BUYING GUIDE: Talkin’ Tech

With every passing year future-focused firms continue to come up with new and original kit that aims to make bikers’ lives better. It’s endless – and we could talk your ear off about all of it, from immobilisers and trackers to heated kit and heads-up displays. But to keep things a bit more focused, this month we’ve decided to concentrate on our favourite biker goodies that make navigation and communication simpler.

I don’t need a sat-nav, do I?

I’ll ask you a question. Do you have a great sense of direction? And do you only do local rides? If you ticked those boxes, then not really. But if you go further afield or ride to places you don’t know, or you want to plan a nice ride somewhere interesting, a sat-nav system is a great addition to your kit.

That makes sense, so what should I be looking for?

Broadly speaking there are two options: a dedicated sat-nav or something based on an app (such as Google Maps). A dedicated device is powered from your bike, is waterproof, and has all the maps stored on it, but you may have to pay a regular fee to keep this updated on top of the purchase price.  The advantage is that the information is stored locally, so you’re not having to rely on a good data connection.

Smartphone navigation apps are cheaper (or free), but you’re relying on a strong signal (signal drops, navigation goes, or the instruction to turn comes too late – looking at you Google Maps).  If you’re aiming to look at the screen you’ll need a strong case to protect your phone and secure it to the bars (and probably something to smooth out the vibrations, too). Alternatively, you can listen to the directions, which’ll mean running earphones into your helmet (risking getting tugged out), buying Bluetooth earplugs or a comms system for your helmet.

Comms Systems. What do I need to consider?

I’m going to answer another question with a question. Do you ride in a group or mostly on your own/pillion/one other biker? In groups you’ll want a Mesh system; for smaller numbers a Bluetooth system is ideal. 

Mesh is superior in many ways: greater range; allows large groups to talk; if one drops out as they get out of range, the others all stay connected and the other rider may well reconnect automatically once back in range.  Downside, not all Mesh systems talk to one another so if you’re doing regular group rides you need the same kit.  Bluetooth has a shorter range, only handles small numbers, and it’s harder to keep connected.  But – and this is a BIG But (inevitable joke about liking big buts deleted) – Bluetooth is universal.  Any Bluetooth unit can speak to another Bluetooth unit.