An email question I received

[davidr]

Here is a thread which I answered via email to a user recently, I'm posting it here as I think it will be of use to others:

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I wonder if you could help me, I am doing a motorbike tour at the end of May, across Europe for 3 weeks. I do not own a bike sat nav, and to be honest I can’t afford the £400-500 pounds for the zumo 660 + headset etc etc. just to use for 3 weeks. I am therefore looking at renting a sat nav, and have come across a company that will rent me a Tomtom rider. As I need to plot my route, I was looking at buying your software and using that over the following months to plot my route. My problem comes because the sat nav will be rented, and I will only have it in my possession for a few days before I travel. Therefore I just need to be really really sure that it is going to be fairly easy to download my plotted route using the on-route software, to the tomtom rider, as I will not have a lot of time to play, and workaround any issues. Could you please confirm that your software works ok with the tomtom.

Just as an aside, are there any other motorbike sat navs out there that you can recommend, that are cheaper than the zumo or rider and are easy to use with your software. (I have been looking at the nuvi550, for example, and the Becker Z100 croc).

[davidr]

I’m not sure what you’re looking to pay to rent exactly for a satnav but I’m sure that you could get a Garmin 2610 or 276c secondhand for not a lot and to be honest, even these older units are better for planning comprehensive trips than many of the new existing non-garmin units

There is a 2610 on ebay for 50 quid with most of the bits you need. The map is a bit old but you can get the latest 2010 European map from Garmin for about 70 quid, so then you have spent about 120 on a unit you can use for quite a while while you save up for a new one over time

The main thing you miss with this unit is the Bluetooth and the ability to load speed camera locations on it and sometimes the antenna can lose its signal in very built up areas but apart from that it’s an excellent unit and has some features that are not even included on the newer units! The route planning capabilities of this unit are better than the latest TomTom rider units

If you decide to go for it, I would suggest that you buy it a bit before your trip to familiarize yourself with the unit and the software.

[davidr]

Thanks for the quick response, it really is much appreciated as I am very aware that the clock is ticking and I have not even started the detailed planning. The rental for the tomtom will be £68.50 for 30 days, which seemed ok to me, especially as that includes the Bluetooth headset. I am going to take a look at the 2610, is this a motorbike sat nav? i.e. was this the garmin sat nav of choice prior to the zumo550? Would you say that the trip planning software that comes with the 2610 would be sufficient for me to plan my route, or would you recommend using the On-Route software and downloading the routes onto the unit.


I am really sorry for all these questions, but I do not even own a car sat nav, so am a bit in the dark about the units/capabilities, and you are obviously very close to the On-route software, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience on the sat nav units.

[davidr]

No problem with the tips, if I have time to help, I am happy to.

The StreetPilot 2610 is the forerunner to the StreetPilot 2720/2820 which was replaced by the Zumo. The Zumo is a bit easier to use, but the Streetpilot range was tried and tested and trusted by motorcyclists before the sat navs became really popular, for this reason the trip planning potential on a 2610 is very good, actually better than a current TomTom rider

If you’re going to rent a satnav for a bike and want to make routes get a Zumo not a TomTom rider is my advice.

The StreetPilot can do more or less the same as the Zumo in terms of trip planning but it does miss the Bluetooth, if you compare a 500 quid Zumo to a 50 quid 2610 for value for money, there is no question that the 2610 represents an excellent choice for those who don’t need the latest and greatest. The advantage of a cheaper unit is also less of a worry if it gets dropped, stolen, etc.

The Bluetooth is handy for audio navigation but actually it isn’t very loud if you ride quickly and I often used a set of cable headphones with my Zumo anyway (or at least carry a pair for when the Bluetooth battery runs out or I forget the charger which is often!), you can get a cable headset for about 20 quid new and use that with the StreetPilot.

For route planning, On-Route does help find nice routes

[davidr]

Once again thanks for the advice, believe me it is proving invaluable. I guess I can take it as read that I will be able to download the routes to the older 2610, as that is indeed looking like a very attractive option for me, especially as you say I can just plug a pair of head phones into it, and do not have to bother with an expensive Bluetooth headset.

[DavidL19]

I might be old fashion but GPS is over rated. It is nice and helpful I am not saying that it isn't but if you are riding a motorcycle you should definitely know where you are going ahead of time, for safety reasons. I highly recommend routing out your trip and checking it over before every ride. There are lots of directional maps that use can use for roads or off-roading, which I think is perfect for riding. Google has Google earth which is great. I also use Allstate Insurance Motorcycle Routes which is more for after to save routes or to show them off to friends. Either way, good look with the GPS selection. I am partial to Garmin.

David Lipsky
Advocate for Allstate

[davidr]

You guys at allstate are really trying to push your routes site, huh?

[BourneToRde]

I use a Nuvi 760 widescreen, its a car unit so its not waterproof, if it rains I stick inside my tankbag clear lid.
Its got bluetooth for phone connection and FM transmitter which I use to connect to my MP3 player.
Can be had for £105 on Ebay or if you are in the US buy the 750 for much less and upgrade with europe maps.
As has been said before, be familiar with your route before you go, so you don't have to pay much attention to it, then concentrate on the road.
Sat nav is invaluable when you are near your destination

[BourneToRde]

Originally Posted by davidr

You guys at allstate are really trying to push your routes site, huh?

Allstate? how useful is that in EUROPE

[davidr]

Bourne to ride LOL!

All the Best,

David