TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
by TomTom

List Price: ~~$1,199.99~~
Category: GPS or Navigation System
See more product details

Buy TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator at Amazon.com

(Click here)

Customers in the UK, Buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: TomTom
Brand: TomTom
Edition: Electronics
Model: 1K00080
Publisher: TomTom
Studio: TomTom
Music Label: TomTom
Product features:

GPS device designed just for motorbikes and scooters offers an intuitive, glove-friendly touch-screen interface
3.5-inch screen and integrated sun-visor
Included mounting kit makes the Rider compatible with virtually any scooter or motorcycle
Bluetooth technology allows you to route voice commands and phone calls to your helmet
Download real-time TomTom Plus services to the Rider via your phone's data connection

Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Customer Review: Great bike GPS, but not without some flaws
Summary: 4 Stars

Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this unit. The GPS directions are spot on. The convenience of having a GPS on a motorcycle can't be overstated. There's no such thing as reading a map while riding, and unless you can memorize the directions you printed off the Internet, they're no good to you.

In searching for a GPS, I looked at a lot of different units that are currently on the market. There are a variety of different features, and a wide range of prices, this particular one being in the high end.

Top on my list of features were water resistance, route mapping, and spoken directions. This model has each of these. In addition, it has some motorcycle-specific features (included mounting hardware, glove-on menu selections, etc.) that make it great for a biker.

Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the purchase and would buy the same product again.

That said, I have some nit-picky things worth mentioning.

One of the things that sold me on the TomTom RIDER was the fact that it had a motorcycle-specific bracket included. The bracket itself is fine. When the GPS is not in place, though, the pins from the power connection are exposed, albeit somewhat blocked by the cradle itself. This aspect is definitely not waterproof. I'm hoping I don't find out the hard way how easy it could be to short the pins out and blow a fuse. (See the user picture I uploaded.) I'm probably going modify my installation to add a toggle switch somewhere on the bike so there's not power running to the cradle when it isn't in use. I'm also going to add an in-line fuse, which also isn't included. (I'm drawing power from the headlight bucket. I wouldn't mind blowing a fuse and losing power to the GPS, but I can't afford the risk of losing my headlights if the pins ever do short out.)

The power connection for the cradle leaves the individual wires showing at the connection point. The casing isn't attached to the connector, so it slides back and exposes the wires inside. (See my photo.) I'm not sure what the purpose of a casing around the wires is if it doesn't go the entire distance. I guess I'm going to have to use some electrical tape or possibly some heat-shrink tubing on it.

Tip from a frustrated installer: install the power cord onto the cradle before putting any of the mounting hardware on the cradle. The snap-in connector is so close to the mounting plate, it's impossible to get it to snap in place with the plate installed on the cradle. I had the cradle completely installed on the bike when I ran the battery connector, and had to remove it and start again from scratch.

Also, when installing the power cable to the cradle, the installation instructions have no indication of which color wire goes to hot and which to ground. (In fact, other than appearing in the list of items included in the package, there's no mention of the power cable anywhere in either the quick install instructions or user manual.) There was a black wire and a red wire, so I just had to assume red was hot. Nothing has blown up, so I guess I got it right.

When researching my purchase, I thought the bluetooth connection between the GPS and the helmet was a great feature. The down side to it, though, is that it's a second thing that has to be charged. So, even if your GPS has a direct connection to the bike's power source, you're still limited by how long the headset holds a charge.

The GPS and headset share a single charger. You have to charge them one at a time.

There's no speaker jack on the unit itself or the cradle. You have to use the bluetooth device to hear the directions. If using an intercom system on the bike, and desiring to connect the GPS to that intercom, you'll need to use a patch cable between the bluetooth receiver and the intercom. This means the receiver needs to be installed somewhere accessible because (a) it still needs to be recharged after use, and (b) it needs to be turned on and off. Many intercom systems install beneath the seat, and aren't readily accessible. (Prior to purchase, I emailed a question to TomTom asking if there was any intercom system that would interface with the RIDER using bluetooth. I also asked them if the optional additional receiver were purchased, if both headsets could hear the instructions at once. The answer in both cases was "no.")

The car version of the cradle isn't available yet. The description says, "Speakers not included" so I'm not sure if it will be necessary to wear the earpiece while using the GPS in a car, or if it will be possible to connect speakers. Connecting to speakers will probably require use of the bluetooth receiver and a patch cable. I'm still crossing my fingers, though, that the automobile bracket for the RIDER, unlike the motorcycle version, will have an audio out jack on it.

At 100% volume, the voice prompts can be heard okay at 50-55 MPH. At higher speeds, though, it becomes difficult. It is also more difficult to hear if you are in a group of bikes. I notice that the ear-piece is rather slim; I may just need to put some more foam behind it to bring it a little closer to my ear. (I've got an HJC helmet with built in earpiece pockets. They may be too deep.)

I don't have a cell phone. Even if it did, though, the microphone that comes with the RIDER is designed only for full-face helmets. I wouldn't be able to use it with my 3/4 helmet, as there's no boom on the mike. There's no compatibility chart on the TomTom web site to indicate if the unit will work with any of the bluetooth-enable helmets that have become available recently.

