Waterproof Your Nuvi (Well, sort of)

Mondo

Mondo

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I cannot fork out the dollars for a Zumo and the newer ones do not have an MP3 player anyway so I have stock piled a couple of 700 units for the future and want to extend their life in anyway possible. I purchased some Gorilla Tape, cut small strips, and covered any openings I could such as the SD card opening, unused mini USB port or cradle connection port , etc. I have traveled in some nasty weather for hours and not had to use a baggy or anything else. Might work for your as well!

Greg
 
I use a Nuvi 765t on the bike, but fit it into a unit called a "SoEasyRiderV2"... not sold as waterproof as such, shower proof yes... but it has never been a problem. It does come with a rain cover, which I think renders it next to useless!

This fits using velcro straps around the bars, I used to use the car cradle for power but the cradle went south.... so I use a USB charging lead now...

The unit can still be used through the plastic screen although accuracy is not so good with gloves, but good enough for me.

It has been through one bad accident and never missed a beat, the maps were upgraded to the latest and it still works fine.

Total cost of this setup was around third to a half that of buying a new Zumo....

I use Autocom for voice from the unit and Bluetooth my phone....

This is a more modern one one Amazon...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Housse-étan...&qid=1400494142&sr=8-1&keywords=so+easy+rider
 
Mondo said:
I cannot fork out the dollars for a Zumo and the newer ones do not have an MP3 player anyway so I have stock piled a couple of 700 units for the future and want to extend their life in anyway possible. I purchased some Gorilla Tape, cut small strips, and covered any openings I could such as the SD card opening, unused mini USB port or cradle connection port , etc. I have traveled in some nasty weather for hours and not had to use a baggy or anything else. Might work for your as well!
Click to expand...

I like this idea. If my 5" Nuvi 1450 stayed permanently mounted to my ST, I would give this a try. As it is, I constantly swap the Nuvi between my car and motorcycle so I just keep a ziplock handy (haven't had the occasion to use it yet in serious rain) . Since I ride with the unit powered, I'd have to add to your method by putting some sealant around the mini usb plug/port.

The Nuvis are SO much cheaper than the Zumos it would be worth it to me to try this method if the unit were permanently mounted to the ST. I think I paid about $150+- for my unit several years ago. It's been a great, reliable GPS.
 
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Could you also, with your finger, smear some RTV in seams to add extra protection should water find a chink in the tape?
 
If you want to make plugs for various openings, mix equal parts silicone caulk and corn starch into a putty. Use lite machine oil or vegetable oil to act as a mold release and carefully create your plug. Let it dry overnight. Works great!
 
sirepair said:
If you want to make plugs for various openings...
Click to expand...

Hey, now! This is a family show! :D

...mix equal parts silicone caulk and corn starch into a putty. Use lite machine oil or vegetable oil to act as a mold release and carefully create your plug. Let it dry overnight.
Click to expand...

That's most of the recipe for Sugru, if you want something pre-mixed and ready to use in small quantities.

--Mark
 
I also didn't want to fork over the excessive cash needed for a zumo so went with the NUVI 550 instead. Lots less $$$. Just as waterproof as the zumo and the screen is glove friendly too. Has an internal SD card slot in the battery compartment behind a waterproof door. And I was able to find a Garmin branded motorcycle cradle with RAM mount and permanent power feed while it's on the bike. I also use this unit in my Corolla and Murano with the 12v adapter. No need to tape or seal any seams and no need to remember a baggie. :)
Been in some really "good" rains with this unit with no problems. No mp3 player or BT for sound but I don't use those features anyway, voice directions are too distracting for me and I have other devices to handle phone and music that I keep with me even when I don't bring along my GPS.
 
sirepair said:
If you want to make plugs for various openings, mix equal parts silicone caulk and corn starch into a putty. Use lite machine oil or vegetable oil to act as a mold release and carefully create your plug. Let it dry overnight. Works great!
Click to expand...

I've seen Pat's Mold/Putty material! It seals like black mouldable cement - Neat stuff! :) :)

Regards,
Vishnu
 
thepaleobiker said:
I've seen Pat's Mold/Putty material! It seals like black mouldable cement - Neat stuff! :) :)



Regards,
Vishnu
Click to expand...

Is that the same as super glue and baking soda?:D (don't try this at home) it's not very pliable.
 
Bigmak96 said:
Is that the same as super glue and baking soda?:D (don't try this at home) it's not very pliable.
Click to expand...

Nope! The super glue/baking soda is good for repairing ABS plastic parts. It becomes hard as a rock.

The silicone/corn starch mixture will make a moldable rubber that remains a bit pliable/soft like the cell phone "bumper". As Blrfl mentioned, it's like Sugru, but cheaper and you can make it as you need it. I read that you can mix acrylic paint (IIRC) with white or clear silicone to make colored stuff.

I used some black silicone to mix up some and created a cover for a small aux light switch panel on the ST. It's been in place for about 1 1/2 years now, has spent many a day setting in the weather, and is holding up much better than I thought it would.

Well worth trying out, just to see what you can do with it!
 
rjs987 said:
I also didn't want to fork over the excessive cash needed for a zumo so went with the NUVI 550 instead. Lots less $$$. Just as waterproof as the zumo and the screen is glove friendly too. Has an internal SD card slot in the battery compartment behind a waterproof door. And I was able to find a Garmin branded motorcycle cradle with RAM mount and permanent power feed while it's on the bike. I also use this unit in my Corolla and Murano with the 12v adapter. No need to tape or seal any seams and no need to remember a baggie. :)
Been in some really "good" rains with this unit with no problems. No mp3 player or BT for sound but I don't use those features anyway, voice directions are too distracting for me and I have other devices to handle phone and music that I keep with me even when I don't bring along my GPS.
Click to expand...

I have had a Nuvi 550 for three years and love the thing. It works as described above. The only trouble - I want another one and since they are no longer made, they are difficult to find at a reasonable price, if they can be found at all. The Nuvi 500 was waterproof too.
 
I used the Cortech GPS mount to mount my Guvi 765

Cortech-GPS-Bag.jpg

I have been using it now for a couple of months. I still want to modify a couple of things, but it works pretty good!

TankbagNGPSMount.jpg
 
I just got a Nuvi 295W , just about to mount to my GoldWing & ST; Do I need to smear some silicone around the screen edges to keep water out ? & other seams ?
 
TourNut said:
I just got a Nuvi 295W , just about to mount to my GoldWing & ST; Do I need to smear some silicone around the screen edges to keep water out ? & other seams ?
Click to expand...
I personally don't worry about the edges. I have had one apart to change a battery and they fit together really tightly. I suppose in a long torrential downpour water can eventually work its way in anywhere, but mine is also somewhat protected by the windscreen.

Greg
 
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