TomTom Rider Report

[anon]

From: Popsflynn1 (Original Message) Sent: 10/20/2006 5:32 PM

As there have been a few members asking questions about the TomTom Rider I thought I would report here what I have found with mine so far.
Now please bear in mind that this Rider is new to me so I will update this report as and when needed.
The most important thing to me was the price drop.
From £499 when it first appeared to £240 on a couple of websites now.
See the following from where I ordered mine.

www.handtec.co.uk/product.php?xProd=227&xSec=1

It comes with a free download of the latest speed camera software.
I had a play about with a voice warning for the camera alerts, so now instead of a cow mooing at me I have a womans voice warning me of an upcoming gatso or mobile and she even tells me what the speed limit is.
Mind you so does the wife, but more in a panick stricken way.
My first impression is what a great bit of kit it is.
By far the best GPS unit I have used so far. (TomTom mobile, Garmin Quest)
The quality and performance of the actual unit are second to none in my opinion.
When you consider it is meant to be used on a motor-cycle but can be used in a car or on foot it is similar to the Quest, but POI's and speed camera alerts are so easy to install on it.
The Rider comes with two headset configuratons,

1. an in ear speaker with attached mike for use off the bike.

2. an in helmet speaker with attached mike, for use on the bike. Both headsets connect via Bluetooth to the Rider.

The integrated GPS receiver is based on the Sirf Star III which is one of the faster receivers and routes and re-routes at a really fast pace.
I could not beleive how fast it worked out the route. It also helps to keep the signal strength up even while in a tunnel or surrounded by trees or walls.
Can even use it inside the house.
My set up consists of a handle bar mount connected to a powered cradle.
There have been a few complaints on the gps related web forums regarding this set up being too flimsy and causing damage to the contact pins due to arcing caused by movement of the cradle.
See the following

www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84987&page=1&pp=16

Personally I have not found this to be a problem.
Mine seems to be fairly stable and robust with very little or no movement.
It may be worth mentioning that the Rider comes with four different mounting options.

1.Handlebar mount,

2.mirror mount bracket,

3. screen mount and

4. a thingy me bob bracket, dont know about that one yet.

I have just bought a dedicated cable from Autocom for connecting my Rider to my Active-Duo (similar to a RP1) part number 1297 (thanks Matt)
This has given me the oppotunity of using the Autocom helmet headset (not stereo but mono out of both speakers) which makes the volume and clarity at any speed so much better then the one speaker helmet headset that came with the Rider.
All I had to do is plug the 2.5mm jack into the Bluetooth receiver and the 3.5mm jack on the other end of the cable plugged into the Autocom unit.
Works well, music mutes when TomTom spoken instruction given or phone in use, then music resumes.
Using a compatible Bluetooth phone enables the touch screen to be used for connecting a call or ending one, just tap the screen. Telephone number or name shows up on the screen, answer or reject.
On this subject, one bad point I have found is that using the supplied headset gives a poor sound to the person on the other end of the line while using the phone.
You can hear them perfectly but they struggle to hear you.
What with wind rush and other traffic noise, especially at any great speed, you find yourself having to repeat everything a couple of times before the other person can understand you.
I have only tested this aspect using the supplied headset and mike.
Things might improve with a different mike, will have to try it. Mind you I am not too bothered by that because the fewer people calling me on the phone while out on my bike the better.
One good point to mention about the Rider is that it switches itself on and off with the bikes ignition switch.
I wired it via a switched power line with a fused relay to be on the safe side.
So like this it switches itself back on and resumes the route. Very handy in a situation like a garage forcourt or servies on a motorway.
Switch bike engine off, uncouple Rider, slip it into your pocket, go do your buisness and then on returning slip it in to the cradle, switch on and away you go.
Now to get to what seems like the main bad point with the Rider, in my opinion, is the lack of an external speaker or means of connection to one when using in the car.
I bought the TomTom car cradle, which in it's self is a good robust mount and enables the Rider to be connected to the cigar lighter power socket.
But you have to use the Bluetooth headset, which at first I did not like.
I have tried two different cigar lighter powered external speakers, like this

www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=A34GG&DOY=18m10

I was unable to pair them to the Rider so had to use the original headset but have got used to it and to be honest I bought the Rider for use on my bike, for which it is the dogs danglies.
The car speaker issue may be resolved in the near future because what I can gather there are so many Rider owners asking TomTom about it that they have started to take notice and word is out that they are in talks with some third party about supplying a speaker kit.
So untill then I will be happy with my set up.
If you want any further info have a look at their website.

www.tomtom.com/index.php?Lid=1

Hope this is of use to some.

Keith