I bought a new GPS! - UPDATE

[Guest]

After a couple of months researching the purchase of a new GPS I found these guys: http://www.offroute.com/ Fred is a rider, (I found him through his posts on Advrider), his prices are about what Amazon's are, and he just a great guy who is very patient and helpful.

I bought a Garmin 60CSx, a Techmount.com mount and the Garmin cradle from Techmount, from Touratech I got an electrical kit to hardwire into the bike's power supply, a Lexar Micro SD card (I think they make the best/fastest cards for cameras), and two Garmin DVDs from Fred that have 24K maps of the west, and a screen protector. One DVD has CA, OR, NV, & WA. The other has AZ, UT, CO, & NM. They aren't out yet but are slated to ship later this month.

I bought some of this trick 3M damping material as scrap off eBay that I might use to protect the GPS a little. Plus I've got Fasst bar Inserts AND Bar Snake goo in the bars.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=130289108196

Here are some of the other mounts I considered:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3043

http://www.techmounts.com/products/index.php?page_function=detail&product_id=118

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2796685

Anyway, Fred is going into my file of people who really take the time to do business correctly. Like Jim Rios at BRP and Bob Bell at Precision Concepts.

Just an update to let you guys know the mount I received from ecrater.everythingoffroad is actually this mount rather than the one pictured on their web site. http://bseperformance.com/product/x_QDM504DZpBnJ5gY2lkPT/

[Guest]

Well done! How much was the total cost for the setup?

I assume it's waterproof?

Where's the PICS wtf?

[Guest]

Well done!
Thanks

How much was the total cost for the setup?
$294 GPS (no S&H), $17 Lexar Micro SD (no S&H), $75 Techmount + $10 S&H), $8 Garmin cradle, $30 (including shipping) aluminum mount cradle experiment (came today and won't but but so cheap I'm gonna cut up and remake), DVD's were $100 each but I think they are shareable ..., Touratech electrical kit was like $40 (including shipping), screen protector was $10, 3M damping material was like $2.50 a sheet, I think that's it.

I assume it's waterproof?
No, water resistant for 30 seconds to one meter I think, but if the handlebars are underwater then I'll know where I am ... :~) The 76 floats I think which is the similar but with controls on top and screen on bottom.

Where's the PICS wtf? [/quote]
I said I bought not that I had everything yet. Still waiting for the Techmount. It gets here Monday and then post some pics when I get it all wired up. Wish I had a Bridgeport in my garage and I'd just fab up something bitchin. If I had one and knew how to use and had time and ...

[Guest]

Nice....not to piss in your cornflakes, but isn't 270 for a non-waterproof GPS kind of....high?

I paid just over 100 for a waterproof Magellan RoadMate 2200T 6 months ago.....refurb but complete with charger, mount and maps.

[Guest]

Nice....not to piss in your cornflakes, but isn't 270 for a non-waterproof GPS kind of....high?

I paid just over 100 for a waterproof Magellan RoadMate 2200T 6 months ago.....refurb but complete with charger, mount and maps.

The 60CSX is waterproof, you can drop it in a puddle and leave it there and it will be fine. I have the older version of the 60CSX, the 60CS. Other than the memory chip capability they are the same.

Next to the 276C series GPS's the 60CSX is the best ADV GPS going, very capable on the trails. Thats why you see so many ADV bikes on ADVRider using them.

It's WAY more capable than the 2200T....but it is more expensive.

Thats a good price on the CSX, I've been toying around with the idea of selling my CS and Getting a CSX.

Thanks for the post.

Hodakaguy

[Guest]

Next to the 276C series GPS's the 60CSX is the best ADV GPS going, very capable on the trails. Thats why you see so many ADV bikes on ADVRider using them.

It's WAY more capable than the 2200T....but it is more expensive.

Well there you go.

I'm not crazy about the Magellon interface to be honest, the Garmins I have in my cages are MUCH better.

[Guest]

The 60CSx is a nice setup...I went with the Garmin Rino 530HCx...has more bells & whistles like a two-radio to communicate with other riders.

[Guest]

It came down the the Garmin Rino 530, the Garmin 276C, and the Garmin 60CSx.

But the guys at Touratech and Offroute and Thumpertalk talked me out of the first two.

What I was told:

1. They don't have as many features for dirt bike riding,
   
2. don't have anywhere near as good of a receiver,
   
3. not friendly to the power of the bike,
   
4. eat batteries when using the two-way,
   
5. running on batteries and mounted to the dirt bike it reboots a lot,
   
6. the power port isn't strong for a dirt bike install, and some other things.
   

