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TomTom’s New Motorcycle Specific GPS |
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File under Gadgets GPS
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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Dutch GPS manufacturer, TomTom, have released their latest version of the popular motorcycle specific GPS, RIDER. The unit still looks the same (i.e. the same box), but the major changes are to be found in the extra "hardware".
First of all, the new TomTom Rider comes with a Cardo Scala Rider Bluetooth headset for helmets. This allows you to listen to the verbal navigation commands of the Rider, without being wired to your motorcycle.
Another new item is the RAM support. You can now fix the TomTom Rider to your motorcycle using a RAM support.
And last in the hardware department, you can now use the Rider in your car. As optional extra, you can get a car mounting kit (€79.95).
On the function side, one new item is the possibility to "see" where your buddies are on the GPS. You can invite other TomTom GPSs (although each will need to be equipped with a Bluetooth enabled mobile telephone that can communicate via GPRS), and then monitor where they are. This can be quite practical, since if you're riding in a large group, you can "see" where the rear of the group is, or if you meeting up you buddies somewhere, you can see where they are.
Here in Europe, the Rider will come in a Rider Local version (ie your country is preloaded), or in the Rider Europe version (with all of Europe pre loaded).
Price: around €500 to €600. Availability: May 2007
Click here for more information.
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| Legacy (Old) Comments |
1) Jerry Rocteur said on:
(12/04/2007 17:50:15 GMT)
email:Jerry Rocteur | website:
http://www.rocteur.ccTomTom’s New Motorcycle Specific GPS
If someone gets their hand on one of these and reviews it, I'd be really interested. How can a GPS fit to the Random Access Memory support of a motorcyle and since when does a motorcyle have RAM ? What's a RAM for those who don't know! Jerry
2) Mike Werner said on:
(12/04/2007 19:13:37 GMT)
email:Mike Werner | website:
http://motorbiker.org
Hi Jerry. I've asked for a review model, but after the last fiasco I'm not holding my breath. re RAM. Notice the red words in the text. That means you can click on it. That'll explain to you what it is by bring you to the product.... no expenses spared on this site to further the eduction of the readers... ;-))) Hope you're enjoying this great weather.
3) Keith Schiffner said on:
(13/04/2007 06:38:34 GMT)
email:Keith Schiffner | website:
TomTom’s New Motorcycle Specific GPS
Whilst GPS is nice and I've used them for over a decade at a former job...people rely on them TOO much. It is JUST a tool, nothing more, nothing less. If you don't know how to use your tools they are worthless. Personally I prefer an excellent contour map a protractor and a compass. Learn to land navigate and the gps becomes nothing more than expensive back up tool im my experience. If a moron like myself can cross over 30km of mountainous desert terrain with only a map and aa protractor, then what is everyones excuse for a GPS? I've crossed the US on more than one occassion using just a dumb atlas and nothing else...explain the need for electronics when a dead tree and ink will suffice?
4) said on:
(13/04/2007 16:53:17 GMT)
email: | website:
dc_publius
The phone feature will be mostly useless in the US. Most rides are in rural areas that have poor cell coverage. Does TomTom rider do what every motorcycle GPS actually needs to have, which is ability to design specific routes? When I go for my weekend ride, I don't care about the " quickest, shortest, by required arrival time, avoiding toll roads". I want to preplan exact roads I want to take. They mention 'itinerary planning', but odes this just mean multiple point-to-point designations, or do we actually have the ability to choose all the twisty backroads we want?
5) Mike Werner said on:
(13/04/2007 22:27:05 GMT)
email:Mike Werner | website:
http://motorbiker.orgre: dc_publius
Well, they do have a "motorcycle route" option, though I have not been able to test it out and see what it does. Maybe it'll even look for twisties....
6) ZC said on:
(27/05/2007 16:15:04 GMT)
email:ZC | website:
http://naTomTom’s New Motorcycle Specific GPS
I use itinerary planning to take me twisties route all the time. Its excellent. And with a little googling you can find some tools to help make it easyer to plan at home. Itinerary planning allows you to set waypoint to travel via which is perfect for going the "long way round".
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