This video will show you how to make any Garmin Nuvi waterproof for use on a motorcycle, both Dual Sporting and Adventure Bike Riding. More Info at:sites.google.c...
Kevin, What made me try it was the hose test at the end. Bought a Nuvi58 and followed your instruction. Road 8 hours in a downpour. It worked perfectly. Thanks for taking the time to share your idea. A very elegant, easy on the pocket tip.
Just back from a 5000 mile tour had great weather but for a few days of really BIG RAIN. Thanks to following the instructions in your video though, No problems at all with my Nuvi2797.
Very nice. Just found an old NUVI I had laying around that I installed on my bike and used your trick to waterproof. I usually don't ride in the rain but got caught in some on my way home and no issues at all. Thanks!
Bloody brilliant. Nuvi models are better than half the price of the cheapest Zumo. Was wondering if I could get away with a Nuvi on my bike. Well done and thanks for the video and hose demonstration that it works...
Thank you so much. Seriously, this is just what I needed. I have an old Garmin unit that I've used in the car for years but I don't need it in the car. I don't really like using my phone as a GPS because it gets hot in the sun. I never even considered that I could waterproof the unit and use it on my motorcycle so this will save me a lot of money.
Pretty good tip, I got another. Simply set your directions and put the gps in a sandwich bag. Cut a small hole for the charging cable, pull the excess plastic and zip tie past the plastic on the cable.
Thanks great video. I used a Nuvi for years on my bike without any waterproofing, they do quite well but it did eventually die. I'll be waterproofing my next one using your tips. BTW looks like you have essential tremor, I do also and appreciate your video even more.
Good start and possibly OK when behind a fairing but mine sits out in the breeze and isn't far off vertical. The other points of ingress, ie the top switch (newer ones have a rubber button so OK), the mic, speaker and SD card slots really need blocking, I use insulating tape. The horrible USB socket is still a problem though. I would silicone in a permanent connection but then be stuck for data transfer so in the meantime its the good ol' ziplock bag when it rains.
Excellent idea..... You sir are a genius. I have 2 Zumos (550, 660LM Road Tech) I have well over a grand tied up into both of them. I have a Nuvi in my car and always wondered how it would hold up on the bike but never had the guts to do what you just did in 5 minutes. Thank You!!!
Thanks for the video. I did this for my old unit and it worked GREAT. It even held-up on a cross-country ride where I rode in pretty steady rain for 2.5 days ! I am going to try shrink wrap next - if that doesnt work I will go with this tried and true method
I brought mu nevi with me to Maui where I used it in my rental cars as well as the H-D Ultra that I rented. It didn't rain on me, but the shaking of the bike caused the GPS to fry it's little brain. Now I'm back home it's working again, but if you use it one one of those paint mixer motorcycles, you might also see the screen reduce itself to a series of horizontal lines!
Same problem here. Have gone through 2 Nuvi's due to the shake rattle and roll of the HD I believe. Finally broke down and bought an old gen zumo (still new in box).
I would look at a tomtom as some of them come with mp3 player and audio out on the bottom so i believe you can put an extension lead that ends near your seat the plug in headphones so you hear music and directions. another way is if your satnav has no audio out seal it up and us a pocket radio and the fm transmitter option that many satnavs have some mp3 players come with radio and massive battery life. for serious waterproofing i would gaffa tap the holes on the inside like the speaker etc then silicone from the outside then gaffa tape over the top. then for the main seal silicone and electrical tape over the top. if you want to go super nuts put dry rice inside but thats taking it a bit far. thanks again for the video i can buy 6 2nd hand tomtoms for the price of 1 second hand garmin 590
Hello Kevin Thanks for the video . You clearly use the garmin 1490 for your motorcycle navigation - i also have a 1490 but it wont pair up to a bluetooth headset - so i cant use the audio wirelessly. My question is how have you overcome this problem - or do you just take the audio directions from the other satnav device on the bike? Thanks Mark .
I was thinking of the silicon idea for a little whil but did not want to screw up the GPS . Thank you letting know it works. THe only other question I have is this. Is there a problem with water getting bwetween the two halfs of the unit or should I use sealent for the seam around the out side.
Bernard Cohen just avoid the issue and seal everywere except the plug socket if you seal the seam you could also put a piece of electrical tape round the unit as a double precaution however unlikely you would need it also a add on sun shade visor is very cheap and would stop water getting in the seam maybe
Well, for health reasons, that is a sign of a lack of potassium. Don't mess with your electrolytes. They are rather important for proper functionality.
Kevin, What made me try it was the hose test at the end. Bought a Nuvi58 and followed your instruction. Road 8 hours in a downpour. It worked perfectly. Thanks for taking the time to share your idea. A very elegant, easy on the pocket tip.
Just back from a 5000 mile tour had great weather but for a few days of really BIG RAIN. Thanks to following the instructions in your video though, No problems at all with my Nuvi2797.
Very nice. Just found an old NUVI I had laying around that I installed on my bike and used your trick to waterproof. I usually don't ride in the rain but got caught in some on my way home and no issues at all. Thanks!
Bloody brilliant. Nuvi models are better than half the price of the cheapest Zumo. Was wondering if I could get away with a Nuvi on my bike. Well done and thanks for the video and hose demonstration that it works...
Thank you so much. Seriously, this is just what I needed. I have an old Garmin unit that I've used in the car for years but I don't need it in the car. I don't really like using my phone as a GPS because it gets hot in the sun. I never even considered that I could waterproof the unit and use it on my motorcycle so this will save me a lot of money.
there's a shrink wrap that they make for remote controls that you heat up with a dryer and it's very waterproof
Sounds good but wouldn't it affect the touchscreen?
Brilliant! Even all this years later 🎉 👍
I was using a sandwitch bag. This is so much better. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty good tip, I got another. Simply set your directions and put the gps in a sandwich bag. Cut a small hole for the charging cable, pull the excess plastic and zip tie past the plastic on the cable.
+Chuck “Charlie” Tate thats a great tip, can you make a quick video and post it!
Charlie Tate
try a washed condom. cant even tell it on the gps and protects the screen
The bag works, but the screen can be hard to read.
Thanks great video. I used a Nuvi for years on my bike without any waterproofing, they do quite well but it did eventually die. I'll be waterproofing my next one using your tips. BTW looks like you have essential tremor, I do also and appreciate your video even more.
Plus, it's better to keep your phone on your person. If you and the bike go separate ways, you can still call for help.
Good start and possibly OK when behind a fairing but mine sits out in the breeze and isn't far off vertical. The other points of ingress, ie the top switch (newer ones have a rubber button so OK), the mic, speaker and SD card slots really need blocking, I use insulating tape. The horrible USB socket is still a problem though. I would silicone in a permanent connection but then be stuck for data transfer so in the meantime its the good ol' ziplock bag when it rains.
Excellent idea..... You sir are a genius. I have 2 Zumos (550, 660LM Road Tech) I have well over a grand tied up into both of them. I have a Nuvi in my car and always wondered how it would hold up on the bike but never had the guts to do what you just did in 5 minutes.
Thank You!!!
Thanks for the video, I've wasted about 3 Nuvi's. My next one will get a Chuck GPS seal!
Chuck GPS seal?
Thanks for the video. I did this for my old unit and it worked GREAT. It even held-up on a cross-country ride where I rode in pretty steady rain for 2.5 days ! I am going to try shrink wrap next - if that doesnt work I will go with this tried and true method
Great idea. Just exchanged the Garmin 78 (way to small) for the 5 inch Nuvi. Plan to waterproof it for dual sport.
I brought mu nevi with me to Maui where I used it in my rental cars as well as the H-D Ultra that I rented. It didn't rain on me, but the shaking of the bike caused the GPS to fry it's little brain. Now I'm back home it's working again, but if you use it one one of those paint mixer motorcycles, you might also see the screen reduce itself to a series of horizontal lines!
Same problem here. Have gone through 2 Nuvi's due to the shake rattle and roll of the HD I believe. Finally broke down and bought an old gen zumo (still new in box).
