PDA, GPS, Music, Riding

[timwilky]

Well I have had a PDA with TomTom that is surplus to requirement as car has a built in crap (Navteq) unit.

So finally sorted out the bike with a power supply under seat and given the PDA a test with earphones etc.

Now I am not silly enough to want to look at a GPS system when riding. I will however accept instructions such as turn here, speed camera ahead etc.

So if I have to have ear phones why not listen to music. Downloaded some travelling music and just given the whole setup a try.

Lessons leant

1) a bit of a pain in the ass with the headphones lead and pda under seat. I need to invest in an 3.5mm jackplug extension lead. to enable connection/disconnection without lifting seat.

2) Don't listen to music whilst riding. as a) you cannot hear instructions/alerts, b) it is too damm distracting.

Originally Posted by timwilky

2) Don't listen to music whilst riding. as a) you cannot hear instructions/alerts, b) it is too damm distracting.

+1 on b!

Originally Posted by Baph

+1 on b!

I don't know, I reckon it depends on what kind of roads you are using. On my recent solo excusion back down to London from the Lakes I decided to plug in my MP3 player for the motorway leg as I was getting SOOOOO bored . I agree that it inhibits your hearing, but on the concentration front it was a winner as I found myself having to concentrate that little bit extra (as opposed to having it lapse due to boredom). The cage drivers must have thought I was a bit wierd though, travelling along looking like a giant version of the churchill dog

In town though, definate no no!

i listen to my mp3 player all the time when going to work, only purely because it drowns out the rediculusly loud exhaust. i couldnt hear anything when i dont have any music, so i thought i might as well listen to something good. although you doo see riding patterns with different types of music. mabye a bit too aggresive at times! but i have to say my vision perception has got a lot better since.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by svstreetfighter

I don't know, I reckon it depends on what kind of roads you are using. On my recent solo excusion back down to London from the Lakes I decided to plug in my MP3 player for the motorway leg as I was getting SOOOOO bored . I agree that it inhibits your hearing, but on the concentration front it was a winner as I found myself having to concentrate that little bit extra (as opposed to having it lapse due to boredom). The cage drivers must have thought I was a bit wierd though, travelling along looking like a giant version of the churchill dog

In town though, definate no no!

In town, on the M-way, anywhere I listen to music.

No real reason not to, usually the volume is set to a point where I can have a conversation, so no real impediment to hearing.

My riding and concentration has improved since I started listening to the radio/mp3. Much more alert on long trips and it hasn't made my riding more aggressive whilst listening to AC/DC or anything. I did sit back and put my hand on the tank while listening to the Bonanza theme once but I couldn't help that.

If it wasn't that it'd be earplugs.

What about signing as you ride along?

Matt

What, for the deaf like?

I listen to music but use one earplug and one earphone just so I can still hear a little bit. Though haven't done for a while. THe OH is try to get my autom fitted so he can yell at me instead,.

I sometimes plug the ipod in whilst commuting, it's never too loud that I can't hear what's around me, and it certainly helps boredom in major traffic. Not tried it with the SV yet though, still a bit wary after just 3 days ownership.