this gave me the idea to try it out. Picked up the RAM mount and it's been working great! Total investment so far is $20 (for the RAM mount), ha! The map is a little outdated but it works fine for they type of riding I do. Thanks again!
Glad it worked out great for you, Nooby Vapor!
Nice video ,interesting man ,well spoken ,easy to understand ,you have the gift of gab man
Thanks Face Book! :-)
Great set-up, looks and works great. :)
Thanks for the kind comment, Irishrover!
I ride a a 500x too,. Great bike. Off to buy a GPS nav!
That's awesome, Sean! I hope you're enjoying yours as much as I'm loving mine!!! :-)
Great Info. You are going to save me a ton of bucks. Thanks!!
You're very welcome, Private Nobody. Mine is still going strong, in spite of many rides in the rain, and countless sudsy washes after riding in the dirt. :-)
Yepz, I check BDR routes and off road areas and for many years used a nice large "car" gps (BUT with the motorcycle icon!) for road trips that I easily bought/waterproofed/mounted for under $20 ( I have one of the old 3" Garmins going on 8yrs ($6 on ebay, even cheaper on shopgoodwill) still attached to my 14 Vees bars since the bike came home new w me since I always have a back up. The Zumos and such are amazing and I wish I could afford them but i am retired the - nuvis meet my needs. I use my cell with Rever/Guia, etc for set routes (with or w/o cell service thee apps work) in my waterproof/shockproof case. Im not a bike/gear snob. If you can afford the best cool, if not cool. As long as you get the thrill of riding. I have for over 50 yrs so rode long before gps with gas station maps or none at all!! Great vid my friend!. Be safe in all your travels!
thanks TRAVELOR!!! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this review!
You're very welcome! Glad it helped.
Did you buy a used one? Or were they $50 in 2016? They are $220 today (2023) except they have been discontinued.
Looks great, but I'm just seeing that your winshield mounds on different holes than the stock Honda Winshield, (which mounts on the same holes as the cross bracket you fashioned). I made the bracket, and it has too much rotation because of the Honda mounts which are all very soft rubber, and there is too much play there to hold the GPS without it vibrating too much. I'm going to have to explore the rubber washers and nylock bolts to hold it. The stock rubber bolts are too soft.
Thanks gtberg! What year is your CB500? Mine is 2013. They changed the windshield for 2017. Maybe you have the newer model. My windshield is an aftermarket Givi. It mounts to the Honda holes. But I've placed hard plastic spacers to set the screen forward a couple inches. I found this eliminated the buffeting from the windscreen when mounted directly to the stock holes. Maybe that gave me a little extra room for the GPS than you have? Anyway, good luck figuring it out...you got this!
Glad you noticed, gtberg. I actually have my Givi Screen mounted to the stock holes. However, I used some hard gray plastic plumming pipe to create "extensions", which make the screen stand away from the mounts a little. It required getting longer bolts of course. But it all works great. And I personally have very little vibrations in my GPS the way it sits. The cross bar is a bit of an old badminton net post that I cut, squished, and painted to fit. I hope you get yours fitted the way you like it! Enjoy!!!
I use the “Scenic” app on my phone and once you have downloaded the maps it will operate without cell coverage. The maps are very good, at least in the area I’m in. There is of course, one problem, while riding on a very rough gravel road I destroyed my phone’s camera (iPhone 12), luckily the camera was fixed under warranty. Any phone that has internal image stabilization is vulnerable to this kind of damage, even if the phone is turned off. Riders beware.
Great tip, Gerald! Thanks!!!
Hey, this looks like a good cheap option. Can you confirm whether you can connect the unit, a phone and a headset in some way please. Essentially looking to throw the phone into a pocket, answer calls etc from the Garmin and speak/listen via the headset...
