Ever try to steer a motorcycle while it’s underwater? It’s impossible. Thankfully that’s no longer a problem with the RM-XR350MC waterproof motorcycle GPS.
High-tech GPS systems have forever changed the way that people show off their cars to acquaintances for so long that it’s about time motorcyclists got in on the action.
Of course, motorcycle GPS systems are nothing new, having grown in popularity over the last couple of years, yet Japanese company RWC have this week unveiled a GPS with a twist.
Introducing the snappily-titled RM-XR350MC. Available next week in Japan for ¥29,800 (€246), this 3.5″ GPS supports WMV and XviD video and if any MP3, WMA, WAV files stored on microSD cards. Elsewhere, the body specification IP54-compliant for dust and water. In other words, don’t be worried about bombing it down the M50 in the pouring rain… or in a really dusty area.
X-RIDE – really? What is this, 1994?
Equipped with Bluetooth, the XR350MC comes complete with a headset to allow motorists to listen to voice guidance on their journey. The GPS also offers 5 hours of life from a single charge of its built-in lithium-ion battery and weighs just 234g.
That all sounds pretty good but regarding the problem we suggested at the start of this piece, can the XR350MC actually navigate underwater and more importantly, what celebrity is providing by GPS voicework? Sadly the answer to both those questions is a resounding no to the former and ‘some Japanese guy, probably’ for the latter.
GPS systems in motorbikes have still not really became universally accepted and perhaps, despite all its bell and whistles, the XR350MC doesn’t offer enough innovation to alter the status quo. If we had to guess, the future of directional systems in motobikes could be a lot more ambitious – perhaps helmets with built-in augmented reality systems?
For now, the XR350MC is certainly a brave step for the GPS, though whether it manages to ever leave its native Japan remains to be seen.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Conor Sketches | Tiger Woods loves Ger Loughnane and cosplaying as Charles LeClerc
