TomTom introduces European RIDER

TomTom breathes new life into their all-in-one navigational solution that is especially designed for use on motorcycles and scooters: the TomTom RIDER. This new, European version, will be shipped with the complete map of Western Europe pre-installed on the supplied SD card.

The new RIDER is being distributed to the shops now as we type this, and it should become available within a few days. The estimated retail price is € 699 (£ 475).

Identical

Hardware-wise, the RIDER is completely identical to the version which has been for sale since December 2005. It also has a 380 Mhz CPU, 32 MB of RAM, and a GPS chipset based on the SiRF Star III. The RIDER is shipped with several mount solutions and a Bluetooth headset.

What IS new however, is the software which makes the RIDER do it's magic: firmware version 6.1 comes pre-installed on this device. If you have no idea what this is, then we would strongly advise you to read our special 'TomTom 6 and HOME - Innovations galore'. Also shipped with the new unit is the new desktop application TomTom HOME and a recent list of safety camera POI's. Buyers will also receive one month of free TomTom Traffic.

Car-mount

Last month, TomTom also annouced the availability of the much-awaited special car-mount, which of course enables the user to also use his RIDER in the car. This mount is shipped as a package which contains the mount itself, a suction cup and a 12/24 volts charger for use with the cigarette-lighter power plug. The mount can be purchased for € 34,95 (£ 24), excluding shipping, on the TomTom site.

The European version of the TomTom RIDER ships with NAVTEQ maps of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland.