GPS while riding - how and which?

[Maximum.Limit]

I'm completely new rider and just bought my new GN 125.

What is the best way to use a GPS with a voice instructor?
Do you recommend using the handfree with your mobile using Google Maps/Navigator?
OR buying a GPS device and mount it on the bike -don't know how- like TomTom?

If the second solution is the case, can GPS devices use the electrical power system of the Bike (GN) like cars?

Tell me your experience please.

[300weatherby]

I'm completely new rider and just bought my new GN 125.

What is the best way to use a GPS with a voice instructor?
Do you recommend using the handfree with your mobile using Google Maps/Navigator?
OR buying a GPS device and mount it on the bike -don't know how- like TomTom?

If the second solution is the case, can GPS devices use the electrical power system of the Bike (GN) like cars?

Tell me your experience please.

You want to mount a GPS and concentrate on it while you ride about?, this is a troll surely!?

[Bumblebeeman1150]

I have an iPhone with Metroview ($AUD17; or choose a GPS app that covers your territory) that feeds a Sena bluetooth set-up in my helmet. Turn by turn voice instructions as I couldn't read the screen unless I stopped to put on my glasses. The phone is charged using a carcharger socket wired, with fuse, to the battery. Simple, reliable and very convenient. GPS interrupts the music to tell me where to go next.

[Gremlin]

Tell me your experience please.
Learn to ride the bike first, there is enough going on with riding a bike before you add gps and more gadgets.

[yod]

You want to mount a GPS and concentrate on it while you ride about?, this is a troll surely!?

I think he wants to mount a GPS and use it like everybody else does, y'know, periodically, y'know, like your speedo, or tacho, or clock, or any other instrument on the dash.

[Tazz]

I think he wants to mount a GPS and use it like everybody else does, y'know, periodically, y'know, like your speedo, or tacho, or clock, or any other instrument on the dash.

You mean you can learn to ride a bike AND check such things?!?! Man you must be able to chew gum and walk at the same time too, as well as watch for other traffic, pedestrians, hazards, roaming buffalo, alien invasions etc etc as well =/


Do you recommend using the handfree with your mobile using Google Maps/Navigator?
OR buying a GPS device and mount it on the bike -don't know how- like TomTom?


What sort of phone do you have man? If my phone was up to it I would use that and follow the voice commands, if it wasn't, I'd have a look at a few GPS's in store and find one that suits you and your budget, or upgrade my phone ;)

Oh and as to the power question, not a bridge I've crossed but I'd be gunning to kill two birds with one stone and have it setup to charge my phone/GPS on longer trips rather than my phone AND GPS.

[george formby]

I toured Yerp with a Tomtom in the clear plastic pocket of a tank bag. Ciggie lighter connection from the battery to power it & the earphones off me walkman to listen to the nice lady, turn left in 500mtrs..... Did 7000kms no probs.

Ting is, if your a N00b n00b best you just use a map & write down your route. Satnavs are distracting & can tell lies, maps generally neither.

[Akzle]

what the fucking thread cunt?

i use my phone when i need it (finding someones place in auck town, ie), i've got my headphones in anyway listening to hayley westernra, or maybe some eight foot sativa, and the voice nav turns it down and is all liek "in 400m, turn left"
the only problems i have is that a) "you're exceeding the maximim speed limit, what's your hurry dude" and b) i get warned of turns 1km out, 400m out, just before the turn, and, if it's a roundabout, on the roundabout. thus it only gets used when i needs it, because it'sfucking annoying. c) it seems a bit slow and makes numbers up "in 300m, turn left and you've arrived" - wrong fcking street.!! >< "recalculating" "do a u turn" "turn left" "in 100m, turn left and you've arrived"

gr!


but yeah, as pretty much everyone else has said, learn to motorbicycle first.

[nzspokes]

Map book.

Just sayin.

Guess im old skool.

[Akzle]

Maximum.Limit
L-Plate Rider

♂ Join Date
5th October 2013 - 19:03
Bike
2013 GN 125
Location
New Zealand
Posts
2

i lulzd.

