GoPro GPS mount hack
Apr 21st, 2010 by Leo
The GoPro camera setup is an excellent low(er) end helmet and bike camera system. But when I first laid eyes on it the thing that impressed me was how useful the suction cup mount could be for other things. Like as a GPS mount I could move from bike to bike to car without installing anything permanent on the bikes. It takes less than a minute to install the suction cup mount securely, or I can switch out the GPS and clip on the camera…
Although the suction mount is sturdy and has never fallen off on me, I tie a shoelace around the mount and clip it to my keys with a small carabiner…that way I don’t have to worry about my bargain basement GPS (I paid under $100) flying off while on the highway.
The viewing angle is adjustable, as you can see in the pictures below. I usually put it down flat on top of the tree so glare can make most screens hard to see in direct sunlight.
If you’re used to using a GPS in a car, it’s not the same while riding a bike. You need to look ahead more on a bike, so there’s literally no good time to look down at a GPS while moving (in my opinion). But if you’re going someplace new and difficult to find, pulling over looking at your directions and a map…then you can replace all that with a simple GPS setup. I usually don’t turn on the GPS until I’m off the highway and riding through stop and go; and I don’t look at the GPS unless I’m stopped in a safe place or waiting at a stop light.
I haven’t wired mine up to run off the motorcycle’s battery yet… I’d probably just stick with the cigarette lighter adapter – or attach an adapter to plug into my battery tender wires (like this).
The main benefit of this setup is that you can move the whole GPS (plus the mount) from bike to bike (or bike to car). If you only use your GPS on your bike, I think THIS is a better idea…or you could go with a RAM mount like a regular adventure tourer.
Although, with the suction cup mount, you don’t have to install anything permanent on your bike, you do however have to attach a permanent mount on the back of your GPS. For my TomTom, that meant putting the GoPro mount right where the regular car attachment would go so that it would no longer fit the car mount. This is fine with me, but it’s something to consider if you have a pricey GPS unit. Also, most automobile GPS units are not water proof. I just put plastic wrap over it…but once again if you have an expensive GPS, you might not want to risk it.
If you don’t have the GoPro camera system, you can buy both the suction cup, and grab bag of mounts separately. Have any other uses for the GoPro mounts? A better way to mount your GPS? Share the wealth. Cheers!
Related posts:
