Gps Cover/heater

Noticed someone mentioned something about a cover that was made for their gps by their wife. Any pictures??. Just bought Garmins 176C and was wondering about some kind of cover and looking for ideas. The heater idea looks interesting too. I found a cover/heater for my old Garmin gps III plus, it was made by cell glove, and I guess it was originally for cell phones. It had a clear plastic face and the rest was some kind of material like gloves are made of. It has a power cord ready to power up with the sled. I never hooked it up though, as I was getting a new sled and did not want to hook up on my old sled, Then the gps III took a crap on me and it was $125.00 flat fee to fix so, I upgraded to the newer 176C. Now I am looking to setup the 176C. I may take the heater element out of the cell glove and see if a local sewing shop can set me up with something close to the cell glove that will fit the 176C. I will keep you informed with what I find out. I did a search on the cell glove to see if I could supply a link, but could not find it. When I get home I will check out the mfg, in case someone want's to check it out for ideas. Buy the way, this site is aewsome. I will be adding tracks as I get them too. Happy sledding!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a cover my wife made to fit the 176 but don't use it anymore...the heater panel keeps the GPS warm enough without it. http://polar.polarcomm.com/~rspoonla/sled/gpsheaterpanel.jpg

I had my mom make me a nylon "case" with a clear plastic window for my eTrex Vista. It very much resembles a cell phone case (due to the size of the Vista) however it also encompasses my RAM Vista bracket.

What problems are you having to make you think you need to heat your unit? I have used mt vista fo 6 days all day with the temp from -15F upto a scourching high of 5F and had no problems. I do have mine plugged in to the sleds electical system.

Wow I cant believe this, Ive been looking for heater ideas all season and never looked at this message board. I have a GPSIII+ that I would like to get heated. RWS, where did you get that heater panel? RDF, Id love to see a link for the piece your talking about.

Originally posted by vx700xtc@Feb 18 2004, 08:48 PM What problems are you having to make you think you need to heat your unit? I have used mt vista fo 6 days all day with the temp from -15F upto a scourching high of 5F and had no problems. I do have mine plugged in to the sleds electical system. screen fades out at 0 degrees and colder...

Originally posted by Tantrum@Feb 18 2004, 09:22 PM Wow I cant believe this, Ive been looking for heater ideas all season and never looked at this message board. I have a GPSIII+ that I would like to get heated. RWS, where did you get that heater panel? RDF, Id love to see a link for the piece your talking about. Kimpex grip heater from Dennis Kirk part # 39-31

Originally posted by Tantrum@Feb 18 2004, 10:22 PM Wow I cant believe this, Ive been looking for heater ideas all season and never looked at this message board. I have a GPSIII+ that I would like to get heated. RWS, where did you get that heater panel? RDF, Id love to see a link for the piece your talking about. Here is a pic of the cell glove. I could not find a link to the company, they might not have a site, but I have their number from the paper work. 1-888-274-6007, or 1-218-281-2120. Hope this helps. I got the unit from labarons sports in Troy Michigan. The cover where the printing is pulls back to reveal the clear plastic window, and the right side that is curved is a flap that folds over after the gps unit has been inserted and velcro's down.

Originally posted by rws@Feb 18 2004, 10:30 AM I had a cover my wife made to fit the 176 but don't use it anymore...the heater panel keeps the GPS warm enough without it. http://polar.polarcomm.com/~rspoonla/sled/gpsheaterpanel.jpg Thanks for the info, I am seriously considering the heater setup you have. I have a question I would like your opinion on. Is the heater element itself sealed against moisture, if it were snowing/freezing rain would there be a possibility of a short out of the heater? I figure it must be sealed somehow so it wont short to the handlebar. I have not had a chance to get to the store and get one in my hands to see for myself. Thanks again and to all that have shared this great info here. Hopefully the gps makers will look into the gps market for snowmobiles and set one up so we don't have to do all this backyard engineering.

Originally posted by rdf@Feb 22 2004, 03:31 PM Thanks for the info, I am seriously considering the heater setup you have. I have a question I would like your opinion on. Is the heater element itself sealed against moisture, if it were snowing/freezing rain would there be a possibility of a short out of the heater? I figure it must be sealed somehow so it wont short to the handlebar. I have not had a chance to get to the store and get one in my hands to see for myself. Thanks again and to all that have shared this great info here. Hopefully the gps makers will look into the gps market for snowmobiles and set one up so we don't have to do all this backyard engineering. Yes, the printed circuit is sealed. Be sure to install the resistor included in the kit...if you run the heater direct it will get hot enough to warp your battery cover.

rdf, thanks for the info I ordered the Kimplex hand warmer that rws posted. Although I havent received it yet to look at it my concerns are going to be, How hot does it get and how will I know how much heat I need. Even if its sealed now after use Im sure there are going to be wear points so Ill have to come up with some kind of raping. My bracket is all aluminum so I might be able to heat the back of the bracket and radiate the heat through that. Im not concerned about testing this out and sacrificing a hand warmer or two but I dont want to cook my gps or my SDI computer, that would take some of the fun out of it :dazed: By the way I used the gps up in Lake George this weekend and it is a very cool accessory for the sled. Wednesday we are going to Pittsburgh NH so that will be the real test. 4 riders and none of us a familar with the trails.

RDF, this SW forum link (http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33576) will show you the one my wife made for my 176c. It works so well that I haven't used a heater with it yet...the heat from the screen and buttons do just fine. The only problem I've encountered has been in a real wet, warm snow, like we were in last week up north. Once the inside of the cover gets wet, it's pretty difficult to keep the clear plastic clear. I'll put a little bit of sealant on the seams where the clear plastic meets the black material, and that should take care of it. I'm sure there's an anti-fogging spray or liquid I could put on the inside of the clear cover to eliminate that issue also. Last month we were in -10 weather and the screen never faded or iced up, it worked perfectly.

Originally posted by JIM FRITCH@Feb 26 2004, 06:37 PM RDF, this SW forum link (http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33576) will show you the one my wife made for my 176c. It works so well that I haven't used a heater with it yet...the heat from the screen and buttons do just fine. The only problem I've encountered has been in a real wet, warm snow, like we were in last week up north. Once the inside of the cover gets wet, it's pretty difficult to keep the clear plastic clear. I'll put a little bit of sealant on the seams where the clear plastic meets the black material, and that should take care of it. I'm sure there's an anti-fogging spray or liquid I could put on the inside of the clear cover to eliminate that issue also. Last month we were in -10 weather and the screen never faded or iced up, it worked perfectly. Jim, Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Just seeing an example of the cover helped with ideas and direction. It never occurred to me to look at premade cases that could be adapted, I was stuck on the idea of making it from scratch, so you opened up some options there. I just mounted my gps the other day and am working on the electrical now. Found a schematic online for an 8 to 35 volt ac to 12volt regulated dc converter using mostly radio shack parts that I am working on now, already tested it and it works good, now just have to install it. Thanks again for the info, and to all who posted their ideas.

No prob RDF...that's what we're here for, right? I've been given plenty of ideas from guys on these boards. The "cover" is actually a Norelco shaver bag, in case I didn't mention that before. Be sure to let us see what you come up with. Jim