GPS /Sat Nav options

[Supermofo]

I have a Tom Tom Rider 450 and it's been great. I think for point to point day to day nav Google maps is better as it's just easier to use on a phone. But the Tom Tom 'Plan a thrill' feature is ace. Even when doing longer routes like when I went to the South West just tap and it'll sort a twisty route that would take a little while to plan via Google. On the other hand occasionally it will take you down a goat track but that can be fun.

Having said that I note Tom Tom now have a Android/Apple app to give you the same.

[Noggin]

I have a Tom Tom Rider 450 and it's been great. I think for point to point day to day nav Google maps is better as it's just easier to use on a phone. But the Tom Tom 'Plan a thrill' feature is ace. Even when doing longer routes like when I went to the South West just tap and it'll sort a twisty route that would take a little while to plan via Google. On the other hand occasionally it will take you down a goat track but that can be fun.

Having said that I note Tom Tom now have a Android/Apple app to give you the same.

Oooooo. I might have to go look for that!! LOL But I'm still wary of putting the phone on a holder - will wait to see how you get on LOL

[Supermofo]

I have a Tom Tom Rider 450 and it's been great. I think for point to point day to day nav Google maps is better as it's just easier to use on a phone. But the Tom Tom 'Plan a thrill' feature is ace. Even when doing longer routes like when I went to the South West just tap and it'll sort a twisty route that would take a little while to plan via Google. On the other hand occasionally it will take you down a goat track but that can be fun.

Having said that I note Tom Tom now have a Android/Apple app to give you the same.

Oooooo. I might have to go look for that!! LOL But I'm still wary of putting the phone on a holder - will wait to see how you get on LOL

Given I have the rider 450 I won't try it, but it's an interesting idea as the Rider 450 was £300 when I bought it so they aren't cheap. On the other hand my phone cost more than that so like you I'd be wary of putting it in a holder. I might consider a cheap 2nd phone though if I didn't have the 450.

[Scootabout]

I tend to use Calimoto for leisure route planning, Waze for when I need to get somewhere.

I had to smile at that. I tried Calimoto on its adventure route (or whatever it calls it) setting. It took me all over the place. When I select adventure route I want B or unclassified roads but still going vaguely in the direction I want to go.

[Beancounter]

I tend to use Calimoto for leisure route planning, Waze for when I need to get somewhere.

I had to smile at that. I tried Calimoto on its adventure route (or whatever it calls it) setting. It took me all over the place. When I select adventure route I want B or unclassified roads but still going vaguely in the direction I want to go.

It's quite keen to take you on roads which are losing the fight against nature. Never a boring ride with it.

[Rockburner]

I tend to use Calimoto for leisure route planning, Waze for when I need to get somewhere.

I had to smile at that. I tried Calimoto on its adventure route (or whatever it calls it) setting. It took me all over the place. When I select adventure route I want B or unclassified roads but still going vaguely in the direction I want to go.

The main issue I had with Calimoto was it's psychopathic tendencies in towns. Bikers want to get through a town/city as quickly as possible, not explore every 4 foot wide piss-soaked alleyway.

[Supermofo]

I tend to use Calimoto for leisure route planning, Waze for when I need to get somewhere.

I had to smile at that. I tried Calimoto on its adventure route (or whatever it calls it) setting. It took me all over the place. When I select adventure route I want B or unclassified roads but still going vaguely in the direction I want to go.

The main issue I had with Calimoto was it's psychopathic tendencies in towns. Bikers want to get through a town/city as quickly as possible, not explore every 4 foot wide piss-soaked alleyway.

I think that's a thing with all the Sat Navs, it'd be nice if the twisty routes changed to direct through towns automatically. You'll find yourself going round the houses to pop out back on the road you left 4 mins ago only 1 mile further on. I tend to ignore it now and look at road signs to the other side of town and then the Sat Nav can sort out getting me back on track.

[Trinity765]

It's a bit like phones - people tend to prefer whatever their first phone was because they CBA to learn something different. I prefer Garmin and they used to be the premium brand but everyone I know with a Tomtom is happy with it so either are very capable.

The only one I'd stay away from the Garmin 395 as it had charging issues.

It's worth having a look at MyRouteApp (PC and/or phone App) if you want to plan routes to put on your satnav and share with others. I won't wax lyrical about it now but happy to if anyone wants more info.

[Rockburner]

I had to smile at that. I tried Calimoto on its adventure route (or whatever it calls it) setting. It took me all over the place. When I select adventure route I want B or unclassified roads but still going vaguely in the direction I want to go.

The main issue I had with Calimoto was it's psychopathic tendencies in towns. Bikers want to get through a town/city as quickly as possible, not explore every 4 foot wide piss-soaked alleyway.

I think that's a thing with all the Sat Navs, it'd be nice if the twisty routes changed to direct through towns automatically. You'll find yourself going round the houses to pop out back on the road you left 4 mins ago only 1 mile further on. I tend to ignore it now and look at road signs to the other side of town and then the Sat Nav can sort out getting me back on track.

Yeah - that's what I did the first (and only) time I tried it.

[Skub]

I dislike having a satnav bolted to my bike,but there are times when it's handy. It's not on the same level as Garmin or Tom Tom,but for my needs the Beeline works for me. It's small and unobtrusive,plus there's no risk to your expensive phone.

[The Spin Doctor]

The main issue I had with Calimoto was it's psychopathic tendencies in towns. Bikers want to get through a town/city as quickly as possible, not explore every 4 foot wide piss-soaked alleyway.

They had to detune Waze because it was using those kind of routes to avoid congestion.

