Tracking your scooter via gps like the iphone

flexx75 · Post by **flexx75** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:48 am

I was thinking, wouldn't it be nice to track your scooter location on a map similar to the iphone?
Is there anything on the market like this today? A simple Gps or cell phone radio device attached somewhere on the scooter should make this feasible.
What you all think ?

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:08 am

Spot GPS tracker. http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Do you have an iPhone? There are many apps that will do this, but they may run your battery down on long trips.

flexx75 · Post by **flexx75** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:49 am

Thanks for the info..

Quo Vadimus · Post by **Quo Vadimus** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:22 am

REI has the Spot GPS Messenger on sale right now for (after you factor in rebate) $70.

You've still got that pesky service plan to deal with though. :-/

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:42 am

Ford has been working with Microsoft to make a version of this for their Sync system that should be out later next year (for the new model year perhaps?). I've heard that BMW is also working on a version of this as well. Since many automakers want to sell you service plans a la OnStar, this to me makes sense.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:23 am

OnStar is now available for any car as an add on, too.

There are apps that will let friends track and locate you.

squash1978 · Post by **squash1978** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:54 pm

Garmin also makes something similar

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HF ... B004HFRA7A

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:12 pm

Do standard GPS units have this kind of feature? Not just telling where to go but where you've been?

squash1978 · Post by **squash1978** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:40 pm

ericalm wrote:Do standard GPS units have this kind of feature? Not just telling where to go but where you've been?

If the goal is track the route you have traveled, there are many GPS sports apps that will do that for you. Here are just a couple as an example:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imapmyri ... 61234?mt=8

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cycle-tr ... 65379?mt=8

Best of all, they only cost a few bucks.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:58 pm

ericalm wrote:Do standard GPS units have this kind of feature? Not just telling where to go but where you've been?

My old Garmin & Tom Tom both did that
but those are old models - uses my Android to do it now when riding ATVs in the woods & snowmobiling

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:54 am

I use those iPhone apps. They're battery hogs, but if you have a 12V connection should be okay. A mirror stem mount is also useful for GPS. Your phone and just about anything else can bounce out of the glove bucket on the Buddy!

jprestonian · Post by **jprestonian** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:43 pm

MyTracks for Android OS. Works with Google Maps to save routes, including speeds, elevations. FREE.
.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:54 pm

I believe the handheld hiker-type GPS units will auto-save routes for you. I know you can save waypoints manually. I don't know about automotive GPS, though.

In addition, there is a service that will track you and post your location online so you can show it to anybody you care to. This is mostly used by people making long trips, though.

And though not the point of this discussion, there is a theft-recovery service you can buy that will find your bike if stolen. You hide their unit onboard and it both runs off the main battery and has its own internal battery that runs for a long time it the main is disconnected. I can't remember the monthly fee.