Thanks for any advice
Hi Joylon! I don't believe this unit has the capability of connecting multiple devices to a headset. I think you have to get the more expensive Zumo products for that. But I actually don't connect my GPS to my headset. I find it distracting. I just follow the directions on the screen. I connect my phone to my headset so that I can listen to music, answer phone calls, etc. If you're interested, I have a comprehensive review of the Sena 10c Pro and Sena 10c EVO on my channel. These are AMAZING headsets that combine an action camera, FM radio, bluetooth, and intercom all in one unit!!!
thks for your video I want the same, can you tell me how you mount a charging sistem, because garming GPS dosent have well batery without been charged.
Hi Cristobal! This garmin uses a mini-usb plug to get 12 volt power in a car. Modern motorcycles also provide 12 volt power. I have connected a cigarette lighter plug to the battery using a powered accessory connection. This means when the key is turned on, power is on. When the key is turned off, power is off. This plug is mounted under my seat. From there, I have the car charger cable connected to this cigarette lighter plug, which runs underneath the plastic side panels to the front of the motorcycle, and plugs into the back of my Garmin. So when I turn the ignition on to start the motorcycle, the GPS turns on automatically. When I come to the end of my ride and turn the key off, the GPS also turns off. Good luck!
Thks bro!!! Keep on with this great videos!!! 🤟
Hey, first off, thanks for uploading this vid - this is Awesome!! I just went onto eBay and found a great deal on a 1490. My question is, is there a good topo map that you would recommend? I want to do some off-road and backroad riding and want to use this GPS for mostly that type of riding. However, the street oriented maps that it currently has (U.S. & Canada) don't seem to be the best for that - no contours at all. Do you have any suggestions? I also want to plan trips and upload them onto this gps, would basecamp (which I already have) be the best choice for that, or is there something you'd recommend...? (I use a Mac) Thanks again for the suggestions and great vid(s)!!
SPiN Cargo, Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately, I don't do much off-roading, and I'm not that good at creating "tracks" in Basecamp. But I HAVE met a number of riders who are real experts at using Basecamp to create tracks (even off-road)! A lot of them even upload the GPS tracks to shared websites where folks lime you and I van download their fun rides and take advantage of their hard work! :-)
Couldnt I just use the handlebar as my mounting area? Did you have to create the second bar just because you had no room with phone?
Absolutely! If the handlebar area is easier for you, GREAT! I personally am not a fan of the way some riders mount their gps off to one side or the other with an articulating RAM arm. I like the symmetry of having my GPS in my "cockpit" and inline with my vision. But there are a number of great RAM products that will let you attach any unit in the middle of your handlebars.
Good video man. I also don't want to shell out $1000 for latest motorcycle specific GPS. Would rather just take a GPS meant for the car and use it, it's so much cheaper. My only issues are riding in the bright sunlight. How do GPS devices meant for cars score in the bright sunlight, can you still see the screen ? Thanks
HI Edward! Obviously they aren't designed for bright sunlight. So they aren't ideal for that. But the way I have mine mounted on the custom bar, I can quickly and easily rotate it up or down to reduce glare, depending on the angle of the sun. I have to say, it's rare that I have any trouble reading my screen.
Pick one with the glossy face rather the one with the satin patina. I can see my garmin 2589lmt not only in bright sunlight, but dimly thru even scrip polarized sunglasses
Will this work well for off-road? And if so, does it also record your path?
Hi Elsinator! I ride my bike on fire roads and well groomed dirt paths in our state forests without any trouble. I have it mounted pretty securely. I'm not sure it records your path. I believe most GPS units do so automatically. You just have to figure out how to extract that data. I could be wrong though. However, I will say that I specifically bought this unit because it was the cheapest model that you could use with Basecamp. Basecamp is a mapping software made by Garmin that you can use with their really expensive Zumo GPS units that are specially designed for motorcycles. But it works with some Nuvi units, including this one. With it, I can use the program on my computer to map out a track or a route that I want to ride. Then I can transfer that route to my GPS and it will guide me with turn-by-turn directions to follow the route I programmed. I hope this helps, my friend!
down load offline maps from google map app. works great; i turn off data so it stops asking me about changing my route to faster route. never have any issues now even keeps up for the few seconds going through a tunnel
Great tip, Rodney! Back when I made this video, Google Maps didn't have the "offline" feature. Now that they do, I often use the same methods you suggested if I don't feel like messing with the GPS. :-)
When you want to navigate Gpx files in most cases this is what is used for scenic or twisty routes. We cannot do it on Google maps!
