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Virago
28th October 2010, 15:27
Email received by KB this afternoon:

Hi there

Please find below a release from TomTom regarding the announcement of the TomTom Urban Rider – GPS navigation from motorbikes.

Please get in touch if you would like any more information. We expect review units to be available in the next week, please let me know if you are interested in this.

Kind regards

---------------

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TomTom Urban Rider

Smart motorbike navigation has arrived!

~ TomTom brings award-winning GPS navigation to new motorbike product ~

Auckland, 28 October 2010 – TomTom announced today that the TomTom Urban Rider GPS device is now available in New Zealand, bringing easy, safe and smart motorbike navigation to all riders in a great value package.

The new TomTom Urban Rider, with maps of both New Zealand and Australia, comes with a glove-friendly two-button menu, Advanced Lane Guidance for a clearer view at junctions, and TomTom’s IQ Routes™ for the fastest way, any time of day.

“We are excited to bring the first TomTom motorbike navigation product to New Zealand riders,” said Chris Kearney, Vice President Marketing, TomTom Asia Pacific. “Whether taking a quick trip into town or heading out for a longer ride, this is the ideal travel companion, with features designed specifically for life on two wheels.”

Rider features

The new TomTom Urban Rider features a new user-interface with a glove-friendly two-button touch screen menu, SMS-style keyboard with wide-set buttons for optimal ease of use, loud and clear voice instructions through the high-quality speaker, extended battery life of up to eight hours for stress-free riding on longer trips, and waterproof casing to protect against weather conditions.

The Trip Recording feature lets riders record their routes and even share their favourites via the device’s Bluetooth connection. For those keen to get out and explore, the Winding Roads routing feature will suggest some alternative, biker-friendly routes.

Superior Maps

TomTom Urban Rider comes with the latest maps of New Zealand and Australia. TomTom’s Latest Map Guarantee ensures that if a new map becomes available within 30 days of first use, every user is entitled to download the latest available map free of charge.

TomTom releases four maps each year: Summer (Nov), Autumn (Feb), Winter (May) and Spring (Aug), ensuring TomTom users can always drive with the latest map.

Best Directions

TomTom’s IQ Routes™ feature uses billions of speed profiles contributed by TomTom users that give a detailed view of road speeds every minute of the day, every day of the year. IQ Routes™ enables the TomTom Urban Rider to route riders the fastest way, any time of the day.

Advanced Lane Guidance clearly shows which lane to take at junctions so riders won’t miss their turn. On the most difficult highway intersections, a realistic 3D representation of the junction keeps riders relaxed and safe.

Safety

TomTom Urban Rider features Safety Cameras, which alert to fixed speed and red light camera locations on the road ahead, helping riders to stay safe and relaxed. The Help me! Menu gives easy access to assistance and direct dial through to help when on the road. Bluetooth hands free calling, active with a compatible headset (not included with TomTom Urban Rider), enables riders to keep focused on the road ahead.

Ease of Use

The superb navigation software and new two-button user interface delivers ease of use, which is both seamless and glove-friendly.

Pricing and availability:

TomTom Urban Rider is available from late October for RRP $699.

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

Key features of TomTom Urban Rider:

· Two-button, simplified menu

· Glove-friendly screen

· TomTom IQ Routes™

· TomTom Map Share™

· Bluetooth for connection to compatible phones and headsets

· Trip Recording

· Itinerary planning

· Winding Roads routing option

· Advanced Lane Guidance

· Waterproof (IPX 7 certified)

· A dock and RAM mount to firmly fix the device to your bike

· A mini USB charger for home charging

Digital press materials:

For digital press materials, photos and videos, visit the Press Extranet:

URL: http://extranet.tomtom.com

Username: press-tt, password: TomTom

For more information, contact:

Georgie Stent, JML Communications, M 021 655 060, P 09 358 2828

About TomTom N.V.

TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands it has over 3,000 employees worldwide. Over 45 million people use its solutions every day, in the form of dedicated portable navigation devices (PNDs), in-dash car systems or tracking and tracing solutions for fleet management. In addition, hundreds of millions of people use TomTom’s digital maps on the internet or mobile phones.

In 2009, TomTom reported €1.5 billion in revenues and a €340 million net cash flow from operating activities. More information about TomTom can be found at TomTom.com.
Reckless
28th October 2010, 15:43
They didn't include a pic if, Google has got it right this is it here!!

222331
specter
28th October 2010, 15:45
how many limbs is it gonna cost to get one?
Reckless
28th October 2010, 15:48
how many limbs is it gonna cost to get one?

as above = RRP $699
wysper
28th October 2010, 15:53
ooo that is interesting isn't it!

No mention of mounting hardware, is that always a separate buy?

