TomTom Rider, Anyone Have One?

[resonator]

My sweet wife gave me a TomTom Rider for Christmas. My bike tech said he's install it for free, so I'm set there. Just wondering who else has the Rider and what you think about it. I like the idea of the BlueTooth ear piece and the connectivity with my Cell Phone. Also the waterproof is cool. What is NOT cool is the $89 Car Kit for the Rider.

Any thoughts on the Rider?

Res

[streak07]

I've got the second edition. It's pretty nice. I don't use the headset on my bike, I just find it distracting and the visual is enough. The car kit you'll need to wait for an internet special, I got mine for closer to 60 something on sale. But now I use it more in the car than anywhere so I'd say its a great purchase. It SHOULD come with it but they're out to make a buck.

The Garmin Zumo has more features and costs more money but I don't want much more than for it to tell me where to turn so it works well. Then again I may be the last person on the face of the planet who only wants a cell phone for making phone calls.

Be sure to update your software, if you don't have the latest firmware they did some fairly big updates to the interface which makes it more user friendly and gives you more information.

[resonator]

Originally Posted by streak07

I've got the second edition. It's pretty nice. I don't use the headset on my bike, I just find it distracting and the visual is enough. The car kit you'll need to wait for an internet special, I got mine for closer to 60 something on sale. But now I use it more in the car than anywhere so I'd say its a great purchase. It SHOULD come with it but they're out to make a buck.

The Garmin Zumo has more features and costs more money but I don't want much more than for it to tell me where to turn so it works well. Then again I may be the last person on the face of the planet who only wants a cell phone for making phone calls.

Be sure to update your software, if you don't have the latest firmware they did some fairly big updates to the interface which makes it more user friendly and gives you more information.

Thanks for the response. I'll check and make sure it has the latest software version.

I have a Vulcan 900 Classic LT. I'm hoping it will mount in the center of the bars. I haven't checked it out yet though. Where do you mount yours?

Res

[Buzz Lightyear]

Can you put in your own routes and d/l them to the Tom Tom ?

[streak07]

Mine's right on the bars with the supplied hardware. I ran the power wires up the neck of the bike and used some 1/4" quick disconnects so it will all come off when I don't need it.

You can plan out routes on your computer or set up waypoints while on the bike. I've never really needed it as I just input the destination and stop when i feel like stopping at a place i want to stop at. The finding of gas stations, restaurants, or stores either around you, along route, near destination etc is my most used feature.

[resonator]

Originally Posted by streak07

Mine's right on the bars with the supplied hardware. I ran the power wires up the neck of the bike and used some 1/4" quick disconnects so it will all come off when I don't need it.

Where is the quick Disconnect located?

Res

[streak07]

Well I made it with some 12 gauge wire and disconnects from the parts store. My meanstreak has an accessory connection under the gas tank. I ran some wires from that to near my headlight bucket. When I'm not using it I stuff it in there completely out of sight. I then crimped the female part of the 1/4" terminals onto the wire lead that came with the tomtom. Thats the part that snaps into the bike mount to power the gps.

[resonator]

I just noticed the Rider doesn't come with installation instructions. Just a few weak drawings of the attachment for the bars. No wiring instructions at all.

[NuBiker]

Hi Resonator,
What you could do, is purchase the car kit, then wire a weather resistant cigarette thingy onto your bike. Then you can use your GPS both in the car and on the bike, using the same power cord.
I have a Garmin Nuvi 200W. Works great in both the car and the on the bike.
RAM mounts will probably have what you need to mount the GPS to your bike.

[streak07]

Originally Posted by NuBiker

Hi Resonator,
What you could do, is purchase the car kit, then wire a weather resistant cigarette thingy onto your bike. Then you can use your GPS both in the car and on the bike, using the same power cord.
I have a Garmin Nuvi 200W. Works great in both the car and the on the bike.
RAM mounts will probably have what you need to mount the GPS to your bike.

No they're different style mounts and the bike one has a water proof connector, using the car one on the bike would be bad. It has a speaker and non-waterproof connector. It's not much effort to swap it out, I leave the ball mount on the bike and with three twists the bike docking piece is on/off. Then 2 quick disconnects for power, doesn't get any easier than that. The unit slides in and out and clicks into place whether you have the bike or car one.

[insolentminx]

My Dad's got the Rider. He's got a RAM mount for it.

I'm contemplating getting a Rider too, but am also tempted by the Zumo. Both are very similar in price over here... but i just want it for directions... not sure listening to music would be too safe...