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fastfreddiek2

Joined:

Sep 09

Posts: 10

fastfreddiek2 says:

Motorbike SatNavs, why so exspensive

Why has MCN not yet got on the case of why bikers appear to be being ripped off by sat nav makers. Surely it can't cost £200 to £300 pounds extra, compared to a car sat nav, just to waterproof it, or is there more to it. I think it's time you asked the manufacturers to explain themselves!

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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 02:27)

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MarcusMarsh

Joined:

Aug 09

Posts: 2527

MarcusMarsh says:

SatNavs

Its not just waterproofing.  A motorcycle is a hostile environment of electronics - vibration for example is also an issue.  Motorcycle units are also provided with bike-specific mounting kits and most have bluetooth systems so you don't need to hardwire them to your helmet for audio.  

I agree that they are expensive and many guys have adapted car units for bike use without any problems.  Some even use their mobile phone.  You pay you money and take your choice.   

[This Reply has been modified by the Author]

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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 12:00)
Cyclonite

Joined:

Oct 10

Posts: 308

Cyclonite says:

Waterproofing

The problem with bike-specific sat navs is that they need to be waterproof.


This isn't the real problem though, in making them waterproof the company spends £££ on development and production of a small number of units. so every £ they spend on development goes onto the price of each unit, increasing the price.

because car sat navs are hugely popular this cost is spread over more units than bike-specific sat navs.

add on to this the expense of waterproofing each unit and there's your final seemingly ridiculouse high price.


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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 16:40)
philehidiot

Joined:

Feb 09

Posts: 3039

philehidiot says:

Not just

waterproofing, there's a lot of vibration, in winter you get salty water vapour that'll get in the slightest crack.


But yeh, it's a combo of fairly low sales Vs a lot of R&D. 

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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 16:56)
AdieR

Joined:

Apr 08

Posts: 2980

AdieR says:

Not just

water resistance, but fuel resistance too (if you look at cleaning instructions for most consumer goods they almost universally state not to use fuel or volatile solvents - on a bike, a sat-nav is by nature potentially exposed to fuel), plus the fact that mounting points need to be different (the standard rubber sucker on a car unit won't work on a bike because there's nowhere for it to go), plus on a bike, screens and buttons tend to be bigger to allow use whilst wearing gloves. Audio instructions need to be audible at speed, otherwise wind-blast will drown it out.

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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 17:28)
Cyclonite

Joined:

Oct 10

Posts: 308

Cyclonite says:

fuel

you might get fuel on your sat nav if you're michael .j . fox?


Yes, I'm going to hell.

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  • Posted 283 days ago (12 August 2012 21:17)
PerryGPS

Joined:

May 13

Posts: 13

PerryGPS says:

Bike Sat Navs

Hello,

I work for a company called Global GPS and we do specialize in a lot of bike related products.

We are one of the cheapest online for bike GPS systems.

If you wish to purchase from ourselves then as a SPECIAL OFFER, we can offer free delivery with any purchase on bike related products or a free carry case when you purchase a bike sat nav with the use of this promo code: GG789

If i can be of any help at all then do not hesitate to contact me at the office on 01626336007

Perry

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  • Posted 20 days ago (02 May 2013 14:12)

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