The rise of the personal GPS satellite navigation system really took
off around a decade ago. Initially derided by the general driving
public, you'll rarely see a car or van without one stuck to the inside
of a windscreen in 2013. But, what about on a motorcycle?
There
are a few systems out there dedicated to bikes, though only a couple are
actually worth your while, and TomTom's new Rider is one of them.
Ratings in depth
If
you think faffing around with an A3 sized map in your car is a pain,
try having to unpack one each time you realise you're lost and on a
bike. All part of the fun, perhaps, but in a world where time is
becoming increasingly precious, even for recreation and holiday
pursuits, you want to get where you're going as quickly as possible.
TomTom's Rider aims to ensure this happens.
Easy Rider
The
waterproof Rider weighs in at 353-grams, filling dimensions of 130 x
101 x 53mm. It features Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls and
data-exchange, USB 2.0 for connectivity to a computer, and has internal
memory but no SD slot. The glove-friendly 4.3" screen is of the
multi-touch variety, and has an option to brighten, making it easier to
read on sunny days, and also a small rim which occasionally acts as the
screen's sun visor.
The unit comes loaded with free 'Lifetime'
maps for 45 countries, and can be updated throughout the year with the
latest road network changes, addresses and so on. It also has all the UK
Speed Camera fixed and mobile sites included, which can be updated
daily via the Map Share community. You are able to plan your route on
computer before uploading them to the device, you can also record your
trip in entirety and then share it, too.
On the hardware side, it comes with a fitting kit that works on 'most' bikes, a bike charging dock and a USB 2.0 cable.
Performance
To
give the Rider a good workout, we used it in two different arenas – on
the bike and also in a car. We also did a back-to-back test with one its
main rivals, too. First up was using the fitting kit, which we tried
out on an Adventure based Aprilia Caponord, and then a sports biased
Ducati Panigale 1199.
While the Rider can be wired directly into
the bike's battery, that's a lengthy process when routing the wiring and
so on. As a motorcyclist who changes bikes often, we find trying a
'quick' fit can tell a lot about the kit provided.
Positioning the touchscreen displayThe
Rider's fitting kit is good enough for the job, allowing multiple
positioning points. On the Caponord, it fitted to the bar easily and
with a minimum of fuss. On the Panigale with its tighter cockpit, it
took a bit of fiddling and does obscure the standard dash a bit, though
this is almost expected on a sportsbike.
The kit isn't quite as
complete as some of its rivals though, missing a few connectors that
expand fitment options. However it has enough to fit the Rider at least
somewhere usable, if not perfectly aligned.
Touch with gloves
Once
on, the touch screen works very well with all but the thickest of
gloves. Wearing a winter set may mean prodding a tiny bit harder. The
menu has several options, but the one we're most interested in is where
we're going. An address can be inputted via a full or partial address,
or by postcode.
Checking out the map routeYou
can also peruse the map and place your own destination marker, if for
whatever reason it can't find exactly where you want to go. As for
places of interest, petrol stations, food and fuel points will appear on
the screen if nearby, but can also be found in the Rider's extensive
database.
The tactile interface with the Rider works very well,
unless you're already used to a different sat nav. One of the biggest
issues faced with a sat nav, is that long term usage of one brand can
make changing to another one challenging. From the way the map or
information on the screen is presented, to how addresses are searched,
the re-learning process can be off-putting.
The on-screen options couldn't be clearerFrom
a perspective of a sat-nav virgin however, everything couldn't be
clearer, easier to use or more intuitive. Directions are easily followed
by detailed mapping and an excellent graphical system that helps reduce
any wrong turns, or the risk of misreading the unit, to a minimum.
Battery life
Neither
test bike provided much of an issue with the Rider. It worked as
expected in all areas, even down to uploading completed journeys. We
also squeezed more than four hours of constant use from the battery,
which isn't bad considering how well illuminated the screen is.
Choosing options for the trip aheadThe
back-to-back test was interesting, though. Setting it in a car this
time, alongside one of its main rivals, an identical postcode was
entered into both. The first thing you always look for once the route is
complete, is the arrival time. The Rider claimed to arrive a full 30
minutes before the other. Knowing the journey and the destination area
well, we were curious to see how it was going to make up the time.
Just
after two-thirds' distance on a 100-mile trip, the TomTom insisted on
one route and the rival another. We took the Rider's route and arrived
nearly 20 minutes earlier. Going back on ourselves and taking the other
suggested route, we arrived 18 minutes later. So, in this instance the
Rider's route-finding was more effective, a fact backed up via another
journey the following day using both units.
Verdict
The
TomTom Rider is a top sat-nav unit for a motorcyclist, works
terrifically well and should be one of only a couple of options you
consider if you're in the market for one. However, there are a couple of
drawbacks. Firstly, there is no car charger or mount included, in
contrast with its biggest rival, Garmin's Zumo350. This lessens the
appeal of the overall buy slightly, as without spending extra on
accessories, it's for bike only.
There's no mount included with the RiderAnd
while the unit's size is comparable with the Garmin's, it's actually a
bulkier item that takes up more space, especially when fitting to a
sportsbike. A few more options for fitment in the kit would also be
nice. However, none of this should detract that as a sat nav it does
exactly what it should with a minimum of fuss, and displays slightly
superior route-finding capabilities on the evidence found. Those few
extra minutes could make all the difference.
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