Sources
Aerostich
aerostich.com
Cycle Gadgets
cyclegadgets.com
Garmin
garmin.com
Lowrance
lowrance.com
Magellan
magellangps.com
Ram Mounts
ram-mount.com
Techmount
techmounts.com
Tomtom
tomtom.com
Whitehorse Gear
whitehorsepress.com
Show Me The Way
If you're a rider who relishes the romance of an aimless, meandering road trip, it might dishearten you to learn that GPs devices have become the de rigueur electronic accessory for touring motorcyclists. long-haul travelers, though, would argue that no piece of technology has given road warriors as much benefit as a portable GPs unit. And they have a point-today's receivers carry preloaded, detailed maps as standard features, and some even offer options like mP3 players, satellite radio and Bluetooth support.
Although there are dozens of receivers to choose from in the general consumer market, the number of motorcycle-specific devices is still relatively small. the in-dash systems available on some high-end bikes (like the ones in the cover story) might seem more user-friendly, but the portable systems are catching up. things like internal rechargeable batteries and preloaded North America map databases are the norm, and premium features such as realtime traffic are becoming more common (though they require additional hardware and a subscription).
The First question most people ask about these GPss, of course, is "what's best for my motorcycle?" Problem is, there's never one answer because it all depends on your riding style, where you're going and how you're going to use the GPs. Are you a long-distance tourer? Do you want the GPs for your bike and car as well as the occasional hike?
There's usually a compromise. A device with built-in speakers will not be waterproof, for example-a critical quality for those who ride in the rain. cycle Gadgets-a company specializing in motorcycle-specific GPs receivers- doesn't carry all the GPs models on the market, because the firm strongly believes that watertight construction should be a mandatory feature on motorcycle-mounted GPss. most models on the cycle Gadget website are rated to the marine iPX7 waterproof standard, which means the unit can withstand 30 minutes submerged 1 meter under water.
Many first-time GPs users also make the mistake of buying a device that doesn't have enough memory for data. it's a good idea to go with a minimum of 100 mB; high-end units pack a capacity of 2 GB or more. Also, be sure your device comes with some kind of mount and a power adapter for a bike.
Then there's the blunder of purchasing a unit with a too-small screen. we find 2.5- inch screens acceptable, but the smallest displays can be harder to see en route and can make for dodgy programming via their small buttons. the largest widescreen units can obstruct your view of the road, and they're bulky, too. the common 3.5- inch screen's a pretty good compromise.
Like any technology, GPs isn't foolproof. mountains, tall buildings and even dense tree cover can knock out satellite signals-and batteries can die. it's not a bad idea to pack a map and compass as backup while roaming the backcountry. GPs map databases aren't perfectly accurate or completely up to date; new roads come online and old streets are closed on a daily basis. your device is only as good as the accuracy of the maps loaded into it, and you will likely have to buy a new set of maps at least once before the device becomes obsolete. it's important to remember that GPs is a navigation aid that aims to enhance your ride, not an automatic pilot.