Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => GPS => Topic started by: mzjo on 28 February, 2020, 10:32:07 am

Title: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 28 February, 2020, 10:32:07 am
Ok I know, I know. I can already hear the voices saying "should have got a Wahoo!" but:

Now I have the eTrex and am very slowly learning about using a gps I need to know how to fix it to the bars so that it stays there. The mount that I have is a plastic thing from Amazon (there are several, all basically the same, mine looks like this although it was a different deal 'cos I got 3 for around the same price per mount   https://www.amazon.fr/OUTERDO-Support-bicyclette-Guidon-Garmin/dp/B017RB3BD2/ref=asc_df_B017RB3BD2/?tag=googshopfr-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=90838164772&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3943533645312201939&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9056420&hvtargid=pla-220319568052&psc=1  ).

It looks neat enough and the unit slides in with a convincing click but there is more resistance to getting it in than to stopping it coming back out. Even with a strategically placed elastic band I managed to lose the gps in a ditch on my first outing with it on the bike (fortunately I noticed and went back to pick it up).

What secure mounts do people use for their eTrexs or do I have to reconcile myself to having a bit of rubber obscuring a bit of the screen?
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 February, 2020, 10:35:36 am
I spend the ridiculous money for the genuine Garmin mount. The copies all have crap retention because of crap tolerances. If you stick with a copy, use a lanyard.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Phil W on 28 February, 2020, 10:56:42 am
I think it’s described as the Oregon mount but there is a genuine Garmin mount for the bike which works just great. Fit a lanyard as well to protect for when it sometimes jumps out on particularly rough ground.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: JonB on 28 February, 2020, 10:59:52 am
I spend the ridiculous money for the genuine Garmin mount. The copies all have crap retention because of crap tolerances. If you stick with a copy, use a lanyard.
Yes, definitely worth paying the extra for the Garmin ones. I've got 2 or 3 on different bikes and all have proved secure. However, I still use a lanyard, there have been a couple of times when I've not pushed it fully home before setting off. I have also put a bit of electrical tape along the base of them to give a bit more packing/support as they can develop a bit of play looseness after a while so that they're secure but they can rattle around.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Bolt on 28 February, 2020, 11:09:01 am
I have used the cheap copies extensively... some of them are better than others but if you buy a few cheaply like you did you should find that most of them should work well enough, though as previously recommended I always use a lanyard.  If you are mounting them on a non-oversized handlebar I find it helps to use a couple of wraps of old innertube or even, better a piece of foam handlebar grip to cushion the mount and prevent it from distorting from over tightening of the zip ties.  If you get the tension "just right" the packing should act as a rotating joint enabling you to tilt the etrex into the best position as viewing conditions change. 

Do also take to the time to enter your contact details so they are displayed on the startup screen.  I lost mine some years ago on an overgrown trail but it was found by a dog walker who was able to contact me to let me know he'd found it :thumbsup:  See https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=tySWKvTP8K554K5HVMSIW5 (https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=tySWKvTP8K554K5HVMSIW5)
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: jimmea on 28 February, 2020, 11:10:41 am
Depending on the model you have you can get a cradle which is much more secure, I've got these for my Etrex 30x - attaches to the stem and holds it nice and firm.
https://www.ram-mount.co.uk/garmin-etrex-10-20-30-20x-30x-holder-p-1667-c-360_169_659.html
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Karla on 28 February, 2020, 04:16:59 pm
Ok I know, I know. I can already hear the voices saying "should have got a Wahoo!" but:

Now I have the eTrex

Why would you do that to yourself??  ??? :facepalm: :sick:
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Martin on 28 February, 2020, 05:17:05 pm
I didn't even know there was an ersatz version, I have 3 proper ones; one for each bike rather than cut the cable ties and swap so they can't have cost that much! the device has never come loose from any of them
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Kim on 28 February, 2020, 05:21:17 pm
I have used the cheap copies extensively... some of them are better than others but if you buy a few cheaply like you did you should find that most of them should work well enough, though as previously recommended I always use a lanyard.

I bought a couple.  One was only fit for the bin.  Another works fine with the addition of a bit of insulating tape to bulk out the fit.  My most-used bikes have the official Garmin ones, which are flawless.

