TomTom Rider 550 - Five reasons to choose a dedicated Sat Nav
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ส.ค. 2024
- Thanks to TomTom for providing the Rider 550 for review
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I have the Tom Tom Rider 550 on my Tiger. The review is entirely accurate. Great bit of kit.
Cheers, yep really good, can't go back to a phone now....
Superb mate. Thank you for your efforts. I wrote a reply earlier, and my interweb crashed (In Cairo) as I was posting it and this was after I had already subscribed to your channel this morning after seeing your Beeline vid. I have been TORTURED about navigation, having bought a second hand 2020 Africa Twin 3 months ago - which I have not even seen yet as I am still overseas, and just about to retire. As the master of "Bad Timing" this was just AFTER chucking my old Iphone away !!!. I was thinking I had better go back to iPhone again for the Apple Car Play, but this vid has FINALLY confirmed for me that the ONLY way is to have separate SatNav, - for every single reason you mentioned in this video. Brilliant. I don't need music when I ride, or a distracting App just before I need to turn left in spaghetti junction. I am more than happy to have the noises around me - even if that is wind noise. Thank you mate for your efforts. Spot on Brother. I'm in 😊👍
Thanks Paul, the TomTom has been great and is my most used piece of navigation. I only use my phone in a pinch if I'm on a different bike to review and can't fit the full on GPS
I was going to get the garmin zumo xt, my garmin edge 25 for the bicycle froze.So Tony's convinced me TomTom is better value. Tony's Tiny Tours sounds like a great idea. 4 days off is all i can manage at the moment.
Thanks Michael, I’m working on it!
Thanks it’s been really helpful for me to choose a sat nav for my bike 👍happy safe touring 🏍
No problem
Where is the best place to buy one from ? Amazon or a bike site online
Kind regards from polish bikers community :)) and obviously have fun in Poland!
Thanks and I'm sure I will. I'm planning the trip for May 2020
Bought one of the rider 550 on August 2018 to tour europe, I have had 3 since then absolute nightmare and tomtom have replaced it but with a refurbished unit so technically I have ended up with a secondhand unit for the 400 pounds I paid.
That sucks, I have to say ‘touch wood’ I’ve not had a single issue with mine and its been used in all weathers
I have one. Good for basic navigation but the connection to an IPhone and the MyDrive app is appalling- never stays connected. And mine often loses the connection to my Sena headset and when it does work, the voice commands are often distorted. Then last week after a map update, the unit started constantly rebooting itself meaning I had to do a complete reload of the software. Heaven knows what would have happened had I been away on a tour which is what I mainly bought it for.
Great review. Have been looking at this very satnav for my cb500x. Look forward to the tiny tours sounds like a great idea. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Peter
So did you buy the 550 for the CB500X?
I have a Rider 550 after many years using Garmins. I still prefer Garmin's route planning software but the unit itself is quicker, more accurate and simpler to use.
Yes, i tried a Garmin for a while and the route planning is great, I just preferred the TomTom on the road. I think a lot has to do with what you're used to?
finally a review that actually talk about the navigation functions of a navigation device. I mean, obviously it needs to be element proof and be removable. we take that as read. Battery life ain't important´if you have power. Everything else is just style.
Thanks
I will be buying one tomorrow thanks to your review
👍 there’s a link in the video description where you can save 25%!
Nice review my man, mines on its way, I really hope your going to film your trip to Poland, that sounds so interesting, all the best from bristol 👌
Thanks, and yes that is the plan.
The tomtom 400 they had voices from Brian Blessed to Billy Colliny knight rider. They were fun. No longer available but currently able to still use on my tomtom 400. My tomtom finally has started to give up. On off button fell apart. Not much memory on the device , not recognise the memory card slot. Not able to update. So other than.those few issues I like the Tomtom system.
Thanks for this great and informative review
Glad it was helpful!
I love Tom Toms, bought so many. The trouble is they break. Unreliable. The last one I bought was a 510 I think. Brilliant, lifetime maps ect. The rub is they don't last 6 months. For all those who say they've had them for years, no crashes, no shut downs and still works - I'm yawning in advance. Buy a Garmin. Don't worry if you prefer Tom Tom. Just buy a Garmin. Tom Toms make you angry
Prepare to yawn Craig, as this Rider 550 is still going strong, never given any problems and has been used in all weathers on all sorts of bikes. Now I’m not disputing your comment, but I can only report on my experience with the unit. Maybe I’ve been lucky but honestly, no real problems. For balance though I will hopefully be testing the Garmin Xumo XT soon, and I’m keen to see how it differs. The one thing I don’t like about the Tom Tom is the massive base that it mounts too.
After 12 years of Garmin garbage, I love my tomtom, 5 years almost perfect
👍Your constant hand gestures are a bit alarming, while you’re actually riding, but you apparently survived OK. 😉
Thanks for the review.
No problem, yes I can't help myself!
I have the 550, very nice piece of kit and I'm glad I purchased it, I use it all the time for long and short journeys. Have you tried connecting a phone and a headset at the same time and have you tried using it in group rides where your headset is connected to others? e.g. Phone to Sat Nav so all the comms comes from the sat nav to the headset OR phone to headset and Sat Nav to headset separately (I think Tom Tom recommend the former)
After having tried all these modes I have switched off all comms from the Tom Tom and rely on the visual screen only when in a group. Between the phone messages and Sat Nav directions you are constantly interrupted, especially in town, making it a complete pain to converse with others. Not so bad if you are on your own and just connecting the Tom Tom to the headset without the phone being involved. Not a failing in the Tom Tom specifically just an observation. As for text messages coming up on the screen and being read out, words fail me, what a terrible idea.
What headset do you use Terry?
I really wished they would make a slimmer or just smaller version. Having something this big on a naked bike looks just way off balance. Other than that I think a dedicated nav system is a good idea
Hi Bo, yes although it depends where its mounted. I've seen a few top yoke nuts on R9t's that have been drilled and tapped so the mount goes straight on. Looks very neat
Excellent quality filming. Thank you.
Thank you
Fantastic and to the point! Could I ask what bracket you're using to attach the TomTom mount to please?
Thanks is a Free Spirits mount
Great review mate, nice being on the bike rather then sat inside being boring was actually a decent informative review nice one!. Also what mic do you use? Audio was amazing making it very pleasant to watch.
Cheers mike
Thanks 👍 Yes some i voice over after, but I don't think its quite the same. I'm pretty sure I used the Sena 10c pro to record the audio
I had nothing but grief with my TomTom Rider 550 - couldn't wait to get it off the bike. Major connection problems with iPhone and Cardo units.
Thats a shame, I've never had an issue with SENA
Thanks for the heads up because I have both iPhone and Cardo.
I can see your speed limit but I can't see the tomtom at all... did you have it on?
I have a Rider 550, and I am somewhat disgusted with TomTom. Their MyDrive app (which you must have running on your phone in the background via Bluetooth to have real time traffic, messaging , etc. on your TomTom device) has a 2.5 rating on the Google Play Store, and with good reason. Even with battery / background restrictions turned on it continues to suck your battery unless you force a stop, whether or not Bluetooth is activated on your phone. It also cannot upload .ITN files to your TomTom. If you record a track on your TomTom, you cannot use wifi or Bluetooth to download it to your phone or computer - you must use an SD card and cable. Additionally, there is no way to load ITN files on to your TomTom without using a sd card or cable. And finally, they have not updated their app (despite the numerous complaints in the reviews) for nearly a year! It seems like TomTom simply abandoned it's customers with a broken app and incomplete firmware and doesn't even bother to keep up with new versions of Android.
No I didn't have the mydrive app installed, the Rider 550 connects to my phone via bluetooth and picks up a GPS signal from there.
Hey Tony, let me know when you're visiting Poland. I'd love to meet you, chat and maybe grab a beer. Ride safe!
Will do Dominik!
Great review thank you. Tells me everything I need to know
Glad it was helpful!
Have they cured really the problem with rain droplets "pressing" the on screen buttons and sending the unit into madness? And is the screen still like a mirror so that all you can see is yourself? Those are just two of the problems that made me sell the 410 I had a few years ago and go back to a Garmin.
Yes and no to those questions in order 👍
Always preferred TomTom over others. Looks like the best mount I’ve seen! U didn’t fancy they new navigation dongle that utilises the dash?
No not really, from what I can tell it’s going to be circa £250-£300 (hopefully less) and only offers turn by turn icons not a map. I like to see a map on the screen so I have the opportunity to turn off the route and explore.
Great review, thank you. However, of even more interest is your sat nav mount for the Tiger with a tft screen. Can you share details and any info such as where to buy.
Yes, its from Freespirits and there will be an install and review video coming up soon
@@mancavemoto
Nice review regarding the tom tom. Any video regarding about the bracket?
Bless your father for his service! Just purchased this for a KTM EXC-F dual sport ...my dedicated off road bike, as my GSA is a handful at five-seven in the sugar sand of Florida. Do you think the mount that came with it, the swivel head mounted to the ram ball/joint is sturdy enough to handle a little more aggressive riding style, mid-size jumps and the constant jarring of off-roading? Thanks for the channel and your time making it happen! Cheers!
