I HAVE THAT TRAIL TECH COMPUTER,ITS NOT BAD BUT..AT ONE TIME WHILE IT WAS IDLING THE MAGNET WAS IN THE PERFECT SPOT TO MAKE IT GO 199.9 MPH AND THE MILEAGE WAS TICKING PRETTY QUICK!!! OTHER THAN THAT IT BEEN OK-HAD MY RAPTOR TO 95MPH ON PAVED STRAIGHT CLOSED ROAD(SAYS THAT SPEEDO) SO I DONT KNOW EXACTLY HOW ACCURATE IT REALLY IS??!!

 

I installed one on all three of our quads and I really like them. It does more than speed calculations. I use it to track engine hours, lap speeds, maintainence reminders, max speed, average speed, miles traveled, and a clock. I agree that a GPS will be more acurate, but have had difficulty getting reception on some of the more thickly wooded areas I ride. I carry an older unit (Garmin) to help if I get lost, so that may be why I have reception problems. As far as the features go, I think the TrailTech is pretty good. I have a write up on it at my web site. Click here for the info if you are interested.

 

The GPS is nice and all but it has some problems:

eats batteries - expect to replace them every 10 hours.
gets lost in the trees
does not like to be covered with mud/same and other stuuf and then be washed with the hose.
will not track the total miles and hours on the bike

 

Where we are, in the tall trees and woods, we lose satellite with our GPS units. They do come in handy for mapping and not getting lost, though. Got the Trail Tec on before the Poker Run...I love it!

 

My vote is for the GPS. I got the basic e-trex for about 100. I think garmin is coming out with one called the gekco for even less. You guys and gals should use an adapter instead of batteries to run it off your quad.

 

Yep, run the GPS off the quad battery - that's the way to go. Also, the modern units are pretty good about working under trees and such., It has to be pretty darn thick to lose signal. I think all units are waterproof. I wash mine in the sink when it gets dirty. The big thing is that the GPS does SOOOOO much more than a Trailtech it's not even close. Granted the Trailtech can keep track of a few things such as hours and maintenance reminders but who needs that really.

You can program in waypoints in, save your tracks, know altitude and interface to your computer - for example you can ride all day then download the track logs to your computer and put that in a mapping program like DeLorme Street Atlas or Topo USA and see exactly where you rode.

 

I have the Trail Tech & it's very accurate (I've checked it with top speed at the drag strip & police radar borrowed from my Brother in law)
It's a fun toy!! It's intresting to hit the buttons & see your top speed, average speed, & how far the ride was.
The hour meter is intresting, it only accumilates time while your moving, a regular hour meter accumilates time as long as the engine is running (I have the GYT-R hour meter/ tach w/ service minders & that's what I use for service intervals)
It works good for me because most all of my riding is in areas that I am very familar with so there is not much chance of getting lost or needing way points.

However if you go someplace huge like Glamis or desert riding where getting lost can mean death the GPS is a necessity where the Trail Tech is more of a toy.
When I start traveling more & riding in new areas I will be getting a GPS.

I saw a thread on our site where some one had posted GPS cordinates to several diffrent places in Glamis & that would be real nice to have a way to get places where you've never been.

I haven't really checked many GPS prices or thier features but I know you can get an inexpensive GPS for about the same price as the Trail Tech.

 

As much as most people spend on their quads I'm surprised more people don't have both.

I second the eating batteries. I had my GPS with me and it died after about a day. And I use NiMH batteries in mine. Just get a bunch and recharge them after each trip (I also use them in other things...camera (digital) and flashes.

GPSes also have a problem in the woods. I couldn't get a signal at Hollister, CA. It was just too dense near the campgrounds. Out on the trails it probably wouldn't be as bad. But I also had the same thing happen to me standing on the beach at Pismo (make sure you have FRESH strong batteries.) Take the elevation numbers with a 5lb bag of salt. Told me I was anywhere from -50' to 200' at Pismo (on the beach) as well as close to 20' at home (+330')

I have an eTrex Venture (posted about it earlier). Anyone have any suggestions on mounting? I know they have a holder but it looks a little clumsy hangin out over the bars. Would be nice if someone made something that kept it near the tank.

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I got a ram mount for my etrex vista and it is the shizznit.

 

Michael do you have any links/pics of it?

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