1. The Global Positioning System (GPS)
Understanding the functional characteristics and navigational attributes of GPS devices for the motorcyclist
Rick Baker
Blue Ridge Wings, VA CH Y
20-Apr-08

2. CAUTION
The Blue Ridge Wings provide this information to its participants to familiarize motorcyclists with the functional capabilities and navigational attributes of the Global Positioning System. The GWRRA or VA District or Chapter Y does not render any professional navigation or piloting services or advice related to the actual use of GPS nor accepts any liability for user use of the GPS system. Use of the GPS for navigation on board a motorcycle can be hazardous if not used correctly!
Because of the rapidly changing nature of the GPS system, the wide array of GPS commercial receiver products available, and the potential interference which may degrade the accuracy on such systems, the contents and recommendations contained in this presentation may become outdated or inappropriate for situations actually encountered on the highway existing at the time of the use of any such systems.
We strongly encourage GPS users to consult their specific product documentation and GPS and Motorcycle Operator’s manuals for detailed instructions on proper operations and maintenance and for applicable precautions on the use of the product.

3. Why Rick Baker?
23 years of Marine Navigation, C. Bay, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Bahamas, and Caribbean
LORAN C Navigation Since 1993
GPS and Chartplotter Navigation since 1998
Navigation Instructor since 1992, both power and sail boats
Classroom and On-The-Water
Highway User of GPS since 2004 on Motorcycles and Cars
Air Force Master Space Operator and Master Missilier
Duties included:
Military uses of GPS
Adjunct to DoD Office of Space Policy

4. What We Covered – Part I
An overview of the Global Positioning System (GPS)
What it is
How it works
The Types of GPS receivers available
Standard GPS receivers
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) receivers
Compared Accuracies – See next slide

5. SA DOES NOT AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF DGPS OR WAAS GPS SYSTEMS
Accuracy Summary
GPS – Day to Day,
No SA Dithering
Approx 100 feet
Repeatability
Accuracy of LORAN
Approx 50 – 300 feet
DGPS 95%
6 Foot
M/C
< 10 feet WAAS 95%
GPS Accuracy with SA Dithering “On” approx 330 feet ~
33 ft
SA DOES NOT AFFECT THE ACCURACY
OF DGPS OR WAAS GPS SYSTEMS
50 ft
Accuracies are Radii

6. Why GPS On A Motorcycle?
Listening to GPS “Turn” Directions is the Number One Safety Feature of Using a GPS For Motorcycle Navigation vs. Looking at a Map or Turn-by-Turn Directions
Solve “I’m Lost” Situations
Scenic Route Choices Are Amazing and Rewarding
Choose “Off Interstate” Routes More Often
Eliminates “Most” Wrong Turns and U-Turns
Better “Lead” Team Rider

7. What We Will Cover Today – Part II
Typical GPS Receiver Operation
Basic use and layouts
Features
Screen and menu layouts
Typical Motorcycle GPS Receivers
 Garmin 276C/376C/476C Multi-Purpose GPS Units
 Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle GPS Unit
Honda Gold Wing Navigation System
Route Plotting at Home or In Your Garage
Two Waypoint Method with Robust Use of Via Points
Learn How To Route Plan Easily On The Road

8. Routing Use of GPS

9. Using a GPS Receiver to Navigate
Where Am I?
Addressed by the GPS unit
Where Am I Going?
Addressed by the Human Motorcyclist: The Rider/CoRider
What Route Should Be Used?
Can be addressed by various points in the GPS
Selected by Motorcyclist
When Will I Arrive?
Can be calculated by the GPS unit
Are There Any Hazards to be Avoided?
May be downloaded continuously by the GPS!

10. Waypoints Waypoint Via Point: A route point without much other meaning
Unique name or number
Latitude and Longitude
A Point of Interest
Somewhere We’ve Been Before
Somewhere We’d Like To Go
Via Point: A route point without much other meaning
Points of Interest stored in GPS
Points to Navigate to
Businesses and other Community Landmarks for Reference
Places to avoid – danger
GPS Unit
Total number of Waypoints depends on GPS unit
Pre-programmed or entered with “mark” button or cursor

11. Waypoints Once the waypoints are stored
They can be edited
Renamed
Moved
Flagged with unique symbol
Notes added (some units)
They can be called up individually
They can be assembled into a “route”
Waypoints will remain in non-volatile memory when unit is turned off

12. After the Waypoint is Selected
GPS computes the course
From your current location
Using road preferences
Quickest (least time)
Shortest (least distance)
Most Scenic
Things to Avoid
Custom Avoids
Select Detour Zone
Plots course
From current location to waypoint
Map Page – On Roads
List of Waypoints
Points of Interest
Finds
The GPS Unit DOES NOT:
Qualify the path for hazards or traffic jams, unless you:
Use FM Traffic Radio Service
Use XM Traffic Radio
Use “DASH” GPS Unit
You need Maps to:
Plan your trip
Back up your GPS Unit
See the bigger picture
As soon as you have entered a waypoint for navigation, the GPS goes to work and computes the course (Bearing) and distance from your current location to that waypoint.
It also plots a line on the Map Screen from the point that you activated the waypoint to the waypoint. And, it sets a highway on the Highway Screen that corresponds to the same path.
You are navigating!!
Caution – REMINDER – the GPS has no knowledge of what lies between you and the waypoint. It’s up to you to check on a chart to make sure the path is clear!

13. Creating a Route GPS can store a route Routes Waypoints are just
Sequence of waypoints or via points
Creates a sequence of “legs”
Route may have a name
Routes
Can be edited
Can be activated – forward or reverse
Waypoints are just
Names, Numbers, or L/Lo coordinates
Important to not overly rely on waypoints
Use Via Points instead of multiple Waypoints
For turnpoints without much further meaning
Should scrutinize route for accuracy before using!
The GPS can record a sequence of stored waypoints at a Route.
Routes have names, and can be activated in either direction.

14. Planning a Trip A Trip Usually Consists at Least Two Points:
Starting and Stopping Points >> Waypoints
An Interesting Trip Consists of Varied Roads and Sights
GPS can determine quickest, shortest, and scenic route
You can Custom Build A Route with Waypoints and Via Points
Use Via Points for Trivial stops and turns
Best Done Prior To Trip (Home, Office, Garage)
You Can Change A Trip’s Route
In Your Hotel Room: On the GPS, On A Laptop – New Planning
On The Motorcycle:
Just Do It – The GPS “Recalculates” The Route Based On Last Route Preference: Quickest, Shortest, or Scenic
Add or Delete Via Points and Waypoints - Careful
Make A Detour Around Construction or Traffic Delays
Using GPS, planning a trip involves a starting waypoint and a destination waypoint

15. 376C & 550 – Traffic Radio Options

16. GPS Review Garmin x76 Series Multi-Purpose GPS Units
276C
376C + Adds XM Weather and Traffic
478C + Adds Better Marine Charting
Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle Specific GPS Unit
XM Wx, XM & FM traffic, MP3, Cell Phone & BT Connect
Honda Gold Wing Navigation System

17. Garmin x76C Series Sunlight Readable Screen Marine and Land
512 MB Data Memory Card
Voice Prompts
Voice Interface to M/C
Waterproof
3000 WPTs; 50 Routes
2-D Map View
XM Wx and Radio

18. x76 - Power, Brightness, & Volume

19. x76 - Satellite Reception & Menu Page

20. x76 - Pages

21. x76 – Waypoint Page

22. x76 – Turn Direction Page

23. x76 – Trip Computer Page

24. x76 – Route List Page

25. x76 – Waypoint List Page

26. Garmin Zumo 550 White Backlight Screen Motorcycle GPS SD Memory Card
Voice w/ Street Names
Bluetooth Phone
Needs “Talk” Interface for Cell Phone
Can Listen on Aux
Waterproof
500 WPTs; 50 Routes
3-D Map View
XM Wx and Radio
MP3 Player
Audio Books
Gloved Touch Screen

27. Zumo – Menu Page

28. Zumo – Map Page

29. Zumo – Fuel Gauge Feature

30. Zumo – Going To A Destination

31. Garmin – Route Following

32. Zumo – Map Page Features

33. Zumo – Other Pages

34. Zumo – Communications
Can Use Zumo’s Built-In BlueTooth Interface to Phone and/or Helmet
Interface Zumo to Gold Wing Commo:
Listen Only to Aux
Add Talk with Interface Box
Listening to GPS Turn Voice Prompts is the Number One Safety Feature of Using a GPS For Motorcycle Navigation

35. Garmin Traffic Information

36. Zumo – Traffic Codes and Symbols

37. Garmin – Using XM Weather and Radio

38. Zumo – Supported Files

39. Zumo – Set Up Information
Select Track Up or 3-D

40. Zumo – Set Up Information
Choose:
Time Format
Time Zone (ET)
DST – Auto
Units - Miles

41. Garmin – Avoidance SetUps
NO DIRT ROADS!

42. Zumo – Display Options

43. Zumo – Keyboard Options

44. Interfaces Gold Wing Aux Jack Blue Tooth To Helmet
Kennedy Technologies Interface to Aux and/Or Intercom
J&M Electronics
“Aux” is Listen Only – Great for Music Players
Not So Good For GPS
“Intercom” is Talk and Listen – Best for GPS and Must Use for Cell Phones
Not So Good For Music

