5 comments about Garmin Handlebar Mounting Unit for GPS 60 Series.

1. This mount works great to utilize our GPS units while mountain biking. Mount stays steady and holds GPS great. Great mount for the price.



2. Nice original Garmin product. The rubber spacers that came with the unit are useless, the 2mm is too thin and the 5mm is too thick, leaving me with a unit that will not stay in place on my ATV. Once I improvise, I fear that my results in the field will be the same as already reported... needing extra reinforcememt to keep it in place.



3. First, mounting was tricky as the unit will not fit larger diameter handlebars very well at all. I did not end up with the position of the GPS that I wanted, but it's close enough. As for securely mounting the GPS? I've riden several hundred miles since installing it without incident. This includes a 17 MPH body slam (@#!$ wet railroad tracks!) that left me looking at my front wheel with sky in the background (pain starts here)but the GPS still securely in it's mount. I can see from the construction of the mount that there are weak areas that may be a problem down the road. Also, getting GPS in and out of the mount with one hand is a trick. All told, a good value.



4. I had read a lot of the reviews stating that this mount was nto stong enought to keep their GPS on the bike. I mainly do biking on roads and "rails to trails" paths so I am not a "rugged" biker.
   
   This mount worked very well for me. No movement whatsoever. I enjoy Geocaching while riding my bike, and this was a great addition to me favorite "sport."



5. I used this product on my road bicycle. It's a terribly fragile. After a few hundred miles of use, the top loop on the mount cracked, allowing my 60csx to pop out. That's when I learned the trick of using the wrist strap on the GPS unit as a backup.
   
   Thinking it might be a fluke, I tried another one. (Thank you REI!) It broke the same way. So did the one after that.
   
   Now I just carry the unit in my back pocket. :-(

5 comments about Garmin eTrex Legend HCx High-Senstivity Color Mapping Handheld GPS.

1. I use my Garmin eTrex Legend HCx almost on a daily basis. It's true what people say about the base maps; they're not really good for getting around. With that said, this thing comes alive when you install the City Navigator Maps. Turn by Turn directions (not spoken), Points of Interest Locator, find and route to an address, locate a restaurant and more.
   
   Great example of use: I was not in my town and needed to find a Bank of America ATM so I wouldn't have to pay ATM fees at both banks. I whipped out my eTrex, clicked Find then ATM and it showed me all banks with the closest first. Scrolled down to the first BOA and clicked Navigate and the Turn by Turn directions popped up. Awesome.
   
   I also began Geocaching with my kids. We love it. Nothing better to a kid then finding hidden treasure.
   
   I am an avid mountain and dirt bike rider so I also own the handlebar mount on both bikes. Flying down hill and blasting across rocks, mud, and water this thing stays with me. I take the recorded Track and upload it to my favorite trail riding websites using the GPX format.
   
   There is plenty of onboard memory to save your "Tracks" and I never filled it with any ride I did. But I bought a 2G micro SD just in case. (I believe you'll need the SD card if you install any maps.)
   
   I am knocking off 1 star because my eTrex shuts down while dirt bike riding (not mountain biking). I am pretty extreme and do intense climbs over rocks which are jarring. Jumping down cliffs with harsh landings must be shaking the batteries loose and causing the unit to shut down. I've googled this problem and other people have experienced this too. There are workarounds with which people have had success. Like I said, on the mountain bike, it works great.
   
   Overall though, if you're in the woods a lot but still want to get somewhere using your car, the eTrex Legend HCx is a great unit. I am very happy with my purchase.



2. I love Garmin (Ihave a Nuvi 350 and it's GREAT), BUT I returned this unit due to a faulty chip that kept switching modes, etc. When asked if I wanted to exchange for the same, I declined, as the item was not easy to navigate i.e., user intuitive. I'm sure that some programmer had fun, however I don't want to devote the rest of my life trying to use it!



3. I like it. I kinda wish I had sprung the extra $ to get the Vista to get the digital compass. If you are not moving, you can not really tell the direction. Other than that, I very pleased. Easy to see at night as well as bright light. Button function takes a some practice and coordination, but not too bad once you get use to it.