I always use a lanyard, not so much because I don't trust the mount, but because it'll keep it from going flying if it gets bashed (eg. in a crash, by a stem-mounted bottle onna Brompton, or due to less than fully competent recumbent-dismounting).  It occasionally comes in handy for its intended purpose, too.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Davef on 28 February, 2020, 07:03:27 pm
I have taken the standard one and glued/zip tied a garmin compatible fitting on the bottom so that it then fits in my standard garmin gps mount, if that makes any sense ! I can then swap between etrex and my knackered garmin 1000 at will.


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Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 28 February, 2020, 09:23:43 pm
Ok I know, I know. I can already hear the voices saying "should have got a Wahoo!" but:

Now I have the eTrex

Why would you do that to yourself??  ??? :facepalm: :sick:

Like all dinosaurs heading for a peaceful retirement and extinction I refuse to believe that I can learn from the younger generation, even though they know what they're doing (and I don't  :facepalm: ???  )
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 28 February, 2020, 09:34:51 pm
Thank you all for the advice. The lanyard will be attached forthwith and I will try a genuine garmin mount (or prehaps two or three) although stem mounting is not an option for me, it has to go on the bars.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 February, 2020, 10:33:34 am
I've had one genuine Garmin mount and two cheap copies. I know have only two and I honestly don't know which they are. The copies have worked fine for me, but maybe I've just been lucky.

Definitely use a lanyard whatever mount you go for. Not because the mount might slip, but there's always the possibility of doing something stupid like putting it in upside down on a dark night (and then not noticing cos you're only a few miles from home so no need to turn it on).  :facepalm:
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Pingu on 29 February, 2020, 10:49:34 am
I've had one genuine Garmin mount and two cheap copies. I know have only two and I honestly don't know which they are. The copies have worked fine for me, but maybe I've just been lucky.

Definitely use a lanyard whatever mount you go for. Not because the mount might slip, but there's always the possibility of doing something stupid like putting it in upside down on a dark night (and then not noticing cos you're only a few miles from home so no need to turn it on).  :facepalm:

Or replacing the batteries and not fitting the back on properly  :facepalm:
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: frankly frankie on 01 March, 2020, 09:17:17 am
I've had one genuine Garmin mount and two cheap copies. I know have only two and I honestly don't know which they are.

My two genuine silly-expensive mounts have embossed print on the back which says TAIWAN
My two cheap knock-off (in every sense) ones don't.

The genuine ones are such a tight fit that I snapped one of them in two while trying to detach the Etrex.  Although what is left is now only half the length, it is still a good tight fit and quite secure enough and is now my preferred mount. I always use a lanyard but it has never actually deployed.  It's criminal that Garmin don't include a lanyard in the bubble pack for these Etrexes, which are after all aimed primarily at walkers.

Although these are invariably marketed as 'Oregon' mounts, Garmin refer to this as their 'spine mount' system - with variants for handlebars, dashboard vents etc.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2020, 12:21:40 pm
It's criminal that Garmin don't include a lanyard in the bubble pack for these Etrexes, which are after all aimed primarily at walkers.

They used to.  I've been handing the lanyard down from my yellow eTrex.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 March, 2020, 12:43:13 pm
They'd stopped including lanyards when I bought mine a few years ago. 
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 01 March, 2020, 07:53:08 pm
I've had one genuine Garmin mount and two cheap copies. I know have only two and I honestly don't know which they are. The copies have worked fine for me, but maybe I've just been lucky.

Definitely use a lanyard whatever mount you go for. Not because the mount might slip, but there's always the possibility of doing something stupid like putting it in upside down on a dark night (and then not noticing cos you're only a few miles from home so no need to turn it on).  :facepalm:

Or replacing the batteries and not fitting the back on properly  :facepalm:

Well, not quite so on the 20x. The lanyard loop is on the battery cover so if you don't put it back on properly you keep the cover but lose the unit all the same! Not really the brightest of ideas!!

I was a bit surprised to find there was no lanyard or even other useful gimmick in the pack with the gps. it does seem a bit light a sa a commercial strategy.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 March, 2020, 07:55:53 pm
That's a definite retrograde step from the non-x models, where the lanyard loop is on the body of the unit itself.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: JonBuoy on 01 March, 2020, 08:11:01 pm
The lanyard attachment point on my 30X is on the body.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 01 March, 2020, 08:25:37 pm
The lanyard attachment point on my 30X is on the body.
On mine the lanyard loop is what you turn to open the battery cover. It's part of the latch which is mounted on the cover not on the body. Poor design in my view. Want me to take a photo?
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 01 March, 2020, 08:30:57 pm
http://garmingpsaccessories.net/garmin-etrex-30x-handheld-gps-and-accessories/ shows the lanyard mount at the bottom of the Etrex 30x. The D-ring on the removable back is just to secure the battery cover.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: mzjo on 01 March, 2020, 09:05:45 pm
http://garmingpsaccessories.net/garmin-etrex-30x-handheld-gps-and-accessories/ shows the lanyard mount at the bottom of the Etrex 30x. The D-ring on the removable back is just to secure the battery cover.

