Please help with a GPS FAQ

[Fanum]

We've got some pretty good FAQ's up on the board...the recent Pannier one is building nicely to be a pretty good summary of what Pannier systems are available and how they fare......one FAQ that we really need though is something on GPS systems.

So this is an appeal for some of you lot to put something back into the forum (and to help us divert the incessant bleedin questions from newbies ).......

We'd like a decent review of your GPS System........I'll arrange it like the Tyre FAQ so that we can have a main review of each system , then comments and shorter reviews after it ..........please keep it objective, and remember it's aimed at someone either buying a new GPS for the bike or considering upgrading.

Include pics, screenshots of the interface if you have any and price as it was when bought and current if you know it.

Some things to consider.....not in any particular order

Ease of use (suitable for newb, learning curve etc)
Map availability/coverage/prices
PC planning software or not
Speed, clarity and accuracy of system
Physical dimensions
Power issues
Plus points/negative points
Pics on bike
Screenshots of interface
Transferability
Waterproof?


You get the picture

Also wanted, but please in a seperate post on the same thread here, MOUNTS.........what type, mini review, pics on/off bike and with/without GPS in it.....security, power requirements cost etc etc....I'll edit the final FAQ so it has a seperate section on mounts, or even seperate it into two threads if it looks better.

Please post your reviews here........I'll edit out the crap and hopefully we'll end up with a decent GS orientated FAQ

(If there's a particularly good old thread that contains what you think is a good review as well, please post a linky here and I'll dig it out.......I'll spend some time later looking up our good friend Pan's posts as well )

Bring it on!!!!


Cheers in advance

Bill

 

[Frank Warner]

Umm don't reinvent the wheel ... possibly some links to others detailed descriptions would be good ... like

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/FAQ.htm

 

[Deleted account W]

Device: OS Map

Battery Life: Had mine 12 years and still using the original ones.

Mounting Method: I've used the clear part on top of my tank bag that people normally put PDA's and phones in.

Ease of use: No problems with the software, would suit someone new to maps. Those with dodgy peepers might find they need to wear glasses.

Map availability/coverage/prices: Most stationary shops and tourist tat shops sell them, they're available for the whole of the UK and normally cost less than a tenner.

PC planning software or not: Not required.

Speed, clarity and accuracy of system: Pretty fast and as clear as the hand in front of your face. I'm pretty sure they're accurate, ramblers use them.

Physical dimensions: Depends on how many times you fold it, the thickness is probably the best selling point.

Plus points/negative points: On the plus side they're cheap and easy to use but the down side is that they're not great in the wet and you have to provide your own waterproof cover.

Pics on bike:

Screenshots of interface:

Transferability: Very transferable, I've used mine in cars, trains, boats and planes.

Hope this is of use Fanum

 

[cookie]

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Fanum:

Just a thought for you: Rather than constructing the FAQ as a collection of new text and photos, it might be easier (and more practical) to construct the FAQ as a series of links to past discussions of specific matters of interest.

By doing it this way, you refer the reader to a rather lengthy discussion of the subject that they are interested in, and if the reader has further questions, they can put a new post onto the end of the existing thread, which means the subject comes up for discussion again, but it does not have to be 're-discovered' right from scratch.

I constructed a FAQ in this manner for a Volkswagen forum that I moderate - here is a link to it, browse through it and you will get a better idea of what I am suggesting: Phaeton Forum 'Table of Contents' (FAQ by Category).

Michael

 

[guitarman]

Whilst I think that PE has a point regarding links to other threads it falls down when you realise how many feckin threads ask the same questions and how difficult it would be to find a definitive one.

Surely the point of this FAQ is to have the definitive version so it would be useful if they were "newly" written.

Let's address what questions are asked.

What does GPS do?

What does it give me?

What do I need?

What does mapping mean?

What's the difference between Mapsource and City Navigator ? (always a good one that)

How do I download the maps?

Having been through the whole "what do I buy" process last year I'll write the sort of overview that would have been useful to me and then other people can pull it apart and hopefully we'll revise it down to cover many of the basic questions in terms most people can understand.

There could then be links to more detailed threads regarding the individual products (be they GPS units/mounts/mapping)

How does that sound?

Cheers

 

[John Armstrong]

And this perfectly shows why some NEED to have a GPS. When I last looked, Bentwaters was in East Anglia and the Forest of Dean was on the Welsh borders

 

[Cie]

It sounds to me like you guys need a wiki to place all this info in.

By wiki I mean something like wikipedia, it's a web based collaboration, so that all members of the site can add any info they have to it. In that way you get focused pages rather than threads on the BB which inevitably drift off subject.

I help with a couple if anyone wants my opinion on the various packages that are available.