GPS advice.

I'm thinking of getting a GPS for the car[1] but it would be nice for
the bike too. I can always put a placky bag over it to make it water
proof.

I would be using it in the UK and Europe.

Any suggestions.

Special downloads?
Gatso warnings?
Cheapest?

[1] Jane figures I wont shout at her navigation around Paris if I have
one.

 

I think Sir will find that the new Bluetooth enabled Tom Tom Go 500 is
just the ticket. The pricier 700 bundles a remote control, unnecessary
IMHO.
They do the new Rider for bike use but I have no experience of this and
it doesn't carry the Bluetooth interface for in-car handsfree.

'Hog

 

Bollox. ViaMichelin. Onna Palm. With Bluetooth GPS receiver.

 

You sure? From the Tom Tom website :

a.. Clear 3D maps and spoken instructions: hear crystal clear turn-by-turn
voice instructions in your helmet in the language of your choice using
Bluetooth TM wireless headset
a.. Wireless headset included: Bluetooth receiver + earphone cable with
integrated microphone

 

The pocketgps ones are simple to install and setup on TTG and suit my needs
just fine.
Everytime there is an update just delete the old ones and copy the new ones
accross to the SD card.

a.. pocketgps_uk_gatso.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning 300
yards from POI.
a.. pocketgps_uk_redlight.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning
100 yards from POI.
a.. pocketgps_uk_specs.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning 200
yards from POI.
a.. pocketgps_continental.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning
300 yards from POI.
a.. pocketgps_uk_mobile.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning 600
yards from POI.
a.. pocketgps_uk_temp.ov2 - I have this set to give an audible warning 600
yards from POI.

Must admit I haven't seen the oabsoftware site before - I'll have to check
it out to see what's on there.

 

Aha! nice

'Hog

 

The NavMan ICN510. Standalone, no need to download/load software,
comes with map CDs for the whole of Europe and North America. Great,
it is. Also c/w car mounting kit (sticks onto wondscreen) and power
cable.

Works out of the box, but maps loaded are, of course, selectable.

Can be programmed as a PoI with wornings to boot, although I don't
know of UK websites listing the locations.

No, not the cheapest, but the best that I could find as a compromise
between usability (the touch screen makes it easy), screen size, clear
voice (with built-in speaker) and compactness. Cost me around 400 of
your UK pounds three months ago.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
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Garmin 2610

Nope. Far from it. And their licensing policy is horrid.

But it does what it says on the box. It's also fine on the bike; Garmin
sell a wiring loom to allow you to connect it up. Conspicuously, it
seemed like every bike manufacturer offering GPS at the NEC last year
was offering a re-badged version of this unit.

RAM do excellent (if not very pretty) mounting kits.

I move mine from car to car to bike no problem.

No, she'll shout at the bint telling you you've gone the wrong way and
you need to turn right.

 

Mick Whittingham explained :

Garmin Quest

Er, special in what way?

Yes, or at least you can download an overlay for the maps which shows
their locations.

No, but it is versatile, small, waterproof, simple to operate and just
does the job without fuss. It also seems to have the tiniest of tracks
on it, the likes of which you would not expect and takes you door to
door, address to address anywhere in Europe. Drop in mounts for boat,
car and bike, or carry it in your pocket for around town/walking.

You will probably end up talking back to the GPS.

 

No need with a Garmin, they are waterproof.
I have a 2610 but a Quest is also a good choice, mine is used on my
bike and two cars (it can be used in any car but that is it's primary
use), the bike needs a little setting up, I use the Garmin motorcycle
mount with a RAM holder and plug it in the BMW socket for juice, easy
to mount and dismount yet very solid and no fumbling with bags, I've
driven in torrential rains without problems.

Garmin's GPSes come with full EU detailed maps. Some zones have less
detail, you can check this out on
http://www.garmin.com/cartography/index.jsp (select the EU City
Navigator from the "Map Viewer")
it's about the only GPS company that allow you to see the detail of
their maps before you buy them.

