Garmin - need advise

usranger74 · 12-26-2010, 12:11 PM

My Daughter gave me a Garmin NUIV 550 for Xmas.

I was not expecting it nor had I even been thinking about add one to my Nomad.

But, now I have one and I have two questions.

1. I am looking for advise on a mounting bracket.

2. I am also looking for advise on just what sort of "cigarette" lighter devise (electrical plug in) I need to install so I can use the Garmin.

I am looking fdw to seeing just how much my spedo is off

**taranis** · 12-26-2010, 12:56 PM

RAM mounts will have any kind of bracket you're looking for to mount your GPS:
http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/Mo...8/Default.aspx

As for power, your best bet is a Marine grade 12v plug kit from a Marine store or even Wal-Mart. these have a lid on the top to keep moisture out as the wiring at the bottom is sealed.

There are motorcycle-specific 12 plugs out there if you're willing to pay for them. (Google is your friend!) At $12 for my 12v though, I couldn't justify the extra expense (function over form, what can I say.. heh).

Hope that helps.

cactusjack · 12-26-2010, 02:39 PM

I have the RAM mount for my Nuvi 550. As far as power goes, you could buy the cigarette lighter adapter and mount a 12v outlet on your bike or you could buy the Garmin hard wire adapter and power it from one of your accessory connections in the headlight bucket, which is how I did it.

Netnorske · 12-26-2010, 04:35 PM

Bill,
I have the Zumo 550 with a Ram Mount. It is hard wired to a keyed power source....so it comes on when I start the bike and goes off when the bike gets turned off. Either way (12v plug or hard-wired) will work...but I really like the convenience of the hard-wired set-up. Also, that leaves my 12v Powerlet plug free for my Gerbing heated gear! You will come to LUV that GPS.....especially with all the long haul trips you do!

**nomadtom69** · 12-26-2010, 04:46 PM

you can find the ram mounts on ebay fairly cheap and the hard wire kit is also on there I got the one for my old BMW the trick is make sure you put it on a key shut off on acct my brother in law left mine on for a week when we traded bikes (he has a 1600 thats why I now have a 1600 nomad) for bike week it will run the battery down if you just hook it to the battery . The gps will keep charging off the battery .

**ringadingh** · 12-26-2010, 06:36 PM

I find that Ebay is a good place to source out stuff like that. Most times their pricing is the best youll find.

**nomadtom69** · 12-26-2010, 06:43 PM

Found a ebay page you might be interested in

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=moto...w=zumo&_kw=550

**nomadtom69** · 12-26-2010, 06:51 PM

My Boo Boo I saw 550 thought it was a Zumo here is the Nuvi ebay site
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=gar....c0.m270.l1313

ponch · 12-26-2010, 09:33 PM

Here is a great source for power products for bikes: http://www.powerlet.com/

rickyboy · 12-26-2010, 09:41 PM

I just picked up my Zumo 220 from http://www.thegpsstore.com/ and it came with both the hard wire and the 12 V. plug in. I plan on doing the hard wire project, along with some other elec. once we get over this Christmas/New Years.

**schoeney** · 12-27-2010, 02:10 AM

Ram mount and 12v plug here. But hard wiring to keyed source is better as Kris stated. Also less chance you will leave it plugged in to have the battery drain.

ballast · 12-27-2010, 01:49 PM

http://www.expressmounts.com/
This where I have gotten all my Ram mounts. Cheaper than the Ram mounts site.

12-27-2010, 02:56 PM

Don't forget about the Mount Guys.... a number of options for less!
http://www.mountguys.com/category_s/2288.htm

hammer · 12-27-2010, 03:51 PM

You could also try GPS City. I highly recommend the Ram monts and,like Chris I used a hard wire setup. It does not hurt to try Amazon.com too. They have great deals and often free shipping.

usranger74 · 12-28-2010, 12:21 AM

Thank you for the input and advise. I am going to go with a hard wire for the Garmin and also add a power outlet.

