TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters
by TomTom
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Category: GPS or Navigation System
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: TomTomBrand: TomTom
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: 1K00.180
Color: black
Publisher: TomTom
Studio: TomTom
Music Label: TomTom
Product features:
- Tomtom Rider Is One Of The Smartest Navigation Solutions For Motorcycles.
- Rugged Waterproof Device
- Anti-Glare Screen
- Integrated Sun Visor, And Gloves-On Operation
- Navigation Instructions Are Spoken Via In-Helmet Cardo Scala-Rider
- TomTom 2009 U.S. and Canada Map Update for GO, XL, and ONE GPS Navigators
- InstallerNet Navigation System InstallCard
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters
Customer Review: Good GPS, OK interface, horrible tech support... broken 6 months later
Summary: 4 Stars
UPDATE: 2 STARS
(amazon won't let me change the rating)
see my update comments below
my unit arrived with a defective memory card. from my computer i was able to access the data on the card and copy it to a new one which worked fine... i feel sorry for the more computer illiterate who wouldn't have figured that out. the Backup and Restore feature of the TomTom software doesn't do what it is supposed to... unless it's supposed to crash the application, then it's pure gold.
a call to tomtom customer support had me on hold for 2 hours before i was told that they wouldn't replace the defective card. i was told reformat it and see if that worked, if not, i would have to buy a new SD card at my own expense and download the data files from their website. a nice work around, but why should i have to pony up the additional cost due to their negligence on a brand new product? turns out the reformat did the trick.
over the next two days i spent an additional 5 hours on the phone between hold and actual tech support trying to figure out why the car mount speaker wasn't working. turns out it was defective, and the level of bureaucracy in getting the unit replaced was excrutiating. i ended up sending it back to the retailer since the recommended and proper channels were painfully inefficient.
i have to say if you DO have to deal with tech support, all 3 people i spoke with were very helpful and friendly, even if they weren't immediately knowledgeable with their products ("oh, the car mount has a speaker built in? are you sure?")
yes, the power button is a pain, you have no idea whether you've actually triggered something or not. it feels like magic when the unit actually pops on because by that point you just aren't expecting the effort is doing any good.
UPDATE: I SENT THE UNIT BACK BECAUSE THE POWER BUTTON CEASED TO FUNCTION see further below.
the Rider 2 does have a trip meter and a speedometer... not sure what other reviewers are talking about.
the only thing missing for me is an altimeter. not necessary, but for geeky fun, i wanted to know just how far below sea level i was in death valley... seems like with all the other unnecessary (to me) frills, the addition of this would have been a no-brainer.
navigating the menus is kind of clumsy without a "back" button. for example, when choosing a destination i had several options come up that began "Joshua Tree National Park" and the rest of the information ran off the page so i couldn't immediately tell which one was North entrance, West Entrance, South Entrance until selecting it (i have since discovered by holding the selection for a few seconds, it would show the entire name) but if i selected North Entrance and realized once i saw it on the map that it wasn't the one i wanted, there was no option to go back and select one of the others. i had to select Done, which took me back to the main display, and then start over with my search.
was able to sync with my iPhone, though the tomtom recognized it as "localhost". the headset works fine, but the earpiece distorts when loud enough to actually hear while riding.
all in all i'm happy with it, but then it's my first GPS and i have no comparison. my brother bought the Garmin Zumo 550, so once i have a chance to compare the two, i'll return and update my review.
UPDATE: BUY THE ZUMO 55O INSTEAD!
the Garmin provides a richer visual interface and feature set.
a firmware update to the Rider 2 added a nice little convenience: the inability to turn the device off. it would go through the motions as if it were going to power off, and then would restart. and now the power button won't even turn the device on. so i've sent it back. after a week in transit it will be another 2 weeks before it, or a replacement is delivered back to me. yes, malfucntions occur, no product is perfect, but i've had too many issues with this thing. i wish i had bought the zumo. if i could have gotten a refund, i would have, and i have to much integrity to pawn this thing off on to someone else... i'd leave it on my bike to get stolen, but i just couldn't do that to a thief.
one more thing... while the customer service reps are trained to perform with congeniality and sparkly voices, the customer service system itself is a labyrinth of hurdles and bureaucracy. in addition, never end a call with them promising to call you back. it will never happen.
tomtom doesn't deserve your money.
UPDATE 2:
i sent in the unit to be repaired and they sent me back a brand new unit. great. the power button i struggled with on the original unit was defective from the start. the new one turns on and off with a noticeable click like you would expect. bothers me that tomtom denied the button was ever an issue.
one more issue i have with this GPS: there is not indication whatsoever that the unit is charging. if the unit is being charged while turned off, there should be some indication on the unit or the charger that the thing is actually getting juice. i had the motorcycle mount installed and wired 8 months ago by my service center. only recently did i use the GPS for longer than a few hours. by the end of the day, with the unit securely fastened into the motorcycle mount, it had lost it's charge. so the unit had never been charging while on the bike and i had know way of knowing that since there was no charging indicator.but there is a dying battery indicator. that's certainly well thought out. one more reason to avoid the mistake i made. buy the zumo.
Description of TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters
TomTom RIDER is one of the smartest navigation solutions for motorcycles. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just mount the unit on your bike, and you're ready to hit the open road.Amazon.com Product Description Developed for bikers by bikers, TomTom RIDER is one of the smartest navigation solutions for motorcycles. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just mount the unit on your bike, and you're ready to hit the open road. Turn-by-turn spoken directions guide you safely door-to-door to any address in the United States or Canada.
 The smartest navigation solution for motorcycles. Click to enlarge. |
 Developed for bikers by bikers. Click to enlarge. |
Rugged waterproof device, anti-glare screen, integrated sun visor, and gloves-on operation give bikers just what they need while riding. Navigation instructions are spoken via in-helmet Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset for great audio quality, external noise cancellation, and added safety and convenience. Itinerary planning helps riders to make the most of their time on the road. And with a choice of routes--including shortest, fastest, non-toll roads, and avoiding highways--you can explore the world your own way.
TomTom RIDER can even be used for safe hands-free calling with your Bluetooth-enabled phone.
TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device.
Included universal RAM mounting kit securely fits most bikes. Optional car mount kit accessory makes it easy to transfer from bike to car.
The TomTom RIDER is the ultimate in smart and easy bike navigation.
RIDER Features
- Maps of United States and Canada with TomTom Map Share
- Spoken Instructions
- Glove-friendly Touchscreen
- Waterproof
- Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset
- Universal RAM Mount
- Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
- 3.5-inch Touchscreen
- Car Mount Kit--Optional Accessory
All TomToms Feature
Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.
Preloaded Points of Interest--Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more on your route.
30-Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.
TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.
Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals.
TomTom HOME--Always up to date.
Traffic Ready--Optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays.
Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.
Why TomTom?
TomTom believes that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. TomTom develops smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.
Easy to Use
- Award-winning navigation software
- Plug & go
Best Maps
- 30-Day Latest Map Guarantee
- Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share
Best Routing
- QuickGPSfix
- Traffic ready
Leader in Safety
- Help Me! emergency resources menu
- Safety preferences menu
About TomTom
Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high-quality products and services.TomTom is a leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further its commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so that the company can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.
TomTom has its own mapping company!
Did you know that every year, roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.
What's in the Box
TomTom RIDER, Memory card (SD card) with software and maps, USB cable, High quality Cardo scala-rider wireless Bluetooth headset for in-helmet spoken instructions, RAM Mounting kit
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