My GPS install... went a slightly different route.

[Fourcam281]

All of the installs I've seen so far have been on the handle bars. While that looks good it wasn't the look I was going for... So I did this. My goal was to drill as few a holes as possible. I was able to use two mounting points already on the sled and only need to drill a hole for the wire to go through to charge the GPS. Here's some install pics...

First I needed power so I stopped at the local auto parts store and picked this dual plug up for 7 bucks. I installed it in the beer holder to keep it dry.


Next I needed to build a mount for my Ram mount. I took a piece of scrap aluminum and made a bracket to go across two mounting holes around on the cowl. I bolted the Ram mount to that (off center because the arm bolts to the GPS cradle off center) and for the front two mount bolts I found some black screws that threaded into the mount. I put them in upside down so they rest on the cowl, this setup is really strong and has almost no flex.


Here's a shot before I put the windscreen back on.


Another from the side with the windscreen on.


And how it looks if you were sitting on it. I've changed the icon to a sled already.


The HID's sure do make a glare!


Let me know what you think!

 

[murdog94]

Looks great, and since i am kinda anti tech, does that give you maps of the sled trails?

 

[Fourcam281]

Yeah, I got the Red Pine maps it has the trails for Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Maine, and New Hampshire. All told I only have about 125 bucks into this setup. I got the GPS used off of Ebay for 35 bucks, the mount was 40, the maps 40 and misc stuff about 10 bucks.

 

[murdog94]

Well i learned something new! I seriously knew nothing about this, i just have the old school trail maps in the beer holder LOL

 

[Fourcam281]

I think its going to be well worth the money. It sucks getting lost on the trails or missing the trail from the lake. I hope this fixes it! I know you want one now too!

 

[murdog94]

very much so, Up north of Duluth we have a crap ton of trails, and well even after 15 years ridding them i still get lost or miss the road that i need to ditch bang on to get where i need to be

 

[actionjack]

Which model Nuvii is it that will let you load trail map data set?

 

[biffdotorg]

Fourcam, Nice setup with that Garmin.

I have been using the redpine maps on my Lowrance H2O for the past 2 seasons. I just inherited a Garmin Nuvi like yours. I was going to order the Redpine maps for it, but what did you use to load the maps? They mentioned a piece of software that I think shipped with the Garmin, but I don't have.

Did you have to use Mapsource or Mapinstall or just put them on a Micro SD card and load?

Thanks for the write up!

 

[bottlerocket]

I have redpine on my 640 and vvmapping on my 500. Both are great trail maps.

 

[Fourcam281]

Thanks for the compliments guys. Just about any Garmin that has an SD card slot can be used (mines a Nuvi 260W). I downloaded the maps from their website and then used Garmin mapsource (you can get it from the Garmin site) to combine them with the topo maps and loaded them to an SD card. Just pop the card in and all the maps were automatically added.

 

[biffdotorg]

Thanks for the reply. I will hit up the Garmin site for Mapsource then.

This install has inspired me to use that Garmin this season. I would love the larger screen as the maps are great and well worth the money.

Good work!

 

[DGZRT]

I love the set up ! i use a GARMIN HCX COLOR. Wouldn't be with out it. I can't believe no one mentioned the the kegger in the background. Glad i don't have one of those in my garage I would never leave!!

 

[Fourcam281]

Ha, the garage is my refuge. I have a tournament style beer pong table, dart board, a screen for the entire garage door and some tunes in addition to the kegerator. Many good times in there.

 

[DGZRT]

The wife almost killed me when I installed the the 12" sub woofer in the garage. I had to move it onto a shelf and mount some sponge on the feet to keep the thumping down in the house. She came up with a great idea last weekend. An Electric hoist mounted to the ceiling so it easier to lift my sleds and Deer. I said I will get right on that!! LOL.

 

[new4stroker]

Sounds like a great garage set up. Love the look of the Gps. I would love to add that. I need to learn more about making maps from tracks as there are no Gps maps for any grails where I live. Would have to make each map.