Norra 2013

[roadracer]

Galactic, did any of them that had cut-out issues run them with a hard power line? I had tons of issues last year with my 60csx running with batteries.

[GalacticGS]

Originally Posted by roadracer

Galactic, did any of them that had cut-out issues run them with a hard power line? I had tons of issues last year with my 60csx running with batteries.

Yes, the Montana's were direct wired for power; just didn't seem to stand up well to vibration. Not sure if later models have fixed these problems or not. My only problem with the 62 is that the screen appears somewhat darker than the 60.

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by GalacticGS

Yes, the Montana's were direct wired for power; just didn't seem to stand up well to vibration. Not sure if later models have fixed these problems or not. My only problem with the 62 is that the screen appears somewhat darker than the 60.

A piece of cardboard between the batteries and the back case cover fixes the vibration problem on the 60, did that 3 years ago.

[oregoncoast]

We had no issues using the Montana last year and the 276 the year before. Wait, actually, I had a ram ball fail the first year, but I had a spare in my pack. Never saw one break like that.

Last year we used the hard wire cradle for the Montana then mounted it to a ram mount. We used an Oregon as a back-up.

Not surprised by the vibration issues...maybe makes a difference with the frequency of the vibes or something? I think Luke had some issues with vibes with either the Montana or 276 but that was with no ram mount


Maybe having the the ram arm and rubber balls helps to reduce the vibes enough to prevent it from effecting the Montana? Are the people with the vibe problems mounted the unit directly to the bike or handlebars?

I bought another Montana to use in the car this year, just because I want to use it on the bike next year; instead of buying a fixed mounted Lowrance for the car. Smaller screen, but I have a navigator this time

[Baja Dad]

Originally Posted by roadracer

Anyone run a lowrance gps over the garmin on a bike?

I haven't replaced my broken garmin yet and I figure I might as well consider them all.

If y'all are happy with garmin, any preferences between the montana and the tried and true 62?

we used one for pre running the Baja 1000 last Nov.

[roadracer]

No amount of cardboard or tape fixed the power issues I had on the 60. Planning on hardwiring whatever I get this year.

I think I'll probably just get a 62. It's not the primary navigation tool so I don't think I care how big the screen is.

[KZJohn]

It's Mexico, how hard can the navigation be? Sorry, I couldn't resist. So is anybody going to try and use only the road book/route sheet, no GPS?

[roadracer]

We did the last two days road book only. It's entirely doable, just makes it so you have to backtrack more when you get off course and stuff starts not making sense.

I think I was actually faster overall road book only because I stopped staring at the gps and started using the milage.

I plan on having a GPS to minimize the impact of navigation mistakes.

I think the husky went the other direction and they didn't use a roadbook at all, just navigated via gps. That seems harder than the opposite.

[KZJohn]

The B1k this year was my first experience navigating by GPS at speed. In the past on the bike I used the turn by turn print out and course markings only during prerunning and my memory while racing. Co-driving and using the GPS was like driving by remote control, telling the driver where to go and when to be there.

[Baja Dad]

Originally Posted by roadracer

We did the last two days road book only. It's entirely doable, just makes it so you have to backtrack more when you get off course and stuff starts not making sense.

I think I was actually faster overall road book only because I stopped staring at the gps and started using the milage.

I plan on having a GPS to minimize the impact of navigation mistakes.

I think the husky went the other direction and they didn't use a roadbook at all, just navigated via gps. That seems harder than the opposite.

Road book only !! This year & No mag7
We had a GPS last year and it was a Pain in the ass
The few times I turned it on during day 3 when Mag7 was not at proposed gas stop which we paid for!

[drc42]

Originally Posted by KZJohn

It's Mexico, how hard can the navigation be? Sorry, I couldn't resist. So is anybody going to try and use only the road book/route sheet, no GPS?

Last year I had a GPS for the first 1/2 the race then it and I got separated and I didn't get it back until several weeks after (long story*). When I did have the GPS between dust on the screen and glare I couln't see it much anyway so pretty much ignored it until I thought I was lost.

There are a lot of cases where the roadbook is MUCH better than GPS. Occasionally there will be a small fork in the road and if you are following the GPS track it isn't obvious if it is left or right until you go down the wrong one for a ways. If you are following along in the roadbook and your ODO is in sync you should clearly know if it is left or right.

My plan again this year if I do the race is to have the GPS but just to use after I realize I am lost.



[begin shamless plug]
* re-the "long story".... if you want to read that story get a copy of this when it goes on sale!
http://www.tftb.org/index.php/public...2-rallies-2012
[end shamless plug]

[wrk2surf]

Didn't have one.. didn't need one.. I had a baja almanac in my pack if I really really really really got off piste.. the only good thing I see with one is using it for mileage if your odometer breaks. Besides there were two guys from Tejas I know that didnt even use either the road book OR Gps and found there way all the way to cabo.. If I used one it would probably only be for the cap heading and mileage/speedo ..

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by drc42

My plan again this year if I do the race is to have the GPS but just to use after I realize I am lost.



[begin shamless plug]
* re-the "long story".... if you want to read that story get a copy of this when it goes on sale!
http://www.tftb.org/index.php/public...2-rallies-2012
[end shamless plug]

I had my 60CSX in my pocket, turned off as a back up. The Roadbook is great, you get a heck of a lot more information about whats ahead than the GPS will ever tell you. I'm not sure how you could get lost with the roadbook, it seems so easy The only time I got off course was because I was day dreaming on that really fast and smooth sand road on stage 1 on day 2.... I need to learn how to focus

[BC61]

Originally Posted by KZJohn

. So is anybody going to try and use only the road book/route sheet, no GPS?

Road book and cap headings only for me.

[Maineroot]

Yep, me and El Spiderman did the whole thing no roadbook no "real" GPS. Studied the course map before each stage and took off. It was VERY apparent which way to go....for the most part, it was a little follow the leader, a little pick the fork in the road and hope for the best.

El Spiderman whipped out the iPhone a few times if we were completely screwed lost.

I'd say use a roadbook, and have the gps tracks downloaded and locked into your iPhone for backup. The GPS app we used worked like a charm.