Crazy idea. Never thought about it...Thanks
Just came across this - great idea Kevin - thank you for sharing!!
Great video, I had the same question as I am also considering garmin nuvi for my motorcycle. -thanks
:) thank you, I have 3 nuvi's I'll be doing this to. Happy trails.
thank you for posting I have a auto GPS on my bike will give it a go. AP
Really great and inventive tip!
I would look at a tomtom as some of them come with mp3 player and audio out on the bottom so i believe you can put an extension lead that ends near your seat the plug in headphones so you hear music and directions. another way is if your satnav has no audio out seal it up and us a pocket radio and the fm transmitter option that many satnavs have some mp3 players come with radio and massive battery life. for serious waterproofing i would gaffa tap the holes on the inside like the speaker etc then silicone from the outside then gaffa tape over the top. then for the main seal silicone and electrical tape over the top. if you want to go super nuts put dry rice inside but thats taking it a bit far. thanks again for the video i can buy 6 2nd hand tomtoms for the price of 1 second hand garmin 590
Awesome. Need to do this to my Nuvi.
good tech tip ! Kevin keep them coming !
Great video, how did you mount the Nuvi?
What about voice? Can we somehow make the nuvi send the voice through bluetooth the the helmet's bluetooth?
Great idea & tip!Thanks for posting.Cheers
Hello Kevin
Thanks for the video . You clearly use the garmin 1490 for your motorcycle navigation - i also have a 1490 but it wont pair up to a bluetooth headset - so i cant use the audio wirelessly.
My question is how have you overcome this problem - or do you just take the audio directions from the other satnav device on the bike?
Thanks
Mark .
Mine also does not have Bluetooth so I just turn the volume up all the way.
Maybe wrapping the unit with cling film would work
Thank you for the valuable info
Great video...thanks for that tip!
You are a good man
Wow:-) great, thats all I can say. Also what kind of bracket you have on S10? I have same bike. How did you fit car gps on to bike?
Great idea thanks for the video!
congrats on being awesome :)
Thanks for the video sir!!!
Hi, is It still working?
how can you not to seal the gaps of the buttons, the speaker and the USB? in the down pour it will definitely leak inside I recon?
awesome work thank you
Good idea but what silicon and where to bay thank for tips
I used marine/boat clear silicone from Home Depot
This for a car or a bike??
terrific ideal!
Thanks Mate
Like to give this a go, But what do you do with the on/off button if anything?
I have done nothing to the on/off button and mine has been just fine.
magic, thanks! :)
I was thinking of the silicon idea for a little whil but did not want to screw up the GPS . Thank you letting know it works. THe only other question I have is this. Is there a problem with water getting bwetween the two halfs of the unit or should I use sealent for the seam around the out side.
Bernard Cohen just avoid the issue and seal everywere except the plug socket if you seal the seam you could also put a piece of electrical tape round the unit as a double precaution however unlikely you would need it also a add on sun shade visor is very cheap and would stop water getting in the seam maybe
hi i got same nuvi 200 can i run gpx files on it like mabrd or it only works on the stret?
ty greg
the gps is not damaged by the vibrations of the motorcycle?
Sebastian, yes vibration can kill the mini usb connector. Use a rubber band to hole the connector in tightly, and don't let the cord flop up and down
there's waterproof cases for them now.
Zip lock sandwich bag when it rains
Will it work on a Megellan Gps?
No, only Garmin.
is there anyway to connect a garmin nuvi to a helmet bluetooth, so I can hear instructions in my lid?
Red19UK alot of satnavs transmit to fm radios so just use a pocket radio to hear it
Jason Leo good tip, ty
Try the packtalk and it should work the way you want it
just put it in a waterproof case
Hands are shaky. You should take a few drinks.
ru kidding thats the only thing you can say about the video, your a waste
dick
Well, for health reasons, that is a sign of a lack of potassium. Don't mess with your electrolytes. They are rather important for proper functionality.
Ooooorrrr.......you can just buy the waterproof case on amazon or ebay starting at $3