4. I've owned this and the previous CX. The HCX locks on to satellites very quickly and hold the signal indoors or in built up areas. Very good for hiking and the like. Trouble is that I mainly use the trip computer functions and the display is too volatile jumping around between speeds. Not good as a triip computer, buy the less sensitive CX for canoeing, biking etc.



5. I purchased a 2008 U.S. Topo Map and a 2 Gig SD card with this product and I am very pleased with the end result. The basic map on the GPS was practically useless but then I bought the product knowing that. I use it primarily for Geocaching right now but in the very neat future I will be using it for scouting and hunting also and hopefully it will serve me as well for those purposes.

5 comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 With USB ANT+ Sport Stick (Black) 010-00658-10.

1. I've been jonesing for this Garmin since I heard about it before January. I am not disappointed, but I did expect a little bit more.
   
   First of all, I've seen several pictures with a line graph showing your run vs altitude or speed. Nope! Just a simple graph for Satellites.
   
   Secondly the bazel is NOT metal. I wear my Garmin as a watch and bumped it against a door jam and dinged the bazel. Not a big ding, but a little nick is out of it now.
   
   Third; the band is much wider than it needs to be. The watch is barely too big to wear day to day, but I'm still wearing it daily.
   
   Fourth thing that jabs me in the wallet is; yes it is pretty darn accurate, but when it uploads to Google maps (does it automaticly) when you really zoom in I've noticed all the routes are off the road to the east and north about 50'. So all of my trail routes look like I was running either in the river, or in the street, not on the trails.
   
   Those 4 things are the absolute worst I've had with it. I've used it for a week now, and can't say enough about it. It hasn't made me run faster yet, but I've ran more =). I gave it 4 stars because some of the things I'm bitching about are simply my points, not something that makes the watch lesser of a product.



2. Let me first say that I have been a fan of Garmin products for years and have run with the 105 and the 205/305 and loved both of them. You turned them on and went for a run with no problems, but the 405 is nowhere near as easy. I went through two of them before I realized I should not wasted anymore time with this thing. The connection with the computer is a huge hassle and if you do not have the current updates the watch lasts only 4 hours based on my experience. The touch feature on the watch is a pain and not easy to work. It does fit nicely but that is it....And to make matters worse the customer support for Garmin is horrible you end up waiting 30-40 minutes.....For those die hard marathoners like me, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME....Get the 205/305.......



3. I bought the Garmin Forerunner 405 for my girlfriend. I have since run with her while she was wearing it and asked her about her solo runs with it. She absolutely loves the thing, especially the virtual partner feature. The only problem I think she has had are with the bezel-controls, which can be confusing at times. It seems like sometimes the watch reacts to touch and other times it doesn't. To be fair, my girlfriend has not read the manual.



4. Promised by "Q4 2008" but I am not going to hold my breath for it given all the other negative review about performance. What a bummer, cause the 305 is ugly, but I guess I'll stick with it cause it works.



5. Form factor is great, GPS function is great. Product is unusable during a workout! Once you break a sweat and sometimes before, the bezel becomes unusable. Garmin obviously never tested this device in the field. Buy the Garmin 305 it is rock solid and more feature rich. Amazon was great to work with on this issue and I am in the process of receiving a full refund. If you do buy this unit, please save all the packing and accessories so you can return to Amazon within the 30 day period.

1 comments about 3 Pack Premium Ultra Clear Reusable 4.3" / 4.-Inch GPS LCD Screen Protector with Lint Cleaning Cloth for Garmin Nuvi 200W, 205W, 250W, 260W, 600, 610, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 860, 880, TomTom ONE XL XL-S TomTom Go 720, TomTom XL 330S, TomTom GO 730T.

1. These protectors are of excellent quality and it is good that they are sold in this three pack. I used these for my Garmin Nuvi 660 and they fit perfect. The best way to get these is to buy them when you buy the GPS so that you can take off the Garmin protector and then put these on in place. I did not do this so even though I cleaned it, I had to waste one before I got a decent fit. At least you have three shots at getting it right if you are trying to put a protector on your GPS that you have been using.

5 comments about Garmin A/C Charger for StreetPilot C Series.