Still, I dig the idea of being able to track my friends, assuming they all have Rino 530s too...

I just assumed they all had the same OS so they'd all have the same features and useability. But I was wrong. In order for me to get the larger screen (the 276C) or the radio (Rino) I had to give up a lot of features and stability. Or so I was told.

The 60CSx is a nice setup...I went with the Garmin Rino 530HCx...has more bells & whistles like a two-radio to communicate with other riders.

[Guest]

The 60 CSX is a good thing, i cheaped out and bought a Etrex H and download to my CP.

[Guest]

Not sure though ...

Next to the 276C series GPS's the 60CSX is the best ADV GPS going, very capable on the trails. Thats why you see so many ADV bikes on ADVRider using them.

It's WAY more capable than the 2200T....but it is more expensive.

Well there you go.

I'm not crazy about the Magellon interface to be honest, the Garmins I have in my cages are MUCH better.

[Guest]

Good stuff, guys.

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a new 60CSX. My main issue, in the past, has been lack of support for Mac users. It seems Garmin has figured this out.

Dave

[Guest]

I bought from Amazon but for a couple of dollars more I could have bought from Fred over at offroute.com. I know I'd be better off when there are problems if I'd bought from Fred rather than nameless faceless Amazon. But I found him after I purchased.

Do you have a mount yet? Fred totally schooled me there too. I might have a line on a Techmount if you like them. They're made well, keep the GPS low, all billet with stainless fasteners, and so forth.

Good stuff, guys.

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a new 60CSX. My main issue, in the past, has been lack of support for Mac users. It seems Garmin has figured this out.

Dave

[Guest]

Bump:

You bet I'll call Fred, first ( http://www.offroute.com/ ). I'll tell him you send me over, for sure.

I'm currently a bit confused regarding mounts. The data out there, at least that I've found, is not very clear.

This is clear: I'm damn good at breaking stuff.

Dave

[Guest]

Fred warned against that huge Touratech mount. He said some guys have had it break their GPS!!!

Then there's the cheapy bicycle mount from Garmin. A lot of desert guys on TT use that with a lanyard and rubber band for backups. I think those Livestrong type wrist bands are the rubber band of choice. Personally, I'm more the free one that comes with broccoli type myself.

I'm working with a fabricator on a billet mount and enclosure for the Garmin 60 but it's quite a ways off. Right now I'm using a techmount and I really like it. It has two movements so I can really get the GPS low and out of the say. I don't really go for that astronaut look where everything is up and out in front like the Moon Rover.

Fred is on vacation right now. He took a month off the float the Grand Canyon. Stud huh? I also bought the new 24K topos from him that Garmin just issued. Perhaps I can get you what you need on maps but not sure as they haven't arrived. The GPS uses micro SD cards. I really like Lexar for those because they are the best for cameras. You buy the DVD and then push the states you want onto the Micro SD.

[Guest]

Floatin' the Grand Canyon? Yep, Fred's The Man! Perhaps one of his associates can assist me.

I think I'll go with the regular ol' RAM mount. It's affordable, and trail proven, at least on my buddy's bike. Billet sure would be cool, though!

Keep me posted on the topos. I'll gladly kick in some dinero if I can utilize them.

Dave

[Guest]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Garmin_GPSMap_60Cx_60CSx/

[Guest]

Bump:

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

[Guest]

Seems reasonable if you use an area I'm not using. but I' haven't even opened the packages yet so I'm not certain how they work or manage access.

Lookin forward to riding Tucson with you low and fast ... Which probably means some cruising followed by a lot of drinking.

Bump:

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

[Guest]

I've been holding off on the 60CSX, but now that funds are looking good, it's time to call Fred (assuming he's not chilling in Akumal swilling Modelo Negros).

If you like to ride fast, there are certainly some spots for that around here. I'd love to do a SoCal ride, too. It would be nice to escape the heat and see some WATER. Beer?? First round is on me.

[Guest]

My wife and oldest and I stayed about 5 miles south of Akumal two years ago for a week at the Iberostar at Playa Paraiso. Did some fishing south of there on a boat. Wrong time of year and really low qual setup but it was free ...

I used to like to ride fast. Now I'm really trying to get back into the exploring thing. I just want my kids to experience riding like I did in the 60s. Ya know? Just really getting way out there and having a sense of being away from it all and then coming back. We're gonna get an older 4wheel drive for jeep trips too when we move to San Clemente. I'm thinking a 1969 Chevy Blazer. Would like 2wd but those are too prized by the street guys. We raced a 1982 2wd K5 Blazer in the 1000 one year and we ran circles around the 4wd guys - even more so up hills. I was reading stats on a Blazer website last week and the 1969 weighs 3000lbs. The 1991 weighs 4500lbs!!! So I'd like to get a 1969 and put 1967 front end sheetmetal on it. Keep it super light.