If you just get the right navigator app, your phone will work out of cel range. Your phone does have actual proper gps. Gaia is one. I’ve used GPX Viewer for a cpl back road trips with my iphone7.
Thanks for the tip! There just weren't a lot of apps like that back when I did this video. I still use this GPS. But now that you can download Google Maps offline, I use it more often, along with Maps.me. But the GPS is still handy to have, especially when viewing the screen in bright sunlight.
If you have a dedicated GPS, why are you still keeping your phone attached to the bike? One of the best safety features of a dedicated GPS is that you can keep your phone stowed on your body in case of a crash...especially important if your crash would leave you immobilized and/or would have caused the phone to break loose of the bike.
Ahhh...excellent suggestion! I use it for accessing other useful things like weather radar or my itinerary (when I'm stopped of course). But I suppose I could keep the phone on my body and pull it out when I stop. Thank you!
how to you connect it to headphones to hear the gps voice?
Ahhh...that's one thing the "cheap" GPS won't do. But honestly, I don't like listening to the Garmin lady yelling at me all the time in my headphones. I'd rather listen to music from my phone and just watch the map with my eyes when I'm aproaching a turn.
I am definitely going to do this. Does it connect to Bluetooth headphones so I can hear directions? Don't want to spend the money. On a tomtom. I can still get this nuvi refurbished on ebay
Hi Odin! It's such a cheap alternative to the expensive TomTom or Garmin Zumo options, you just can't go wrong! One of the reasons I picked this particular model is because it was the cheapest that had Bluetooth. So YES, it connected with my Sena bluetooth headset and gave me turn-by-turn directions. Enjoy!
@@MotoPhotoAdventures will do, bought it all last night, refurbished 1490 with life time maps etc. £40 and £3 tube of silicone. Thanks for the inspiration!
@@odinairsoftuk9809 that's awesome! Have fun!!!
Google maps can be downloaded to your phone.
Thanks for the tip, Random. I made this video back before you could download Google Maps to work offline. But regardless, a dedicated GPS unit has a better display in bright sunlight, and you can tap the menu buttons with gloves on. I do indeed use my phone more often now that I can download the maps. But each has its advantages.
you never ride a bike? dont you
This is great do you know how I can make my own bracket?
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I made my bracket with a piece from a badminton net post, flattened both ends so I could drill a hole and put it under the windshield bolt. Good luck!
Do you have an updated link for the Cradle and Bike Mount? The eBay link is now broken. Thanks!
Hi Timmerk! Thank you for alerting me that this unit is no longer available. I searched and could no longer find it anywhere. Of course it's been 3 years since I bought it...so that's not unexpected. However, I found several alternatives, some less expensive, some with a nice protective case, and some with the same cradle but a much sturdier mount. I've updated the info on the video to reflect the new links. Here the are:
- New and Improved Version: amzn.to/36P0b8Q
- Cheaper Version: amzn.to/2CnqnJZ (I have not tested the quality of this unit!!!)
- Version with Protective Water Resistant Case Case: amzn.to/34Lwe7M
I hope this helps!!!
@@MotoPhotoAdventures Thank you very much for all this legwork! Yes, it helps a ton, and I will be picking one of those up soon.
@@timmerk glad I could help, my friend. Have a great weekend!!!
What are you doing now days? This is from Dec 2016... 3 years later.. Im thinking about this now too, that I should just find a car GPS unit.
I used this GPS up until about 6 months ago without any trouble. Then a friend sold me his Zumo 395 for practically nothing...it was too good to pass up. Also back when I did this, Google Maps didn't have the option to "download" for offline use. Now I use the Zumo, or simply download the Google Maps ride for my day to the internal memory of the phone in case I lose signal where I'm going.
What brand Bluetooth headset do you have and did you have any problems with the GPS connecting to your Bluetooth headset?
Robert Fancher I have the Sena 10c. This GPS doesn't connect to Bluetooth headsets. Only higher end models do. But honestly I don't like that lady always interrupting my music or a podcast I might be streaming from my phone. It's easy enough to just glance at the screen every now and then to follow the directions. Hope this helps!
Chris Smith well I bought a cardo freecom 1. I was hoping that the Nuvi and the Zumo had the same type of Bluetooth but they don't. Was hoping the only difference was one was weather proof one was not but that is not the case. The Zumo will actually connect to a headset where the Nuvi will not, it would just connect to a phone. Thanks for the info and keep up with your videos!
Thanks Robert! Yes, I discovered that as well. Fortunately, I don't really care for that electronic voice yapping in my helmet giving me directions when I'm trying to enjoy the freedom of the open road. I just use the visual turn-by-turn directions. So I don't miss that part of the Bluetooth in the Nuvi line. I guess Garmin has to save a few "special" features for the Zumo line to command that hefty price tag, right? Me, I'm good with the old $30 used one. It's still running strong and doing great!
Not even my Sena 20S does not connect to the nuvi.
@@robertfancher7381 hi was just doing some research to find a satnav solution for my bike too and led me here. Have you tried to connect a Bluetooth headset first to you mobile phone and then connect the nuvi satnav to the phone and see if it will patch the direction etc to it. Most mobile phones today can connect 5-6 different Bluetooth devices. If this works I might get the same set up. Since I don't have a nuvi would be nice if you still have yours and could try n see if it works. Good luck 😊👍
what about power suply? how do you power the GPS?
Watch our other GPS install video to see how to hook up power: ua-cam.com/video/AsFbkLwNu2M/v-deo.htmlsi=1Mksdk6gGRUlImO8. The actual wire you use for the "switched" power will be different depending on your bike. But this shows how it's done.
This is another good video we made that shows how to find a "switched" wire on your bike if you don't know where one is located. It goes through installing a different electrical accessory on your bike...but works the same for the GPS: ua-cam.com/video/6Fg1F-cyIzc/v-deo.htmlsi=pOSQj9u0csFTiPBS.
Will this fit on a Harley Freewheeler?
Hi Sean! I don't see why not? You just have to get the bike attachment, which should fit almost any sized handlebars. Another way to mount it is using RAM mounts.
@@MotoPhotoAdventures thank you
Super
Thanks Tamil! I'm glad you liked it. :-)
This nuvi for a bike or for car???
Yup! It's a Nuvi for a bike. I know Garmin wants you to think you have to buy a $600 Zumo for your motorcycle. But by using a Nuvi that I bought used on eBay for $30, then sealed with silicone to make it waterproof, I had more money left to spend on gas in my fuel tank and adventures on the open road! It's been 3 years and my Nuvi (which has been through many heavy rains) is still working great! :-)
@@MotoPhotoAdventures nice . Idea ...🙏😄👍 Like the your lroject... Okay i want to plagiat ..wowk
Nokia does free offline navigation for iOS and android
I'm also told that the Google Maps app has a new feature where you can temporarily download an area of their maps to use offline. But neither this nor the Nokia feature were options when I decided to install the Garmin. Plus, with all the Garmin users out there creating tracks, it's fun to download and install other people's favorite rides when you're looking to go for a spin. I understand their Basecamp software is a bit clunky. But it seems to have some really useful features for adventure riders and travelers who want to create a Track and install it on their GPS to follow. Anyway, good to know cell phone companies are adding new features. Thanks for sharing!
Off road maps?
This Garmin is more for road trips. I upgraded to the Zumo XT2 which has a lot more off-road routes.
Do you have it wired or just run off the battery?
It's wired to the "Options" plug under the seat, which is "switched" power. So it turns on automatically when I switch the ignition on, and turns off automatically when I switch it off.
Thanks. I have a Sportster, so I don’t know if I have the same wiring.
