TomTom Rider 2, Good or Bad?

[nvr2late]

Anyone have any experience of these?, and how good is the bluetooth headset?

[markbvt]

You'll have a much easier time finding info in the Layin' Down Tracks forum.

That said, the short answer is: if all you're looking for is street routing, TomTom units are good. If you're looking for any additional GPS functionality (trip computer, track recording, track following, topo maps, etc), you're going to have to look elsewhere, because TomTom GPS units don't do any of these things.

I use and am happy with a TomTom in the car, but on the bike I use a Garmin.

--mark

[nvr2late]

does anyone have any eperience of the TomTom Rider 2?,and how good is the Bluetooth Headset?

[WinsazKLR]

I have been playing around with the Rider2. So far so good. Mark is right, in that it does lack some of the true GPS capabilities. But, there are some tweaks and 3rd party software available for the Rider2 that make it a much more capable unit. The Scala headset works good (been using a Q2 for some time). Check the TomTom website for phone compatibility as the GPS does not work with many phones. Also, a new Rider2 does not come with the most current map base, but a quick call to TomTom will cure that..

Check out the following sites for more information:

Plan, convert and import from Google Maps
http://www.houghi.org/tomtom/

Add more GPS functionality
http://www.webazar.org/tomtom/tripmaster.php?lang=uk

[gelandestrasse]

I recently ordered a TomTom Rider 2 ($364.66 on Amazon) after my Garmin 2610 was stolen.

I set the unit up on my R1200GS with a Starcom1 Advance with the Starcom bluetooth module.

What I liked:

1. The unit came with Mac compatible software which worked very well. I was able to update the maps for free easily without entering lots of keycodes.
2. The unit came with excellent mounting hardware.
3. The cost of map updates is much cheaper than Garmin.
4. Though I didn't use it, the included bluetooth headset seems like quality gear.
5. I was able to connect to my iPhone an the Starcom Bluetooth module.

What I disliked:

1. No factory repair available for out of warranty units.
2. Routing not as good as Garmin 2610.
3. No audible off route indication.
4. No spoken street names.
5. Manuals are not comprehensive.
6. Auto adapter is too expensive.
7. No audio output jack.
8. Display was virtually unreadable in bright sunlight.

The display was an extreme disappointment. It looked fine in the house and in the morning riding to work. In the afternoon riding home from work it was sunny out. Even with the unit set at full brightness the display was virtually unreadable. I never had this problem with the 2610. The screen washout in bright sunlight was a show-stopper for me. I packed the unit up and returned it. I've since ordered a Garmin Nuvi with an audio jack and A2DP bluetooth. I plan on mounting it in an aquabox. If the TomTom didn't have the screen washout problem I'd still have it.

[markbvt]

For whatever it's worth: a friend of mine got a Rider 2 as a gift and has been having a lot of trouble with the mounting cradle. It refuses to maintain a solid power connection, so the GPS keeps shutting down on him.

--mark

[gelandestrasse]

Originally Posted by markbvt

For whatever it's worth: a friend of mine got a Rider 2 as a gift and has been having a lot of trouble with the mounting cradle. It refuses to maintain a solid power connection, so the GPS keeps shutting down on him.

--mark

AFAIK that's a known issue. Contact TomTom and they should replace it under warranty.