Bulletproof nuvi

 

Want a bulletproof Garmin? Pick up a Nuvi 500. I just got one and I can't say enough about it. It's waterproof, and rugged. Like an idiot, I trusted my $200 unit to a $2.38 bike mount from ebay. Needless to say, while riding my bike down a nice steep road, I hit a bump, the unit popped off the ball and slid face down for 300 yards. sad 2 days in my possession... Bleah.... Well I picked it up, remounted it (OK, kick me now!), turned it on, and moved on. Less than 1/4 mile later while turning a corner, the mount broke in two and again my poor nuvi took another face plant. This time after sliding a mere 40 feet, the front bezel popped off. (which then got turned into road pizza by the onslaught of cars turning behind me....) So now my 2 day old nuvi looks like a rotweiller used it for a chew toy. One thing's for sure, I don't think anyone is going to be stealing this sucker wink

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Striving to make the NYC Metro area project the best.

I Also Like The 500

With less keystrokes I get to the info I need, save way points easier, and it costs less than a lot of other units.

Also with free maps available for the Garmin's and the large screen it's a win/win situation for me.

I have a cradle for mine on the ATV, with a Titanium mount. But still the cradle has been knocked off the mount by branches twice. The Nuvi was saved by hanging from the power cable on both occasions.

--
If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there.

bulletproof

camerabob, I would contact Garmin customer service with your story. Even though the failure of your mount wasn't Garmin's fault, they may be willing to replace the bezel because of your testimonial on the durability of their nuvi 500.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Good Idea

Good idea, you never know, and if you used a credit card to purchase it, it may be covered under thier policys, never hurts to check.

--
Always on the Road Knowing where I've Been

Hate to say it .....

camerabob wrote:

Want a bulletproof Garmin? Pick up a Nuvi 500. I just got one and I can't say enough about it. It's waterproof, and rugged. Like an idiot, I trusted my $200 unit to a $2.38 bike mount from ebay. Needless to say, while riding my bike down a nice steep road, I hit a bump, the unit popped off the ball and slid face down for 300 yards. sad 2 days in my possession... Bleah.... Well I picked it up, remounted it (OK, kick me now!), turned it on, and moved on. Less than 1/4 mile later while turning a corner, the mount broke in two and again my poor nuvi took another face plant. This time after sliding a mere 40 feet, the front bezel popped off. (which then got turned into road pizza by the onslaught of cars turning behind me....) So now my 2 day old nuvi looks like a rotweiller used it for a chew toy. One thing's for sure, I don't think anyone is going to be stealing this sucker wink

But you get what you pay for .....usually....Sorry to hear about what happened though...

--
Bobby....Garmin 2450LM

Thanks all.

My own fault for being cheap... Why trust a $200 unit on a P.O.S. $2.38 mount?? If it does see my bike again, I'm going to attach some kind of leash to it....

--
Striving to make the NYC Metro area project the best.

sorry for your lost

may it rest in peace shock

--
the art off war is never a winning combination for any one 1490T

credit card accidental damage coverage

Since its only a couple days old, maybe your credit card might cover it under accidental damage. It doesn't hurt to try. I have previously made claims due to accidental damage with Ameerican Express.

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nuvi 2460LMT

"Pictures or it didn't happen"

Totally joking there, friend, on the 'subject quote; wink

But in seriousness, it may be useful as others have mentioned in contacting Garmin.

And I imagine a few of us here would find it interesting to boot mrgreen

And keep us posted on your promotion

Imagine, being a Total GPS Tester, the goal of a lifetime ?

Just jesting, of course...

Oh - and if they build yet a tougher model, will you let us know ? You never know what can happen in this world razz

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Ain't nuthin' never just right to do the things you wanna do when you wanna do them, so you best just go ahead and do them anyway ! (Rancid Crabtree, from Pat F McManus fame)

lol

"chew toy". Cracked me up.

Leash

camerabob wrote:

My own fault for being cheap... Why trust a $200 unit on a P.O.S. $2.38 mount?? If it does see my bike again, I'm going to attach some kind of leash to it....

