PDA GPs for £199 incl bike & car mount ?!?!?!?!
- Thread starter scud
- Start date
sjwb
Registered user
Mmmm, I can't find it on the Lidl web site.
sjwb said:
Sorry for not making this clearer....
This is not on the website (at the moment), It is a regional offer, some regions have already started, others are yet to start. north yorkshire starts on 3rd Sept....Gloucestershire start tbc
If in doubt contact your local store
PanEuropean
Registered user
I've seen a number of moto riders on the road using PDA based GPSRs. Although they are generally not water and dust proof, they seem to work OK.
What you really have to do 'due diligence' for is the readability of the PDA screen in bright sunlight, and your ability to operate the controls of the PDA when you are on the moto. Some PDAs have great contrast in sunlight, others are hopeless. Some have big buttons, some require that you use a stylus (forget about that on a moto). This is not only a hardware issue, it is a software issue as well - how have the developers of the application designed the user interface?
My own take on PDA based GPS is this: If you already own a good quality PDA and you use it a lot (meaning, you are really familiar with how it operates), then, you might like having the GPS and PDA in one unit, because it will be less stuff to carry, and you have all your data in front of you. But, if you don't own a PDA, then don't even consider using PDA based navigation on a motorcycle. It would be like trying to change a head gasket with a Swiss army knife - it could be done, but would be a real PITA compared with using the correct tools for the job.
Michael
What you really have to do 'due diligence' for is the readability of the PDA screen in bright sunlight, and your ability to operate the controls of the PDA when you are on the moto. Some PDAs have great contrast in sunlight, others are hopeless. Some have big buttons, some require that you use a stylus (forget about that on a moto). This is not only a hardware issue, it is a software issue as well - how have the developers of the application designed the user interface?
My own take on PDA based GPS is this: If you already own a good quality PDA and you use it a lot (meaning, you are really familiar with how it operates), then, you might like having the GPS and PDA in one unit, because it will be less stuff to carry, and you have all your data in front of you. But, if you don't own a PDA, then don't even consider using PDA based navigation on a motorcycle. It would be like trying to change a head gasket with a Swiss army knife - it could be done, but would be a real PITA compared with using the correct tools for the job.
Michael
RAM-man
depleted member !
Scud,
At £199 its has appeal for some .. but you only get what you pay (just like riding a C90 and thinking its a GS !!). The unit may work in the car but getting the same mount to survive on a weekend GS ride out - nah !.
You'll spend extra ££ getting a secured mount and a protective casing, so it won't fall off.
RAM-man
At £199 its has appeal for some .. but you only get what you pay (just like riding a C90 and thinking its a GS !!). The unit may work in the car but getting the same mount to survive on a weekend GS ride out - nah !.
You'll spend extra ££ getting a secured mount and a protective casing, so it won't fall off.
RAM-man
I bought one of these from Lidl last year, a top piece of kit made by Mitac. Mine now runs TomTom rather than the bundled 'Falk Navigator' software which I found to be poor. Basically the money is going on the hardware anyway. I even got a rebate from Lidl as it was advertised with a spare SD card and it wasn't bundled with one.
I haven't used it on my GS as I have a BMW Nav 2, but am considering doing so in future so I can use it in 3D mode to warn me of oncoming hazards such as junctions and bends (it helps plan overtakes), with a RAM mount and 'Otterbox' to weatherproof/shockproof it. In the car it is superb, a very user-friendly and intuitive unit.
Incidentally a mate used his Mitac MIO168 (same unit) on his Adventure and the vibration caused the GPS antennas plastic hinge to wear out, he had to have it repaired under warranty. The unit actually works fine on the bike with the antenna in its stowed position, plus you can use the external magnetic antenna instead to prevent this happening.
Heres a useful link for further info:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=13711
It is also worth noting that I queued outside Lidl prior to opening with loads of other people and once the doors opened, the total stock of 4 units went instantly, I got the last one. If you want one, get there early !!!
I haven't used it on my GS as I have a BMW Nav 2, but am considering doing so in future so I can use it in 3D mode to warn me of oncoming hazards such as junctions and bends (it helps plan overtakes), with a RAM mount and 'Otterbox' to weatherproof/shockproof it. In the car it is superb, a very user-friendly and intuitive unit.
Incidentally a mate used his Mitac MIO168 (same unit) on his Adventure and the vibration caused the GPS antennas plastic hinge to wear out, he had to have it repaired under warranty. The unit actually works fine on the bike with the antenna in its stowed position, plus you can use the external magnetic antenna instead to prevent this happening.
Heres a useful link for further info:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=13711
It is also worth noting that I queued outside Lidl prior to opening with loads of other people and once the doors opened, the total stock of 4 units went instantly, I got the last one. If you want one, get there early !!!
RAM-man said:Scud,
At £199 its has appeal for some .. but you only get what you pay (just like riding a C90 and thinking its a GS !!). The unit may work in the car but getting the same mount to survive on a weekend GS ride out - nah !.
