GPS mount systems

I want to explore the california gold country this summer, so I am thinking a GPS would be nice, I have used mount systems before made by RAM in my welded aluminum JetCraft (military fishing boat), examples of which you can see on their webpage "www.ram-mount.com" They're expensive but nice, and you can buy differrent cradles for different devices ( GPS, Cell phone, MP3, etc). But my question first to all of you crafty and mechanically minded speedster owners, is what are you using? Looking for a creative solution.

I recently drove from Atlanta to Nashville with my wife, daughter and granddaughter. When I returned home, I noted that while we were underway my daughter texted to fb that mom and dad were headed to Nashville with a GPS, MapQuest printouts and a book of large print USA maps. Am I old school or what?

Clearly, we weren't traveling in the SAS Creme Brule Coupe so mounting the GPS was not a problem, although I have used it on trips in the coupe. I believe I stuck it in the cup holder. ;-)

My wife's Tom Tom has a windshield suction cup mount that works great

Cool website. I like the Iphone holders. You can usually get your GPS's suction cup mount on the speedster windshield, there is enough room. I set mine up so the base rest right on the dash. This way, the vibration does not knock it loose.

I made mine out of billet aluminum, mounting it on the center windshield support. In place, it angles down to place the GPS just in front of the dash. I use it to correct for my wheel / tire / speedo inaccurate combo and to explore back roads in the Shenandoah mountains.

Steve, if you're in no hurry to get there there's no reason for a gps in your speedster. I have had a blast finding new roads by checking out the motorcycle websites for favorite roads, asking local adventurers for reccomendations or just getting in the car and driving. I've explored many a road and only heard the banjo a couple of times...(no offense, Jack) ;-).
If you really need a gps, your smart phone should do the trick.

Syl,

Neat solution.

I think Gerd has found the solution for GPS location, but I prefer to let my dog "Boner" lead the way

Coffee out the nose with Gerds GPS picture!

Hey Vince, does your dog's spot get bigger when you pet him?

I use a suction mount like this for my iPhone. You can bend the neck to the contour of the dash. Think I got it at Best Buy but it's cheaper on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Bracketron-Mobile-Grip--Windshield-Mount/dp/B0017YHCJA/ref=sr_1_158?ie=UTF8&qid=1329771736&sr=8-158

~WB

GPS devices are being replaced by smart phones apps. That's why the price of a Tom Tom or a Garmin has cratered recently. With a smart phone you can use turn by-turn-navigation with spoken direction and see a map. I don't even use a mount device, just a blue tooth.

Syl: That's a very slick mount. I like that a lot. something for me to fab up this coming Summer.

I can't get my Tom Tom suction mount to stay stuck on the Speedie windshield, so I plug the GPS audio output into my stereo Aux input, listen to just the audio from the GPS (It has a laid-back, Redneck voice we call "Rufus") and toss the GPS on the seat or into a door pocket.

I like using my iPhone GPS app as I can play music simultaneously with it. It mutes the music briefly only when directions are to be called out. I can listen to the 200 or so cd's stored in the iPhone or an internet radio station.

~WB

Wild Bill, I am right there with you, but have a Droid instead. Suction cup dock mount(works great on the Speedster windshield in my Spyder), bluetooth to the daily driver audio system, or my Backbeat bluetooth headphones in the Spyder. If you wear a MusbJim hat, nobody can see them! Believe me, the volume is good, but not good enough to drown out the world. Yes, I know it's illegal, I just don't care!

Doesn't anybody use paper maps anymore? Very helpful to have a laminated atlas in the car when you're in the Hinterlands.

Paper sucks, paper really really sucks!

Waterboy reference.....

I finally gave up on paper maps last year as it is really, so much easier to use the (up- to-date) maps on my GPS. Once I got used to the GUI on the GPS it's faster to get around than with my Rand McNally.

Recalculating...

We use both GPS and Paper Maps!
GPS is great for finding restraunts and places to stay in cities. But, you ever wonder why people drive off on roads to nowhere in blizzards?.....cause GPS SUCKS in the country! Gotta have Paper if you want to travel the back roads.
GPS is for getting there the fastest way....not necessaraly the most interesting or fun way.

You need a map to go with your GPS for Gold Country or you will never see the coolest stuff.
Jay

I keep the Atlas handy as a back up only.

~WB

Jay, I hear you. But on GPS(smartphone version) you can UNcheck toll roads and highways. Then I throw in a few random turns, and Mayhem starts doing his "recalculating" thing.......

Paper maps are good for one thing: finding the twisties!

Ahmen!!! Dr.Evil

Good luck with your smartphone GPS when you've got no signal.

Dude, when do you have no GPS? Maybe in the Lincoln tunnel? A smartphone with GPS actually has a GPS receiver in it, just like a Garmin or Magellan unit. Signal, I don't need no stinkin' signal, unless I want to make a call or listen to Pandora. Why do you think standalone GPS units are so cheap these days? They are going the way of the 8-track tape....

I went to the Hershey swap meat last year. There was an original speedster that had the GPS with a suction cup mounted directly onto the speedo gauge. The speed shows on the GPS and is probably more accurate. The replica gauges have the trip reset button through the glass of the gauge, original is under dash out the back. So, that may screw up the suction cup idea on replicas.

I meant no data service. If you know of an offline nav app for android that works worth a shit I'd like to know.

Gotcha, Justin. I guess I am just spoiled with the good service I have around here. And everywhere I go. I did maintain Google Nav all the way from Hudson Valley NY to Alan's house in Chambersburg PA. Pretty hilly terrain if you know the way. If I was gonna drop service I think that was a good test.

Also, I have used VZ Navigator before, and that gives you a rough GPS off cell towers(this was pre-data-plan phones, 5 years ago), never dropped that from NY to OBX, SC.

I don't know of any offline apps though.

If the original poster (remember him?) wants to use GPS to explore our local 'Gold Country', I think the odds are good there will be places where cell coverage drops out (and a cellphone GPS will lose its map display).

I've got an entry level Garmin GPS that I use occasionally and it will get you home if you're lost. Even if you're not following directions to anywhere in particular, it helps to know the name of the crossroad coming up next, or even that you're still on the road you thought you were.

In the Sierra foothills, two lane roads turn into one lane roads and then into unpaved donkey trails in a hurry if you make one wrong turn.

Steve, I don't have a Speedy yet, but I stick the Garmin's suction cup on the oversized speedo in the MINI. If you want to see where it might work in your car, give me a shout.

I'm with Sacto Mitch on this.

You guys who rave about your Cell phone apps and even those who prefer their GPS to maps must live on the East coast and in the big cities. West of the Mississippi the closer you get to a Twisty Road the less likely you will get any Cell service and the more likely your GPS won't show the road your on. Mine will tell you to go back 50 miles to get on the road that parallels the road your on, that is less than 5 miles away.

I love my Garmin but gotta have my maps ( what I want is an app with Topo's of the whole country )

Jay