Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

I usually canoe so this hasn't been an issue for me before.

I have a RAM Mount with a short arm and a 4" suction mount but the whole
assembly is rather cumbersome to have mounted right in front of me.

If I position the GPS close enough to read its puny display, it's so
close that it will interfere with where I set my paddle or gets tangled
in my paddle leash. Move it out of the way and it might as well be
inside the boat since I can't read it at greater than arm's length.

I think the RAM suction mount is probably prenty strong to hold the GPS
and I would certainly use a security leash to back it up. Something
tells me there's a better way though.

Would I be better off using deck bag or vinyl sport pouch on the deck?
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and won't be
harmed by salt water spray.

Any advice to offer? I'd appreciate it.
--
Greg Smith
Remove the bird for email followups

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:12:50 GMT, Greg Smith
wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

I usually canoe so this hasn't been an issue for me before.

I have a RAM Mount with a short arm and a 4" suction mount but the whole
assembly is rather cumbersome to have mounted right in front of me.

Would I be better off using deck bag or vinyl sport pouch on the deck?
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and won't be
harmed by salt water spray.

Any advice to offer? I'd appreciate it.

Does it need to be attached to the deck, or could you strap it to your
arm or something? That might simply entry and exit as well.

I would still consider a waterproof housing, as the water pressure
from splashing might exceed the pressure at 1 meter submersion.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

Greg Smith wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

Would I be better off using deck bag or vinyl sport pouch on the deck?
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and won't be
harmed by salt water spray.


I wouldn't completely count on the waterproof rating. Garmin indicates that
it does not apply to the battery compartment and sal****er getting in there
could corrode the battery contacts even if it can't get into the main unit.
There have also been quite a few reports of various models of GPS receivers
that didn't live up to their waterproof specifications.

I put my GPS receiver inside a clear, waterproof AquaPac pouch and just set
it on the sprayskirt in front of me. The pouch comes with a good lanyard
and I attach this to the boat.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

Greg Smith wrote in
:

Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and won't be
harmed by salt water spray.

The waterproof spec that is used is a static test. Dynamic
water pressure such as that caused by splashes, or by dropping
the GPS into water, can easily exceed the spec, so the GPS
may not be 'waterproof' in your usage.

--
Dave Patton
Canadian Coordinator, Degree Confluence Project
http://www.confluence.org/
My website: http://members.shaw.ca/davepatton/

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

I also use AquaPac (www.aquapac.net) and carry my GPS attached to my PFD
or in a pocket that is on the front of my deck bag. I have had good
luck with AquaPac and also carry my VHF radio in one. The other plus is
the AquaPacs add flotation so if you drop your GPS or radio they will
not sink.

--
Bill

Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
N 53° 51.140' W 166° 30.228' (WGS 84)

Peter wrote:
Greg Smith wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the
deck of my fiberglass kayak.

Would I be better off using deck bag or vinyl sport pouch on the
deck? Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and
won't be harmed by salt water spray.


I put my GPS receiver inside a clear, waterproof AquaPac pouch and
just set it on the sprayskirt in front of me. The pouch comes with a
good lanyard and I attach this to the boat.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

Greg Smith wrote:
I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

We don't flame, we heckle in the most traditional fashion. But lots of us are
gearheads so someone wil probably help you out.

I have a RAM Mount with a short arm and a 4" suction mount but the whole
assembly is rather cumbersome to have mounted right in front of me.

Is this like the navy? Do you have short-arm inspection? (Tradition has it
that lots of sailors like to mount-up and do RAM actions with their short arms,
but this is *really* the wrong newsgroup for that.)

GaryJ

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

"Greg Smith" wrote...
I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

I have a Garmin 3+, also water resistant. Depending on weather conditions, I
start by just looping the strap around a bungee in the paddle park, and then
securing it under the bungee. If I expect more spray (especially salt water), I
wrap it in a plastic bag first.

I suppose it depends on how often you expect to need to refer to it... If not
often, you could use a pocket in your PFD or spray skirt...

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

"Greg Smith" wrote in message
...
I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

snip

Greg,
I used a waterproof pouch casing with a clear front; that casing has a strap
that can be looped through the deck lines in front of the cockpit. That is
a superior setup because it requires no drilling of your kayak, and doesn't
rely on the water-resistance of the GPS unit should you roll.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 01:45:47 GMT, "Tony" wrote:

Greg,
I used a waterproof pouch casing with a clear front; that casing has a strap
that can be looped through the deck lines in front of the cockpit. That is
a superior setup because it requires no drilling of your kayak, and doesn't
rely on the water-resistance of the GPS unit should you roll.

I use the same set-up. It's not a good idea to "dedicate" a mounting
location to any individual device. Freedom to re-configure your
lashings is way more important than that gps. The gps unit will even
work through the boat's deck so if you want a track log, or a backup
to your compass and map, you don't even have to have the thing out on
the deck.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof. I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or in
front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I used it
with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray caused
corrosion on the interface contacts. I have had no problems with water
getting into the battery compartment even though it was under water for
15 minutes when my Klepper capsized under sail. I now only use it with
the GPS bag. If you use it with a RAM mount, you will at the least have
corrosion problems. If you capsize or take substantial overwash, your
GPS V will be toast.

