Xtream Wearther SatNav Pouch Review |
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 If you have embraced modern technology to the point that a SatNav is part of your motoring hardware, then this French product has got to be high on your list of purchases. Whether we like it or not SatNavs are prone to theft and even when removed, leave tell tale signs on the vehicle. When we talk about motorcycles we talk about increased costs to purchase a waterproof model designed specifically for the outdoor life and therefore more expensive. Add on the cost of a mounting kit, wiring into the bikes electrical system etc and the cost seems to escalate. Thanks to this remarkably simple accessory, it allows one product to be switched between car and bike and from bike to bike without having to purchase different mounting kits. It allows even the cheapest car items to be used on two wheels providing you look on it as an aid rather there than being a slave to its directions. Like all really good products it is brilliantly simple. Basically it is a hard wearing waterproof pouch with a clear window to allow you to see the SatNav. Over the top of this goes another cover that Velcro’s in place to account for really wet weather and to ensure total water-proofing. Beneath this are two straps that enable it to fix to the vast majority of motorcycles by means or wrapping around top yokes, cross bars or onto the actual bars themselves. They could be used to go onto fairing brackets or other fixed objects although I have not had to resort to looking that hard for mounting points that keep the unit within my sight line.  The strength of the Velcro is good enough to ensure that it is not likely to come off even at high speed. There is also a carry strap so you could use the unit when out walking, or for carrying it safely off the bike.The problem of battery life on the unit itself has been taken care of by offering a rapid charge mobile battery pack (additional cost) that sits in a pocket within the case below the Sat Nav. The company claim this gives 15 hours use, but I have never pushed it that far! Now as far as these two items are concerned I have to say they are well worth having, allowing a car unit to be used on a bike cutting down on expense of a special unit. From a theft angle of being able to easily remove it all when parked and also allowing continued inter-changeability between bikes it is brilliant and I am happy to endorse the above mentioned products. Now for the other bits; they offer two types of earpiece systems to allow you to hear the SatNav directions. One is an electronic item, the other a very basic flexible air-tube. Both of these work on the basis that you have room in your helmet to accommodate the speakers. Personally they did not fit into mine and I am not prepared to cut into the helmet to permanently fit them and besides I do not want to have the unit distracting me whilst riding. Should I want this I would buy a helmet from the Nolan range which is already set up for this and blue-tooth the connection rather than have wires linking me to the bike.  The other not so good point, is that the pouch comes with a little plastic pointer that is Velcro’s around your finger to deal with touch screen instructions. It works when stationary, tends to come off the glove in practice and we could not possibly condone altering a SatNav whilst on the move. So looked at in the cold light of day, a brilliant product if you use it as a mount and carry case to enable you to use cheaper SatNavs on your bike and it certainly increase its uses. The additional battery also gets a big thumbs up. The speakers and pointers, well forget them! Review by Ian Kerr Video of this product by GPSAUTOMOTO Motorcycle GPS with So Easy Rider V3
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