Garmin 60csx for street navigation

[horsepower]

I am planning a September motorcycle excursion through the Ozarks.  I don't want to buy another gps if I can get the one I have to work.  Can I download street maps from somewhere and enter my route in advance to use it on the trip.  If I can get it to show me where I am at at where my turns are, I can figure a way to mount it on my bike to be able to see the screen.

[Siskiyou]

You can purchase City Navigator and loaded in on a micro SD card for your 60csx at gpsnow.com or tigergps for around $89.  I used it on my 76Cx and it works fine.  They should also sell the handle bar mount.

[horsepower]

I've been reading about City Navigator but the name was kind of throwing me as I will be on the paved roads but in the boondocks so I am not sure if it will have the detail I need.  Do you think it will suffice?

Also, I am confused after reading a gazillion forums, if I just buy the preloaded SD card, can I not auto route?  I have found conflicting info here.  I'd rather not mess with the PC application if I don't have to but I want to be able to punch in "Go from city A to city B" and maybe have it find me a hotel or gas?  Are these things available on City Navigator.

By the way, thanks for all of your answers to a bunch of questions you must sometimes find wearisome.  You are a wealth of information and much more patient than I.

[Siskiyou]

The pre-load City Navigator card will allow you to autoroute. 

http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_010-10679-50.htm


When it comes to roads City Navigator should have all the detail you need.  I have found  to my surprise that it shows most of the main logging roads in the West.  If somebody punches in a bunch of new roads in a subdivision this week they will not show on your unit.  Normally the map products are out of date the day they go to market.  But they have been correct in most of my travels.

You will not get the benefits of voice direction using your 60CSx, you will get tones warning you of a turn and screen shoots showing you up coming turn.  I doubt you would hear voice directions or tones on your ride.

You will be able to do auto routing using City Navigator, it works very well in rural America. 

http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_010-10454-00.htm

http://www.gpsnow.com/Garmin_GPSMAP_60CSx_Accessories.htm

Depending on the diameter of your handle bars you might have to build an adaptor. 

Your compliments are appreciated.  I learn from members questions. 

Here is a travel information resource for part of the country you might be looking at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/ranger_districts/

http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/

[Glanceblamm]

Might be worth checking the Garmin site for mounting accessories for the 60csx. I know that Garmin used to have a handle bar mount for my handheld. If you could get the suction cup mount and have a windshield on the bike I know of a few that stick the automotive units low on the inside and have no problems with loosening while on the road.

[horsepower]

I'll be ordering that chip and mount tonight.  I took the batteries out of mine today and saw the chip in there but couldn't figure out how to get it out.  I'm sure once it arrives, I'll be back with a whole new host of questions!

[horsepower]

Hopefully, this will fall into you area of expertise as well.  I already have a connection to my motorcycle's battery to plug into my AC battery tender in the winter.  Right now, it is just a plug coming out from under the seat, sitting with a cap on it.  Do you think I could wire an adapter to the ends of the bare wire harness and plug my gps in via that route or is there going to be something sacred about the harness connection going straight to the battery.  The space is so tight, I barely got the tender hooked to the terminals.  I doubt I've got room for another set of connectors.

[Siskiyou]

Not sure what kind of “plug” you have?  If you have a cigarette type, female power plug you have a good start.  I have order from the gpsgeek before; the products are good and hold up.  I have had some in use seven or eight years.  They are high quality and about ˝ the price of Garmin items.

http://cgi.ebay.com/GPSMap-60CSx-60CS-60C-76CSx-76CS-76Cx-Car-Charger-Cable_W0QQitemZ170364473783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27aa8391b7&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

I recommend using lock tight on the threads to the internal fuse compartment.

Here is a bare wire adapter.  I recommend an inline fuse.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bare-Cable-Garmin-GPSmap-60CSx-60CS-76CSx-76CS-V-III_W0QQitemZ380143641821QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item588253a4dd&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

GPSGeek is Gilsson e-bay store. (Front.)  I check e-bay for the best price, and then call Gilsson and tell them I want the Gpsgeek price on e-bay for my item.  The toll-free order line is 866-455-766.  I use this route because I do not like putting my credit card number on the net.  Normally they ship the item the same day it is ordered.  I have received it in 24 hours in most cases.

[Siskiyou]

horsepower:

Stay high and dry, I happen to pick this bit up.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)
Flash Flooding Swamps Campers And Strands Visitors

The campers in Alley Spring campground were awakened at 4 a.m. on July 30th when their air mattresses began moving or objects started hitting the sides of their tents or trailers. Rain that had begun around 10 p.m. the previous evening had caused a flash flood that swamped the popular campground. In less than three hours, the Jack’s Fork River rose from six to ten vertical feet, depending on the location along the river. The flash flood missed the gauges at the upper part of the Jacks Fork and struck lower sections of the river. Park staff from all divisions, along with Missouri Water Patrol officers, evacuated the campers to higher ground. The campground had about 48 sites occupied by over 200 people. Many had to leave their tents, trailers, or vehicles in the water. In the haze of pre-dawn, officers used boats to rescue campers, taking them across the dark to bring them to safety. After the campground was evacuated, the officers searched the entire Jacks Fork River for canoeists who might be camping on gravel bars. Many private and commercial canoes had floated away during the night with the rising river.  No lives were lost, but there was a large amount of property damage to the campsites and to park visitors’ property, including vehicles or campers that were totally destroyed. Brad Conway served as the incident commander, and the established partnership with Missouri Water Patrol allowed for quick action. Upstream, Spring Valley endured a heavy mid-morning rainstorm. A group touring the Round Spring Cave emerged from the 2 p.m. tour to find the bridge crossing a small creek to be on one side of a torrential current.  Park protection rangers boated to the site and evacuated the 15 visitors plus interpreter to the opposite shore. The group remained calm and in good spirits, with the three children on the tour calling it an “adventure” and the adults exchanging e-mails to share their photos.

[Glanceblamm]

Had I been there, I would have been one of them awakened when the air mattress started floating away 

[horsepower]

Luckily, I'm not going until mid September although with how wacky our weather has been this year, who knows.  Third coolest July ever and way ahead on rain for the year.  Not complaining by any means, beats heat and drought but this is the first year ever I've been putting up hay in August!!