sat nav in a westy
Discussion
You need one of the bike-specific Sat Nav systems, like TomTom Rider.
These have a cowl over the screen (a normal car Sat Nav screen is just about unreadable in an open car like a Westfield due to reflected light) and a wireless link to a headset (there is absolutely no chance you will hear the voice instructions on a normal car Sat Nav in your Westfield at anything over a brisk walking pace).
These have a cowl over the screen (a normal car Sat Nav screen is just about unreadable in an open car like a Westfield due to reflected light) and a wireless link to a headset (there is absolutely no chance you will hear the voice instructions on a normal car Sat Nav in your Westfield at anything over a brisk walking pace).
Chris71 said:
Would go for a bike one. That said, I'm pleased to announce that I can hear my newly acquired TomTom in the TVR pressing on with the top down. Not quite a Wetsfield though - especially if you have a side exit exhaust and/or aeroscreens I guess.
Yeah, I could just about hear my conventional TomTom in my Griffith and my Elises but they have proper side windows and a curved windscreen, which makes a hell of a difference.With an aeroscreened Westfield, you end up temporarily deaf and with your ears ringing on longer journeys, anyway, unless you use a helmet, so after the first 30 miles you probably wouldn't hear a normal Sat Nav even at a standstill with the engine switched off!
thats the problem really you need a helmet with the bec and aeroscreen so the chances of hearing the sat nav are nil also i thought there may be a problem with sun on the screen.maybe i could make some sort of cowl to fit the screen to shade the sun.£300 is quite a lot to keep the sun off.and a headset.
Edited by minimoss on Wednesday 11th February 20:17
I've got a very basic Tomtom One in my V8 Rush and remarkably you can hear it when cruising around. I actually have to turn the volume down in town it's that loud. I doubt I'd hear it with a helmet on though. I rarely have the sound on though. I much prefer a quick glance to see a picture of what's going on rather than some nagging woman shouting at me constantly.
Mine is fitted in the centre console area, just below my dash unit so I can scan the Tomtom quickly. It's excellent because it gives you an idea of where the road is going, which is really helpful when you're so low to the ground. Also useful for finding petrol stations, particularly if you're in another country and don't want to have to stop to talk loudly and slowly to a local while gesticulating wildly.
I don't have a picture of it actually in use, or a good picture of it at all for that matter, but it is fitted behind that black door you can see under the dash unit.
Mine is fitted in the centre console area, just below my dash unit so I can scan the Tomtom quickly. It's excellent because it gives you an idea of where the road is going, which is really helpful when you're so low to the ground. Also useful for finding petrol stations, particularly if you're in another country and don't want to have to stop to talk loudly and slowly to a local while gesticulating wildly.
I don't have a picture of it actually in use, or a good picture of it at all for that matter, but it is fitted behind that black door you can see under the dash unit.
minimoss said:
hi had a quick look at tomtom rider retails at about £250-£300 quite a kick in the teeth if your a biker. shame it has to be so expensive compared to car sat navs.might be the only way to go though.
Don't forget that the bike specific units are waterproof to a good standard as well. Not an unwelcome option in a Westy!I've used a PDA running Destinator in ours, but we have a girly windscreen & sidescreens. Works pretty well really.
I find I don't need or bother with sound on my Tomtom. Switch on the safety mode and you get nice big, clear, simple maps of the next junction to navigate - that plus a big number in the bottom left for how far to that junction and it works fine with just a quick glance down. If you use speed camera alerts that could be a problem though.
The Tomtom Rider is pricey because it's properly waterproofed and has a bluetooth earpiece for directions. I believe it's also been redone with bigger menu buttons, etc so it can be used with gloves.
The Tomtom Rider is pricey because it's properly waterproofed and has a bluetooth earpiece for directions. I believe it's also been redone with bigger menu buttons, etc so it can be used with gloves.
I used my Mio phone which has TomTom software loaded (ran faster than a proper TomTom bit of hardware !!) and then earphones from that. Ideal, can listen to mp3's whilst on a long drive and then TomTom would lower the mp3 volume, state the direction and then resume the mp3 volume.
No problem hearing it with or without a helmet and my R1 Fury wasn't the quietest. Prior to the Mio I had a SonyEriccson 910i which also ran TomTom without an issue. They go for dirt-cheap money on ebay and the software is easily downloadable... mounts solidly on the dashboard. In fact for the money you might even consider permanently fixing it in the dashboard. Obviously has the benefit of being a phone as well so you can take calls although I found I could hear them but all they could hear was 8,500rpm
No problem hearing it with or without a helmet and my R1 Fury wasn't the quietest. Prior to the Mio I had a SonyEriccson 910i which also ran TomTom without an issue. They go for dirt-cheap money on ebay and the software is easily downloadable... mounts solidly on the dashboard. In fact for the money you might even consider permanently fixing it in the dashboard. Obviously has the benefit of being a phone as well so you can take calls although I found I could hear them but all they could hear was 8,500rpm
hi, yes was wondering if i could use a car version without the volume,because you still have to look at the screen anyway to see whats coming up,seems like it can be done.the tomtom rider seems to be a bit to dear but its given me quite a few options to play with. a bit of overtime might see to that,many thanks for your feed back.
Just get a passenger to hold it and point where to go.
Used a Tom Tom a couple of times and did it 2 ways dependent on journey.
1. To DVLA Wimbledon - mainly quiet roads and traffic, so no helmet needed, passenger held the tom tom and you could both hear, see and talk about where to go.
2. To Goodwood and Lewes - Helmets on, quick glances at the Tom Tom every now and then and the passenger points where to come off.
Both worked perfectly well enough considering I will literally never use a TomTom in that car.
Used a Tom Tom a couple of times and did it 2 ways dependent on journey.
1. To DVLA Wimbledon - mainly quiet roads and traffic, so no helmet needed, passenger held the tom tom and you could both hear, see and talk about where to go.
2. To Goodwood and Lewes - Helmets on, quick glances at the Tom Tom every now and then and the passenger points where to come off.
Both worked perfectly well enough considering I will literally never use a TomTom in that car.
going to borrow my mates tomtom go out on the next fine day turn the sound off and see how i get on. ive used it before in my focus and you tend to look at it when the voice comes on so be interesting to see how i go without sound on it. they come with antiglare screens and im wondering if a car sat nav is just as good as the tomtom rider, the rider comes with a cowl built in but im reluctant to pay nearly £300 if its not justified. thanks again
I've got a Tom Tom One which I've cunningly attached to my motorbike, and at town speeds I can hear it even through the helmet (you get a few looks though 
), I just glance at it occassionally and it works perfectly well. I don't see the need for buying an expensive Tom Tom Rider or equivalent tbh.
), I just glance at it occassionally and it works perfectly well. I don't see the need for buying an expensive Tom Tom Rider or equivalent tbh.http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=175498
£220 (b grade) and think there is a £10 code floating around...still expensive, but better than most if you choose to go this route
£220 (b grade) and think there is a £10 code floating around...still expensive, but better than most if you choose to go this route
Edited by V6Alfisti on Sunday 15th February 11:35
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