What to Know When Entering the Market For a Motorcycle GPS Navigation Unit

When I took my first cross-country motorcycle trip 30 years ago we took along the basics - tents & sleeping bags, a change of clothes, maps and a couple apples. The bike had a gas tank, a speedometer and saddle bags. Off we went! Riding can be as simple today but is usually not. At the least each rider today would have a cell phone and it is very likely there would be a couple mp3 players. And of course a digital camera and perhaps the blackberry....and the technology does not stop there. How about a GPS made especially for a motorcycle?

Perhaps you've had a GPS navigation unit in your car for a while and wondered if there was such a device designed for the bike. If so, you are in luck because there are a number of models on the market. The question is what do you need to know to shop wisely and make the best decision about such a unit?

Some of the features of motorcycle navigation units you should look at are the same that you would consider for a car unit. How long does it take for the satellite signal to find and redirect routes? Are map updates free and if so, for how long? Will I eventually have to pay for them and how much? And in the topic of updates what about the unit software - are upgrades downloadable and free? Other general issues that should be investigated are the type of mounting hardware, extent of POI (points-of-interest such as motels, restaurants, gas stations, ATM's)) databases (and are they customizable), is there a battery so the unit can be disconnected and used portably for hiking, geocaching and trip programming? Does the unit use "Text to Speak" technology which means does it say "turn left at Washington Street" or "turn left at the next street"? Speaking of technology, find out what kind of technical support is offered with the brand you choose and this includes online support, FAQ's and forums. Be aware that there are several chat/user groups related to specific brands that you may want to investigate.

In addition to the general features there are some that are more specific to motorcycle use. Is the unit waterproof and how UV resistant is it? How will the visibility be in the sun? How durable is the unit and can it function properly when subjected to constant vibration? If you wear gloves when you ride be sure to check how well the unit can be manipulated with the gloves on your hand! Is there an anti-theft device included? And last but not least there is a feature on many units today that I wished I would've had on my trips long ago - Gas Level Indicator!

There are other interesting technical features available on motorcycle GPS navigation units that are not directly related to the navigation process but are extras that may be quite useful to some. Satellite radio subscriptions can provide special information about weather and traffic but note you may need a special antenna for this. Bluetooth-enabled helmets and headsets provide a means to pick up and make phone calls and hear voice prompts of the navigation system and all these can be synched in with your nav unit. Many units have SD card slots for adding images and mp3 files from your computer.

Last but not least on the optional/not really needed features are trip-tracking which allow you to save, download and share your route with friends via Google earth. For pure pleasure there are voice-choices and custom-color caps and wrappers to personalize your device.

After reading this article I think you will be well-equipped to start searching for a motorcycle GPS navigation unit for your motorcycle that is right for you. Just as when you pick out a cell phone or a digital camera there will be many features available that you may never use, some that one unit excels in while it is another's weak point. The challenge in picking out the best model is to prioritize your needs and find the model that best meets the requirements you want the most. Once you have fulfilled your priorities you can enjoy the extra features that work and ignore the ones that are inferior! Good luck!

Garmin Zuma 550 Motorcycle GPS navigation units are one of the best on the market today for meeting the needs and requirements of today's high-tech riders. Happy Trails 2 YOU!!

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Various Satellite Technologies For Communication and Entertainment

Nobody likes getting lost. Not only is it a waste of time, gas and energy, but it can also be quite frustrating. That is why when the first GPS (global positioning systems) were approved for civilian used at the end of the nineteen nineties people rushed out to purchase them. But as with any new technology, these early models were not especially consistent or accurate. In fact, it was not until the new millennium that military restrictions were lifted on civilian GPS units, which immediately increased the precision from 100 meters to 20 meters.

Nearly a decade later, the average GPS device can pinpoint your location almost anywhere on earth. Their most popular application, however, is simply as a guidance device for civilian vehicles. All you have to do is enter your starting location and your destination and you will receive detailed directions to anywhere you want to go.

Fortunately for consumers as GPS technology has improved and competition in the industry has increase, prices have come down quite a bit. It is now possible to purchase affordable, even cheap GPS units from some of the top companies. Presently, the most popular brands include: Bushnell, Garmin, Lowrance, and Magellan, just to name a few.

Where to Look?

The first place you should look for affordable GPS systems is on the internet. Oftentimes, companies will have promotional offers or deals for online shoppers. You may even qualify for free shipping.

Benefits

As we mentioned, GPS units are navigational devices that can help drivers get where they need to go more quickly than they ever imagined. In fact, all current models automatically calculate the shortest distance to your destination and provide detailed, step by step directions. Most models also feature audio instructions. That is, a voice will tell you when to turn and how far you must travel on a certain road before you have to make the next turn. This is an especially helpful feature because it means that the driver never has to take his eyes off the road to check the GPS screen for directions. Some of the more expensive devices will even let you know when to switch lanes for an upcoming turn.

