cheap sat nav for bike / car

Originally Posted by Beenz

I wouldn't worry too much Steve, my last two cars have both over read by about 10% (maybe a tad less) and I'm prety sure the same is true for most bikes. My SV pointy did the same. I checked it using a Garmin e-trex which tells speed. Not a sat nav though, just a GPS, handy for walking. Need to check my current bike though.

Yeah, seemed a bit slow off the lights to me

[Viney]

£130 would buy you a lot of maps. Thats what id suggest. Satnav makes people lazy

Originally Posted by Viney

Satnav makes people lazy

Does it?

I only have sat nav in the car, and currently have no use for it on the bike. But my car SatNav is a PDS with TomTom on it, so that I can transfer it to the bike if I need it.

The way I use SatNav, is a direct door-door functional map. Driving between fairly large towns/cities, I can find my way by looking at a map before setting off, then remember the route.

Once in the actual town/city, I turn the volume up on the SatNav, and leave it to do it's thing. Distance warning from junctions is based on how fast I'm going, and occasionally glance at the ma on screen, but generally, fly by ear.

So if I'm in a city that I've never been to before, and need to find "32 some street", SatNav tells me the best way to get there, including one-way systems (and traffic jams/roadworks). I don't think a map can possibly do that.

If that really makes me lazy, then I guess I'm just lazy.

Originally Posted by Viper

Yeah, seemed a bit slow off the lights to me

Yup, got me fair and sqare. I'll have to make do with my little bike, not quite as good through town as the bigger heavier SV was. But I do have a very sedate well balanced and controlled riding style anyway

[steveg]

The reason I got the pda was that there are many other uses . I work in IT therefore sync my calander / emails also when away doubles up as a mp3 / video player , can also get a wireless internet connection.

For the money I'm well impressed .

A hundred quid does not buy a lot these days ..... a rear tyre that lasts 3 months ....

Be carefully out there the roads are really greasy at the moment .

Cheers Steve

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Baph

Does it?

I only have sat nav in the car, and currently have no use for it on the bike. But my car SatNav is a PDS with TomTom on it, so that I can transfer it to the bike if I need it.

The way I use SatNav, is a direct door-door functional map. Driving between fairly large towns/cities, I can find my way by looking at a map before setting off, then remember the route.

Once in the actual town/city, I turn the volume up on the SatNav, and leave it to do it's thing. Distance warning from junctions is based on how fast I'm going, and occasionally glance at the ma on screen, but generally, fly by ear.

So if I'm in a city that I've never been to before, and need to find "32 some street", SatNav tells me the best way to get there, including one-way systems (and traffic jams/roadworks). I don't think a map can possibly do that.

If that really makes me lazy, then I guess I'm just lazy.

Fair point, but how on earth did you do it before SatNav?

If i have to go to somewhere specific, then i use a route finder!

Originally Posted by Viney

Fair point, but how on earth did you do it before SatNav?

To be perfectly honest, I didn't. I'm 23. Before SatNav I wasn't driving anywhere near as far as I do now.

Stopping to ask directions from locals could be an option, but that relies on finding a local with reliable knowledge (could be fun at 2am). And even so, if you do find a local with road knowledge of where you want to be, it still slows the journey down as you hunt for the place.

[steveg]

I got lost a lot , which can be fun on the weekend in the right weather , however in the winter not so great .

The Gps really helps when you need a particular address in a large city that you have not been to before .

I also just like gadgets , just thought I could use the Pda for Skype calls aswell.

Cheers Steve

GPSW are doing 2610s for £239 all in ie. incl RAM mounts. Its a serious piece of kit that was £1000 at one time. Ok theres newer and better but its tidy for that money. I'm getting one.

Originally Posted by Viney

£130 would buy you a lot of maps. Thats what id suggest. Satnav makes people lazy

I used to agree. But after a lot of trips where Ive been looking for a hotel or a campsite at the end of the day when I'm tired is when it will have an application for me. Also when you want to just wander off up a small road and an hour or so later find your way back to where you should be going. After being on trips with people using them I changed my mind and I'm sold. Its also hard to read a map on a bike and ypu need to find somewhere to stick it, then turn it over when you get to the edge etc...then its raining..its dissolves. All those things.