1. I have never used the USB cord since I first set up my Garmin C340, so this is perfect to put a charge on my Streetpilot whether at home before heading out or when traveling. The price is great! Add it to the Garmin carrying case to get the free shipping. Awesome combo.



2. i have the garmin streetpilot c320. i've had it for almost 3 years now. but the other day i left the stand on the windsheild, in over 90 degree heat. so it was even hotter in my car.
   
   the ac adapter in my car was still plugged in to the stand, and when i pulled it out, the charger part of the stand broke off when i pulled it.
   
   i love my gps, i dont know what i'd do with out it, so i had to get a replacement.
   
   i decided to get this, so i dont have to mess with cords in my car. i can just bring the gps into the house when the battery is low. its really nice not have to wrap the stiff ac cord up when i put my gps away when not using it.



3. I don't know why you would need this. We ordered it and only used it one time. After figuring out how to use our Garmin we discovered that our model does not hold a charge, thus we cannot carry it around and use it. To use it as a GPS, it has to be in a car and plugged into the outlet there. You wouldn't really have a need to have your GPS plugged in at your home, because it isn't moving and cannot function.



4. 010-10618-00 for StreetPilot c310 c320 c330 c340.
   010-10747-04 for StreetPilot c510 c530 c550 c580.
   010-10723-00 for StreetPilot i2/3/5 and all Nuvi.
   GPS may charge via USB. It's slower, but save $! :-Deal



5. I misplaced my original charger for my Garmin GPS and could not find a charger anywhere else but Amazon.

5 comments about Garmin nüvi 250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Silver).

1. This is the best instant map to find your way around big cities.
   esp. when detours occure almost everday, and sometime the road turns out to be a one way street.



2. First of all, I can't begin to explain on how amazing this little GPS is. I am not afraid to admit that I'm HORRIBLE with any sort of directions, but this Nuvi helps me out so much. Its so simple, easy to see, and the color pink adds some girlyness to it.
   
   Cons: It takes a little while to acquire the satelites, especially when you first turn it on, and sometimes you need to switch between the Fastest Route and Shortest Distance because the directions are kinda weird.
   But other than that, anyone who isn't looking to spend a fortune on a GPS, this is definetely the one for you.



3. For a simple GPS system, it works well. It doesn't have Text-To-Speech, which means that it says "turn left in 300 feet" not "Turn left on Main Street in 300 feet". For me, that works fine as the less it talks the better. Selects good routes, is simple to set up and use and is easily updated from the web (which i would recommend doing right away as there were numerous updates available, including GPS firmware updates). If you want alot of bells and whistles, you will be disappointed. If you want a simple, trustworthy GPS device for a low cost, this is for you.



4. I purchased the GPS as a last minute birthday gift for my daughter who was leaving for college for the first time....500 miles away. Not being familiar with the area, I thought a GPS would be a perfect gift as well as giving me peace of mind knowing she will never get lost. The over night shipping was essential as we were leaving the next day. I was able to track the package and was relieved when it arrived in time. She was so excited when she opened it and we were able to take it straight from the box to mounted in her car. Thanks Amazon.com!



5. We have used our Garmin quite often and had never failed us in finding our destination. It is easy to put in address.

5 comments about Garmin nüvi 780 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator.

1. I bought Garmin 780 almost a month ago and since then traveled to other states with it. I must say that I am extremely impressed with its quality and accuracy. The only accessories I bought were the screen protector and the leather case. I would highly recommend it to protect your investment.
   
   I think it would be nice to have an easy one-touch button (soft or hard) to return to the navigation screen from any menu/screen instead of going back through multiple menus.



2. Large screen makes it easy to read and see all the detail. Free update of 2009 maps a plus! No ability to select WAAS, but it seems to be accurate to within a few yards. Can't turn sound up without accessing touch screen, could use a scroll volume control like my other Garmin products. The "Where am I now" function is a definite plus! Overall a very good purchase.



