[OSM-talk] Recommended GPS for logs for OSM *and* for vehicle - is there such a beast?

[Ulf Lamping]

Chris G schrieb:
> I'm after a GPS system which I can use to provide data for OSM maps
> and as a 'normal' GPS system to tell me where to go when I'm on my
> motorbike.  Is there anything which can provide both facilities or
> should I give up and buy two separate devices?
> 
> It's doubtful (to me) if on-screen maps are much use, too distracting,
> so a system which can provide voice instructions via bluetooth (or
> whatever) would seem to be best for the 'bike.
> 
> A receiver which can link up with a PDA might make sense as I need a
> new PDA anyway.
> 
> So, rather an open-ended question but I'd appreciate any/all input.
> 

I was using a TomTom Rider I for about two years now and recently 
replaced it as a warranty case with a Garmin zumo 550. So the following 
is my experience of motorcycle navigation and OSM (your mileage may vary):


1. The "navigation" part
------------------------
Having a screen is a must for any serious usage IMHO, only this way 
you'll get enough infos about more complicated motorway exits, getting 
the right street when several streets are leaving your road in a short 
range, ...

Voice instructions can help making you aware of the next exit, but can 
also be very annoying when you're driving mountain passes - "please 
return if possible" every 20s as the navi get's confused about all the 
bends :-(
In fact after some weeks of initial experiments, I no longer used the 
BT-headset - so if it's helpful really depends on your personal taste.


On a motorcycle it's really a good idea to have:
- a waterproof / very waterresistant solution
- charge of the Navi by the 12V motorcycle supply (normal navigation 
batteries will only last 3-5h max!)


a) TomTom Rider (II)
+ good handling comfort
+ good bluetooth headset included
+ 3rd party track collector (NMEA-Logger / TripMaster) - slows down 
device a bit (but acceptable)
+ very accurate track collection
- no OSM maps possible
- closed source (although underlying Linux, the routing application is 
closed source)
- expensive (~600EUR)

b) Garmin zumo
+ good handling comfort
+ track collector build in
+ routable OSM maps available (but highly experimental - IMHO currently 
not for any serious navigation use yet!)
- closed source
- motorway exclusion doesn't work very well
- track collection not really accurate (buggy?)
- very expensive (~700EUR, not even a BT-headset included!)

c) car navigation / handy / Nokia N810 / ... plus special motorcycle 
mount case
+ much cheaper than a) or b) (~200 + ~50EUR)
- less "handling comfort" (unplugging power, ...)


2. The "OSM" part
-----------------
Using OSM maps for any serious routing is IMHO currently just not ready 
(missing turn-restrictions, streets, ...)!

What you want to get for OSM is the track data. To avoid any hassle, I 
bought a "matchbox sized" Wintec WBT201 for about 100EUR (tracklog 
memory for about 5 days, battery lasts > 10h), and using the motorcycle 
navigation device only exactly for what it was build - navigation!


3. Conclusion
-------------
If you're touring a lot in european areas and are willing to spend about 
600EUR I would *really* recommend to buy a TomTom Rider II with european 
maps - in that case it's really nice to have and IMHO worth the money.

If you're touring only e.g. once in a year and are willing to get less 
"handling comfort", I'll recommend a normal car navigation ~200EUR (or 
some other already noted options like a PDA/N810) plus a waterresistant 
motorcycle mount ~50EUR? (however, I don't have a personal experience 
with this)


So you're "own personal solution" depends on the comfort you want to 
have, the usual length of your touring, how many tours in the year you 
do and obviously the money you'd like to (and can) spend ...

Regards, ULFL


P.S: My TomTom Rider (I) repeatedly wasn't charging on the motorcycle 
mount, therefore I got a free replacement into a Garmin zumo. The 
current Rider II has a different mount that reportedly is working better.