Hi all
I am looking at getting a new sat nav as mine is not too bike friendly. Does anybody have any advice or experience of bike friendly sat navs. I cant afford the likes of the Garmin bike one but something around �100 will do me. I have had a look around and there are options but you dont get reviews from bikers..
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers

Have a look at the Givi SatNav bag, there is a review on the forum somewhere. This opens up your choice to just about any satnav you care to use, try going into the like of Halfrauds, Argos, Comet, Curry's etc, they might have something on offer that fits the bill.

If you are looking for IP rated units you have the vast choice of two! (Garmin & TomTom), both of which have followers and haters (personally I think the Zumo is better, but the TomTom has a much better GUI).

There is a pre-loved TT1 on ebay now -> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TomTom-Rider-G...item2ea9261252


or a new unit, but a bit more expensive -> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TomTom-One-XL-...item3a5493fa67

The Givi satnav bag -> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-GIVI-S850-...item53ddf403bd

I suppose, by the time you get the bag and a �100 unit you are prety close to the cost of a TT1......

I guess it depends what you want from your SatNav, in terms of features as well as use.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I am currently in the same situation as you re Satnav. One important factor is do you want to use it in the UK only or further afield.

GULGO's earlier post is spot on as usual. I originally intended to use my satnav in a Givi bag and power it up with a 12v adaptor but as I just found out it has not got European maps or the facility to upgrade them its not anygood. Its perfect for car UK only journeys and thats what I will keep it for.

Bike use going forward is any of the above options from GULGO. A bike specific one will be ideal. Both the options available are good, just read on each's benefits and buy accordingly. For me that means the Tomtom Rider ones looks fine. Thats what I plan to get and TBH I was going to try and get the one on Ebay at the moment!!!!!

The Givi bag and a car satnav also is a great option and if my current satnav was European that is exactly what I was going to do. If the Ebay one falls through then I will be going this route myself.

Anyway - good luck.

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The only trouble using a SAT NAV that is not designed for the bike and is designed for the car is that you run the risk of is being shaken to bits, the bike one have all their internals seal up.

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:tenere:

Mods, Oxford heated grips, Givi Rack and top box, Stage 2 DNA filter and top, 02 sensor eliminator, Metal Mule taller screen, Seat hump trimmed off, .KEVS FUEL MOD (THE 1ST ONE FOR THE TENERE) , Extra fuse box, 12volt plug in socket, Zumo550 sat nav, , Barkbusters


What Bill Clinton REALLY said to Monica Lewinsky was: "Sack my cook"

Sadly Bike now sold 11/6/11

I have a TomTom XL with full European mapset loaded (legal - not rip off's) plus a Givi Givi satnav bag if you want to make me an offer. Only selling as my son just passed his Garmin on to me. I used it on a trip down thru France/Andorra and into the Spanish Pyrenees and it worked faultlessly. I have all the TT documentation and box too. Looking for about �120

PDA with memory map and tom tom installed ,incased in an otterbox or similar is the best and cheapest way

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

My 1st sat nav was a nokia 6680 with tomtom installed. Worked a treat until 3k later on the way home from Europe when it died and the screen faded away. The vibrations killed it and I had to buy a new phone as well.

These days I use tomtom Rider V2 Europe with no porblems so far

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Previous bikes:TS50 - RD125LC - XT250 - ZXR750L3 - BMW 650 Funduro - BMW 1100GS - XT660Z Tenere

If you don't need to be led by the hand - err, I mean navigated - to a place without stopping and just want a way of locating an address/POI often with more accuracy/info than a map/Sat Nav then another option is to get a Smartphone with GPS (iPhone, Samsung Omnia etc..) and Google Maps (especially if you're due an upgrade and can get one for free).
You can always install SatNav software into the phone if you need to be led but to be honest Google Maps is so much better for visualizing because of the aerial view and now Streetview (Limited coverage but growing).
As a courier I use the Zumo but also have Google Maps on my Omnia and many times I've been saved by the search capabilities of Google when my Zumo hasn't recognised a postcode/address.
Of course a smartphone with Google Maps may not be as practical to view on the go as a SatNav (would need to be kept somewhere vibration free and dry!) and you would need to pay �30-35 a month on contract to get a decent phone package eg. free phone with unlimited internet & texts and 600 mins talktime.
(It does help, though, that all bike bits and accessories are tax deductable for me!!)

Cheers,
Rick

Hi guys
Thanks for all the replies and info.
I hear what some of you are saying about a normal car sat nav being vibrated to death, especially on a thumper.. The PDA system sounds like a good option, i have a mate who uses one and has no probs with it at all, confirm you have to use a bluetooth receiver with a PDA?
Thanks for the offer oldgitjohnboy, i am definatly considering it. Will get back to you asap about that one.
With regards the mobile phone and google maps, also sounds like a good option but would really like to get a sat nav as i will be taking it back to Zim in the future and with the network we have over there, it wouldnt work...
Thanks again all and comments still welcome

I used a Garmin Quest, there's a couple on ebay at the minute. They are discontinued now but are waterproof and with a RAM mount was ideal.
The only problem with it though is NO postcode search but if you get the software with it, you can plan your route on PC then send to the unit, had endless fun rides with it.

But the vibes do kill them, 2 i have been through

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