Garmin Zumo 660

I haven't actually received the Garmin 660 yet, but figured the installation to be a bit tricky. I'd like to get it up above the instrument panel. I've been using a Navigon 7310 in the car for about a year now. I look at it all the time. The scooter requires a good deal more concentration on the road than does the car. Does anyone have any experience at actually "looking at the screen" now and then?

I have DennisB mount with about a 3" riser I bought and it is a great addition and I have no problem looking down. I can just see over at all of the dash instruments. If you want yours higher than all of the dash instruments I think you would need one that is about 9-12" tall. But that is not my opinion. I can measure tomorrow how tall it should be so your gps is pretty high but I'm not sure if companies sell them this tall. And welcome to the site.

DennisB is a regular contributor to this forum and he manufactures and sells an excellent custom mount for the Swing.

After receiving one of Dennis' mounts I bought the necessary RAM adaptors from: www.gpscentral.ca. They have choices for suitable extensions, etc. I have a 4 inch unit which works fine. Their service is very good. You'll find similar suppliers in the US.

While I can see my Nuvi 550 very well, I have to remind myself to not be distracted by it!

This is an excellent, helpful forum - welcome!

KINN

My experience is that you look at it a LOT longer than you think.
Due to adrenalin rushes in the past I no longer LOOK at the tiny screen while in motion. It ain't the same as glancing at the speedometer.

Stop lights, pull offs , rest stops. and the occasioanl glance if there is NOONE in front of me on the Interstate for at least a MIle.

Mine talks directions, and MP3 player other wise it could be in a pocket or bag.

I do much the same as Jeff with my 660.
It's fine and if I'm going at a reasonable speed can hear the voice directions.
I'll wire it through my helmet speakers one day!

MaxB wrote:

My experience is that you look at it a LOT longer than you think.

I have GPS in two of my three cars. At first the tendency was to constantly check or stare the GPS ... I had to train myself when I could look at the GPS.

I just added a Zumo 660 GPS to my Silverwing about 2 months ago. If I am going to look at the the GPS, I only look for one specific item and for example distance to next turn and then quickly return my eyes ... just like glancing at the speedometer.

Because of the bright sunlight, I find that I may have to glance at the GPS a fraction longer. I may end up purchasing a Glarestomper ( http://www.glarestomper.com/320.html ) to reduce the glare and allow quicker glances.

DennisB has some really great products, you might want to consider his plug & play wiring adapter vs. cutting into the harness. His custom silverwing ram mount is first class.

That being said. because of my eyesight I needed my GPS to be closer to me. I mounted mine on the left handlebar up high so it was in my lower peripheral vision while looking straight ahead. When the screen alerts of a turn or direction change I can see the alert then plan when it is safe to look at the screen. I have an older SP2810 it had the largest screen at the time (way before the Zumo family)

Here is the way I mounted my older Garmin Etrex.

Here's the other photo of my GPS mount.

thomphoto wrote:

Here's the other photo of my GPS mount.

Another option would be a Larry Motorcycle brake reservoir double ram mount ( http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=8 ).

I've got the single one for my ipod.

honda_silver wrote:

thomphoto wrote:

Here's the other photo of my GPS mount.

Another option would be a Larry Motorcycle brake reservoir double ram mount ( http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=8 ).

Yes, that looks nice, but mine didn't cost $25.95. Just a piece of scrap 1x1/8 metal bar.

I know it took awhile, but here's what I did. Thanks to Bill I decided on the brake reservoir ram mount. I got two singles and put one on each of brake reservoirs. I mounted the Garmin on the left one (left hand to operate as you ride) and on the right side I got a ram mounted camera platform. I am using the Canon Vixia HF S20 HD camera for both stills and videos. Added a polarizer filter to the camera to be able to shoot through the Givi 214DT screen without reflection. A wireless mic lets me tuck the mic inside the helmet next to the Sena SMH10 mic and describe the ride on video without any windnoise. I just turn it on when I leave the house and forget about it. I edit the video when I get home.

But back to the Garmin. Works great with the Sena SMH10 to hear directions in the headset. But control of music or other audio is not as convenient as it is with the iPhone. I had the Garmin wired to the ignition so that it's only powered externally with the engine on. I like this. But I have disabled the bluetooth so I can use my iPhone directly with the Sena. It's okay because the volume of the instructions is loud enough to hear over the noise of the scooter and whatever is playing in the headset via the iPhone. Just a glance down keeps me on track. I just wandered around for a couple of hours and then I tell it to take me home. Thanks for all the suggestions.