Handheld GPS Systems

There are also handheld GPS devices that provide users with incredible amounts of information in a small rechargeable unit that can be taken just about anywhere. These GPS units are especially helpful for people who enjoy outdoor sports and activities like hiking, mountain biking, hunting or camping. So, even when you're out in the wilderness and your cell phone gets no reception and you can't call anyone, your Handheld GPS system will let you know exactly where you are as well as the shortest path home. And just like the GPS units that are used in vehicles, handheld devices are competitively priced.

Believe it or not, these days there are even GPS units that are sport specific. For example, there are devices for cyclists to let them know their speed, location, and distance traveled. There are even portable GPS units that can be used by golfers to tell them exactly how far they are from the hole.

That's an awful lot of progress in just over a decade.

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How The Tomtom And Other Brand GPS's Can Help You

What Is A GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.

How accurate is GPS time synchronization?

GPS time synchronization is highly accurate, but your results will vary depending on your receiver and computer. The Garmin GPS35 receiver is accurate to within a millisecond of UTC; however, the time that is ultimately synchronized to your computer will not be as accurate. Why not? Because computer systems are neither fast enough nor consistent enough for better accuracy.

How Expensive is a GPS?

Over time, the costs of GPS auto navigation system has fallen considerably and there are increasing numbers of applications for them and the data that they provide in our daily lives. Manufacturers such as Garmin and TomTom have combined GPS signals Data with existing map information and complex mathematical algorithms to create systems that can be used for navigation on the roads and highways.

Benefits Of A GPS

Just think how much time, money and (most of all) stress you can eliminate from your life.

oHow would you feel if, every time you climb into your car, you knew exactly how to get to wherever you were going AND how long it will take you to get there - even at night or in an unfamiliar city, town or suburb?

oHow much more relaxing would driving on our roads be if there was always someone sitting next to you giving you timely, accurate and easy to understand instructions on when to turn and which road to turn into? - Especially if she had a nice voice.

oHow much safer would you feel when driving on our roads if you could concentrate 100% on the traffic around you, secure in the knowledge that your professional navigator is taking care of the 'where and how' to get you to your destination?

oWould it improve your business to be able to get to those critical meetings on time, relaxed and without feeling as if you have already done battle with half of the country on the roads just to get there?

oHow much safer would you feel knowing that the route that you are taking has already been preplanned by someone who 'knows the way' and that even if you managed to still miss a turn off, your route will be immediately recalculated and you would be instructed on the new route without a hitch?

oHow much money would you save on your monthly petrol bill by being able to cut down on all the driving around in circles just because you missed a turnoff, or because the instructions somebody gave you over the phone do not look in the least familiar with the roads you are actually driving on?

oHow much frustration would be cut out of your family holiday trips knowing that your 'navigator' is not telling you to turn left while pointing to the right???? Or knowing that you have the freedom to explore at leisure without having to worry about how to find your way back at the end of the day?

Tomtom models

TomTom GO 720 is a innovative satellite navigational system that comes with additional features such as handsfree calling and MapShare. The design is stylish, sleek and portable which makes the Tom Tom GO 720 easy to use and operate. Extensive traffic information options and fast route recalculation make the Tom Tom Go 720 quite the gadget to acquire and use. A 4.3" large, high-quality touchscreen, Voice address input, and TomTom Map Share(TM) technology are some of the other key features of the TomTom GO 720.

With the Tomtom GO 920T, the ultimate vehicle navigator is now even more complete. The voice address input feature lets you enter your destination by simply speaking the address without even touching the screen. The included RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver gives you real-time access to traffic reports. Plus, you can make hands-free phone calls, listen to MP3s and update maps through TomTom Map Share(TM) technology. View the maps and access all the features on a wide, 4.3" diagonal screen. The GO 920T is all you need to get from here to there.

The new TomTom ONE XLS is the first product in the TomTom ONE XL line to offer text-to-speech technology. Street names and places can now be read aloud as part of the spoken navigation instructions. The TomTom ONE XLS also offers the exclusive TomTom Map Share(TM) technology and unique 'HELP ME!' features on a 4.3 inch screen. Access to real-time traffic services make navigating even easier. Features a large choice of route options and complete maps of the U.S. and Canada.

So, now there is no reason why you shouldn't own a GPS.

Zane Hellman writes about Global Positioning Systems and other communication devices. For more information on Tomtom and other GPS units, please visit: http://global-positioning-systems-info.blogspot.com

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