GPS

Motorcycle GPS

When I go out for a ride, I'm often on unfamiliar roads... especially if I'm following a group of riders. I don't like not knowing where I am, or which direction I'm going. So a portable GPS (Global Positioning System) seemed like a good fit for me.

I use a Garmin eMap when I ride. This lets me know where I am, which way I'm headed and my current speed and time. It's not billed as a GPS as much as it's an electronic map. It's got a road centric view of the world. I can download detailed maps (there is a built in "base map" for the USA) into it from the CDRom software that came with the device. This lets the eMap carry very detailed information about roads, points of interest, lodging, food, etc. Memory cards are interchangeable, so I can keep different data on each card, and change the data on any card depending on where a trip might take me.

One nice feature is a "next street" display, that shows the name of the cross street at the upcoming intersection.

It's mounted with a RAM mount that fastens to a ball on the handlebar. The RAM is shock mounted and lets me position the eMap for easy readability. It takes only a few seconds (no tools) to move the mount to my automobile, where a suction cup ball mount sticks to my car windshield.

I use rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) AA batteries to power the unit.

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