Fitting a PDA to sports bikes

NiteNurse · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 3

I thought I would show how I fit my IPAQ 5550 (with TOMTOM 5) to my Blackbird.

I also have a car so at first I used to take the suction mount and use that to fix my pda to the bikes screen.....big mistake...it 'unsuctioned' at 100mph whilst touring in France.

I searched the web for M/C mounts but found they fell into 2 categories

1) very expensive and usually for Garmin setups
2) Made to fit tubular handlebars.

I fitted the mount to the headstock using 2 wide cable ties and its as staedy and as secure as a rock (well it was last month in France again well into 3 figure speeds).

I also have a 'cigarette lighter' wired in to provide power to the pda / GPS reciever.

If it rains I just slip a polythene food bag with a press seal over the pda for when it's bucketing down.

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I hope this is usefull for anyone wishing to use a pda on a modern sports bike.

lbendlin · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:07 am Post subject:

Nice work. Personally I would strongly advise against any form of PDA mount that is not of the "slide in from top" variety. The clam mounts are just not safe enough.

There are plenty of cheap active slide-in mounts available, from Brodit, Arkon, and Herbert Richter.
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Lutz

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feef · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 13

If you don't need to 'use' the PDA and only view it when on the go, and you don't mind something a little more fidly, then I can recommend an "otterbox"

It's a waterproof case for PDA units, and with some modification and a RAM mount, you can fit it to most bikes. It means you can't use the touchscreen on the move, as you need to open the lid to access it, but it Does let you see the screen, and does mean it's waterproof.

a

gpsn3wbie · Regular Visitor Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 176

feef · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 13

lbendlin · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:27 pm Post subject:

Yes, they have membranes, and these work surprisingly well.
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Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
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Darren · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: Fitting a PDA to sports bikes

pharmamike · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject: Waterproof socket

You can get waterproof cigar lighter sockets from marine supply shops. Cost is from £15-£20.

I have been meaning to put one on my Pan for quite a while, but have been making do with a non-waterproof one inside the left fairing pocket.

Mike

jjturner · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 13, 2006 Posts: 1

ragamuffin · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 23, 2007 Posts: 1

I run my satnav whilst on the bike solely using audio instructions rather than looking at the screen.. this way I can use a magnetic tank bag with all the gumf stuck in. The PDA just sites in the lcear waterproof pocket at the top. Cigarette lighter mounted on yoke. Works well but can be annoying having to pull pda out of clear pocket at top of tank bag just to change destination.. I have been looking at Navigons software as it has voice commands for destinations Smile

.. maybe able to rig a microphone to pda and use solely on voice commands..

biker01 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 17, 2007 Posts: 1

Hi
I have a Zire (Palm) with kirrio sat nav,no bluetooth connection
I have problems seeing the screen in sunlight?
Do you guys have the same problem?if so then why mount them on the front of the bike?
I have mine in my topbox with the reciver on the tank(i get interference from it to my Starcom unit if it is too close )
All works well for me most of the time ,but some instructions can be misleading if you cannot see the screen
So i would like to change the location if it was worth it.
Thanks
Biker

alix776 · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

ram mounts have a bike mount that would work and also have a specfic holder for and otter box i have one on my mountain bike and i think it would work well on a motor bike
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currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

welshbiker · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Waterproof socket

pharmamike · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:

Assuming that your electrics are -ve earth, you put the fuse on the +ve side of the socket. Power needs to flow from battery through fuse to socket to device to earth (frame).

Hope that's clear.

Mike

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