3. for those of you who just want the basic problems without the detail: voice prompt always late, voice often cuts out, routed to wrong destination on several occassions.
   
   want details?? here goes:
   well i sneared at my wife's magellan maestro 4250 (i wanted a high end unit & i wanted a Garmin.) so the nuvi 780 price was at the high end of what i was willing to spend. i read over the reviews; it seemed the perfect gps for me. it came about 5 days after i placed the order. it looked and felt great. i loaded some music on it. the playback sounded good. but then it froze. i couldn't shut it off' so i just left it alone until the battery died. i recharged it and everything worked great, except when i made my first trip using it the navigation proved worthless.
   so what was wrong you ask?? the navagation prompts were late, not occasionally, but always. let me give you three examples of the late prompts:
   a) the 780 prompt, "in .3 miles turn right on 95n _J ...(inaudible)".
   well i saw a sign up ahead maybe about .1 of a mile, so i'm thinking that can't be it. But as i get about 100 feet away from the entrance and can now start reading the sign, i realize that's the turn i need to make. thankfully seeing no one was behind me, i was able to brake hard and then make the turn.
   b) on the way home, when i was in an area i'm familiar with, i know i have to get to the right and take the next exit. and that's the route that shows on the map (the purple line) and at the top of the screen the next turn 'prompt, and yes i got a prompt about 2 miles back. so as i'm approaching the exit i wondering:am i doing something wrong, am i mistaken about the prompts being late, am i not listening close enough, how could it be that the prompts are late, it 's a garmin, the're the industry leader, when am i going to get a voice prompt for the next turn, i'll pay close attention to make sure it's not me screwing up. so i'm approaching the exit, about 3/10 of a mile away -- no prompt. so i get to the exit, but still no voice prompt. i exit and get to the bottom of the exit ramp, but still no vioce prompt. i go about another 200 feet along the street; now i get a voice prompt to exit right.
   3) so i'm going along the street as i mentioned above. i get a voice prompt, "in ??? make a left at foster rd. (i don't remember the distance it gave), but i was about 1/4 of a mile, maybe a more, from foster rd when i got the prompt. so i continut along the street, i get to foster rd and make the left turn. as i'm about 1/2 way through the turn, yes, you guessed it, i get the voice prompt telling me to turn.
   
   unfortunetly still more problems: the several times the unit would route me to the wrong location, i.e.:
   i enter a street number for second ave, new york city, new york (i'm entering the data while i'm in staten island, ny.
   i basically know where i'm going, except i'm not sure where the specific number address is on second ave. the unit directs me over the vz bridge and onto the gowanus expwy (which is in brooklyn) (so far so good) so i'm on the gowanus expwy and i know i have to continue to the battery tunnel. but the little man that lives inside the garmin 780 prompts me to get off at 36th street exit in brooklyn. now i know that's not right, so after several "recalculating" i shut the gps off and i continued going the way i knew to get to second ave new york city(nyc, as in manhattan). the gps unit was trying to take me to second ave in brooklyn.
   
   garmin tech support -- no help. they told me to download the latest firmware. i checked on the garmin site; my unit already had the latest firmware.
   
   needless to say i'm very disappointed. this i my second garmin unit. the first was an ique 3200 (i think that's the right model number). come to think of it that unit wasn't exactly trouble free either. well i returned the 780 and i am waiting for my refund.
   
   now what unit will i get. well i think i'll get a magellan maestro 4250.
   we used it on our trip to fl., to ga. and continously near and around new york. the navagation has always been perfect. the prompts always timely.
   the one small problem the voice command function something speake to you when not spoken to. but it gets you to your destination. oh! and it cost about $200 less than the nuvi780.
   sometimes less is more.
   and one more "Oh." and here goes: Oh! by the way, i'm getting the magellan so i wont have to keep hearing my wife say, "you should have gotten the magellen."



4. JUST THE BEST ON THE MARKET. EASY TO USE LOTS AND LOTS OF INFO TO GET YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING. EASY TO SEE ,



5. I bought this before a drive from Virginia to Texas and it was a great comfort and aid. Looking up hotels, food and gas was quite helpful. The MSN direct helped around traffic and in finding weather. After trying myself then contacting Garmin I was very discouraged to find that the gas prices MSN Direct finds are only for regular unleaded. My truck is diesel so that feature, one I bought this model to access, was of no use. Around town the MSN direct is great if you live in a major city as I have found the traffic warnings, the location more so than the time of delay, to be very helpful and accurate. It also helps with simple tasks like checking movie times and stock prices if you can't already get those on your phone. As with every GPS I have found, sometimes the directions have you doing loop-de-loops because it sends you to U-turns where they are illegal or tells you to cross a median to turn left when there's a curb in the way etc. On military based it does not take into account the limited access through gates so you need to know your way around. Overall, good navigator but you still need to pay attention to where you are going so it doesnt get you in trouble.

