Tomtom One 130

[Cajunrider]

Has anyone used a Tomtom One 130 GPS on their bike? I was given one today as a safety award. I know it isn't waterproof and wasn't originally designed for a motorcycle. I'm just wondering if it is worth putting it on a Ram mount and using on the Nomad. I planned on purchasing a Zumo 550 but this would save me about $600 if it can stand up to the vibration.

[glwilson]

That's cool...

For free... it would be worth the try to see if it handles the vibrations. My guess is that it would. Usually, the price difference is related to the unit's features rather than durability.

Not sure of the features of that model... but I only use mine for the basics anyway so I would use it.

I wouldn't worry about being waterproof... most of them are not. Just keep it out of a downpour -- otherwise when moving, very little rain gets on mine when behind the windshield.

[cajun2wheels]

I don't thing you will have any problems.I have run several GPS and never had one die do to vibration problems.I am running a Garmin 2610 on a ram mount at this time.I always carry a zip lock bag to put over the gps in case of rain.

[petenomad]

This type of unit is all solid state - so no moving parts. Vibration concern will be with connections and mounting. I'm sure most of the internal connections are probably fine. Have a look at the power connection and see what you think. (I'm guessing this will be fine too.)
Don't even think of using the suction cup to mount this on your bike. Free or not, you don't want to watch the thing going bouncing off the pavement behind you.
The extra cost for motorcycle specific units is in making the mounting system and unit waterproof and creating the mounting system.
For Garmin zumo units, both car and motorcycle mounting is included in most models. There are often additional software features for these units (where the development cost has to be spread among a much smaller market than general automotive units). Most zumo units also allow simultaneous Bluetooth connections to both a phone and BT headset while most GPS units only allow BT connection for handsfree phone use.

[timebandit]

That's what I've got , 37,000+kms, some really good downpours and still going strong.
Actually I had lost it (fell off the bike and only found the suction cup mount ) for approximately a month then I got a phone call that somebody had found it on the side of a ditch. ???
When I picked it up it was a little scratched and battery dead. Charged it for about 10 minutes on the 12v from the bike and it fire right back up. That's 1 1/2 years ago and still using it as of yesterday.

[firemanbrent]

i bought a waterproof mount and case for my garmin on ebay... it was thirty bucks! and it works like a dream! i don't worry about rain

[Cajunrider]

Appreciate the feedback guys. I'll order a RamMount and cradle for it tomorrow and hopefully have it going before the Talimena Ride at the end of the month. Thanks again.

[billmac]

Mitch, when you mentioned this, my first thought was of PeteNomad. He is an expert and has the best GPS. Then I saw he had already weighed in. Pete was very helpful of course. It must have been hard for him to talk about a TOMTOM.

Saw you got a good price on yours. Anyone with a TomTom 130 is cheap. I am cheap and a redneck too I suppose. My TomTom moves from vehicle to vehicle with me. I got tired of the thing falling on the ground so I took drastic action. (Remember the red neck and cheap.)

I JB welded the mount bracket to the TomTom. Drilled a hole in the mount bracket. Cut a 2x2 board about 8 inches long and painted it black. Screwed mount bracket to top end of the board. The board fits perfect in my glasses holder in my truck, tissue holder in wife's Toyota, and between the windshield and handlebars next to the windshield bracket of the Nomad.

Ok still with me and no tears in your eyes from laughter. Yeah, I know you want pictures. If nothing else but to laugh some more. Well maybe later, Cheryl and I are traveling in the RV and have been gone to Colorado and New Mexico for about 3 weeks trying to stay cool. We are using the money we saved on GPS's. No offense Pete.

My thoughts on the TOMTOM. Its better than nothing most of the time. It can be extremely helpful as you know any GPS can... However it has tried to turn my RV onto some gravel roads and private drives on this trip. If I am on a new road the TOMTOM gets lost. Even though I downloaded the new info before this trip.

The TOMTOM is hard to see on the motorcycle, especially in bright sunlight. Don't dare compare it to the clarity on Pete's, Trips, Wanderers, and other members GPS's. The TOMTOM needs a visor bad.

I like my TOMTOM and the board it is mounted on. I have no plans to change at this time, no matter how much trash talk I get over it. Of course if Pete wants to trade, I am ready. I will throw in the board.

When I get home to the bike, I will fire you a photo. I might even enter it in the next Kawanow photo contest. :)

[Cajunrider]

[recumbentbob]

I use a Garmin 200W it is cheap and not a waterproof unit and NOT designed for motorcycles, but they are down to $99 now. Mine has 12,000 miles on it and No problems.

A friend got 36,000 out of his 200W before the vibration got to it. and he bought another one only a 205W.

If you can get 36,000 miles out of a cheap GPS than you can go thru 6 GPS's for the price of 1 Zumo.

[cactusjack]

Sell it on eBay and get yourself a Garmin Nuvi 500 or 550. They are waterproof and "motorcycle friendly".

[ringadingh]

I use a Garmin 255 which is meant for cars and Ive never had a problem with it on the bike. The one ore two times where its been in heavy rain Ive removed it from the bike and put it away until its dry. In a light to medium rain it doesn't get wet anyways.
For the price of the Zumo 550's you could buy about four of the regular GPS units, unless you need all those features why pay $600.00 for something you won't use.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

I use a Garmin 200W it is cheap and not a waterproof unit and NOT designed for motorcycles, but they are down to $99 now. Mine has 12,000 miles on it and No problems.

A friend got 36,000 out of his 200W before the vibration got to it. and he bought another one only a 205W.

If you can get 36,000 miles out of a cheap GPS than you can go thru 6 GPS's for the price of 1 Zumo.

I'll stick with my Zumo 550 thank you.
I don't have to reload my information on a new one every 36,000 miles. ;)

[yoda]

I have been using a TomTom One non MC specific for over 3 years and well over 40k on several bikes. Never had a problem with it in the rain(If it is a deluge, I take it off the Ram mount) and no it isn't perfect. But it gets me home and usually finds the places I am looking for. I hate too many bells and whistles, for me it works fine.

[Cajunrider]

I'm going to mount it on a Ram and give it a try. After all, I can't beat the price.