Re: GPS

[Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,
Tom summarized all.
I'd like to mention that, in my opinion, you should install the GPS as high 
as it is possible, may be a bit even higher..... since you have the same RS 
as I do I know the possibilities. I bought Touratech's lockable unit for the 
RS and installed it as per instruction. I rode 20 km and almost had two 
accident. After that I used the top-half of the support only and installed 
the unit almost eye level on the left hand side of the bar. Photo is 
available if wanted.

I found that waypoints are very useful for places you go sometimes but do 
not keep direction in mind. Also, I travel by waypoints if I have no 
particular address to go to. Here comes the touch screen most usefull. I got 
into an 8 lane traffic jamb going North in Chicago. Finaly I managed to get 
out of that and I found myself at a corner, not knowing where I was. I knew 
that I have to be on the West bound side of I-80 so I just touched I-80 on 
the screen, made it to a waypoint and pressed the button "gothere" It took 
me there.

In case you take the wrong turn (voice instruction sometimes not too 
acurate) it will say: "out route, recalculating" and will give you a new 
direction. As Tom said, use "fastest Route" always. Once, when I used the 
shortest way, it took me through farm lands, gravel roads which were used 
for harvesting and there were markings: travel at your own risk.

If it's for nothing else, you can always see where you are, which town is 
coming up, if there is a river somewhere beside you etc.
The "off route" option is also very useful. You put in an address and choose 
the third option of way travel. This will stretch a "rubber line" between 
you and the address at all times. You just have to shorten this line to get 
to its end. This is similar like flying by a radio line, like an "OMNI" 
instrument.

By changing "page" of the GPS you can see a list with milage to go, 
estimated time of arrival, just thee same way you would outline a trip on a 
paper. Change page ones ore and you will see how many settlelite are keeping 
your track, you present and the max. speed you reached, travelled milage and 
time etc.

I love the thing, and in spite having all buttons on its right hand side I 
can easily handle it with my left hand, winter gloves on. For placing 
waypoint on the map on route, I have a retractable thinn-string key-holder 
with a pointer at its end, this is hanging on my left shoulder, which I can 
grab with my right hand  with gloves on and put an acurate point onto the 
touch-screen.
In case you are travelling with friends, to bike-to-bike communication the 
GPS is the next best thing happened to biking (touring).
Bob Silas