5 comments about Garmin Carrying Case for Rino Series (010-10117-02).

1. I purchased this case to protect our Garmin 76CSX GPS unit purchased at the same time. The carrying case is well made, easy to open with the zippered closure, completely encloses the GPS and does a great job of protection. Highly recommended.



2. This case is just way too big for my GPS. After selecting the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS from Amazon, I made sure I selected the correct case by first going to the Garmin website to confirm Amazon's recommendation. Garmin showed this case and part number for the GPS so I also ordered it from Amazon at the same time as the GPS. When I received it, it was obviously way too big. You could probably fit 3 eTrex Vista GPS' in that case. I think Garmin must have determined size of their largest portable GPS and created this case, thinking any and all Garmin GPS' would fit.
   
   I didn't cut into the plastic packaging, so Amazon took it back and refunded the price. I had to pay shipping though since it was my (really Garmin's) mistake. I found a generic bag for the GPS that fit a lot better than the one by Garmin. I gave the case 2 stars only because of the bad fit. Otherwise I didn't see anything wrong or inferior about the product.



3. The carrying case is basic and gets the job done. I suggest that it have a separate pocket for spare batteries and the USB cable.



4. Perfect size for 76CSX. Good protection and keeps GPSr clean when not in use.



5. The product I received is not the same product I bought. The color is diferent and there is no world simbol.... But the product is very good. I'm satisfied.

5 comments about Garmin Zumo 450 Portable GPS Motorcycle Navigator.

1. I purchased this unit to replace an older Garmin device on my motorcycle and used it on a cross country trip. It is pretty much bullet proof, rugged, waterproof. I didn't need all the extra features of the 550 (already have an XM radio, don't use Bluetooth) so I went for the 450. The gauge screens are quite useful and my favorite feature is the fuel gauge, which is easily reset after filling the gas tank. It is also easy to change route calculations on the fly when doing mental fuel stop calculations to see if the next city beyond is attainable. The touch screen works well with motorcycle gloves as advertised. And, of course, the GPS speedometer is more accurate than vehicle speedos, so I rely on it totally, rather than having to do the mental calculation off the bike display, "let's see, it says 70 mph but I'm really going 66." The security locking screw provides low level security and some peace of mind, but I wouldn't leave the unit on the bike overnight. Someone can still cut the wire and unscrew the RAM mount, making off with the unit.
   
   The reason I gave it less than full stars is the audio connection. Here, I have to reference my older GPS solution, a Garmin iQue 3600 PDA. The iQue has an MP3 player with more than adequate audio output to drive headsets or the 3.5 mm stereo input to the Autocom bike audio system. At full volume setting, the Zumo audio is barely detectable. I'm sure Garmin had some technical reason, but the audio output level of the Zumo just doesn't cut it. The various bike forums talk about some $85 adaptor solution, or purchasing a Radio Shack MP3 headphone amplifier. From my viewpoint as an engineer, Garmin, for whatever reason, left out a $0.25 audio integrated circuit chip that would have easily remedied this, Instead, we are left to forage the online lists for a patchwork solution to a poor design.



2. This unit is rock solid in the weather and easy to read the screen in all conditions as promised, great for motorcycles. My only complaint is that I was surprised to find the box and unit without the protectective plastic with the back of the unit cardboard scuffed from shipping. Garmin assured me that this unit was still considered "new" but I have to think it was a return of some kind. Either way, Garmin assured me it would be under the full warranty. In the end, I tested it under Washington/Oregon rainstorms while navigating the coast fot four days and it worked flawless as a GPS, although the motel list was quite out of date!



3. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a GPS unit for the motorcycle for a couple of years and finally decided to take the plunge.
   I only wish I'd puchased it sooner. The Zumo is fairly easy to wire to the bike and the mounting system is superb. The day after I mounted it we went on a long weekend trip, so it got a good test. The unit performed flawlessly and was very easy to use. We ran through some heavy rain the first morning and I can attest to the fact that the Zumo is waterproof! The routing is easy and with a few tips from friends I became very adept at setting destinations with multiple waypoints.
   Several friends have adapted automobile units for the bikes, but with the first raindrop they panic. Not having that worry is worth the extra cost, along with the glove-friendly controls.. I will have to purchase a car mount, but with the price I got on Amazon, I'm still money ahead.
   Definitely a solid unit.



4. The Zuom 450 is a great product and works easily and intuitivly. However, the model being sold through Amazon has out of date maps which are hard to update. I have not yet been able to get this update working as yet and the download takes a very long time. The other problem is that it send you the most direct route and uses interstate highways when ever possible. This is ok for most travelers but motorcyclists often are looking for the less traveled route and the senic route and the route which is the most fun to ride. This is dificult to do with the Zumo 450.



5. The Garmin Zumo 450 was easy to install. I installed it directly into the extra power wires located in my bike's headlight. The gps mount is very stable and with the power plugged into the headlight power, the Zumo turns on and off when I turn the bike on or off. I just used it through a hard rainstorm last weekend and it was perfectly fine. The display is nice and bright for any conditions I've encountered so far. If you don't need audible directions or bluetooth connections, then this gps is perfect.

5 comments about Garmin Bicycle Mount for eTrex and Summit (010-10267-00).

1. What a disappointment. The battery cover does not work on a eTrex Venture CX model. What a disappointment. The CX has a flash card slot on the upper left which requires a notch in the cover. This one does not have the notch so it will not fit. I also do not have the o-ring mentioned by the other reviewer so I am not sure if it will seal 100% on regular units anyway.
   
   What a bummer I threw away the packaging before I actually tried to mount it on the bicycle anyway. What a bummer.



2. Don't worry. Use the "auxiliary mount adapter" that comes with your GPS unit, may be you have dropped it into the box. This adapter attaches to the GPS unit easily,screwing it on the back of the original battery cover, don't remove it, and don't replace it with the bike mount cover, it is useless. Now you can install the Etrex either on the handlebar mount or on the Suction Mounting Bracket. You don't need to buy anything else.



3. I've got the eTrex Vista hcx and was immediatly annoyed that it wasn't as waterproof as the original cover. And then I realized I could not get the battery cover to work.
   
   BUT what I discovered is all you need is the 010-10496-00 (search Amazon for part number) for the part that is what goes on the handle bars (and a tiny part that comes with the HCX). It's only a little cheaper but it's all you need. I'm assuming this is true for any of the models with memory cards since that was my problem in getting it to work.
   
   Before I got this I knew the part I wouldn't like: I'll need a phillips to get the handlebar adaptor on and off when traveling (when renting a bike or ORV).
   
   But now my biggest complaints are tied to the tiny piece I mentioned above: one it needs a flathead screwdriver to attach to the case, and (2) it's pretty small (in terms of losing it). Because of this I'm tempted to file down the inside of the new battery cover so it fits my HCX. This way I won't lose anything (or have the flathead screw get loose). Or just buy a spare battery cover (not sold at Amazon but only $10) and leave the adapter permanently screwed on.



4. Put simply, this case was badly designed for mountain bikers! I sold mine 2 weeks after buying it.
   
   Why is it bad?
   The whole gps is supported by the bottom battery case, which in turn is supported by a tiny metal hinge in the case. With all the vibrations in mountain biking, the hinge will eventually become loose and perhaps the batteries may come loose. I've heard of batteries coming loose from other users and the gps loosing power!
   Garmin needs to design a holder that holds the entire gps body rather than the battery cover only.
   
   Bottom line : NEVER get this for mountain biking. It might perhaps be a little less damaging in road biking.



5. I love this device for my bicycle. It works very well, is very sturdy and is very secure. I would love to see a product with the option to buy two bicycle mounts since I have several different bicycles.