There are GPS programs to get screenshots etc. but nothing to add mp3
or video functions if that is what you mean, it's a GPS and a good one
at that

The database is online somewhere but there are so many of them you
wouldn't be able to get them all on the GPS and the database is NEVER
100% accurate so you still have to look out and then there are mobile
controls and would you want a warning beeping at every intersection ...
in the end, wouldn't it be easier to just follow the limit and make a
trip to Germany when you feel like letting go (or book an hour on a
local track)

You have to consider everything, Garmin's are competitively priced if
you consider the full package, you get a full EU map, very good PC
software to prepare routes, manage waypoints, a quality GPS that has
been tested for 6G force and is waterproof, from a company that will
honor it's guarantees (I know of dropped GPSes that have been replaced)
PS, do not get a 2620 (or anything with a harddrive as the vibrations
on a motorcycle are not beneficial to it's operation)

 

PS. have a look at this, http://www.gps.nl
They have an addon for more buttons and even Bluetooth voiceprompts
called the Perfect Pilot (I use an earpiece with a cable)
http://www.gps.nl/body_perfect_pilot.html

 

Works fine with the one I have - but I did get the European Cities and Towns
add on as the basemap wasn't exactly filled with detail.

Also the updates *are* free, but only for a certain period after purchase if
they release a new one - perfectly fair. Considering you can't get a paper
map for free when it's updated, I don't see why you should expect the same
for an electronic version.

They update their software for free - both GPS and MapSource (or whatever
it's called).

I would, if the Tom Tom didn't exist - I am very interested in the new Rider
one, but I expect it's going to retail north of £500 which will drop my
interest quite markedly.

 

I'm thinking of getting a GPS for the car[1] but it would be nice

First of, the eMap's an old GPS (in this day and age it's a dinosaur)
The fact that you still use it speaks volumes on it's quality, try that
with some of the cellphones they crank out of china nowadays.
So the screen and backlight need to be compared to GPSes from that age,
and guess what, it was the best of the best at the time.
As for the maps not routing, the GPS is incapable of doing that, it's
processor cannot do it.
For the maps to route on the PC they need routing info, ya should have
bought the correct maps and that info is hard to come by so they are
expensive ('they' are perhaps not the tight arses)

In summary you wouldn't be able to buy another one unless on eBay or a
yardsale.

Guess what, you have to pay for the maps of those too.
And the screens of those not pretty compared to Garmin's

lacking.

So did they have a continuous update while driving, you'll need hook it
up to the computer every day to get updates, I guess your cellphone
bill (for the GPRS connection to keep your DB accurate) will replace
the many tickets you're getting without it.

 

I guess your cellphone

That's not what I'm saying.
I mean why would you need that info anyway, it's a whole lot of trouble
why not just drive the limit.

 

Because many limits are set for HGVs with full loads
of ball bearings and not any reasonable vehicles?

 

So you decide which rules to follow then.
I'm sure you hate people who go to slow or who cut you off or who don't
check their mirror when you cut through a traffic jam, should they just
sense that you want them follow your rules then?
You'll probably also want people to drive slow in your neighborhood.
The camera's, controls, tickets, speed bumps etc. only exist because
the majority of people do not have the self discipline (or perhaps
knowledge) to drive correct. Speeding is easy, it takes a whole lot
more self control and character to follow the speed limits and rules of
the road.

 

Eh? What features? The software works without a GPS - I've never connected
the GPS to it other than to download/upload waypoints/routes/maps...

Why would it be?

As I mentioned in my first post, have you taken your current UK road atlas
back to WH SMiths to get them to give you a new one? No, because they
wouldn't - why do you expect a software version to give you a free update
too?

It would be nice - but it wouldn't be normal.

Also, are you sure your Mapsource doesn't allow route planning? The one I
have does...

As was a Beta Video Recorder, mini disc players and any other things that
time and technology have moved on from.

 

You were doing so well (about GPS's) until this load of twaddle.

 

Sorry I don't comform to the view of "us against them" (them being the
"plods")
I used to be like that but it really amounts to nothing and my driving
experience is very much approved since I found that out (and is a lot
less dangerous).
Using a GPS has assisted in changing my style, even with speeding my
average speed was still the same, now I take it easy, I'm a lot less
tense (on a bike that counts a lot)
I still like speed but I'll do that in Germany (or on a track) where
other drivers expect it and I don't ride with the fear of losing my
license.

 

Thanks for that. Now I know how to do it, I just need top find where
to download the Swiss camera sites in the same format. Between us
we've had about six tickets in the last year. Bastards.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`