GPS and road positioning

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

Do GPS units on motorcycles help you with your road positioning by showing the road ahead or do you think it's dangerous to rely upon the satnav for anything other than turn left / turn right etc directions (oh yes.. and the location of speed cameras etc, of course Wink

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253 · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:34 am Post subject:

I don't think they help with your positioning on the road.
I use mine to provide general information of my route and cameras / POIs.

You can't beat the Mark 1 eyeball and use of the senses to put you in the right place on the road. Priceless for picking up the oil dumped by the smokers.

Bob
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Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100.

sussamb · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:24 am Post subject:

Nothing beats the Mark 1 eyeball but like all sorts of other 'indicators' GPS can be a useful guide. I drive response cars on blue lights and glance at the GPS for an advance idea of the road ahead just like I check my mirrors and gauges.

BigPerk · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:31 am Post subject:

I agree that you shouldn't RELY on the GPS for this (or for anything, for that matter). But if you can't see the road ahead, it CAN provide useful advisory information, because the general road layout is often fairly accurately shown. In the same way that old-fashioned telegraph poles could warn of a possible hidden sharp bend (but could NOT be used to prove the road ahead was straight!).
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

M8TJT · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:59 am Post subject:

Border_Collie · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

iGO PRIMO has the right idea with their 3D mapping. If for example the road disappears around a hill/mountain, the continuation of the road is 'ghosted' and you can see ahead whether is straightens out afterwards or does a zig-zag, goes up, goes down etc. Problem is it's not for sale in the UK. My mates one looks pretty good if for example you set a route A -B in Switzerland.
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Formerly known as Lost_Property
And NO that's NOT me in the Avatar.

Skippy · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:20 am Post subject: Re: GPS and road positioning

sussamb · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:02 am Post subject:

No more than taking your eye off the road (briefly) to look in mirrors or at speedo, or is that why bikes seem to ignore speed limits Smile

Nothing wrong in using the GPS as an 'aid', along with all the other 'aids' you get by observing potholes, debris etc.

exportman · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi

As an aid there is nothing wrong with using the satnav it can give you advance information about cross roads bends etc. just dont depend on it. Remember it is only an aid nothing can replace good observation and planning. .

sussamb · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:06 pm Post subject:

Quite right Very Happy

M8TJT · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:04 pm Post subject:

I think willis was on a wind up. He hasn't been back

nut · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 2

Especially on dual carriageways where there are roundabouts every so many miles. You don't want to meet one of them in a hurry! Or over the top you go! Won't happen in good weather but heavy rain and fog makes the tomtom map in front of you invaluable.

sussamb · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:20 am Post subject:

Shouldn't be a problem whatever the conditions if you stick to the golden rule that ALL road users should follow, you must be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. Simples Rolling Eyes

Darren · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:51 am Post subject:

No, no, no and no.

You should never be relying on a GPS for your road awareness and positioning. If you can't see how the road pans out ahead of you using the usual visual indicators then you need to proceed with caution and at an appropriate speed.
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Darren Griffin

MaFt · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:30 am Post subject:

I remember overhearing a taxi driver (or maybe i heard a story of someone overhearing a taxi driver?) - well, anyway, taxi driver talking to friend about the bad fog at the time. he said it doesn't matter about the fog cos he can use his satnav so you don't even need to be able to see the road! Shocked

MaFt

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