If you don't ride, please don't post about how stupid this is. As rider, daily commute and touring, I can say that a GPS unit is a great addition to a motorcycle. It's certainly not for the daily ride to work, or short around town trips, but on longer riders (I just got back to Minneapolis from Tucson) it's a real godsend. I used paper maps for many years and while riding it just takes too long to focus on the map, determine your position, and plot your next turn. Even with printed out turn-by-turn maps it take your eyes off the road too long to read effectively. With a good GPS unit you can very effectively, and safely, navigate unfamiliar territory and not divide your attention between the inattentive cagers trying to run you off the road and route to your destination. I am currently considering getting a more motorcycle focused unit (Garmin Zumo 550) to replace my current riding GPS (Garmin eTrex Legend Cx). This TomTom unit seems to be adding exactly the primary feature I am trying to get, namely a clear, uncluttered display. On a motorcycle having just the information you need to better than having too much info.
Meh, the idea is nice but I am still wondering how distracting it could be to some riders. I like the idea of GPS since there are times I get lost but overall I just would rather rely on a phone based GPS that I could pull out of my pocket at will and look at. Better if it was audible and for long trips would it spit out the directions over audio to me while listening to my tunes. That would be the penultimate for me. Phones keep converging more and more with multiple devices in the, wonder how the BB 8800 or the HTC S710(with a BT GPS module) would work that way?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MarkF @ Apr 11th 2007 11:18PM
If you don't ride, please don't post about how stupid this is. As rider, daily commute and touring, I can say that a GPS unit is a great addition to a motorcycle. It's certainly not for the daily ride to work, or short around town trips, but on longer riders (I just got back to Minneapolis from Tucson) it's a real godsend. I used paper maps for many years and while riding it just takes too long to focus on the map, determine your position, and plot your next turn. Even with printed out turn-by-turn maps it take your eyes off the road too long to read effectively. With a good GPS unit you can very effectively, and safely, navigate unfamiliar territory and not divide your attention between the inattentive cagers trying to run you off the road and route to your destination.
I am currently considering getting a more motorcycle focused unit (Garmin Zumo 550) to replace my current riding GPS (Garmin eTrex Legend Cx). This TomTom unit seems to be adding exactly the primary feature I am trying to get, namely a clear, uncluttered display. On a motorcycle having just the information you need to better than having too much info.
donuteatinsob @ Apr 11th 2007 11:40PM
Meh, the idea is nice but I am still wondering how distracting it could be to some riders. I like the idea of GPS since there are times I get lost but overall I just would rather rely on a phone based GPS that I could pull out of my pocket at will and look at. Better if it was audible and for long trips would it spit out the directions over audio to me while listening to my tunes. That would be the penultimate for me. Phones keep converging more and more with multiple devices in the, wonder how the BB 8800 or the HTC S710(with a BT GPS module) would work that way?