I'm trying to perfect my Conhinita Pibil recipe. I love the Mayan style food! We'll have you over when we move for some riding and eats. I bought one of these I'm figuring our for Mex on dirt bike trips. There's an illegal backyard taco shop near here where an old woman uses one of these, http://www.kitchenfantasy.com/shopping_cart/outdoor.html ' to cook up really good Mex.

Read about this: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/67788

I've been holding off on the 60CSX, but now that funds are looking good, it's time to call Fred (assuming he's not chilling in Akumal swilling Modelo Negros).

If you like to ride fast, there are certainly some spots for that around here. I'd love to do a SoCal ride, too. It would be nice to escape the heat and see some WATER. Beer?? First round is on me.

[Guest]

I tried leaving Fred a message this evening, but got a funky recording for another type of business. I'll give it another shot tomorrow, during regular business hours.

Man, I miss Akumal. My sister had a time share, cement hut, right on the beach (years ago) that we used as a base camp. We had a rental VW Beetle for weeks of exploration, staying at dozens of super cool "B&Bs." That whole area is an absolute trip! I'd love to get my XR down there, especially with a 60CSx on the bars.

I'm glad to hear you are more into the exploring mode vs. hauling ass! I'm too old to keep the throttle nailed for prolonged periods. Some of the younger daredevil dudes I ride with, I swear, are trying to kill me.

Good luck with the Blazer. If you can't find what you need, let me know. I'll help scour the Tucson area. I've seen a fair share of dead ones around here, but mostly 4WD. My trapper buddy was looking for a 2WD '69 SB Chevy PU in good shape, for years, but never did find one reasonably priced (had to settle for a Toyota).

Chowhound.com? Lol! Excellent. I'm ready for some real conhinita pibil. Say the word. The closest I've come to that is of the pit BBQ variety. Now I'm hungry....

Dave

[Guest]

The Offroute shop shares a warehouse in Reno with another related business Fred is in. I can't remember what it is though. I had the same, WTF feeling when I first called. But he had some great advice on Advrider that I like and so I tracked him down.

I tried leaving Fred a message this evening, but got a funky recording for another type of business. I'll give it another shot tomorrow, during regular business hours.

Man, I miss Akumal. My sister had a time share, cement hut, right on the beach (years ago) that we used as a base camp. We had a rental VW Beetle for weeks of exploration, staying at dozens of super cool "B&Bs." That whole area is an absolute trip! I'd love to get my XR down there, especially with a 60CSx on the bars.

I'm glad to hear you are more into the exploring mode vs. hauling ass! I'm too old to keep the throttle nailed for prolonged periods. Some of the younger daredevil dudes I ride with, I swear, are trying to kill me.

Good luck with the Blazer. If you can't find what you need, let me know. I'll help scour the Tucson area. I've seen a fair share of dead ones around here, but mostly 4WD. My trapper buddy was looking for a 2WD '69 SB Chevy PU in good shape, for years, but never did find one reasonably priced (had to settle for a Toyota).

Chowhound.com? Lol! Excellent. I'm ready for some real conhinita pibil. Say the word. The closest I've come to that is of the pit BBQ variety. Now I'm hungry....

Dave

[Guest]

How about The Low Dez Happy Bottom Riding Club?

I'm glad to hear you are more into the exploring mode vs. hauling ass! I'm too old to keep the throttle nailed for prolonged periods. Some of the younger daredevil dudes I ride with, I swear, are trying to kill me.

[Guest]

Speaking of ol' farts, I was amazed at how many there are, still "tearing up" the trails, after I got back into riding dirt last summer.

I thought I'd be the "old dude" on all rides, but I'm often the youngest. I'm thinking this sport/hobby must have some serious addicting properties.

I'll tell Fred you said "Hi."

Dave

[Guest]

A big thanks to Bump for his advice on going through Fred at Offroute.com ( http://www.offroute.com/ ) for my GPS.

Fred was super helpful, rides a thumper and really seems to know his chit. Excellent customer service and great prices... What more can one ask for?

After some discussion, I bought the Garmin 60Cx, 24K Southwest topo map, Ram mount, screen proctector and some doo-dads for using the GPS in my truck.

It will be nice not having to rely on navigation by gopher mounds, rural cemeteries, packrat middens, coyote dens, derelict trucks, cattle carcasses, rock stacks and the number of bullet holes in signs. Of course, these are all important waypoints, but a little help from Garmin will be nice.

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