I wonder where we can see one?
banditrider
28th October 2010, 16:06
It mentions up to 8 hour battery life. Any idea if it comes with anything to hook into the bike's 12v power?
jasonzc
28th October 2010, 16:15
as above = RRP $699

stink... was looking forward to the release as in europe it only costs 200-240 pounds.
@699 nzd, :bye:
george formby
28th October 2010, 16:24
stink... was looking forward to the release as in europe it only costs 200-240 pounds.
@699 nzd, :bye:

+2 Got one on my up over TDM & love it. Mount it to anything too.
slofox
28th October 2010, 16:54
A bit cheaper than the Zumo 220...
Muppet
28th October 2010, 20:42
$699? get real! Car GPS units are as low as $200. Don't give me any crap about how special it is because it's for a bike, like Tom Tom are doing bikers a favour, calling it a motorcycle GPS.
Gremlin
29th October 2010, 02:41
$699? get real! Car GPS units are as low as $200. Don't give me any crap about how special it is because it's for a bike, like Tom Tom are doing bikers a favour, calling it a motorcycle GPS.
I've seen people turn up to the Grand Challenge with their cheap car ones, wrapped in plastic. Then they find the course so complex the GPS doesn't want to know.

The Garmin Zumo 550 I have is at least waterproof and rugged. It has to be since its survived 40k+, including bouncing down gravel roads and rough sealed roads. I also haven't hit a limit on its ability to calculate a route, even 1636km on the last one with multiple waypoints down small roads.
george formby
29th October 2010, 09:36
$699? get real! Car GPS units are as low as $200. Don't give me any crap about how special it is because it's for a bike, like Tom Tom are doing bikers a favour, calling it a motorcycle GPS.

The one I use in the Europe is totally waterproof, sounds crystal clear & has a setting for bikers roads, it somehow figures out how much swervery their is on a route.
Reckless
29th October 2010, 10:43
stink... was looking forward to the release as in europe it only costs 200-240 pounds.
@699 nzd, :bye:

According to Xe Com thats 200GBP = $423-00NZD. I guess you'd have to add gst which brings it to $486-00 inc Gst so I guess thats our standard $200 captive market margin!!
Pity with these buying off shore is not an option because of the maps I'd guess?

Mind you, if you get T/me and promos giving a hundred or so off by the time you add freight to the above your getting to close to not taking the risk and having a NZ warranty.
I guess its the old scenario we realise we have to pay a little extra because of our smaller market and we'd like to support the NZ retailer but we don't like seeing price gaps so big we are being ripped.
The way I see it
$699 Rip off
$599 Expensive but not so bad you'd avoid the NZ seller
$499 Good deal
I guess we'll just have to wait till they are not the hot thing and the price comes down (if it ever does). Or a new model comes in and they are dumping the old stock because they never sold any because they where to expensive LOL!!!
Highlander
29th October 2010, 12:12
It mentions up to 8 hour battery life. Any idea if it comes with anything to hook into the bike's 12v power?

Needs it, 8 hr battery life ain enough for some of us.
jasonzc
29th October 2010, 17:37
Even at 599, id seriously concider.. 699.. for some reason.. is just too sky high for me. Definately buy at 550.

I think things will be different when i get a real job lol.
slofox
29th October 2010, 18:10
I think things will be different when i get a real job lol.

Don't bet on it...
Devil
30th October 2010, 10:11
Is this the same as the TomTom 'Rider' that has been available overseas for quite a long time? or a new model?
Does it have external memory slot? (SD or whatever).
Does it play MP3's?
Spearfish
30th October 2010, 10:40
I use a cheap tardme special with igo8 software with nz aus maps. (just under 100 bucks new)
Velcro dots to hold it on or the screen mount on the speedo face works (gps removes the manufactures optimism).
I've left it going in my jackets outer pocket with earphones so the spoken directions come over its built in mp3 player.
Comes with games or even movies to pass the time at the 3 min light change intervals in Auck's CBD and a reverse camera plug! :facepalm: (could be a good way to have a naked no mirrors look to the bike?)
Short batt life though, so its plugged into the bikes batt.
slofox
30th October 2010, 10:52
Is this the same as the TomTom 'Rider' that has been available overseas for quite a long time? or a new model?
Does it have external memory slot? (SD or whatever).
Does it play MP3's?

