Satnav which one....

Got a TomTom Urban Rider Europe myself. Purchased a bluetooth headset seperately so didn't need the pro version.

Device itself is great. Lots of updates etc when you plug it in to a computer.

I had a few issues with vibration on the RAM mount arm initially. The cradle was vibrating so much I was getting plastic powder residue when I took the satnav off. I've since installed the piece of rubber I got in the box that I didn't think I'd need :D Not given that a proper test yet though...

Still, the satnav device itself, great :)

Pairs fine with my iPhone and bluetooth headset, so calls can be made and received from the satnav screen too. Not that I ever get calls :)
 
Well ive decided to order one quite soon ive decided on the tomtom pro europe.
But i got a daft question, do you need a special bluetooth enabled helmet to wear the ear piece under your helmet. Cause i had a look at it and going by the pic it looks quite big.

http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/bike-navigation/rider-pro-europe/index.jsp#tab:highlights

Or are they just similar to the ones you wear when you took your lessons and cbt etc?
Also how do you charge them up when riding, surely they cant be plugged in into your motorbike battery when riding?
 
Why not? the power is regulated, a lot of people I know wire in a Cigarette lighter socket to their bikes for charging accessories :)

I have used the an earlier Model of the Garmin Zumo and thought it was excellent, the touch needed was a bit heavy at times but I guess thats improved with the new model, I particularly found the 'Find closest' feature really useful, for finding petrol stations, ATM's etc.
 
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I know your after two in particular but just to throw a spanner in the works I use my car sat nav. I use a device called 'tronicpro' (which can be found on a well known site named after a rain forest) for ~£15 which wires directly to your battery to supply usb power and will not drain power when left stood.

It powers my garmin nuvi 200 car sat nav on my bike, and also my HTC phone if I need it to. I stick a little plastic bag over it and wrap an elastic band around the bottom when it rains, and if I want to use my tank bag its far enough forward that I still can - no probs.

I use a strong adehsive mount from a well known auction site, search for 'Nuvi sticky mount'. I have it stuck just on the warning sticker as shown below;

mount on 'saftey sticker', the mounts come off easily enough if you want them to with a good solid tug... otherwise they dont budge.
satnav1.jpg


tronicpro usb plugged in
satnav2.jpg


rough rider's view (I normally tidy the cable away better)
satnav3.jpg



Fair enough it might be nothing like what you're after but worth a thought and may do for someone else, especially if you have a car sat nav already.. It can work out a cheap solution. :)
 
I didn't get the TomTom Rider with the headset. I had a look around for one I thought would fit comfortably under my helmet. Ended up with a Sennheiser VMX 100. Fits over behind the ear and has a ball joint to direct the mic. Can be used on either ear.

Bit tricky getting the helmet on with it in place but works ok other than that :)

Haven't charged it on the go, tends to have plenty of battery life in standby anyway. And tbh I've used the satnav without for the most part. Quick glance at the satnav screen from time to time is fine. Only time I might use the headset more is if I was in a large group of bikers that might get split on a ride, so need to get in touch again etc :)
 
After months of saying i was gonna get one, ive just hit the order button:D
I decided on the tomtom rider pro europe, cant wait to try it out:)
I really think it will help my confidence on my bike as i have a bit of a fear of not finding my way home:p
 
I find it a little bit like playing Grand Theft Auto, having the road mapped out in front of you :p Gives you an idea on how tight upcoming corners might be too :)

And I also find it reasuring on the longer ride-outs. If I lose the pack I know I'll be ok getting home :)
 
I've had the Rider for 4 or 5 years now (gen 1 version). Its been great - got me round europe several times, and survived being bounced down the A59 at 60mph when I didnt click it in properly.

The only issue I have now is that the battery doesn't hold a charge for very long at all - about half an hour tops compared to the 6 ot 7 hours when it was new. In theory that shouldn't be too much of a problem as I have it wired in, but but the mount keeps on losing power (a common problem on the early ones)

I was thinking of replacing and giving the Zuma a go, but I think I'll probably get another rider.

Oh, and I've never used the bluetooth headset as i wear earpugs. I only use the satnav for an occasional glance to make sure I'm on track :)
 
I got my satnav, it took a while to setup and download the maps etc. Im gonna go out a bit later today to try it out, cant wait:D
I also got homersimpson telling me the way, so ill probably be laughing the whole way. I wonder what he says if you crash? Doh!:p

Anyway i managed to find the option to turn motorways off, so hopefully it will take me the more scenic route rather than quickest.
 
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