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After I resisted the GPS-hype for
some years, in 2008 I finally bought one too.
In 2010 I then also bought a SPOT, as this offers a bit of extra safety.
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GPS Depot Garmin
GPSmap 60CS about Euro 500 (GPS, Europe map, holder,
and car and motorcycle wire-set) After
intensive research on the internet and reading of countless reviews
I decided on the Gamin
GPSmap 60CS. There are many devices that can do more and have a
larger display, but this GPS is robust, waterproof and it is not
extremely expensive. Here are some
reasons why I decided o this GPS:
- I didn't want a touch screen device as it often doesn't work
with gloves.
- I don't need speech output, as I don't have speakers in my
helmet, and therefore I don't need Bluetooth or similar.
- There are plenty of accessories available, e.g. motorcycle
holder, car holder, wire sets for car and motorcycle, and so on.
- The maps from Garmin are often cheaper than other ones. For
a motorcycle GPS holder I decided on the lockable version from
Touratech, as it combined with the wire set makes a power connection
to the GPS. But Touratech proofed to be very inflexible, as they
sell a set wires and holder, but only with the not lockable one, and
changing the set was impossible. I ended up putting together the set
myself at GPS-Depot. In addition the Touratech holder was much
cheaper there than buying it from Touratech directly! Conclusion:
Price OK, reliable and robust, but a little slow - recommendable.
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Fred Meyer's SPOT
Satellite Tracker $99.00 (+$99.00 per year)
For all who don't know what a SPOT is:
It receives the GPS signals from satellites und locates the
position. BUT it doesn't display the position. With three buttons
one can send a signal to the satellite, which the sends previously
selected messages to previously selected email and cell phone
receivers. The button "OK" is e.g. to send a daily message
to family and friends. The button "Help" sends e.g. a
little help request at a technical defect to good friends. The
button "911" sends a emergency message to the nearest
emergency dispatcher who then sends emergency services. With all
three buttons the current GPS position gets send along with the
message, the position can the be looked up on the SPOT website or on
Google. One can also integrate this feature into ones own
website.
For a holder I bought the plastic shell from
RAM Mounts for $12.00 , then I built the actual attachment to the
handle bar myself. Conclusion: I
like the idea to be able to inform family and friends of my current
location, and even more important to be able to hit the
"911" button and send a emergency message, even if there
is no cell phone coverage. That is worth the $99 per year, at least
for me.
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Polo Map
bag Euro 4.95
By now I have a GPS and like to use it, but I
still always carry paper roadmaps, because they are much better to
get a general view of the area. They are also better for planning a
route, because of the larger map are. Since I usually don't have a
fix planned route paper maps are much better, but the GPS helps when
I get lost, or am looking for the ext town or the next petrol
station. The map bag gets attached
to the bike with two straps. For getting gas one ca simply flap the
map back (in the front it is attached with Velcro to the straps). Conclusion:
The map bag is cheap and has a good size for maps, but unfortunately
it is not waterproof - recommendable with some restrictions. I
try to avoid riding at night, but it doesn't always work. Therefore
I bought a white LED strip and attached it to the handle bar. The
LED's illuminate the map, what can be very handy.
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