My Zumo 550 was stolen late last year. So I got a Garmin Nuvi 760 to get me by until the Zumo 660 comes out. If Garmin was discounting the 550, I would replace it with a 550. So far their not, so I’m going to wait and take a look at the 660.

Walmart.com (not in store) has the Nuvi 760 for $218+tax+$1.97 shipping. I also picked up a Ram Mount cradle and 1” ball for $20 so I can mount it where the Zumo 550 used to be.

My question:

How do I hardwire it to the bike?

The included car charger plugs into the suction cup base, not the 760.
The base will be replaced by the Ram Mount.

I could get a car charger off eBay that plugs into the USB port on the Nuvi 760, but I would still have to plug it in the cigarette lighter.

Can I just cut the end off the USB charger and connect it to 12V?
I thought the USB only carries about 5V.

Anybody hardwired a Nuvi?

Thanks in advance,

Rick

 

No one has hardwired a Nuvi?

 

just curious, other than form factor - is there a reason you prefer the 660 over the 550? i have the 550 and have thought about upgrading, but seems like the feature set isn't worth it.

 

There is an extra power wire just behind the headlight plug. Or you can use the (inside the fairing side) wires going to the Cig lighter. Run the wire up through the handlebar opening in the fairing to the cradle.

 

If Garmin would discount the 550, I would buy another one.

But, I hate to pay a premium price for a GPS they will most likely be discontinued soon.

I still might wind up with a 550.

 

I have my Zumo cradle wired to the extra power wire behind the headlight.

The Ram Mount cradle for the Nuvi 760 is NOT powered. The power must be ran directly to the Nuvi 760 via the USB port.

If you cut the end off a USB style Nuvi car charger and wire it directly, you would sending 12V to the USB charging port.

I pretty sure that the USB port is for 5V charging.

I don't want to fry the unit.

 

the few times i have used my nuvi on the bike what i did was use the same bean bag holder i used in the car along with the same cradle and charger i used in the car...but it doesnt plug into the usb port on the nuvi....sorry i cant be of more help.

 

The 760 will fit in the ram mount even with the power cable attached. Just remove it from the ball of the car suction mount. The ram mount cradle has a recess that will accept the 760 with it's power attachment.

 

Thanks. I don't have the Ram Mount yet.

 

I have a Nuvi 660 hardwired with the Ram mount. I bought it from the Mount Guys. I also bought the power adapter with cig lighter from them. I cut off the cig lighter and wired it to the headlamp harness. I then removed the radio and did the rear aux mod and plugged the Nuvi in in the back. I can listen to the MP3 player that is built into the Nuvi and get my turn by turn as well as the bluetooth from my phone all integrated into the single unit. I found tonight I can even have more music by using a SD card plugged into the Nuvi.
Life is good

Mark