Bike satnav

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by Rebel Ian, Nov 25, 2015.

  1. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    The whole idea of trading up to the Sprint is to do some touring and we've already got a France trip planned next year.

    The question is what satnav to get? The Garmin Zumo 590LM gets good reviews as does the TomTom Rider. Any views or experience from folk?
     
  2. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    I just use iphone all the way!
     
  3. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    I considered that but roaming data costs would be pretty horrific. Worth investigating if there's a data bolt on.
     
  4. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,225
    1,000
    Uk
    any body used one of these?
     
  5. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    That's interesting crispey.
     
  6. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    Certainly a lot cheaper than the Garmin or TomTom.
     
  7. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
  8. DaveTheSuperVillain

    DaveTheSuperVillain Active Member

    Jun 19, 2015
    69
    28
    Takeley, Essex
    I've use a Garmin Zumo (I think 350) since launch and have found it to be brilliant - although I have to admit it tends to get used in the car more than on the bike!

    The lifetime map updates was the selling point at the time, but pretty much everyone gives you that now, so a bit less relevant than it was when I bought it. My first (car) satnav was a TomTom and I have to say the Garmin on the whole is much much better from a software, useability, quality etc point of view. You can also set up service reminders, MPG calculators etc etc not that I've ever used them!
     
  9. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
  10. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    • Like Like x 1
  11. roadrider

    roadrider First Class Member

    Jul 26, 2013
    1,003
    500
    Oxon
    I use a Garmin 350. It's OK but not fool proof,sometimes you have to go with your instincts.
    It has sent me up some tracks before now missing some lovely tarmac.

    I use TYRE for route planning as it uses Google maps,and it's free.
    TBH I wouldn't go on a long distance ride without it.
     
  12. Bob Chambers

    Bob Chambers Member

    Nov 23, 2015
    22
    8
    USA
    I just use a Garmin Nuvi.. automotive GPS with a Ram mount. Works fine, but I do need to put it away if it rains. Cost is much less than a M/C GPS.
     
  13. Clarkey

    Clarkey Well-Known Member

    Sep 28, 2014
    236
    93
    I use my I phone 6 I brought the Tom Tom app which down loads the maps onto your iPhone so no data charges
    Job done
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    What do you think of the Tom Tom app or is too early? I used nav free thingy and downloaded each country separate first when I went round the Alps for free but all the countries don't connect. So if you want to go from mid France to Salzburg you have to do it seperatly in each country as they are non related even though they should have worked as one as I thought.
     
  15. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    Genius, why didn't I think of that?! I did a Google search on best satnav apps and CoPilot was rated very highly so have downloaded that. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll let you know how it performs. Next challenge is how to mount the iPhone on the bike!
     
  16. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    To be honest that's probably a better option. I was thinking of putting the phone inside the tank bag so I could see the screen but with the Sprint's huge panniers and box I was hoping not to have to use the tank bag. I am looking into intercoms that enable me to talk to @munchkin as we ride. Well, she'll talk and I'll listen ;-). I'll make sure they gave Bluetooth capability and hook the phone up to that. Next question, intercoms!!
     
  17. MrOrange

    MrOrange Guest

    Yeah intercoms, what people got? I use my old Samsung SII as a sat-nav on the bike, using NDrive app, works brilliantly with a ultimate mobiles hardcase and power supply.
    Now the missus is going to be joining me on bike runs, thought of getting intercoms for talking and for sat-nav instructions. Heard only good things about the cheap amazon / ebay sets !!!
     
  18. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    Are you sure you want to be able to do that?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  19. MattGaydon

    MattGaydon Noble Member

    Jun 11, 2015
    1,089
    443
    Godalming
    I use the Garmin Zumo 660 and it's been great...v easy to use!
     
  20. Rebel Ian

    Rebel Ian Member

    Nov 14, 2015
    20
    8
    Slough
    Thanks for that. Very helpful. I was also looking at the interphone F3MC as it doesn't require a boom mic. No idea if it works well however.
     
Loading...

Share This Page