Greg Smith wrote:
I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the deck
of my fiberglass kayak.

I usually canoe so this hasn't been an issue for me before.

I have a RAM Mount with a short arm and a 4" suction mount but the whole
assembly is rather cumbersome to have mounted right in front of me.

If I position the GPS close enough to read its puny display, it's so
close that it will interfere with where I set my paddle or gets tangled
in my paddle leash. Move it out of the way and it might as well be
inside the boat since I can't read it at greater than arm's length.

I think the RAM suction mount is probably prenty strong to hold the GPS
and I would certainly use a security leash to back it up. Something
tells me there's a better way though.

Would I be better off using deck bag or vinyl sport pouch on the deck?
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and won't be
harmed by salt water spray.

Any advice to offer? I'd appreciate it.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

lcopps wrote:

You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof.

The advice to use a waterproof pouch is good, but the statements about
waterproof ratings is not.
Both the GPS V and the Vista are speced by Garmin to the same IPX7
waterproofness rating and in both cases the fine print excludes the battery
compartment. Garmin has also stated that the forces created by a dumping
wave are likely to exceed the IPX7 static test conditions. In the case of
both units there have been users who tested them in submerged conditions
and found them to survive with no problems and others who found the
opposite. Unless your unit is still under warranty and you won't mind
having it fail in the middle of a trip and having to return it to the
manufacturer I'd encourage use of a waterproof pouch for either of these
units or any other consumer GPS receiver.

I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or in
front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I used it
with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray caused
corrosion on the interface contacts. I have had no problems with water
getting into the battery compartment even though it was under water for
15 minutes when my Klepper capsized under sail. I now only use it with
the GPS bag. If you use it with a RAM mount, you will at the least have
corrosion problems. If you capsize or take substantial overwash, your
GPS V will be toast.

Greg Smith wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the
deck of my fiberglass kayak.
....
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and
won't be harmed by salt water spray.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

In article 2mU0c.162221$uV3.713202@attbi_s51,
says...
lcopps wrote:

You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof.

The advice to use a waterproof pouch is good, but the statements about
waterproof ratings is not.
Both the GPS V and the Vista are speced by Garmin to the same IPX7
waterproofness rating and in both cases the fine print excludes the battery
compartment. Garmin has also stated that the forces created by a dumping
wave are likely to exceed the IPX7 static test conditions. In the case of
both units there have been users who tested them in submerged conditions
and found them to survive with no problems and others who found the
opposite. Unless your unit is still under warranty and you won't mind
having it fail in the middle of a trip and having to return it to the
manufacturer I'd encourage use of a waterproof pouch for either of these
units or any other consumer GPS receiver.

I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or in
front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I used it
with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray caused
corrosion on the interface contacts. I have had no problems with water
getting into the battery compartment even though it was under water for
15 minutes when my Klepper capsized under sail. I now only use it with
the GPS bag. If you use it with a RAM mount, you will at the least have
corrosion problems. If you capsize or take substantial overwash, your
GPS V will be toast.

Greg Smith wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the
deck of my fiberglass kayak.
...
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and
won't be harmed by salt water spray.

Thanks for all the great input.

I ordered a SealLine electronics pouch. I looked at clear Otterboxes
but decided I liked the soft pouch approach, enabling me to use some
basic GPS controls through the bag rather than having to open a hard
box.

--
Greg Smith
Remove the bird for email followups

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

lcopps wrote:

You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof. I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or
in front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I
used it with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray
caused corrosion on the interface contacts. I have had no problems
with water getting into the battery compartment even though it was
under water for 15 minutes when my Klepper capsized under sail. I now
only use it with the GPS bag. If you use it with a RAM mount, you
will at the least have corrosion problems. If you capsize or take
substantial overwash, your GPS V will be toast.


How good is the button operation in the WP bag? Specifically the top
thumb button?

I have had the rubber on the thumb button fail and have since used
Marine Goop to repair it. But I am seeing signs of corrosion in that I
sometimes get horizontal lines in the display until it is gently tapped
on the side. Mine has never been submerged, but has been in the rain.


--
Gordon Niessen
If you aren't on the bleeding edge, you are history.

Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck
 

Gordon Niessen wrote:

lcopps wrote:
You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof.

As mentioned previously, this statement is not true since both units have
the same IPX7 waterproof rating. Despite that I would recommend use of
a waterproof bag for both since dumping waves can exceed IPX7 and because
seals can and do fail.

I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or
in front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I
used it with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray
caused corrosion on the interface contacts.

How good is the button operation in the WP bag? Specifically the top
thumb button?

I use an AquaPac bag with my eMap. Although the commonly used buttons
on mine are on the front I have no problem turning the unit on/off or
activating the backlight which are done with side buttons like those
on the eTrex series.

I have had the rubber on the thumb button fail and have since used
Marine Goop to repair it. But I am seeing signs of corrosion in that I
sometimes get horizontal lines in the display until it is gently tapped
on the side.

The horizontal lines in the display are a known problem of the eTrex series
caused by a bad connection on the ribbon cable connecting the main circuit
board to the display. It's unlikely this is related to the problem you had
with the rubber button. I'd suggest calling Garmin on the display issue
even if the unit is out of warranty since they have been known to extend it
for this type of problem.