Thanks, yes I think it should be ok, mines proved to be pretty tough. 👍
@@mancavemoto Thanks for responding, best to you and yours! Keep the vids coming!
I got one but have only short 1 or 2 days trips with it but my dad and I are doing a week long trip from Arizona to southern Colorado and northern New Mexico so that should be a good test.
I love mine, use it all the time
Great review, thank you.
No problem
Great review! Thanks Man Cave. Just wondering what the screen is like in bright sunny weather as I had a TomTom car sat nav that I used on my bike a few years back that had a highly reflective screen and was a right pain in sunny weather
Thanks! It’s good in sunny weather, unless its really bright sun shining directly on it. The screen has a Matt finish, so you have very little reflection.
Exactly the Q i was going to ask.
Think I'll invest in a shade though as the sun here down under can be pretty bright.
Great review..thanks.
Thanks for video! I cant find change of volume audio...only on or off..Is it?
I'm pretty sure you can change the volume level in the settings?
Very nice review of the Tomtom 550.
If you don't mind, how are you able to record on your bike without a lot of background noise?
Thanks Gil, its recorded from a mic inside the helmet. From memory this was recorded with a Gopro on my chest and the audio was recorded with a Sena 10cPro camera/comms unit
Is there anyway that you could maybe do another review with the tom tom tilted down slightly as all i see is reflection on this video sorry :-(
Seeing what’s on the screen during the riding in the video isn’t particularly important. I sum up the 5 points and show close ups or cutaways of the screen where needed.
Hi Man Cava good video, do you use it in a CAR as well or no?Do you think its a good devise for a car?
Yes I’ve used it in a car quite a lot. The sat nav in mine is quite old and this was useful when travelling down to the south of France.
What GPS mount are you using? I haven't been able to find one for my 18 Tiger that puts it above the dash.
Its from Freespirits parts and there is an install/review video coming up very soon
@@mancavemoto Look forward to this, I had the same question! looks a lot neater than my current 7 year old tomtom setup.
Just uploaded th-cam.com/video/uuUjFyyNO8c/w-d-xo.html
Spot on mate!!!
Cheers
Very nice!!! Tell me please, did the. mount to fix it in your tiger 🐯 came with the 550 tt sat??? If not, where did you bought your??? Many thanks 🙏
Thanks, no the mount is from Freespirits, there’s an install video on my channel too
Is it better than the Montana 7001 and has it got weather updates on the tom tom 550 rider
I thought the Montana 7001 was a hiking GPS? not sure how that would work on a bike?
Hi thanks for a nice review we have a TomTom 550 rider but unfortunately it has lost synchronization with MyDrive on iOS and on the web Please try to record a trip and see if it is uploaded to My Drive the only way is to mount another memory card and export The .gpx file for later upload it on MyDrive a friend has an older model and it is the same 🤢
Interesting, I’ll have a look. I can create routes on MyDrive and send top the device. Haven’t tried it the other way around
Views from the Man Cave yes so can we it was month ago we recorded a tour on the GPS but that recording was up on My Drive almost directly
Hi,Sir so the TomTom unit is waterproof?
Its listed as water resistant, ive used it in heavy rain with no problems, but i'm guessing it shouldnt be completely submerged in water. All the ports and connectors are covered with Rubber Bungs
I know I’m very late to ask this comment, but how good is the avoid highway/motorway routing? I have a 125cc dual sport and live in California where it’s illegal to ride my bike on Freeways and limited access Highways, wondering how much fore-planning I’ll have to do, or can I just plug in a destination and go?
You can set it to avoid certain types of road. Do you can set your destination, tell it to avoid freeways and it will plot a route
I got a 550 and it will not take me straight to the destination. I ended up going 60 miles out of my way and it literally got me lost and ruined my trip. And tom-tom don't have customer service that I can find. It is hands down the worst hunk of crapp gps I have ever used. People reading this " GET THE GARMIN!" This thing won't let you just go to a place it always makes the route round trip even if you don't won't it to. Tracks are useless. I really don't understand how they can sell such a useless device. Man Cave, if you know how to make this thing go strait to a destination please for the love God let me know. I have it set for car driving for fastest, straightest route. Thanks
I'll have to have a look at the settings to remind myself, but there id definitely a 'round trip' toggle that may have been switched on? Be wary of the Garmin also as the route planning functionality is complicated!
@@mancavemoto Thanks for the reply, I think I figured it out. At least I didn't get sent to the moon.