It saved my bacon on the way back from delivering Science Of Being Seen to Biker Down in Rochester a few years back when the M2 had come to a stop because of an accident at 11pm in a one lane stretch through roadworks. It diverted me (and a few other vehicles) off down some teeny back lanes that even I didn't know and back ahead of the hold-up - around 10 mins lost. I heard later it took around 3 hours to clear the jam.

Sadly, it doesn't seem to do that any more, just finds a main road alternative that everyone else is trying.

[Noggin]

The main issue I had with Calimoto was it's psychopathic tendencies in towns. Bikers want to get through a town/city as quickly as possible, not explore every 4 foot wide piss-soaked alleyway.

They had to detune Waze because it was using those kind of routes to avoid congestion.

It saved my bacon on the way back from delivering Science Of Being Seen to Biker Down in Rochester a few years back when the M2 had come to a stop because of an accident at 11pm in a one lane stretch through roadworks. It diverted me (and a few other vehicles) off down some teeny back lanes that even I didn't know and back ahead of the hold-up - around 10 mins lost. I heard later it took around 3 hours to clear the jam.

Sadly, it doesn't seem to do that any more, just finds a main road alternative that everyone else is trying.

Waze was a bleeding nightmare out here on busy weekends. Previously, Google seemed to keep the smallest routes for us locals. Suddenly the world and their grandmother were using all the nadgery little routes, but without the ability to drive them well and at a reasonable (for the conditions) pace. Bloody annoying on a high traffic transfer day

[Taipan]

Anyone know what satnav this mount is for?

[Cousin Jack]

Garmin, but dont expect too much.

All sat navs rely on very precise timing and visibility of lots of satelites, and on accurate, up to date maps. Never be surprised if your twat nav disagrees with your mates, and they will all make stupid errors occasionally.

[Nordboy]

Garmin, but dont expect too much.

All sat navs rely on very precise timing and visibility of lots of satelites, and on accurate, up to date maps. Never be surprised if your twat nav disagrees with your mates, and they will all make stupid errors occasionally.

Are Garmin navs rubbish then? My new Xmax comes with a tft screen and Yamaha have teamed up with Garmin to offer the Streetcross nav app. Links onto the tft screen via my phone then if I want it, the speech through my helmet comms.

[Mr Moofo]

I sold all the quad lock mounts - and bought a Beeline. Which has worked well so far.
The only negative being the drain on the phone battery because of Bluetooth

[Count Steer]

Garmin, but dont expect too much.

All sat navs rely on very precise timing and visibility of lots of satelites, and on accurate, up to date maps. Never be surprised if your twat nav disagrees with your mates, and they will all make stupid errors occasionally.

Are Garmin navs rubbish then? My new Xmax comes with a tft screen and Yamaha have teamed up with Garmin to offer the Streetcross nav app. Links onto the tft screen via my phone then if I want it, the speech through my helmet comms.

I wouldn't say so. They've been doing it long enough to know what they're doing. (I've had 3 + I have a Garmin watch).

(My latest choice is Tom Tom maps on the phone because the latest car has that fancy Android in-car thing. Tomtom and Garmin are both fine).

[Whysub]

At work we had both Garmin Zumo 660 and TomTom 550's to use. Preferred the TomTom in the same way I prefer Android to Apple on phones.

So when I retired in 2019 I purchased a TomTom 550. Each of my bikes has a TomTom power lead attached, and a RAM ball mount.

It shows I have covered just over 34,000 miles on my bikes, ranging from a 125 scooter through to a KTM RC8R. Never had an issue with it, and their MyDrive app makes planning a ride to new destinations on my phone simple, which will synch onto the TomTom 550.

Still have my phone with me as backup should the TomTom shit itself. One of my older Riders did just that, whilst in North Macedonia, but that's another story.

[Cousin Jack]

Been on 2 European tours where we all had GPX files for the route. Some had Tom Tom, Some Garmin, and some the BMW built in thing.

No one got completely lost, and modern twat navs may actually know about major roadworks, but no sat navs can tell you to avoid a local road closure put in place 1/2 an hour ago. Some will also take a short cut that takes you down a minor road, along a track, through a farmyard and a housing estate to rejoin the road you were on 2 miles later. Distance saved about 100 yds, time wasted, about 10 mins. Sometimes 2 sat navs disagree, one says turn right, the other says left. Probably due to the 2 bikes being slightly displaced, so the timing signals are received a tiny fraction of time apart.

Lots of other real examples available, they are very useful indeed, but by no means infallible. AFAIK both are very similar, I prefer Garmin but your view may differ.
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[Rockburner]

Been on 2 European tours where we all had GPX files for the route. Some had Tom Tom, Some Garmin, and some the BMW built in thing.

No one got completely lost, and modern twat navs may actually know about major roadworks, but no sat navs can tell you to avoid a local road closure put in place 1/2 an hour ago. Some will also take a short cut that takes you down a minor road, along a track, through a farmyard and a housing estate to rejoin the road you were on 2 miles later. Distance saved about 100 yds, time wasted, about 10 mins. Sometimes 2 sat navs disagree, one says turn right, the other says left. Probably due to the 2 bikes being slightly displaced, so the timing signals are received a tiny fraction of time apart.

Lots of other real examples available, they are very useful indeed, but by no means infallible. AFAIK both are very similar, I prefer Garmin but your view may differ.
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Yep, seen all that on a Flash trip one year.

Met up with the main group at lunch and said I'd join them for the afternoon run to the house and at the very first junction an argument broke out because 3 different devices were giving 3 different route directions.

Eventually an executive decision was made and one device was given priority (the loudest protagonist obviously) and within 10 minutes him and his SP2 were leading us down a disused railway line!

I just sat at the back of the group for the afternoon, knowing exactly the best roads to take and pissing myself laughing knowing that a) they'd never agree to follow the stranger, and b) they'd never admit to not enjoying themselves.