45. Power (ACC Connector in Left Pocket
’03 GL1800A Gold Wing
Electronics Additions
FRONT OF
BIKE
Speedo
Aux Input
Isolator 2.
Intercom
J&M Filter
Garmin GPS
276c
Kennedy Cell Set, Power Cord, and Intercom Interface
Kennedy GPS Set, Power Cord, and Intercom Interface
Roady2
Antenna
Cell Interface
GPS Interface 1.
Cell Phone
XM Sat Rcvr
Yellow Box
Own
Batt
Pwr
Speed
Sensor
Bike “Switched”
Power (ACC Connector in Left Pocket
REAR

46. Kennedy Technologies Interfaces

47. Honda GL Navigation System

48. Honda Nav System

49. Honda Nav – Operating Controls

50. Honda Nav - Menus

51. Honda Nav – Map Screen

52. Honda Nav – Map Screen Choices

53. Honda Nav – Map Turn Prompts

54. Honda Nav – Zooming In and Out

55. Honda Nav – Typing Names

56. All GPS System Limitations
Honda Nav System Manual

57. GPS Review Garmin x76 Series Multi-Purpose GPS Units
276C
376C – Addition of XM Weather and Radio
478C – Charting addition not useful to motorcyclist
Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle Specific GPS Unit
XM Wx, XM & FM traffic, MP3, Cell Phone & BT Connect
Honda Gold Wing Navigation System
Shop For Best Prices: Costco, West Marine, Best Buy, PriceGrabber.com, etc.
XM Radio or FM Traffic Alert Feature adds to initial cost and requires a monthly user fee

58. GPS Rough Price Comparison
Garmin x76 Series Multi-Purpose GPS Units
276C $419 + M/C Interfaces* + Commo Interfaces**
376C $614 + M/C Interfaces* + Commo Interfaces**
Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle Specific GPS Unit
$615 + Potential Commo Interfaces to Intercom or Bluetooth**
Honda Gold Wing Navigation System
~ $1,000, but comes bundled with other great accessories for ~ $2,000
* M/C Interfaces: Power and Voice Wires + Mounts ~ $150
** Commo Interfaces ~ $175

59. How To Make Navigation Easier
Using GPS
Precise Position – continuously – It’s Thing!
Best Rider User Approach:
Create pre-qualified routes at home
String Via Points together to create Routes
Qualify them to be free of obstacles, on the roads you want to ride, and within ride timelines
On-the-Road – follow the routes
Only need to refer to maps on occasion
Key – stay on course to next Waypoint or Via Point
Remember – You are the human in the system!
If you want to deviate, let GPS recalculate your route on the “fly”
Use the “Detour” function in traffic back ups

60. How To Make Navigation Easier
Read the GPS Operating Manual
1st Read It Through The First Time Alone
2nd Read It Through Alongside The GPS Unit
3rd Read It Again After Your First Long Ride
4th Read It Again After Your Third Long Ride
5th Read It Before Every Summer Riding Season
Learn To Use The Companion PC/Laptop/Mac Navigation Planning Software Program
Practice In The Winter By Building Routes For The Summer
Use Via Points and “Click and Drag” Routes
Learn How To Interface with GPS Easily
Take A Small Laptop On The Road: GPS Route Planning, Photo Capture, , and Internet
Take Small Scale, Large Area Maps of Your Route For Planning and Emergency Purposes Only

61. How to Use GPS Better You Are The Human!
A “City’s” Waypoint Is Its Main Post Office Downtown
Sometimes You Build In Error Into Your Routes
Pre-Qualify the Route On a Computer or Zoomed “In” Map
If You Reroute “On-The-Fly”:
A Pre-Planned Route: GPS Will Try To Get You Back On Course
Patience
If you turn GPS volume OFF; Remember to turn back ON later!
To A Waypoint: GPS Will Simply Recalculate a New Route

62. What’s New? DASH Newest GPS and Realtime Networked Traffic Service
Internet Connected GPS In Your Vehicle
Each User’s GPS Transmits Its Speeds
GPS Will Route Around Current Traffic Tie-Ups
GPS Will Download New Map Updates
GPS – Laptop Wireless Interface
$ Monthly Service Plan
Not Yet Motorcycle Friendly
Not Waterproof
No Waypoints
Built In Speaker
Unusual Shape

63. What We Covered Today – Part II
Typical GPS Receiver Operation
Basic layouts
Features
Screen and menu layouts
Typical Motorcycle GPS Receivers
 Garmin 276C/376C/478C Multi-Purpose GPS Units
 Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle GPS Unit
Honda Gold Wing Navigation System
Route Plotting at Home or In Your Garage
Two Waypoint Method with Robust Use of Via Points
Learn How To Route Plan Easily On The Road