Best Bike mounted GPS solution

[AllHatNoCattle]

For my summer bike I run a trailtech voyager, and it works pretty good. The problem I have with it is that the little stick to control it breaks every time I use it. So on my summer bike I have it set up at a certain zoom and I just leave it. For snowbiking I would like something a little more reliable, and a bigger screen would be nice.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a bike mounted GPS that works great on a snowbike?

 

[wwillf01]

I have used the voyager pro with good success for 2 seasons and if you have other riders its nice to be able to see where they are... the only downside is they can draw a bit of power... and if you ride a lot the cradle has to be replaced peridiocally. But its nice to have all your bikes info right there .

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[eric82930]

Not sure my setup is the best but it's worth mentioning. I have a bucket of old android phones and tablets so cost and water damage isn't an issue and screens are big and bright. I run a usb charger up through the seat to either a phone case strapped to the front of my seat or to a tablet in a Nelson rigg tank bag that has a clear waterproof top cover. I don't like the tank bag as much because it is slightly noticable when standing but most don't stand up much on a snow bike.
I used both during the tour of idaho and my setup was way more functional than my buddies voyager.

In winter a bad issue would be that The tablet I got was a samsung with the hard button on the front I could wake screen with a glove on but had to remove glove to scroll the maps.

 

[wwillf01]

I will add.. Garmin Montana is the most functional true GPS... I end up carrying both. I agree if you have the maps downloaded the phone works but the voyager being on the bars, charged, and having the other bike info I am a sucker for that stuff... my son also has been going with me since 11 so after loosing him once and having a less than stellar explanation over the radio where he is located having the voyager is pretty useful in tracking his butt down.

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[AllHatNoCattle]

Thanks guys. So far I have been using my phone and it has excellent mapping (when the files are downloaded). I have to carry that in my pocket though and that is only good for an occasional check to see where you are.

In the summer I run the black and white voyager on my trail bike and it is indispensable. Being able to look down and get a sense of location and direction is so helpful.

I took wwillf01's advice and ordered up the voyager pro. Hopefully it gives me what I am looking for.

 

[wwillf01]

Get the bar flat mount that is metal ... the plastic one is useless

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[jrlastofthebreed]

I run the Garmin Montana 600 with a wired mount on my bars. Runs off the bike. The 700 series is even bigger and I hear they can do satellite messaging as well.

 

[wwillf01]

I have a 700 also but they have yet to release the mount for it .. but its pretty sweet.

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[AllHatNoCattle]

Get the bar flat mount that is metal ... the plastic one is useless

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Is that this one? https://www.trailtech.net/en-us/sho...rades/voyager-pro-protector-center-bar-mount/
or this? https://www.trailtech.net/en-us/sho...er-pro-center-mount-for-oversized-handlebars/

 

[GKR]

Yep, Voyager Pro is fantastic and I agree, upgrade the mount to the aluminum or build yourself something, the plastic one will not stand up. For snowbiking the buddy track feature is the answer for keeping track of the group too.

 

[Answ3r]

Not sure my setup is the best but it's worth mentioning. I have a bucket of old android phones and tablets so cost and water damage isn't an issue and screens are big and bright. I run a usb charger up through the seat to either a phone case strapped to the front of my seat or to a tablet in a Nelson rigg tank bag that has a clear waterproof top cover. I don't like the tank bag as much because it is slightly noticable when standing but most don't stand up much on a snow bike.
I used both during the tour of idaho and my setup was way more functional than my buddies voyager.

In winter a bad issue would be that The tablet I got was a samsung with the hard button on the front I could wake screen with a glove on but had to remove glove to scroll the maps.

Pretty much what I do. But I sewn velcro to the whole surface of the bar pad, sewn velcro to the back of a neoprene arm band cell pouch and hardwired a usb cable to the battery of the bike with a switch. If you toggle on/off the switch, it will wake up the screen without the hard button. I planned adding a 12v hand warmer in the pouch, but my android won't freeze if screen brightness is at max and usb power is always on. With the velcro I can quickly switch the setup from my bike to my sled, and bring it in the truck at the end of the day.

I use canada map pro which was the best 15$ I've ever invested in a cell phone. Unfortunately it is only for Android.

 

[G-Force]

Be installing my Voyager Pro next weekend ! Looks awful promising, sure hs to beat stopping every couple km and pulling the cell phone out of the pocket and get your bearings on its basic maps

 

[Answ3r]

Be installing my Voyager Pro next weekend ! Looks awful promising, sure hs to beat stopping every couple km and pulling the cell phone out of the pocket and get your bearings on its basic maps

I did try the Voyager Pro. If you are in need of a cluster + gps, it's a very nice package. The buddy finder is also a nice feature (if and only if you buddy have the same unit...) The big downside for me is the ONLY map available. That's what I really like about using an app (Canada Map Pro in my case) is the ability to switch between different topo maps and most of the time I use satellite imagery. They can all be downloaded and used without cell reception.

 

[dooman92]

Another GPS option. I have the Garmin Montana mounted between the bar clamps on both my ktm and yami fx. It requires the Garmin mount that is powered by the bike. I have it wired to power up when the bike is running or if needed can use via GPS battery with bike off. The screws that hold the mount are spaced to just enough to go over the bar , longer screws reguired to go thru the rubber mount I made out of a heavy duty rubber belting material. Hopefully photos help explain. The photo is on 18 500 exc. I also removed the stock dash board and made a dash board to relocate the key and mount my water and oil temp gauges.

All works good..unfortunately I need my reading specs to see GPS clearly. Anyone have goggles with bifocals??

 

[sledsuperman]

I use a Garmin Montana 680 with a powered mount. Just like the one Dooman posted. Dooman did a nice job with the custom rubber handlebar mounts. The nice thing about the Garmin powered mount is that the screen stays lit as long as there's power to it and you can easily remove the unit, take it inside and download tracks, and use it on other things. I have another cradle mounted on my SXS and my dirt bike. My mount setup is two ram mounts with a double socket arm. It sticks up a little but not much and I've never had any problem with it. The bottom ball mount is actually attached to the inner handguard bracket.
Here's the parts you will need for this setup if you're interested.
Powered Base
Double socket arm - short
AMPS plate
U bolt base
All of them are easily available at GPScity.com or Amazon or Wherever.