thank you for the correction. I had never even thought to question the meaning of those holes in my desperation to understand other seemingly more important matters (like "how do I make the damn thing work?"). Presumably a loop looped round the bars and then back over the unit would secure it pretty well?
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: JonBuoy on 01 March, 2020, 09:14:27 pm
That is what I do.  I have also tested it a couple of times  ::-)  Make sure that the lanyard is short enough to keep the unit out of the front wheel!
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: bobb on 06 August, 2021, 05:31:05 pm
I've always bought the genuine Garmin mounts. They're not brilliant by any means, but they work OK. That is until they start to wear out. Just recently the unit was making a bid for freedom a bit too often, so I used a thick rubber band around it to stop it jumping out.

You can see the wear marks on the mount and the back of the Garmin (this is after about 7 years):

(https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garold_s.jpg) (https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garold.jpg)

So I ordered a new mount and back cover:

(https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garnew_s.jpg) (https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garnew.jpg)

All lovely and new:

(https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garnew1_s.jpg) (https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garnew1.jpg)

Hopefully there'll be no more shocks when I look down and see it swinging around on its lanyard!
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Kim on 06 August, 2021, 08:30:15 pm
I've always bought the genuine Garmin mounts. They're not brilliant by any means, but they work OK. That is until they start to wear out. Just recently the unit was making a bid for freedom a bit too often, so I used a thick rubber band around it to stop it jumping out.

You can see the wear marks on the mount and the back of the Garmin (this is after about 7 years):

(https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garold_s.jpg) (https://zaribor.co.uk/raz/pics/garmin/garold.jpg)

Wow, looking at mine (which is old enough that I can't remember how old it is) there's none of that brinelling effect, just barely perceptible scrapes from sliding in and out...

(https://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/garmins/2021_08_06_20_25_17.sized.jpg)

ETA: Looked it up, purchased January 2013.  So a similar age.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: T42 on 07 August, 2021, 09:22:19 am
Mine has a wee bit of brinelling, but nothing like the OP's. It shoogles around in the mount, though (also Garmin) so I put a bit of black insulating tape across the bottom and round the mount to hold it in place. It still rattles a bit, but nothing drastic.  My old eTrex 20 rattled too so I tried packing the mount with tape, but it hopped off and cost me half an hour's hoking through the grass verge to find it. It was orange; God knows if the 30x would be that easy to find.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 August, 2021, 09:30:22 am
I was wondering if the brinelling might be a chemical effect rather than wear? Though I've no idea what might have caused it.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: T42 on 07 August, 2021, 10:56:43 am
Nah, I reckon it's just because the back of the unit and the mount are both shiny and the unit can move a little with vibration.   After a few months the mount has whitish dust in it - worn-away plastic.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2021, 12:43:21 pm
Mine has a wee bit of brinelling, but nothing like the OP's. It shoogles around in the mount, though (also Garmin) so I put a bit of black insulating tape across the bottom and round the mount to hold it in place. It still rattles a bit, but nothing drastic.  My old eTrex 20 rattled too so I tried packing the mount with tape, but it hopped off and cost me half an hour's hoking through the grass verge to find it. It was orange; God knows if the 30x would be that easy to find.

I have a knock-off mount that requires the tape treatment, but all my official Garmin ones are secure.

I use a lanyard, for the odd occasion that the eTrex gets kicked while mounting/dismounting/being in collision with a ungulate on the recumbent, or bashed from below by incompetent water-bottle ejection on the Brompton.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: T42 on 07 August, 2021, 02:05:17 pm
How old are they?  Mine is >6 years.  I stopped using a lanyard because stuff kept catching it.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2021, 02:10:08 pm
Mostly about that age - I bought them when I upgraded to the eTrex 30 after my Vista HCx got rubber band death.  The one on the Brompton is younger and hasn't seen a lot of use.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: Pingu on 07 August, 2021, 03:18:37 pm
My 7yo device looks much the same as Kim's.
Title: Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
Post by: T42 on 07 August, 2021, 04:48:50 pm
I have an unused Garmin mount in the workshop: I'll put it on tomorrow and see if there's any difference.