MyRides

GPS Navigation & Communications Systems

It's time to throw away your tankbags and damp maps! Ever since acquiring my first portable satellite navigation unit, I've become a big fan of GPS. In fact I would go as far as stating it is one of the few gadgets I've aquired that now truly questions how I ever managed without one for so long!

Briefly "SatNav", as its become known, provides a visual display to indicate your exact position on a moving map by using Earth satellites and employing the "global positioning system" (GPS). More detailed GPS info is available click here. The map information, which is detailed down to street level, is held within the unit's internal memory. The unit will prompt you via visual and audio directions as you traverse a route. Lots of useful associated statistical information is generated indicating and recording your speed, time, and direction etc. Other benefits include tracking or tracing a journey for review later, which operates even if you are not following a pre-planned route. Points of Interest (POI) data-bases can be included to provide the user with anything and everything from fuel stations, hotels to museums, and restaurants etc.

There are two basic ways of employing SatNav described below. Cheaper units tend only to offer the first option, but more comprehensive units like the Garmin range come packaged with PC based mapping software enabling pre-planning and review in Google Earth.
1) A to B. Simply enter the address to which you wish to travel and sit back whilst the unit works out a route for you to follow. Your chosen route can be the shortest or fastest, etc. Diversions or via points can be entered and recalculated as necessary along the way.
2) Preplan complex routes via any number of places or waypoints, following preferred roads, using waypoints and imbedded POIs with phone numbers and other useful information. These routes can be input directly or more conveniently entered using a PC via an accompanying software package. Upload track logs of your completed rides to view any detours or see altitudes plotted. Save tracklogs as routes etc.

Without doubt, option 2 using a PC is where I now find SatNav indispensable. Planning day rides and tours at your own convenience using conventional maps and the internet for reference before you set out is ideal. This allows you to plan stops, distances, and overall mileages when touring. The ability to identify the nearest fuel station or hotel is also a very valuable planning tool. And all those great roads you discover whilst out daytripping can be reviewed and plotted when you get back, and even converted into future routes.

Early in 2004 I bought the Garmin Streetpilot3 which at the time was the best choice available. This unit has since been superceded by newer models using the latest technology and becoming more compact. Motorcycle specific models are all waterproof, have colour displays, voice direction, and are solidly built. The added benefit of these portable units means you can easily transfer to a car or a bike, and unlike the factory fitted type, you retain the unit when you part company with the vehicle.

2007 saw the launch of Garmins first purpose built units for a motorcycle, the "Zumo" range. As well as GPS functions accessed via large lefthand glove-friendly buttons, these models included bluetooth communication, MP3 player, and photo viewer, all via touch-screen menus, making it the ideal tour companion. The Zumo 550 includes pre-loaded mapping of Europe right down to street level and was therfore the model I opted for. Other benifits include a comprehensive trip computer providing all kinds of statistical information.

This modern SatNav can operate using just a simple earphone to receive the voice directions, or the audio output could be fed into an onboard AutoCom rider-to-pillion intercom system, which makes use of hard-wired in-helmet earphones. I decided, having upgraded to the latest technology, I'd go the whole hog and use the wireless Bluetooth capability. More about this option can be found on the next page or click here.

The Garmin Zumo range is packaged with a RAM mounting system which provides a ball-joint bracket directly to either the handlebars or clutch lever clamp. I decided to use this option on the Rocket3 and found a neat solution for the Tiger from SW Motech pictured below.

Details of my previous Tiger 955i SatNav set-up with Autocom can be viewed here.