Hi,

Magellan or Garmin?

I hope to follow some of the routes (pistes) listed in Sahara Uncovered and would be grateful for any information on which GPS receiver (make and model)is best to use.

I will be doing the trip on an XR400 (no battery) and would also be intrested in any information about linking the GPS up to the bikes electrics.

Thanks.

I won't offer opinions on which GPS is best, but without a battery don't even think of hooking the GPS up to the bikes electrics unless you want cooked GPS for lunch.

Most GPSs don't use a huge amount of juice, so just carry spare batteries. AA's are available just about everywhere, so whichever one you choose make sure it uses AA's.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Peter, Grant is correct, don't plan to hook the GPS up to the motorcycle unless the motorcycle is equipped with a battery to dampen the voltage fluctuations. But, having said that, I do recommend that you get a auxiliary power source of some kind for your GPS.

I have a Garmin StreetPilot III GPS that I have hooked up to my motorcycle's auxiliary power bus, and I have had no problems with it in over 20,000 KM of riding. I know of many other riders who have GPS equipment installed and also power it from the motorcycle (with a battery on the motorcycle).

The newer GPS units - especially the ones with colour screens - go through batteries very rapidly (only 2 or 3 hours use from 6 AA on my StreetPilot III) - therefore a source of power from the motorcycle is essential.

Most motorcycles provide one auxiliary power source from the fuse panel. If a rider has an older motorcycle that does not have an auxiliary power tap, then power for the GPS could safely be taken from the circuit for the side marker lights (upstream from the switch, if a switch is provided). GPS units typically draw less than 15 watts, so the drain is negligible.

The GPSR will likely have its own fuse inside it. The power going to the GPSR from the motorcycle should be protected by a fuse no larger than what the GPSR itself uses - 1.5 amps, in the case of my StreetPilot III.

Here is a link to a website that shows a variety of mounting solutions for GPS units on a motorcycle: CycloActive. For those interested in installing a separate auxiliary power bus on their motorcycle (highly recommended, if you are going to install GPS, heated clothing, driving lights, etc.), here are two links that might be useful: Thomas Melnik's Modifications - look for the link that says "Aux Fuse Panel", and Tulsa Electric, who supply the fuse panel (look way down the page, second item from the bottom).

I have also posted some general comments about GPS selection for a bike at this thread: Garmin StreetPilot III, Considerations when choosing a GPS

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 06 January 2002).]