Hardwiring GPS suggestions

[JimsWing]

Got a new Zumo 590 for Father's Day and looking for suggestions to wire the cradle on my 2010 GL1800 (no ABS or NAV). Where is the best location to tie in? I'd like to minimize taking the Tupperware off to run wires.

I don't think I care whether it's powered all the time or on/off with the key but interested in hearing pros & cons for that. I have a cigarette lighter type power plug in the left dash pocket that I use with a usb plug to charge my iPhone, if that helps. Can I tap into that wiring?

I'd also be interested in hearing your mounting suggestions. I have the Touratech locking bracket and a Texellent bar from my old GL1500. I put those on but it's positioned too low to my line of sight. I also have a variety of RAM balls and arms I could use but I think they kind of defeat the theft proof feature of the Touratech bracket.

Thanks for the help.

[Viking]

Oh, lucky you.... that is the newest, and according to Garmin, the best motorcycle GPS to date. I saw it at Americade and I was suitably impressed. Yes, you should be able to power it from the same place as your iPhone. They do make a replacement for the ciggy lighter socket in your left glove pocket that has two USB outlets instead of the ciggy socket. Can you power the 590 off USB? If so, that might just give you the perfect solution. And it is plug and play, just like the ciggy socket was.

[JimsWing]

Thanks for the help. I got it wired this morning. Took me 2 hours to get the wire snaked back to the accessory posts on the fuse box. But it works. Powers on/off via the key so I won't have to worry about accidentally leaving it on and come back to a dead battery.

The wiring bundle includes hot and ground cables, mic-in, audio-in, audio-out, and a long usb connection. I coiled up everything but the power cables and left them unattached under the left dash pocket because I'm going to use it with my bluetooth headset and phone. As far as I can tell, the usb is only for connecting to a computer. Why anyone would leave a portable unit on the bike for that is beyond me. At least that what I think the usb is for; the documentation for connection, etc is pretty thin but at least it's in a dozen languages.

So far, I like it. It's readable in sunlight but still has some glare and washout. Gonna work on pairing it with my phone and Scala Rider headset this afternoon.

Only complaint beside the documentation is the car cig lighter cable. It has the wrong mini-usb fitting and won't plug into the 590.

[Viking]

Well, bummer. Garmin said that the 590LM had a newly designed screen which became even more visible in sunlight. That ain't the case huh. Friggin' liars. Thank you for letting us know. I will not be buying one of those either.