@@douglaslangella7782 any time! Do some Googling. I'm sure they have a way you can splice into a "switched" power source. Any electronics on your bike that turn on automatically when you turn on the ignition are on a "switched" power source. For example, a lot of guys splice into their headlight wiring harness or the lead to their horn. Of course you can just wire it to the battery. But if you forget to turn it off some day, it'll drain your battery. :-) Hope this helps!
Hey Chris, My Harley has a built in battery tender cable. The Battery Tender Company makes a 2 pin to USB plug-in that should fit. What are your thoughts about using this. I would unplug it after use. Thanks as always! Doug
@@douglaslangella7782 that should work as long as it's providing the right power requirements. Remember a battery tender cable is just taking straight 12v power. I believe USB devices use something like 5v? (You'll have to check that). As long as the adapter provided by your battery tender company also has some kind of circuitry that changes the power output at the USB end of it, that should work. I'm not an electical guru. Definitely check Google and your devices support people for advice. Good luck!
What phone mount is that?
That's the Ram X-grip: amzn.to/3RzvoqF. I love it!
@@MotoPhotoAdventures Thank you for responding. I just picked up a cb500x. Your channel has been excellent in quality. Thank you for the effort you put into each video.
My pleasure,@@zackgallardo! The CB500X is an awesome bike!!! You should check out our Trans-America Trail playlist to see some of the crazy places I've taken mine. 🙂
LOL... Ya look like you're still in North Carolina..... 🤪😛😝
Haha!!!
What about map updates? This things almost a decade old
Hi T! I know...isn't that amazing! I have no trouble at all with updates. Just bring it in, plug it into the computer, open the Garmin software, update the maps, even update the firmware (though they haven't done this for a loooong time). :-)
@@MotoPhotoAdventures You have to pay for the updates?
@@THunt-ss4hy Nope. Updates are free. Or at least they have been for me. I've had a number of Garmin products over the years and usually get free updates with them.
For Garmin, you'll get the updates for life.. For free..
@@rukiroka1827 thanks for clarifying! That helps a lot. @T. Hunt, I believe the only time you do have to pay is if you want to purchase maps for a different region or continent.
You do know that you don’t need cell signal OR cell service at all to use your GPS on your smart phone !!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That is true now. But back when I made this video, Google Maps did not have an off-line option. :-)
@@MotoPhotoAdventures I’ve been using a smartphone as a GPS for more than 5 years with no service plan.
Google maps is awful compared to all the GPS apps back then.
If you only wanted to use google maps then your right.
Just install an app called "Scenic" on your phone. Much better solution than the one you suggest here.
Morten Nielsen thanks for the tip!
I find the problem with using a smartphone is seeing the screen in the sunlight. If I could solve that then I would for sure use my phone.
Edward Some of the new top-models have a super bright screen with extra light power. This will solve the problem.
I was thinking there has to be a way other than shelling out 500 fucking dollars. It's goddamn robbery. I'm going to consider this.. my only worry is will I be able to get maps without hassle.
I hope it works out for you, Nube. Garmin uses standard .gpx files for maps. Most units these days come with lifetime updates on basic maps here in the U.S. If you travel abroad, there are tons of networks of overlanders and adventurers who have created free, downloadable .gpx files you can install on your Garmin. Most of these are super cheap or free! :-)
Or... You could download maps to your phone.
And then you go a little further away aaaannnd it begins to rain. Or even drizzle a little and the fancy iPhone goes to purgatory!!!
@@daniloorbolato hence the silicone link ;)
@@daniloorbolato Use a waterproof phone.
Excellent point, Glenn. But remember, this video was made back before you could download Google Maps to work offline, back before Maps.Me existed, etc. Today, I use my cell phone to navigate more than my GPS. But I STILL use this old GPS to this day! Why? Because the screen is much easier to see in bright daylight than my cell phone. And because I can navigate all the touchscreen menus with gloves on. So there are still some advantages to this "old tech". But you're right, cell phones have their advantages too. :-)