The Tom Tom Rider thread

XS1954 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Karma :

Have you got a picture of it lardyboy?
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lardyboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Karma :

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

Fizco · Derestricted Danger Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Karma :

Has anyone had any experience of the TomTom plus routes services? According to the website it gives "scenic" routes for bikers to explore.
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Can you just download the maps and stick them on a memory card?

Does that work?

lardyboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

I've just bought one this morning and have plugged it in to charge but there is no indication that it is actually charging. Is this normal?

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

Heres a review I made a while ago I know its not a great read but it has pictures in it.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=76552

I still haven't managed to find a decent way to mount the rider at the moment. I currently have a load of black tape to thicken the bar so the mount can grab it but after a while it just slips lose. Does anyone have ideas for a more secure way of keeping it in place?
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

These night be of some use Simon

https://www.ram-mount.com/gps_mounts/model_tomtom_gps_mount.htm

This may sound stupid but does anyone have any tips for getting your lid on and keeping the in-ear earphone in place?

SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

Cheers for the link Joe I use the in ear headphone as well I tend put the ear phone in and then keep one finger on it as i'm putting my lid on if helps at all.
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

lardyboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Karma :

Only place I could put this mount was off the front brake clamp. The bit came supplied with the rider kit but it needed a bit of dremmeling to make it clear the tank.

Its no way ideal as the sun shines on it and its out of sight in a way but I couldn't think where eslse to stick it !!
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well after using the Rider for a while now I'd thought I'd post my experiences.

Overall I'm very impressed Thumbs Up

It works faultlessly and is simple to use. I've used from runs to the coast to navigating central London - all of which it took in it's stride. When I've tried to confuse it but taking deliberate wrong turns it quickly recalculates a new route with no fuss whatsoever.

One issue that really bothered me was the inability to hear the voice instructions at any reasonable speed. So to fix this I went out and bought THESE.

https://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/resources/5F9404E636D3D217C12570F40043E289/$File/CX_300_black_410.jpg

They fitted perfectly making getting my helmet on without dislodging the headphones a doddle and also acted as earplugs blocking out wind noise. The only problem was that they come with a 3.5mm jack and the Rider has a 2.5mm hole so I had to buy THIS.

https://www.proporta.com/F03/i/Headphone_adatpor01.jpg

I've tested these earphones up to 150mph with a race exhaust and can still hear the instructions well Thumbs Up

There are a couple of downsides - it's not compatible with my phone - a Nokia 6280. I would have thought that a common phone by the main phone manufacturer would have been supported but it's not that big an issue.

And there is no charging indicator on the main unit - again not a big issue but would have been useful. Although you can plug the unit in to charge and turn it on and check it's charging from there.

But over all I love it. It makes journeys fun as you never have the worry in the back of your mind that you're going the wrong way. It allows me not to worry about if I'm on the right road or heading in the right direction and just enjoy the ride Very Happy

And now when my fuel light blinks on I just do a couple of presses on the screen and I'm on my way to the nearest petrol station - again, one less thing to worry about.

I'd recommend one to anyone Thumbs Up

Does anyone know of a guide showing how to hook it up to your bike's battery? Or could anyone explain this to me?

Thanks

SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Yeah the wireless internet bit doesn't work. I've updated the software on the Rider so that the 6280 is listed - it's that it just doesn't work.

Not really an issue as I wouldn't really use it that much, but would be nice to have the option.

In case anyone wants to add them below is a the Speed Camera locations for GB and a some other places.

SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

Cheers for that Wink

You have probably already tried this but you never know.

https://www.tomtom.com/support/product.php?ID=184&Language=1&FID=3326
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

Rob · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Karma :

There's apparantly going to be a major software update for the Rider soon which should help with some of the compatibility issues.
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Metal_Mickey · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Karma :

Sadie,

If you get to test products like this, how about seeing if you could road test one of these Garmin Zumos and letting us know how they work out ?

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

Rob · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Karma :

Yeah the software is downloadable onto the unit. The new version is **MUCH** improved as far as connectivity goes.. and it has nice graduated backgrounds!!! Hopefully it should be available to the masses soon!

It's easy to wire up to bike power. Just make sure you go to a switched source rather than a permanent one! I just wired mine into my lights. Easy. The cable does come with an inline fuse, but my lights are fused anyway so I just cut that out!

As far as speed cams go you have a couple of options. You can go for the one on the Tomtom Plus services which is about £30 odd a year and you get updates about once a month. The new software version does the updates for you automatically if you have a mobile data account on your moby otherwise you can download the on yer PC and copy them onto the Rider's SD card via USB. The just go onto the SD card in the root directory.
The other alternative for speed cams is to do a search on t'internet and you can find the POI's for speed cams on a few websites for free. I'm not sure how well these work as I just went for the offical version from tomtom. Seems to work ok, but the annoying thing is that it warns you of cameras in the opposite direction too and also doesn't differentiate between speed cams and traffic light cams, otherwise it works well though.

I use the Rider with a Scala Rider headset and it works REALLY well. It means you don't have to have that silly cable hanging out of your helmet!!
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Dazza Blade · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Karma :

I too have a TomTom Rider and love it to bits. Allows me to plan a route where i can go along 'good biking' roads all day long! Very Happy

Heres a few links to where i have mounted mine on my Fireblade...

Joe,

i also have a problem with wind noise and volume of the headset. I was very interested in your post because ive been wanting to do this for a while now.

I see you have bought a 2.5mm (3pole) to 3.5mm adaptor when the bluetooth unit from tomtom is a 2.5mm 4 POLE. Is the adaptor you bought definatly a stereo type or did you use that picture just as a reference for us?

If it is correct then i shall order one right away as ive been trying to find a way of converting the 2.5mm 4pole to 3.5mm 4 pole and not having any look.

DO you get any interfernce noise through the headphones using the adaptor?

If you could would you be able to confirm the adaptor type. This would also allow me to use some externaly powered speakers for when in the car and ditch the earbud.

Many thanks in advance.

Dazza Wink

lo_iq2000 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Karma :

I've travelled every continent with a map and compass, what is wrong with memorizing the leg your about to ride over a cuppa, besides some of the most interesting people Ive met have been in places I never intended to be
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SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

Does anybody else find the TomTom mount a bit annoying? For one thing it is very conspicuous sitting there on the bike. Almost a theft target on its own. Second, when I'm riding the plastic bit which hold it down jumps about all over the place. And does the wire connection really look waterproof to you? the outer wire seperates from the inner wire so it looks exposed!

I don't really trust the mount either. It seems like it would be so easy for it to pop out. I got the email from TomTom a few weeks ago offering me the free strap to secure it to the bike, so I presume they ahve had a few people complain about their units falling out of the mount and being damaged/destroyed!

Other than that I love it! Mr. Green

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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Has everyone downloaded the latest update?

It allows on PC route planning plus quite a bit more Thumbs Up