Author Topic: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?  (Read 7042 times)

What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« 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?

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #1 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.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Phil W

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #2 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.

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #3 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.

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #4 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
Most of the stuff I say is true because I saw it in a dream and I don't have the presence of mind to make up lies when I'm asleep.   Bryan Andreas

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #5 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
Mind of a cyclist, body of a dart player.

Karla

  • car(e) free
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Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #6 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:

Martin

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #7 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

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #8 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.

Davef

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #9 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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Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #10 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: ???  )

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #11 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.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #12 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:
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Pingu

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Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #13 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:

frankly frankie

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Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #14 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.
when you're dead you're done, so let the good times roll

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #15 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.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #16 on: 01 March, 2020, 12:43:13 pm »
They'd stopped including lanyards when I bought mine a few years ago. 
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #17 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.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #18 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.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #19 on: 01 March, 2020, 08:11:01 pm »
The lanyard attachment point on my 30X is on the body.

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #20 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?

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #21 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.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #22 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?

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #23 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!

Re: What handlebar mount for an eTrex?
« Reply #24 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):



So I ordered a new mount and back cover:



All lovely and new:



Hopefully there'll be no more shocks when I look down and see it swinging around on its lanyard!
Those wonderful norks are never far from my thoughts, oh yeah!