GPS for motorbikes?

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Rhydian

Rhydian

Wannabie Member
I have a great sense of direction (like all manly men :roll: ), that's why I end up in Newham and barking when travelling to Ilford in a straight line.

Now I want to *Improve* my manly directions with a device that can tell me where to go.

Btw my preference is a garmin since they have a better rap and they also seem to understand motorcyclists with their new 350lm(tad too expensive)
 
Rhydian said:
Now I want to *Improve* my manly directions with a device that can tell me where to go.
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Victory ;)
 
I agree with friz. I have the worst sense of direction ever (ask curlyblakey and extreme601) but whenever I go long distance, I always have a Google map search the night before, memorize it, and have a map on me. Hasn't let me down yet.
 
I use a Garmin Nuvi 500 and a RAM mount. The 500 is waterproof enough for a few feet of water, so it's fine in the rain. I've used it for years on end and while occasionally taking me down a dirt road it's never let me down. It's also a LOT cheaper than their so-called "motorcycle" specific GPS units.
 
One problem living in America is that there are still those "wide open spaces" where you can't get a signal. Even in the North Georgia mountains (a mere 60 miles from Atlanta), I've learned not to depend on my iPhone maps app, anyway. Dumb question, but are dedicated GPS units like Garmins immune to this problem?
 
Yes, they are. They only work if they are in direct contact with at least 3 sats, but let me quote the pros:

"The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.

How it works
GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.

A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.

How accurate is GPS?
Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. Garmin's 12 parallel channel receivers are quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain strong locks, even in dense foliage or urban settings with tall buildings. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. Garmin® GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters on average."

From: http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/

I have had 4 different garmin GPS's and I doubt I'll ever buy another one. Three had problems and wouldn't work right,(after about 2yrs) and one was stolen.
 
This won't help anyone who failed and bought an iPhone... but on Android, we can save Google Maps as a local file and our GPS still shows our location on the map. I use this along with a ram X mount and a usb cable to keep it powered up 24/7/365.25
 
GPS... I spit on them... pahh! Get a road map. You can't get lost on a motorcycle, you only get an extended ride.
 
I have a GPS and the only time I turn it on is after hours in the saddle getting lost but thoroughly enjoying the ride and need to find my destination OR go home. Then I turn it on...

But if you have a smart phone look at CoPilot live its cheap, works offline and is very good. Liked it more than my Urban Rider GPS.
 
I have the memory of a gold fish so I love my TomTom Rider. It can be fun getting lost but it can also be quite tedious. If I want to have a blast down to Rye from Kingston, I can pre plan a route and off I go. I don't want to spend 30 mins riding in circles trying to find my way out of Chessington Industrial Estate (exaggeration I know).
Or you can just set a route to avoid motorways and taking you on 'winding roads'.
 
My system is simple:

1. Look on Google maps for my start point and end point
2. Pick out 2 or 3 major towns between them (depending on the distance, more or less may be better)
3. Memorise the names of these towns
4. Set off in roughly the right direction - follow signs for first town
5. Keep aiming for the next town on the list until you get near enough to your destination
6. Guess the last few miles, get hopelessly lost and flag down a passing car and ask to look a their satnav
7. Eventually arrive 3 hours later then planned, tired, grumpy and in need of a nice sit-down.
8. The next day: recieve phone call stating you didn't get the job, due to your "poor timing", and your "demeanor in the interview"
9. Buy a bike satnav

:?

Seriously though, if you have no real time constraint, this is a good fun way to ride ... found some rather entertaining roads this way!

GPS wise; Navigation for Android with sound turned on and one headphone ... it's not perfect, but it's better then nowt and cheaper then a bike Satnav

JB
 
I'm gonna be travelling down to the Brighton Meet the 9th of September.
I'm taking my galaxy3 but also a physical road atlas too incase of whatever.

My sense of direction is pretty good tbh, but I used to dispatch ride in London and all over the UK a few years ago before sat navs and the like.
All we had were road map, it used to be fun planning trips to places you've never been before several times a day.
It was a good time though, I sort of miss it really.
 
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