Txs

12-26-2010, 12:11 PM	#1
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Garmin - need advise My Daughter gave me a Garmin NUIV 550 for Xmas. I was not expecting it nor had I even been thinking about add one to my Nomad. But, now I have one and I have two questions. 1. I am looking for advise on a mounting bracket. 2. I am also looking for advise on just what sort of "cigarette" lighter devise (electrical plug in) I need to install so I can use the Garmin. I am looking fdw to seeing just how much my spedo is off __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-26-2010, 12:56 PM	#2
taranis Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 802	Garmin - need advise RAM mounts will have any kind of bracket you're looking for to mount your GPS: http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/Mo...8/Default.aspx As for power, your best bet is a Marine grade 12v plug kit from a Marine store or even Wal-Mart. these have a lid on the top to keep moisture out as the wiring at the bottom is sealed. There are motorcycle-specific 12 plugs out there if you're willing to pay for them. (Google is your friend!) At $12 for my 12v though, I couldn't justify the extra expense (function over form, what can I say.. heh). Hope that helps. __________________ _______________________ "Taranis" and the Lovely Ann KawaNOW Oldschool #885 His: 2006 Nomad Hers: 2008 VN900 Classic LT
	0

12-26-2010, 02:39 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Garmin - need advise I have the RAM mount for my Nuvi 550. As far as power goes, you could buy the cigarette lighter adapter and mount a 12v outlet on your bike or you could buy the Garmin hard wire adapter and power it from one of your accessory connections in the headlight bucket, which is how I did it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

12-26-2010, 04:35 PM	#4
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Garmin - need advise Bill, I have the Zumo 550 with a Ram Mount. It is hard wired to a keyed power source....so it comes on when I start the bike and goes off when the bike gets turned off. Either way (12v plug or hard-wired) will work...but I really like the convenience of the hard-wired set-up. Also, that leaves my 12v Powerlet plug free for my Gerbing heated gear! You will come to LUV that GPS.....especially with all the long haul trips you do! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016
	0

12-26-2010, 04:46 PM	#5
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Garmin - need advise you can find the ram mounts on ebay fairly cheap and the hard wire kit is also on there I got the one for my old BMW the trick is make sure you put it on a key shut off on acct my brother in law left mine on for a week when we traded bikes (he has a 1600 thats why I now have a 1600 nomad) for bike week it will run the battery down if you just hook it to the battery . The gps will keep charging off the battery . __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-26-2010, 06:36 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Garmin - need advise I find that Ebay is a good place to source out stuff like that. Most times their pricing is the best youll find. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

12-26-2010, 06:43 PM	#7
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Garmin - need advise Found a ebay page you might be interested in http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=moto...w=zumo&_kw=550 __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
	0

12-26-2010, 06:51 PM	#8
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Garmin - need advise My Boo Boo I saw 550 thought it was a Zumo here is the Nuvi ebay site http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=gar....c0.m270.l1313 __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
	0

12-26-2010, 09:33 PM	#9
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	Garmin - need advise Here is a great source for power products for bikes: http://www.powerlet.com/ __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
	0

12-26-2010, 09:41 PM	#10
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	Garmin - need advise I just picked up my Zumo 220 from http://www.thegpsstore.com/ and it came with both the hard wire and the 12 V. plug in. I plan on doing the hard wire project, along with some other elec. once we get over this Christmas/New Years. __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png
	0

12-27-2010, 02:10 AM	#11
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Garmin - need advise Ram mount and 12v plug here. But hard wiring to keyed source is better as Kris stated. Also less chance you will leave it plugged in to have the battery drain. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
	0

12-27-2010, 01:49 PM	#12
ballast Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 1,394	Garmin - need advise http://www.expressmounts.com/ This where I have gotten all my Ram mounts. Cheaper than the Ram mounts site. __________________ Charlie "Ballast" Krogh 2005 1600 Nomad "Tangerine Dream" VBA #999 VROC #29355
	0

12-27-2010, 02:56 PM	#13
Guest Posts: n/a	Garmin - need advise Don't forget about the Mount Guys.... a number of options for less! http://www.mountguys.com/category_s/2288.htm
	0

12-27-2010, 03:51 PM	#14
hammer Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,329	Garmin - need advise You could also try GPS City. I highly recommend the Ram monts and,like Chris I used a hard wire setup. It does not hurt to try Amazon.com too. They have great deals and often free shipping. __________________ Hammer aka CrocHammer KawaNow#00988, VROC#26389, VR#2202 Abbotsford, BC, Canada 2006 Black Nomad
	0

12-28-2010, 12:21 AM	#15
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Garmin - need advise Thank you for the input and advise. I am going to go with a hard wire for the Garmin and also add a power outlet. Txs __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
	0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Seat Advise	fireman68	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	19	10-31-2010 02:08 PM
Ear Plugs - advise	usranger74	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	23	08-30-2010 10:28 AM
Installing a Garmin	cdneh	1700 Nomad, Vaquero & Voyager	16	08-25-2010 12:34 PM
MOTORHOME TRAVELING ADVISE	flightdoc	Off-Topic	20	07-13-2010 07:52 PM
Garmin Products	chainsaw	Off-Topic	2	11-14-2008 06:07 PM