Not the same as the "rider"
Adenau
3rd January 2011, 00:16
The Urban Rider sold in Europe comes with out a so called active charging holder, this holder has not been in stock for some time, and even if you order on a web shop you will probably get a mail with 2-3 months delivery time.
The claimed battery life is greatly over estimated, normally it might last as little as 4 hours even after fully charged -
If you charge with a USB cable on your bike you have to open a hatch where water also might enter the unit.
I have been told that both Detlev Louis "Delo", (Germany largest motorcycle equipment supplier) and Touratech have stopped selling Tomtom due to hopeless delivery times and support issues.
fliplid
3rd January 2011, 04:06
The Urban Rider sold in Europe comes with out a so called active charging holder, this holder has not been in stock for some time, and even if you order on a web shop you will probably get a mail with 2-3 months delivery time.
The claimed battery life is greatly over estimated, normally it might last as little as 4 hours even after fully charged -
If you charge with a USB cable on your bike you have to open a hatch where water also might enter the unit.
I have been told that both Detlev Louis "Delo", (Germany largest motorcycle equipment supplier) and Touratech have stopped selling Tomtom due to hopeless delivery times and support issues.
Well, that sounds quite promising!? :blink: have to keep making do with the nuvi whatever it is I stick in me pocket...
scumdog
3rd January 2011, 07:51
and red light camera locations on the road ahead, helping riders to stay safe and relaxed.....

Sounds a bit Irish that bit???
BMWST?
3rd January 2011, 08:23
ooo that is interesting isn't it!

No mention of mounting hardware, is that always a separate buy?

I wonder where we can see one?

it comes with a mount
"Notes to editors

Key features of TomTom Urban Rider:

· Two-button, simplified menu

· Glove-friendly screen

· TomTom IQ Routes™

· TomTom Map Share™

· Bluetooth for connection to compatible phones and headsets

· Trip Recording

· Itinerary planning

· Winding Roads routing option

· Advanced Lane Guidance

· Waterproof (IPX 7 certified)

· A dock and RAM mount to firmly fix the device to your bike

· A mini USB charger for home charging"
Big Dave
3rd January 2011, 08:36
I had my first experience using bike GPS on the Goldwing tour.
I'll buy one when they are cheap enough. Meanwhile a map is $5. :-)
Gremlin
3rd January 2011, 09:22
GPS work in the thundering rain, and also guide you to your accommodation at a specific address to within metres. Can your map do that? :D
banditrider
3rd January 2011, 09:28
GPS work in the thundering rain, and also guide you to your accommodation at a specific address to within metres. Can your map do that? :D

And guide emergency services to location of an accident - twice so far, hopefully won't need that facility again...
Big Dave
3rd January 2011, 12:21
>>GPS work in the thundering rain,
So do maps. Once.

>>and also guide you to your accommodation at a specific address to within metres. Can your map do that?
Depends on the map.

For leisure touring I actually prefer not to follow the little red arrow. A little chaos theory is good. Co-pilot conversely rated the exactness of it.

To be somewhere on time it's very handy.
slofox
3rd January 2011, 12:26
A little chaos theory is good.

Errrrmmmmm...some chaos theory can still occur even with a GPS in use...as my New Year's Day ride illustrated...:argh:
Big Dave
3rd January 2011, 12:39
Northland one would be good. It's an Aussie thing. We're used to the ocean being on only one side. It messes with your compass when it's on both.
NotHisRealName
6th January 2011, 17:46
I've read a good review on the Urban Rider Pro. The 'Pro' is essentially the same as the Urban Rider, but comes with a Bluetooth headset which I've shopped around for and costs about $160AUD from online retailers with the difference between the two GPS models being only (about)$100. So, stepping up to the Pro version is a good option if you don't already have a bluetooth headset.
Here's the official TomTom (Australian) website:
http://www.tomtom.com/en_au/products/bike-navigation/

The Pro, however, doesn't seem to be listed under the NZ version. Considering the Aust versions have the same map available, it might be worth looking at buying from over seas.
grbaker
7th January 2011, 12:57
Normally you don't need a GPS... but when ye poodling around a town in north Queensland, for 30 minutes in 38degree heat, trying to find a street/motel the local gas station hasn't heard of (and its not on the map) and your patentience with ridding partners is starting to fray... the little GPS comes in handy.

When touring I find a GPS useful mostly to confirm next leg distance to gas stations etc or if there is any if I take a scenic detour and to find motel/hotels that aren't on the main road of a town/city.

On the downside - they often get a little lost, most due to road changes that you haven't PAID for the lastest map download of, and no matter what voice you select you will get really sick of hearing "Turn left 2.5km on unpronounable st" counting down... and continue to if you flick past the said turn off. Turn the volume off and you end up having to watch TV whilst riding.

Last two trips we took the car GPS for said reasons, but it only got pulled out and turned on when needed (Find closest Red Rooster, Find closet Resaurant etc)

That said without the power connection to your bike the Tom Tom Urban Rider is little better than a car GPS strapped to your handle bars.