I have one of those mounts and I used my C550 with it. It never popped off but it came close. I was wondering about some kind of tether that could be used to keep it from hitting the ground if it should pop off. Unfortunately, there is no convenient attachment point. I have thought about using a cell phone cord that has a small nylon loop and fishing that through the speaker hole. Haven't done it yet. The Nuvi 765T does not go on the bicycle!

--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.

pooor poor garmin

pooor poor garmin

--
Nicpfeif12 Garmin Nuvi 5000 =)/ Winnebago 24f Minnie/ PHILLIES 07 NL east champps/ Philidelphia PHILLIES 2008 World Champss/ PHILLIES 09 NL CHAMPS/ 2010 NL EAST CHAMPIONS

Another workaround

The only bike I use, is a water-bike. You know, one of those with very large paddles, and you train on them with a very mean, energetic coach for about one hour at a stretch. Ours are from the Okeo brand.

Just for the heck of it, here's a link to our club's website, on the video page. You'll see what I mean wink

http://www.academy-aquablue.com/pages/video.html

And the advantage is, your bike is at the bottom of the swimming pool. So no vibrations, no chances of hitting the floor - only to get wet grin

Oh - of course you don't go very far on them bikes, either. So you can skip using a GPS !!!!

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Ain't nuthin' never just right to do the things you wanna do when you wanna do them, so you best just go ahead and do them anyway ! (Rancid Crabtree, from Pat F McManus fame)

Off-road alright

spera wrote:

The only bike I use, is a water-bike....

Oh - of course you don't go very far on them bikes, either. So you can skip using a GPS !!!!

But if you do, make sure you uncheck the road lock (select "pedestrian" or "off-road" use)

DEFINITELY off-road !!

I never thought of that one...

Say, while on the subject, is there a maritime, thoroughly waterproof Nüvi available ? Maybe I could give that one a test on my next water-bike training session... It don't need to float, just withstand water mrgreen

Take your time for your researches, I only bike on Mondays - Wednesdays and Fridays are dedicated to Aquagym. And I'd never manage to look at such a small screen during those trainings, while our coaches vent their rage above our heads - did you watch the video ? That specific coach has broken HIS bike four times in four months !

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Ain't nuthin' never just right to do the things you wanna do when you wanna do them, so you best just go ahead and do them anyway ! (Rancid Crabtree, from Pat F McManus fame)

Bullet proof.. and water proof.

The nuvi 500 fits that bill too. The Rottie may have chewed it, but it still sheds water. wink Water resistant for like an hour at 3 meters (or something similar. Check the specs)

--
Striving to make the NYC Metro area project the best.

Also...

There is a way to unlock the 500 for Marine use.

Here is the link:http://www.poi-factory.com/node/28859

I tried the link but apparently it isn't working any more.

Basically if you fool the Nuvi 500/550 into thinking is has a marine map installed, it will unlock the marine mode.

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If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there.

Great - but will it work for my Aqua-bike session ?

That's the whole problem, you see... I don't need marine maps, I just want to know if it's safe to use my Nüvi in the pool, mounted on the bike.

Maritime-wise, I have my boating license (mandatory in France), and boats usually have good enough a GPS for my needs grin

--
Ain't nuthin' never just right to do the things you wanna do when you wanna do them, so you best just go ahead and do them anyway ! (Rancid Crabtree, from Pat F McManus fame)

You know, the first time may have been Garmin's fault BUT>>>

the second time ... LOL ... thanks for torture testing for us wink

--
"You can't get there from here"

Leash

Aardvark wrote:
camerabob wrote:

My own fault for being cheap... Why trust a $200 unit on a P.O.S. $2.38 mount?? If it does see my bike again, I'm going to attach some kind of leash to it....

I have one of those mounts and I used my C550 with it. It never popped off but it came close. I was wondering about some kind of tether that could be used to keep it from hitting the ground if it should pop off. Unfortunately, there is no convenient attachment point. I have thought about using a cell phone cord that has a small nylon loop and fishing that through the speaker hole. Haven't done it yet. The Nuvi 765T does not go on the bicycle!

Both times mine popped off, the socket mechanism stayed attached to the Garmin. I could have just stretched a rubber band between that clip and the Garmin, the other end inside the loop attaching to the handlebars... Hindsight they say....

--
Striving to make the NYC Metro area project the best.