Touring - GPS bicycle mount conflict with Garmin Legend CS / Venture CX.

I want to buy a handlebar mounted GPS unit for my bicycle rides. Here's the requirements, then I'd like to ask a question of the group: I want a GPS for long, multi-day bike rides. I want it to use generic replaceable batteries rather than proprietary rechargables. I want to be able to store multi-day, long route segments in memory; I want to use it for navigation while I'm on the ride. I also want it to record actual position tracks for subsequent mapping.

So I narrowed my search to the Garmin Legend CS and the Garmin Venture CX, and went to my local REI shop to seek their advice. The REI staffer was quite familiar with the GPS. She walked me through the two units, explained the different mapping options, and just as I was about to make the buy I asked if they stocked the bicycle mounts and a cloud passed over her face.

"There's an issue with that", she said, and explained that while the Garmin website and manuals specified using the same mounting bracket for the C* series and the rest of the product line, the CX version includes a slot for the Micro SD card inside of the waterproof gasket, and the specified rear cover can't close over the Micro SD card when it's in place. You can buy the units, but the bicycle mount won't attach to the device.

They even opened up a package containing the right mounting unit and showed me that it wouldn't work. Inside of the GPS, there's a new slot provided for the MicroSD card, and the bicycle mount's rear panel won't close if the MicroSD card is in place.

I was frustrated by the incompatibility, but felt very well served by the REI folks - no point in buying a unit and a mount, then not being able to use them on the bicycle.

Here's my questions: (thanks for your patience)
1. Does anybody have recommendations on a bike GPS that meets the above needs?
2. Anybody have an insight on using the bicycle mounts on these units with the MicroSD cards installed?

I have a Garmin Vista C, with 24MB internal memory (doesn't use memory cards). It can store lots of maps, gets good reception, and has pretty good battery life. It also fits perfectly on the handlebar mount.

I have the Legend C mounted on my o/s bontrager race handlebars. The legend C and a few others (colour screen models?) are wider and so the back cover is different from the earlier models. The Legend C uses a plastic tab and screw to attach to the handle bar mount. It does not use the back that comes with the narrow bar mount, the o/s bar mount has to be ordered separately. I don't know if this applies to the Legend CX or not.

Used with the Garmin "Map Source" base maps it is quite amazing, I use it when riding in areas I'm not real familiar with. Planning to bring it to Europe when I go. Does anyone know what the garmin map base is like for France?

Here's my questions: (thanks for your patience)
1. Does anybody have recommendations on a bike GPS that meets the above needs?
2. Anybody have an insight on using the bicycle mounts on these units with the MicroSD cards installed?
I just got (today, in fact) the Garmin 76CSx (the microSD version), together with the Garmin bicycle mount (part No 010-10305-01), and had no problems.

I have the Vista C and use in on the handlebars with great success. It is easy to see and takes reular AA batteries.

The only complaint I have with it is the minimal internal memory. I use the MapSource software and cannot load as much in the way of base maps as I would like. Was happy to hear Garmin was coming out with a card version (even though I can't justify replacing the one I have) it made sense. Hopefully Garmin will correct the compatability issue with the handlebar mount.

I have an older Vista (not C) and a GPSMAP 60CS. Both work on the bicycle mount without problems. I can fit the entire country of Japan road maps on my 60CS without any external memory card. Unless you're talking RAAM, you could probably fit all of the maps you would need on one (except it's kinda bulky). I like my Vista because it sits between my aero bars nicely.

VW

Try RAM mounts here...

http://www.ram-mount.com/

I have one of their mounts for my Lowrance iFinder H2O which works great...

http://saanichbc.net/lht/lht-053.jpg

http://saanichbc.net/lht/lht-054.jpg

2. Anybody have an insight on using the bicycle mounts on these units with the MicroSD cards installed?

I just got the Garmin Legend Cx. You are correct that the bicycle mounting kit doesn't work because the back won't fit over the micro SD card. However, mine came with an accessory adaptor that screws into the existing backplate of the unit. The handlebar mount rail adaptor fits perfectly into that adaptor. I bought it at REI too. You can find it here: http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10496%2D01. I actually had to buy the larger one because my handlebars are 31.8mm. That one is here: http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10496%2D00

I just got the Garmin Legend Cx. You are correct that the bicycle mounting kit doesn't work because the back won't fit over the micro SD card. However, mine came with an accessory adaptor that screws into the existing backplate of the unit. The handlebar mount rail adaptor fits perfectly into that adaptor. I bought it at REI too. You can find it here: http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10496%2D01. I actually had to buy the larger one because my handlebars are 31.8mm. That one is here: http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10496%2D00

This is the barmount and adapter that I use. The GPS rattled a bit when using this set up so I stuck a little bit of electrical tape inside the "slide together part" of the adapter and it fits tighter now.