TomTom Rider 400

[jonpod]

Hi Folks,

Recently got back into the biking world after moving to London 2 months ago and being sick of the tube.

I am frequently traveling around London, and I don't know the roads at all, therefore am looking at a satnav option. I have tried a way of using the iPhone in the Oxford StrapNav, but it is too fiddly, and kills the battery.

This has lead me to look at investing in a bike sat nav, after some research, the Tomtom 400 seems to be a good way to go.

Anyone got any experience of this?

Jpod

[TallPaul_S]

[P.]

I use a cheap samsung s3 and "Navigator Free"

Downloaded maps so no data needed, just GPS.

[jonpod]

[TallPaul_S]

It's one of these I have, you can get them on Amazon and numerous sellers on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-Interphone-800M-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Bluetooth-Intercom-FM-Headset-helmet-UK-/252028632201?hash=item3aae13bc89

My helmet has cut outs for the speakers, once it's installed it's not noticeable, a lot of helmets have these recesses.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be looking down at a sat nav every junction in London, you're asking to get taken out by a black cab/bus/ped. Voice commands means you get a nice lady softly telling you what to do in your ear.
____________________
00 Honda VFR800 | 09 Aprilia Tuono Factory
CBT 06/03/2014 | Mod 1 and Mod 2 passed 15/10/2014

[blueglue]

I have the TomTom rider 400 and its ace.

You get a charger which i hooked off my ignition. It can connect to your phone via bluetooth for realtime traffic updates.

You can also hook up a bluetooth headset and have the tomtom screen flash up whos calling you like the car built in systems if you want (i dont bother).

Map updates are brilliant compared with most ones i had on my Samsung S5 as they really do get updated a lot. Some new builds near me popped up on the last update.

Speed camera and map updates for life but you would expect that for the cost but as a bonus Halfords seem to be doing it for 20% off this model at the mo.

Ive done some European trips too and worked well. You can plan out routes if you like and pretty much drag and drop them on to the unit.

I do some random riding most weekends whereby i just point in a direction and go for several hours. I do find though you start stomping over the same ground a lot so you can either pre-plan or turn on the adventure route mode which attempts to take you on a more twisty route. ( i do however not recommend this in built up areas as it tries to snake you through housing estates )

[Vincent]

The problem with using a Satnav is that you'll probably never get to know your way around London. It's also not easy to constantly check the screen while riding in the busier parts. Spend an hour or two, for a few days, exploring your area and getting to know it properly
____________________
Space Is Deep

[esullivan]

It depends on where you are going in London. I find SatNavs next to useless in central areas because they are too slow -- telling me to take a left that I just passed, etc. London isn't that hard to learn your way around, once you know the main routes. I just use Google maps before I go and memorize the turns (from the closest main route) using streetview.

Outside of London, a SatNav is brilliant. I use the TomTom iPhone app with a Bluetooth intercom: the phone stays plugged in and in my top box and I just listen to the directions. I prefer the app rather than the separate device because I don't look at the screen anyway and it's easier to keep updated.

The separate device we use in the car hasn't been updated in years because it's a pain in the arse, but that's mostly because we only use Linux and Macs at our house.
____________________
Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.