Just one thing I have a scala head set will it blue tooth connect to that for calls and has it got speed camera warnings
MrEnglishman6969 it should do yes, it works well with my Sena
Hi i know you posted this in 2019, did you manage to go to Poland and visit your fathers past ? regards Gary
Sadly Covid made travel impossible or very difficult in 2020 and 2021. However I am hoping to make the trip in a few weeks time!
@@mancavemoto Oh excellent, I hope all goes to plan, if I'd passed my test i would've asked you if I could have accompanied you on your journey, got mod 2 on 13 September, fingers crossed it goes to plan,
I'm a bit optimistic 😂 I've already bought a bike, 2010 BMW R1200 gs 🤣😂🤣😂
Hello.
This may be a silly question, but does this have bluetooth so you can listen to direction on headphones?
Yes it’s does
@@mancavemoto Thank you buddy. You have an impressive channel!
Thanks
How do you find that quadlock phone mount? Do you have a dedicated case or one of the stick on jobbies?
It’s great, yes I have a dedicated case for my iphone, butbive just picked up a universal mount, just in case
Does it recognise different road surfaces? Don’t want to be routed down a gravel road on my sports bike!
Yes you can select road types to avoid in the route planning.
Perhaps you could give us an update in five years' time,it's a lot of money if it only lasts for a few years,&there are many complaints about their customer service?!Thank you.
Will do. Mines still going strong, in fact I used it today for a glorious 180 mile twisty route. It connects to my phone and Sena headsets with no dramas, has been updating with no problems. I'm really pleased with it. Thankfully I've not had to contact the customer service team yet to see how they respond. Fingers crossed I never have to
In five years I’m guessing it will be outdated and no longer supported with updates. I’m not sure why he would review something that is an antique by technology standards.
Lifetime for TomTom is 3 years.
?
@@mancavemoto lifetime updates for maps. After this 550 model will be discontinued there won't be any more free maps
@@golf1diesel bullshit i still have a tomtom rider 400 that was discontinued years ago and it still gets map updates.
Hi. I have a 2019 tiger and have bought a tomtom rider satnav. Just wondering where you got the mount from and where it bolts too. Cheers
It’s a free spirits mount, and it fits on the central slider part of the screen base. I think I might still have mine somewhere. I took it off when I sold the bike
What yr was your tiger as they changed the screens i think from 18 onwards , if i recall
Hey, I see you ride a Tiger, what is the satnav mount you are using that you have mentioned around 4:28m? I am trying to find a good one at the moment...
Thats the Freespirits mount, heres the video th-cam.com/video/uuUjFyyNO8c/w-d-xo.html
@@mancavemoto thanks
What’s the mount you are using on the Tiger? It feels very steady
It was from Free Spirits in Italy
Thx for the review. Confuses me even more.. 😅 Wondering why 99% of user reviews are devastating, though.
Wanted to buy the 550 but after a week of research it seems like 100% rubbish with maximum of frustration, limitations and bad handling :/
Charching apparently not working bis usb cable (hotel room/power bank) is just stupid if this is true
And yet I’ve had no real issues with it. Charges fine on the bike, updates over wifi, I can create routes in MyDrive and send them to the device. Sometimes it’s temperamental when connecting a Bluetooth head set, but other than that it’s been fine.!maybe the other problems have been what my old IT department called PICNIC errors? (Problem in chair not in computer)
@@mancavemoto thx! I will give it a shot as I normally can fully rely on your review! :)
@@mancavemoto Where I use to work in IT (Lexis Nexis) we called those ID-10-T errors.
😂
Hi New to the channel. Have you got any tips on how to connect the phone (iphone) and with headset, as there seems to be an issue? Have you come across this during your use?
Hi and thanks for joining me here! I know there has been some issues around this. I've paired both my Phone and sena headset with the TomTom so that they appear in the 'paired devices' in the bluetooth menu. When I power up all the devices they connect automatically and so far its worked OK. I was using this combo for about 5-6 hours today and was getting voice instructions to my comms unit with no issues
@@mancavemoto Thanks, may i ask what phone you were using and did the Sena headset have dual Bluetooth channels?
All the reviews I’ve seen are based out of European countries.
Do you know if it is available and will it work in Canada and the USA?
Thanks
It will work in North America (i've used it) but I don't know if they have any retailers? These guys ship internationally from the UK tiny.cc/SBShop
Great Routes for test ridding with Rider 550. It is on sale directly from TOMTOM for under two hundred forty.
I wondering if this is a good unit for Car, Truck and fishing boat in River? Anyone have any inputs? Thanks for Green Grass Land in Summer Clear Weather in the country sides.
