GPS for Motorbike?

mottus · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2004 Posts: 26

Hi,

I have a Dell Axim X5, and am interested in knowing if it is possible to use this as a GPS system - on a motorbike?

If anyone has any advice on setting up GPS systems for motorbikes I'd be grateful for any info.

Cheers

lbendlin · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:05 am Post subject:

Hello and welcome.

Using the PDA on the motorbike should be straightforward. You need

1) a watertight, sturdy case/holder for the PDA
2) a Bluetooth GPS receiver (watertight would be a bonus)
3) Navigation software

Item 1) could be an Otterbox, items 2) and 3) sometimes come in bundles, but can also be purchased separately. Not every software is biker friendly - I would recommend CoPilot or Mapopolis - they give the biggest freedom for bending the route to your likings.

If you want to connect the PDA to your helmet speaker then you will need to look into the appropriate cable connection.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

mottus · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2004 Posts: 26

Many thanks for your advice.

I've been reading a number of postings from those using a PDA GPS on a motorbike.

I get the impression that bluetooth devices suffer from dropout - so the general advice is to go for CF. With this in mind, I'm tempted by the SysonChip CF GPS receiver which seems to get a great review - however, there seems to be reservations re: Dell Axim PDAs

I like the idea of the Otterbox to keep the PDA safe - but am not sure how easy this would fit to the bike. The mounts I've seen all appear to fit round handle bars - on my Blackbird they're rectangle in cross-section. Also, not sure if the CF receiver would fit inside the Otterbox.

With regard software - looking at the reviews, TomTom Nav3 seems to get the best reviews - especiallt re voice direction.

The only thing I seem happy about is that as I use an Autocom Pro intercom headset - that comes with a socket I can connect the audio output from my PDA to.

The more info I read the more confused I'm getting.

At the moment I'm thinking - SysonChip CF GPS receiver, TomTom Nav3, an additional SD drive to boost the memory - and using the tank bag map case.

Does this sound a reasonable setup can anyone advise?

lbendlin · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject:

I can only recommend you rethink your CF choice. A CF receiver will always compete with the PDA screen for the optimal viewing angle (the receiver needs sky view, the screen needs to be pointing in the general direction of your nose).

BlueTooth receiver dropouts are mostly due to configuration error (wrong GPS driver), or to greediness (too many POIs selected). But with a BT receiver you have absolute control over the viewing field, both for the PDA and for the sat reception.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

mottus · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2004 Posts: 26

The Dell Axim X5 isn't bluetooth enabled. I've checked the Dell website, and whilst they offer a bluetooth cf card, they specifically state it cannot be used for GPS.

icsys · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:46 pm Post subject:

lbendlin · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:48 pm Post subject:

icsys · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:

Why get an X5 and tie up the CF slot?

Surely better to get an integrated BT such as the iPAQ 2210/15 or Mio 558 and keep both slots free?
_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

Skippy · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:51 am Post subject: Re: GPS for Motorbike?

Dave · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:58 am Post subject:

Also check http://www.ram-mount-uk.com for RAM Mounts in the UK and Europe, and also customer galleries so you can see how other people mounted a similar solution on the same bike.

Skippy · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: GPS for Motorbike?

bigfatjohn · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject:

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/john-childs.php

When I did this I was using TomTom bluetooth but it gave me so many problems that I ditched it and now use a Haicom 303MMF CF receiver which has cured all my problems. To be fair I think that it was a problem with the Tomtom receiver, rather than bluetooth in general, because I use the Haicom with the BT401 bluetooth slipper in my car and that performs flawlessly. Whatever, I now have a choice and versatility, and that suits me.

I don't think that angle of screen and receiver is a problem. Firstly any receiver will get no finer view of the sky than on a bike and secondly the angle of the receiver is adjustable. Mine works with the CF receiver folded right back against the pda.

If you have Autocom then you just plug the sound from your pda into it. If you already have both sockets on the Autocom box filled you will need a Y connector, which Autocomm can supply. I've got satnav, phone, radio, six stack cd player and iPod plugged into mine and all fed through into my helmet.

Doghead · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:17 am Post subject:

mottus · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2004 Posts: 26

I decided on the following;
TomTom Navigator 3
Holux GR231 BT GPS receiver
Lexar 1Gb SD
Bluemonkey BT CF adapter.

Many thanks to everyone for all the help/advice. It all seems to work OK - although I have a question regarding TomTom 3 & the GR231. When setting up, the available list of devices within TT (for Holux) are, GM200, GM210, and GM270 CF.

I picked GM200 - an it appears to work, and finds the GR231 - 10 sate while sat in my office. Does anyone know if GM200 is the correct on to select, or should it be GM210. I guess GM270 is for a CF receiver.

Cheers,
Gary

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