|
|
 GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Been wanting a GPS receiver for some time now, particularly since I stay off the beaten track a lot more with the bike. I know Garmin is a household name with a lot of folks, but I found a marine (waterproof) unit made by Lowrance that is appealing (except the cost). The iWay 500c has a 5" diagonal touch screem that is advertised as looking terrific even in bright sun. It has a ruggedized 20GB hard drive loaded with Navteq detail maps with 10 GB allocated for MP3 music files. Coupled with a R-A-M Mount, it seems like a good way to go. A potential downside is that you can't load trips into the iWay from a computer. Opinions? Things to look for?
|
|
|
 Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 176
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 176 |
Lowrance is a big name in marine and aviation GPS. I've had half dozen aviation GPS units over the years. If you've never used one you will probably lean towards buying one with more features than you need. Loading a trip...you may find that to be a lot less useful than you think. I'd suggest getting a non-color screen unit with mapping capabilities from Garmin or Magellan in the $200 class. Most color screens don't like direct sunlight, and will do nothing for you except add cost. Color is nice in aviation as it can depict terrain characteristics (unimportant to land vehicles). The whole Driving GPS selection thing can really be confusing...good luck!
If There's No Wind...ROW!
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 503
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 503 |
What happened to the good old road map? Unless one is going out on fire trails or old logging roads what's the point? Just curious.
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 176
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 176 |
Shakey, I guess it's like a computer: Many people have bought them on a whim, only afterwards finding themselves wondering how the heck they got by without one before!
Me, I haven't made the leap for land vehicles. They don't seem that useful for my purposes.
If There's No Wind...ROW!
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Quote:
what's the point?
The point is to enjoy the benefits of new technology if it appeals to you. Take digital cameras: without them, I'd never take so many pics and be able to enjoy them so much. For me, I'd like to see where I am and what it's going to take to get to where I'm going because a compass is useless in PA and I enjoy exploring. It's a fun and informative technology that interests me. Paper maps are outdated before they're printed, and are a pain to use while riding.
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 282
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 282 |
I have a Garmin eMap and Street Pilot III. The ability to load routes from my laptop is critical for me but becomes less so as autorouting software gets better.
I do a lot of long distance rallys so I need to have direct control over the exact route. However, as long as the unit autoroutes fairly well AND allows you to add waypoints easily, you can get away without computer route planning.
Consider the Garmin 276C as well. It's got a really fast processor and a very nice display.
If you can wait a few months, the Tom Tom Rider promises to be a real nice unit too.
Todd Richmond
Grapevine, TX USA
'78 R80 /7
'06 FJR1300A
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 555
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 555 |
Quote:
What happened to the good old road map? Unless one is going out on fire trails or old logging roads what's the point? Just curious.
A GPS tells you exactly where you are, not just where you want to go. Also you get direction and elevation in addition to very accurate velocity. Also it remembers the path you took. And it looks cool. Who would you trust? A guy with a torn map or a guy with a Garmin?
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734 |
I noticed today that www.tomtom.com has one called the "RIDER" that is available summre 2005...specifically for motorcycles.
---------------------
- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Quote:
www.tomtom.com
Thanks for that . . . wonder when they'll have any product available though. This is a brand new company, correct?
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
What happened to the good old road map? Unless one is going out on fire trails or old logging roads what's the point? Just curious.
After looking into the possibility of doing the SCMA 4 corners run, I found there are 3 distinct advantages to a GPS navigation system.
1. The virtual map doesn't blow away in the wind or get soggy in the rain.
2. At the end of an attention lapse, you don't have to stop and guess where you are.
3. You can see it at night without having to stop and dig out a flashlight.
Since I expect to ride about 10 hours a day under all the above conditions, I am looking into getting one for me and another for the OL.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734 |
Quote:
Quote:
www.tomtom.com
Thanks for that . . . wonder when they'll have any product available though. This is a brand new company, correct?
I've heard good reviews on their products for at least 2 years. Always rated high. Website says founded in 1991 Amsterdam.
---------------------
- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
Quote:
www.tomtom.com
Thanks for that . . . wonder when they'll have any product available though. This is a brand new company, correct?
Amazon claims to have them in stock now.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/13797181/002-8717530-2936838
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: GPS Receivers
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
|
|
Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
Amazon has tomtom products GB, just not the Rider. It's funny (peculiar), but I could swear the last time I looked at the tomtom site, they stated the Rider would be available 3rd quarter of this year. Now it says 'available soon'. An interesting product, I hope they get it to market... http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=80&Language=4
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