I use it my car as well as it’s better than the crappy Landrover built in sat nav
Do you have a link? Its £320 on the link I've had via email
Dave H yes in my email and will expire tonight in Boston, MA USA Time zome
Dave H T when I clicked from my email tomtom.com sent to me and the link showing tomtom.com with snow man and 40% off or 50% on the first page. Rider 550 is 239.99 dollars. Expired tonight.
@@daveh4991 Use this discount Voucher Code: XMASallEMAall1912
Life time updates aren’t life time…Ive had tom tom before with LT updates and it wont update now…says i need a new tom tom..lol
What’s the battery life like without a USB cable?
I’ve got a Tomtom in my car and I get 10 minutes if it’s not plugged in
This one lasts for hours
Always let the battery full deplete b4 recharging again. That's the secret to long battery life for all rechargeable devices. Battery life technology is not perfected yet although it has gotten better over the years. Best way for long life is as mentioned above never start to recharge until the battery is fully depleted
Got a chance to buy a second hand one £100, would it be worth it.
If it’s in good nick I would say yes
@@mancavemoto It’s a Tom Tom rider V2, is that the same as the one you featured.
No it’s different I think
@@mancavemoto Thanks👍
My Tom Tom rider 550 doesn’t work with my phone!!!! Any time I receive a calls I have to stop to take the phone.
Might be worth unpairing it and starting over?
does it run off the battery without plugging it in ?
Yes, and it’s got a really good battery life too. I’ve run it all day before on a full charge
Apparently this model is discontinued and no longer supported by TomTom? Have you had any issues with it 1 year on?
As far as I can see it’s still a current model? I’m still getting updates and it’s been working perfectly.
@@mancavemoto ah ok. I was just reading reviews on Amazon and there seem to be many complaints.
Veganizm And how did you conclude the model was discontinued and no longer supported based on critical reviews??
@@Accurize2 Several people have mentioned that the unit became faulty and TomTom told them it was discontinued and no longer being supported (or something to that effect).
@@veganize Tom Tom customer service seems to be very poor according to many people who have had problems with it,&that deters me.
I prefer a phone because Waze
Waze is a great app to be fair.
Phones work until you hit a cell phone black hole when you are off in the boonies. Also, using your phone and mounting it to your bike causes an issue if you crash. You’re 100% likely to be separated from your lifeline. Hope you aren’t immobilized and in a desolate area if that happens...also there is a good chance the phone will fly off and go God knows where. Then you’re injured AND playing Easter egg hunt with hopefully not a damaged phone.
@@Accurize2 for your first point, offline maps. For your second point, use an old phone on the bars, doesn't even need a sim card in that if you download offline maps over wi-fi.
I think the argument is now even stronger with Calimoto.
That's what TomTom wants you to do, by having a product lifetime of 3 years, the quicker they get return customers to purchase again. Enjoy !
My last Tom Tom is still going and I must have had it 9 years? But to be fair to TomTom, it is there business to be selling sat navs and associated accessories.
How many indian price this gps???
No idea, ask google
Lifetime map updates?
Yep
This lifetime map update thing in SatNavs is totally bullshit, in my opinion. I've had quite a few (not TomTom to be honest) but the thing is they get out firmware upgrades and no support really quick, so I don't see the point why do they even claim lifetime map upgrade in the first place, when after a while, they simply run out of efficiency by placing other, more modern products on the market.
You forgot to say that your motorbike has Tomtom preparation
What do you mean?
@@mancavemoto looks like you have a tomtom mount on your bike. Am I wrong?
It’s a mount for a TomTom, but it’s not made by TomTom if that’s what you mean? There is a seperate install and review video for the Freespirits gps mount.
Intress
Tom Tom Rider ain't dedicated it just fairly water resistant. A very budget sat nav sold for a fortune absolutely no go for adventure bikes the won't go on unpaved roads. Battery life rubbish. Big clumsy and importing a gpx very hard. Software problems . Just get a cheap waterproof android phone.
I’m not sure you understood what dedicated means? It’s a device designed to do just one thing, unlike a phone. The 550 is IPX7 rated for waterproofing, which means it can withstand being submerged in 1 metre of water for at least half an hour. It’s also a very feature rich product and robust too. Sure you can buy a cheap phone and run a nav app, but you also have to get a case and mount for it too. It is a more road based system and has less off road track details than say something like a Garmin. Battery life is good, it’s compact and importing gpx files is simple.
@mancavemoto cool then why no show a video hoe to import gpx and show battery life after 6 months old and why do the mist up. Sorry I'm just being honest I feel as though I wasted my money a water proof rugged phone is £100 and osmand maps £15 orld maps I can use road off road walking green laning. Also when following a gpx the tom tom will conflict if the setting a not corrected.