stuck for choice.

[Spike]

I am in the market for a new sat nav for the bike, I have the tom tom rider first model.

So I am looking to upgrade but have a few questions.

What is the difference between the tomtom urban rider and the V2??
The V2 is about £50 more expensive but I cannot see any real difference.

Also looking at the Garmin 660, but that is over £200 more then the urban rider and £150 more then the V2 so again why so expensive and what do you gain by having something 200 more??

Thanks

spike

 

[Bumpkin]

I think the V2 comes with a Scala BT headset. Factor in the fact that you'll need to pay another £45 or so for the powered bike cradle to power it off the bike and if you intend to use the Rider in your car as well you'll need the car mount which is another £50.

I believe that the Zumo includes these accessories. However the std. 660 doesn't include a headset. With the Garmin you get the ability to plot your routes on the PC as standard, with the TomTom you'll need to use a 3rd party program like TYRE or ITN Converter. I know which one I'd buy

 

[Spike]

Thanks for that, I am not too bothered with the headset I donot think I would like it bleeting on in my ear when concentrating on the road on the bike. Never used one in 6 years with the tomtom rider so doubt that will change


It is looking more and more likely the garmin will win the battle, I just wanted some opinions from people and their experiences with the models

spike

 

[Bumpkin]

Garmins are not everyone's cup of tea TBH, especially as you're a former TomTom user. I would try to find someone to show you around one before taking the plunge.

 

[Spike]

I know that the tomtom is a lot easier to use but when i was in the states last year on hols the car we hired had a garmin supplied with it(donot know the exact model) and to be honest for having no instructions for it i did not have too many problems with it, so I am guessing they should be all around the same to use?
Here in Guernsey there are no shops that keep them in stock so I cannot even have a look at any, will be buying off the net anyways, get the VAT off if I buy through amazon too.

spike

 

[Bumpkin]

I think that they have put a bit of work into making the UI a bit more intuitive. The Zumo is a little more complex and, thankfully, not too dumbed down though some older StreetPilot die-hards might tend to disagree with that.

20% off sounds good

 

[Spike]

It is good. I can get it off amazon for £375 new.

Looks like i will be ordering one tonight.

Thanks for all the info

spike

 

[Nutty]

I would go with the TomTom. I have always had TomToms and find them really easy to use. I once switched to a Garmin, but found that the Garmin doesn't display the remaining miles for the current trip on the front screen (it was either miles or minutes, it was quite some time ago), and having got used to seeing this on the TomTom in the past, got very frustrated having to tap the screen on the Garmin to find the remaining journey time/ distance.

If you aren't bothered about this feature go with the Garmin, but I found it quite distracting having to keep tap tapping through different menus whilst on the move.

Just my 2p worth though.

 

[sven]

I've just bought a TT Urban Rider as a replacement for my TT Rider v2.

The Rider came with a Bluetooth headset (which I've never used) and a powered cradle. They can be bought for around £250 BUT it's old software and mapping without IQ routes.

The Urban Rider seems to have a quicker processor, a slicker user interface, IQ routes and more options for speed camera warnings. I haven't used it yet.

So, Bluetooth headset aside, a UK Urban Rider costs £160 (if you know someone who can pick one up from Argos on the mainland), a powered cradle is £45+£3 shipping direct from TT, and EU mapping is £60, so about £270 all in.

A Zumo 660 is at least £100 dearer and, if its like every other Garmin product I've used, is nowhere near as good at routing. Ho, and I'm not bothered about its MP3 capability as I have an iPod touch if I want to listen to music on the bike

 

[Bumpkin]

It is good. I can get it off amazon for £375 new.

Looks like i will be ordering one tonight.

Thanks for all the info

Check that price isn't for an NOH unit, nothing wrong with them mind. You can get one from Handtec for £371 inc. VAT.

 

[Spike]

Check that price isn't for an NOH unit, nothing wrong with them mind. You can get one from Handtec for £371 inc. VAT.

No its about £444 but with the VAT off its only £375.

I like the idea of plotting the route on the pc, that way i decide where to go not it, so if I have got this right I can pick which roads to take and whether it be the fastest or the slowest route??

spike

 

[Bumpkin]

No its about £444 but with the VAT off its only £375.

Oh, OK. Suppose you can only get VAT free from Amazon, from Handtec the NOH unit would be around £310.

I like the idea of plotting the route on the pc, that way i decide where to go not it, so if I have got this right I can pick which roads to take and whether it be the fastest or the slowest route??

Absolutely, you have to get to grips with Mapsource or Basecamp first, they're both somewhat quirky, but you can dictate exactly where you want to go and load that onto the Garmin. Have a look here for a short tutorial for Mapsource that I made a while ago.

You can plan routes on your PC for the TomTom Rider as well, though you need to use 3rd party software such as ITN Converter or TYRE. These use the Google Maps API so you need a net connection for them to work.

 

[Spike]

Well thanks for all your input guys, took mit all onboard and went in the end for the urban rider.

To be totally honest I will use it for my hols this year and maybe if I am lucky 2 trips off the island so seeing as my tomtom rider has gotten me all round europe with no issues I decided to save the extra £100 that the garmin would have cost me and will put that to better use.

Thanks again

spike