Tech-Toys

I know this doesn't directly relate to motorcycles but what is the best tech-
toy you have purchased? I am an avid motorcyle trekker so I make my purchase decisions with that in mind. What toys have you purchased or have been given and how do your toys fit or don't fit into your riding?Traveling by MC can be an exercise in planning what and what not to pack. This is what drives my decision making when buying toys

Here are my list:

1) Camera
Canon XS 10is - This is my new digital camera. I love to shot pictures when I travel. A DSLR was my first choice but when I shot with my old 35mm camera it means carrying multiple lenses, flash, film...... I decided on a DSLR feel with a fixed, long range, zoom lense. This has the a zoom range equivelent to a 28 - 560mm in a 35mm camera, 10 megapixel, very good image stabilisation, SD storage where one 8 gig card will hold over 1500 shots, and all the manual settings I will use. Yes there may me better ones out there but for 300 bucks........not bad. Best of all it feels like a 35mm and packs in a "reletively" small space, about 1/3 of what my film setup did.

2) GPS
Delorme PN-20 - Not sure if this was the wisest of purchases. I loved what the manufacturers literature described; the ability to change from road map to topo to satilite and back, easy communication with their software which I love, and the sensitivity of the receiver. What I found was painfully slow at updating views and changing between data types, and a receiver that is no better than my old Garmin E-trek. Thats what I get for jumping on this train early with the first generation. The PN-40 is a much better device. I still think that for what I do the Delorme software is still the best. Now Delorme even offers a years subscription to download unlimited amounts of data in their library for 30 bucks.

3) Phone
Blackberry Curve 8830
This does more than I can even begin to comprehend(or spell) With it I have access to the internet, call home, GPS (although limited), I think there may even be mode to wipe my backside during those attacks of bad roadkill breakfasts. This has also become my MP3 player.

4) PC
Acer Aspire one. This is the latest of my acquesitions. It's a mini laptop that only set me back 270 bucks. Very small, external dimensions are 9 and 3/4 inches by 6 and 3/4 inches. Easily packable with fairly good battery life. I've only had for a couple of days so we're still in the trial stages. I'm typing this on this Acer that is plugged into my Blackberry for net access.

Well there you have it, my tech-toys. there are others but these are at the top of my list. Next I will on decreasing the size of my cooking tools. I've got my eye on one of the newer multifuel stoves. My tent has been used and abused for years and that too is almost ready for replacement.

So, what tech tools do you use to enhance your bike travels, or at home for that matter?

The Buff

 

In regard to cooking tools; years ago I got a "stove" that consists of two round, flat cups about 6" in diameter locked together containing a cleverly designed fitting. The two cups come apart and one is inverted becoming the base. The fitting screws in, the other cup goes on top and scews onto the fitting becoming the burner. A small propane bottle simply plugs onto the fitting and you have a one-burner stove that when collapsed almost fits in your pocket.

 

Buff, I too use a Curve. In my case an 8810. I use the GPS extensively when driving the cage but have been reluctant to use it on the mc. How do you mount it safely so that it can still "see" the GPS satellites but run the risk of falling into oblivion? You are right about the intermittent coverage. I have ATT and lose GPS on occaision but it's always been back in range when I've really needed it. Oh yeah look into the BB app BerryTunes. I got it through Handango.

I also carry a handheld 40 channel CB and my ICOM dual band 2 meter/70cm ham radio handy talky (KC7YTQ) in case the end of the world comes or I need to find services while on the road.

 

What is it with HAM, old bikes and computers?

My primary gadget is my phone, HTC Wizard. That's my GPS (TomTom 7), camera and entertainment device. I made a mount for it that goes right under the windshield, so it kinda looks like a part of the instrument cluster. I carry a Lenovo laptop loaded with Fedora Linux, but that belongs to my employer. My HAM radio (KD5WUB, btw) is a Yaesu FT7100M, a 2m/70cm dual-band rig, but it's too big to carry on the bike, so it's mounted in the cage. I also had a Yaesu VX7R handie-talkie for a little while, but had to sell it :-(

 

73's

de KD8IAP

 

Interesting connection

73 de AE4XV

 

73's

de N0pwd

 

Lost in translation.

My brothers are HAMs n fact one of them is KB1MM. A very early call sign I understand. Don't know much about it. They've often tried to bring me into the fold but my interests lie elsewhere.

I've been contemplating a SPOT Finder for those emergencies out of cell range. I almost bought one off an inmate at ADVRider the other night. Many people have been rescued because of this unit.

Pretty cheap insurance.

 

I've got a Curve 8830 also. Love the phone. Can't imagine it'd be too good on the bike, but it's good enough that I currently couldn't warrant buying a dedicated GPS device. Internet's the plus.

 

All my tech toys are Home theater.
Definetly wont fit on the XJ.

 

For mounting anything on the bike, I'm a big fan of RAM mounts and Aquaboxes - they've got one to fit just about anything and everything, and usually a full setup is less than $80 -- worth every penny.

 

Altus, you rock. I've been looking for one of these forever!

 

I take an Acer Aspire One with me as well, with a bluetooth GPS bug so I can log ride telemetry. I do it more on the sportbikes though.

 

I am working on some kind of mount for my acer so I can use it for GPS navigation in real time. This may not work out but it's a good way to wile away the hours.
y isea is to create a plexiglass / lexan case to keep it out of the elements but still allow it to breath and stay cool.

 

73's from another HAM. VE3MTT I use my 2m Kenwood TH-22AT at times
when on the bike plus the cell phone.

 

If I'm out riding on a day that might rain on me, I pull up real time sat images of the clouds in the area on my Motorola Q and it fit perfect in my tank bag that has a small window that lines up perfect with the screen on my phone.