TomTom Rider 2 Motorcycle GPS Review

TomTom Rider 2 Motorcycle GPS Review - TomTom has a long track history since it was first founded back in 1991 in which its earlier products were made for business applications such as software and PDA’s. It was during the early part of 2002 that TomTom began developing software, which enables PDA devices to function as GPS systems that eventually led to the creation of the TomTom Navigator. Since then, this company from Amsterdam has been making some of the most highly accurate GPS navigational systems used by a lot of people on a daily basis. One efficient feature of the TomTom Rider 2 is the exclusive use of its own maps that were designed and compiled to efficiently run on all existing TomTom systems. Since 2008 after the company integrated TeleAtlas, a digital map company as their subsidiary, TomTom GPS systems have been using these specially formatted data maps that can not be used for other GPS systems other than their own since the company itself started out with making software for navigational use before they eventually began to produce their own hardware.

TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles

With regard to the TomTom Rider 2, this GPS system uses the latest wireless GPS receiver chip, which is used in most computer hardware today, particularly the Broadcom BCM4750. The TomTom Rider 2 has a 266 megahertz processor that enables it to process data map information at a fast speed with a 64 megabyte RAM capacity. Map updates can be conveniently shared among other TomTom devices either wireless through Bluetooth or through a USB data cable on a computer. As far as this company’s GPS systems are concerned, TomTom is considered as one of the very first companies that started manufacturing GPS navigational systems that have small display screens, in which is a convenient means of saving space on a dashboard.

The TomTom Rider 2 has a 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen that can render 64,000 colors with a 320 by 240 pixel resolution. Since the TomTom Rider 2 was specifically designed to be mounted on a motorcycle’s handlebar, its touchscreen features a resistive touch response system that allows users to access its interface controls even while wearing their gloves. As for its mounting system, the TomTom Rider 2 comes with a free motorcycle RAM mounting system that enables you to easily attach its mounting cable to any convenient location on your motorcycle’s handlebar, provided that it does not obscure the view of your motorcycle’s instrument panel.

Design TomTom Rider 2:

The TomTom Rider 2 was really built small enough to on top of a motorcycle’s handlebar in which the manufacturer made certain that it will not obscure the view of the instrument panel. Having a measurement of just 4.5 inches in length by 2.5 inches in width, which gives its front panel a total of 3.8 inches of diagonal space, which fits in its 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen. Small enough to fit anywhere on a motorcycle, its main plastic protective casing has a built in sun visor that partially covers its front LCD panel, adding protection from sun glare which can also be very useful when you are caught driving in the rain to deter raindrops from its touchscreen. The TomTom Rider 2 is very light in comparison with its previous predecessors as the whole unit only weighs in at 10.9 ounces including its battery. The plastic casing itself is made from a polymer material that will not crack nor will it be affected by any corrosive compounds such as oils, acids and is highly resistant to the harsh effects of ultra violet rays. Built into its casing is a highly protective silicon rubber sealant that keeps moisture and dust from seeping into the units electronic components, making it virtually invulnerable to any weather conditions.

Features TomTom Rider 2:

The TomTom Rider 2 features a multi-functional LCD touch screen that can be used under any condition added to its special resistive touchscreen that can be controlled even when you are using gloves. Its touchscreen can efficiently produce 64,000 colors with a 320 by 240 pixel resolution despite of having a 3.5 inch display area. Its main processing chip runs at 266 megahertz which is quite fast since it also has a 64 megabyte RAM capacity which helps its processor to effectively run both its screen resolution and compile the map and tracking data that is processed by its GPS receiver chip. TomTom GPS systems can interactively share data maps among other TomTom units either through Bluetooth or through USB data cable connections over the Internet through a computer. Exclusive maps made and compiled by Tele Atlas which were designed to run only on TomTom GPS systems enable the Rider 2 to process information without much of a problem due to the way these exclusive maps were made for this specific GPS models. The TomTom rider 2 comes with free maps of the United States and Canada and can be updated anytime if necessary to ensure that you are getting the latest route information while you are navigating on the road. An added perk is their inclusion of a Cardo Scala-Rider Bluetooth headset, which you can use inside your helmet to effectively hear the voice notifications from your GPS system regarding your route on every turn that you are going to take. Particularly while riding on a motorcycle, wind shear can easily disrupt your ability to effectively comprehend voice notifications from your GPS system if you do not have a Bluetooth headset on. It is very good on part of the users to know that the TomTom Rider 2 also includes a complimentary motorcycle RAM mount in which you can easily attach your Rider 2 on your motorcycle handlebar since optional accessories such as this would require you to purchase them separately.

LCD TomTom Rider 2:

The TomTom Rider 2 has a 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen in which user’s can access the system’s control interface. Some people might consider this a bit small for their convenience considering that others have a bit of difficulty of seeing details within an arms length. Good thing that the TomTom’s LCD display has a 320 by 240 pixel resolution that is comparable to a computer monitor’s lowest display resolution. Despite of its small screen, it can efficiently produce 64,000 colors simultaneously, giving it a very vibrant and highly detailed color resolution. Its LCD touchscreen uses touch-resistive technology that works through the principle of finger pressure rather than electrical impulses produced by the fingers through static electricity. This gives the advantage of being able to use any glove under any driving condition to control the user interface on its touchscreen without any problems whatsoever.

Final Thoughts TomTom Rider 2:

The use of exclusive maps means that these maps will work only on TomTom GPS systems, which has an advantage over using multiple maps with different formats, which could possibly slow down the GPS system’s ability to effectively process different, map formats. This could result in the system firmware to get corrupted over time and slow it down. Data clutter is usually the conflict of having to deal with map formats as the system tries to run it as efficiently as it can. Having specially made maps to run under a specific processing system means better processing speeds for the GPS system. Its multi-functional LCD touchscreen also is a good way to optimize its efficiency as an outdoor GPS system since motorcycle riders usually have to keep their gloves on at all times and being able to access important aspects of the TomTom Rider 2 while wearing gloves is a good feature indeed. Its small size is very appropriate to being mounted on a motorcycle’s handlebar as it would not obscure the view of your motorcycle’s instrument panel which you need to see at all times. Its free complementary motorcycle RAM mount is a very good way on part of the manufacturers of giving users the convenience of not having to buy optional mounting accessories for their motorcycle unless you own a car, otherwise you will be obligated to purchase their car mounting system if you would want to use the TomTom Rider 2 between your car and your motorcycle. Being weatherproof should be a standard feature for all GPS navigational system regardless of whether you will be using it in your car or on your motorcycle. For a price of $700, it is a reasonable amount compared to the value that you get along with a free motorcycle RAM mount and Bluetooth headset that is included on the package.