@miata-mike

I'm using a Garmin Drive 52, Mike.  It has a 5" diagonal screen, and I mount it on the windshield, just to the left of the rear-view mirror.  It doesn't extend much lower than the bottom of the mirror, and, if I position it right, I can still use the sun visor.  If find that it only occasionally blocks my view of the road, when approaching a right-hand bend while going down a steep grade.

David

@flying-dutchman

thanks David for the great info.

@miata-mike I actually have both the 50 and 61 models. I like the larger screen, in particular when leading a run. You are welcome to hold it up to your windshield and see how much it blocks.

@miata-mike

Mike, I have both a Model 50 and 52. I will have the GPS route loaded on both of them. Feel free to put one on your windshield and use it in the Drive.

Walter

@rhetlaw

Thanks Walter. I will take you up on that offer to try it out. See you on Sat.

I have the garmin61 (per Walter’s suggestion, and I’m very happy with it ) it doesn’t block up much windshield. I have mine mounted low in the center.  the big screen is worth the advantage.  

I remember when they were relatively new and I spent like $440 at Best Buy for a Garmin unit, maybe in 2007. At the time it was the most amazing thing. Amazing how technology improves. 

Thanks Walter for letting me try out your 52 model.

funny story. Was ready to start looking on eBay to pick up a unit. Figured I would first send a message to the family to see if anybody had an old Garmin laying around.

Turns out my son in law has a model 52 in his pile of stuff to sell on eBay. Sweet!  He has all the cables so I’m good to go.

@miata-mike

Mike, that is exciting news. Can't with until you get it in your hands. If mapping a route and uploading it to you Garmin unit interests you, I would be more than willing to help.

As the number of Miatas are growing in our Drives, I really see the importance of more people using a GPS unit. It certainly is helpful to the leader.

As I send out the GPX files for future Drives, you will be able to upload them to your 52 unit. 

Walter

Walter.
Yes I am interested in mapping out a route. Louie pointed me to Basecamp which I will install.  After I get it up and running I’ll reach out to you for help.

@miata-mike

Looking forward to it, Mike.

@miata-mike Mike there are a reasonable number of YouTube videos made by motorcycle drivers who made how-to  videos for using Basecamp. Some are generic, like how to set it up so it will automatically select twisty back roads for you, by setting it up for motorcycles. 

Other videos are more detailed about waypoints/shaping points. I watched a bunch while on lunch at work. It will get you going, and if you get stuck, Walter can get you out of a jam. 

Thanks Louie. Good idea.  
Walter has already sent me a document he put together for this which is real helpful.

 I should be able to download the software this week and then start playing with it. (At least on non-nice days out. Otherwise I’ll be driving!)

Mike

Ok after too much frustration on something simple like the GPS I finally figured out what is going on.

Thanks Louie for letting me borrow your Garmin Drive 52 model today.

My son in laws unit is a Nuvi 52 which is not a “Drive” model. Nuvi 52 is not same as Drive 52. How crazy part numbers. Anyway I’ll be looking to pick up a drive model.

Thank you Walter, Louie and David.  All so gracious with your time to help.
Such a great group of people in this club!!!

@miata-mike

Mike, I didn't realize you had the Nuvi series Garmin. When I first got interested in mapping routes for the GPS, I too, had a Nuvi 855. Back in the day, it was a decent unit. I could map the routes in Base Camp and the transfer process work explicitly until I tried to use the unit. There was nothing there.

After several phone calls to Garmin Customer Service, I was finally told I needed to upgrade to the Drive series. Everything has worked like a champ since.

Good seeing you on the Drive today, Mike.