You'll spend extra ££ getting a secured mount and a protective casing, so it won't fall off.
RAM-man
I run my PDA (ipaq with Tom Tom) on the bike with the standard car kit. In the dry, I use the sucker mount on the Rev screen, which is very secure, and in the wet, it goes in the map pocket of the tank bag. Used it like this for over a year now, no problems!!!
Obviously the holder is not as good as the RAM stuff (I've got that for mounting my camera on the bike
) but the PDA is a very similar spec to the Ipaq 2210, but for £199, thats £100 cheaper than any other PDA GPS I've seen. Surely a bargain in anybodys book?A possible downside is how often the maps are updated? Well Tom Tom just updated their maps after god know how long, and they STILL have the same mistakes as some of us pointed out to them a year ago!!
Manni
Guest
Chances are that the chipset on the integrated GPS is a SirfII or worse, something else! The new Sirf 3 is SO much better (quicker fix, more reliable, good in urban canyon, under foliage, 20 sats, etc) that it's a BIG mistake to buy today anything pretending to be a GPS which doesn't have it.
Much more expensive, but waterproof and made for motorcycles, TomTom is about to release TomTom Rider (£599). It's expensive (although much less than the outdated crap BMW one), but you get the latest GPS chipset, the latest (upgradable) maps, TomTom 5 software, anti-glare screen, motorcyle mount, and bluetooth headset for voice instructions (it can even talk to your phone!). It's not a PDA, but as a dedicated motorcycle GPS, I can't see a better choice.
Here is one of the places where you can get it from: http://www.thenavigationcompany.com/products/TN0056_TomTom_Rider.html (pre-order).
Note: I've got a PDA (iPaq HX4700) + a BT SirfIII GPS -Globalsat BT-338), and I use a bicycle mount in dry whether or a full armored Otterbox with a RAM mount in the wet). If I didn't need the PDA for other functions, I'd definitely buy the TT Rider.
Much more expensive, but waterproof and made for motorcycles, TomTom is about to release TomTom Rider (£599). It's expensive (although much less than the outdated crap BMW one), but you get the latest GPS chipset, the latest (upgradable) maps, TomTom 5 software, anti-glare screen, motorcyle mount, and bluetooth headset for voice instructions (it can even talk to your phone!). It's not a PDA, but as a dedicated motorcycle GPS, I can't see a better choice.
Here is one of the places where you can get it from: http://www.thenavigationcompany.com/products/TN0056_TomTom_Rider.html (pre-order).
Note: I've got a PDA (iPaq HX4700) + a BT SirfIII GPS -Globalsat BT-338), and I use a bicycle mount in dry whether or a full armored Otterbox with a RAM mount in the wet). If I didn't need the PDA for other functions, I'd definitely buy the TT Rider.
RAM-man
depleted member !
Either way - it can be done one way or another. If going down the PDA route, then here's a few options/suggestions.
To hold this Lidl device, look at the *new* RAM-HOL-PD3 - a claw foot based cradle with side clamps with the RAM handlebar mount. To provide a weatherproof option, you could look at Otterbox or when it arrives, RAM-HOL-AQ2 the Aquabox which will hold a PDA or MP3 player such as Xen3.
As to a Mitac Mio168 then RAM-HOL-PD3 or RAM-HOL-CO3, if its a Mio 268/269 then a RAM-HOL-PD1 used side-on. The more recent HP/iPAQ 27xx/47xx pda's, Dell X50, Tungsten/Palm etc, use a RAM-HOL-PD3 or Aquabox to weatherproof it.
Budget ... between £35 to £50 (cradle and mount) .
RAM-man
To hold this Lidl device, look at the *new* RAM-HOL-PD3 - a claw foot based cradle with side clamps with the RAM handlebar mount. To provide a weatherproof option, you could look at Otterbox or when it arrives, RAM-HOL-AQ2 the Aquabox which will hold a PDA or MP3 player such as Xen3.
As to a Mitac Mio168 then RAM-HOL-PD3 or RAM-HOL-CO3, if its a Mio 268/269 then a RAM-HOL-PD1 used side-on. The more recent HP/iPAQ 27xx/47xx pda's, Dell X50, Tungsten/Palm etc, use a RAM-HOL-PD3 or Aquabox to weatherproof it.
Budget ... between £35 to £50 (cradle and mount) .
RAM-man
RAM-man
depleted member !
Pukmeister said:
The Otterbox package comes with several mount options, the image shows (cropped) is a twist lock suction cup. Their Handlebar mount kit (Kit053), uses three parts to form a RAM-B-149Z-Q1 (U-bolt, arm and round base) which has a four hole pattern to attach the Otterbox casing/sleeve.
The RAM Aquabox detail will be added next week, ahead of the incoming units, but uses same mount option.
RAM-man
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