[Dobbin]

I have a mount and power supply on my bike which allows me to use a normal car GPS unit - a Garmin Nuvi in my case. It can take anything up to a screen size of 4.3 inches. The GPS is enclosed in a weatherproof container made by GIVI , and I just remove it from the bike when I'm not riding to stop it getting pinched. Bought from Coleman's Suzuki at the time I bought my bike.

I have to say it isn't very easy to use with the GPS in the container, as the touch screen is no longer very sensitive. I usually set up my destination before putting the GPS in the container. It also isn't easy to see - I have to take my eyes off the road to look at it and the display isn't bright enough in direct sunlight. Also, the voice is not audible so I leave it on mute. Overall, I wouldn't bother to get one again.

[caspernz]

I'm completely new rider and just bought my new GN 125.


Learn to ride the bike. Buy a map book instead. New rider and GPS results in hospital food, at best :facepalm:

[Maha]

Went through a place called ''Nong gotta ha'' at the weekend...anyone know where that might be? How it is spelled is how it was said.

[buggerit]

Went through a place called ''Nong gotta ha'' at the weekend...anyone know where that might be? How it is spelled is how it was said.

rotorua bro, :headbang:

[Maha]

rotorua bro, :headbang:

Yeah close enough, the GPS voice struggles with the pronunciation from time to time but so do the news readers on TV... ;)

[Bender]

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 500 which also required an aftermarket handlebar mount and a 'cigar lighter'-type power supply (got the bike shop to fit that). The Nuvi 500 is quite small so it doesn't obscure the speedo or tach. It's easy to read and the touch screen face is good, even with gloves on.

I like it. I bought the Garmin so I could take advantage of the free and regularly updated maps provided by NZ Open GPS Project. Their forum has also been very helpful in sorting a few problems I've had.

I like it because I can map out a ride in advance. I cross-reference google earth and the garmin software (Basecamp) to explore new roads and routes. Then I upload the chosen route from Basecamp to the Nuvi and its ready to go.

You don't need the voice as the GPS has arrows and other graphic, on-screen instructions. You can run it as a map or with arrows like a road book.

There's plenty of time to look at the instructions safely. Obviously you use a bit of common sense and don't go bowling through busy intersections with your face glued to the screen. It usually takes no more time to check the route instructions than it does to glance at your speedo.

Yes you can have a map book but there is a lot more pissing about with one and they are more distracting while riding because the route is much smaller. The bonus with a map book is they are much cheaper.

[Dobbin]

Yes, http://nzopengps.org/ provide free updated maps for Garmin Nuvi and a few other GPS units. Don't buy the map updates from Garmin.

That said, I sometimes find the opengps maps are not as good at finding a particular address as the Garmin maps. If I have trouble finding an address near where I want to go with opengps, I switch the device back to Garmin maps, enter the address and Go, then switch back to the more up to date opengps maps again, and if necessary select my destination from "recently found" places.

[varminter]

I've got a 60" plasma mounted on the bars, works with a periscope to see where I'm going, it's mains powered so I don't go far.

[That looks like fun]

Try living on Rat A Street, see how you like ya GPS pronunciation :nono:

[Tazz]

You don't need the voice as the GPS has arrows and other graphic, on-screen instructions. You can run it as a map or with arrows like a road book.


I think anyone should be able to handle a voice in their ear a bit while driving (how the fark would you would get you bike license if you couldn't), but I don't know if having the screen in front of you is a good idea while you're learning. Offroad sure and if you only crawl around the city and spend most the time at lights maybe, otherwise it could be asking for trouble depending on the riders grey matter power (and I've found it is best to assume people are idiots =P)

[russd7]

naaa forget the GPS, i never get lost tho i do occasionally take the scenic route, surprising how much more of the country ya get to see if ya turn right instead of left:niceone:

[ozjohnno]

gots me a samsung S3, has GPS built in and it feeds me directions through my Scala G9.

I downloaded the NZ maps a coppla days ago