The unit comes with a small protective case to keep it in when it isn't in use. (This isn't the same as the leather one advertised as an accessory.) There's no pocket or pouch to accommodate the bluetooth receiver and patch cable, though. I usually wind up sticking them inside my helmet.

I have the earpiece installed permanently inside my helmet, with the connector sticking out just slightly in the back. There's no room inside my helmet for the receiver to fit comfortably. The receiver has an alligator clip on it, but I'm not sure what they're thinking I'm going to clip it to, my leathers? I usually put it in an inside pocket and run the wire down through the neck opening. It would be nice to be able to just attach it to the side of the helmet, however, the location of the alligator clip, buttons, and power indicators don't leave a surface large enough for a piece of double-sided tape.

Even with all this nit picking, I still would have given the unit five stars.

Here's my biggest complaint: TomTom's Customer Support, or lack thereof. When I got my unit, there was a technical problem with the secure data card that contains the US & Canada maps. This disk is required to get the unit to function. The RIDER wouldn't recognize the card. When I put it in, it gave me a message that it wasn't a valid TomTom disk. I couldn't get it to read from the SD reader on my PC, either. I understand that in mass production, it is nearly impossible to find every flaw, and usually roll with the punches when I experience a problem like this. When there is a problem with a product that was missed by the quality control processes, though, as a customer, I expect the company to respond promptly to resolve that problem.

The customer support representative who answered my call to their toll free number was not able to help me with the problem. He took my contact information and informed me that a level two technician would contact me in one to two business days. This was on a Thursday. On the following Monday when I got home from work, there was a message on my answering machine giving me a mailing address and FedEx account number to return the unit for repair/replacement. While I would have much preferred to speak to someone directly during my initial phone call reporting the problem, TomTom did eventually respond and make the problem right.

Write your own review about TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

More TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator reviews:
1 2 3 4 5

Description of TomTom Rider 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Plug and drive: no installation or activation necessary; just feel the freedom! Designed for 2 wheels: TomTom RIDER isn?t just rugged and weatherproof, it also gives you a perfect view of the screen thanks to anti-glare screen technology and an integrated sun-visor. Easy to use: drive mode tailored for simple touch-screen operation, even with gloves.

Designed for two wheels, the TomTom Rider 32MB GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters is rugged and water resistant, and provides you with clear spoken instructions right inside your helmet. Easy to use, this unit lets you just plug it in, switch it on, and ride away, requiring no installation or activation for you to enjoy door-to-door routing to any address in North America, all with a simple touch-screen operation that is tailored for use even with your gloves on.

The TomTom Rider displays crystal clear 3D and 2D graphics on its 3.5-inch, TFT color LCD touch screen with 320 x 240 lines of resolution, and includes anti-glare technology for optimal viewing even in direct sunlight. This navigator provides clear and accurate, turn-by-turn voice instructions inside your helmet via an included Bluetooth headset, which increase or decrease in volume depending upon the speed of your bike. With an extensive guided tour for quickly learning its various functions, and a useful on-screen tip feature, the Rider not only guarantees ease of use, but lets you choose your routing by quickest, shortest or avoidance of obstacles such as toll roads, as well as test your route once calculated before you actually start driving.

The unit has a compact, portable design that fits both bikes and scooters via the included four-piece mounting kit. However, with an optional car-mounting kit this unit can also be used in your four-wheel vehicle, recognizing if you are on your bike or in your car and automatically switching from glove-friendly to in-car mode for driving. The multi-lingual Rider speaks more than 30 different languages in over 50 different voices, and lets you choose from 18 languages for its user interface. This navigator provides you with thousands of POIs (points of interest), which it lets you call directly through the interface, and even allows hands-free calling via any Bluetooth compatible phone. This unit features itinerary planning with multiple waypoints and destinations, the ability to save favorite addresses for quick route planning, a compass mode for added orientation while driving, and TomTom Plus service compatibility for such things as free scenic routes, weather services, additional voices, city maps and more.

Constructed to be extremely water resistant, the TomTom Rider provides rugged protection against any wet-weather conditions. This unit has an integrated, high-sensitivity 20-channel GPS receiver, and includes a 380 MHz CPU with 32 MB of RAM. The Rider runs for up to five hours on its internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the included Bluetooth headset provides up to 10 hours of talk time, and up to 250 hours of standby time. This navigator includes a high-speed USB 2.0 connection for data transfers, an SD card with pre-loaded with software and maps, and a power input for recharging the battery from, and running off of your motorbike's 12-volt battery. Easy to take anywhere, the TomTom Rider 32MB GPS Navigator weighs just under 11 ounces, and measures 4.5 x 2.3 x 3.6 inches (W x D x H).

What's in the Box
TomTom Rider and holder, Bluetooth headset, mounting kit, screen cloth, carrying case, home charger with multiple plugs, battery cable, USB cable, quick start guide, CD with manual and back-up tool, accessory leaflet, TomTom Plus leaflet, TomTom Plus voucher for access to free scenic routes, pre-installed memory card with region map, product code card, and an installation and security strap for attaching the device securely to your bike.

Digital Cameras & Photo Categories