Hellas Rally on the cheap

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

But you need to practice black magic to figure out how the fooking menu works on them

its not so bad once you play with them for a bit. I like looks of the Watchdog a lot better but have not used one yet. RMS has some other ICO style computers that look a bit nicer too.

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by Seth S

its not so bad once you play with them for a bit. I like looks of the Watchdog a lot better but have not used one yet. RMS has some other ICO style computers that look a bit nicer too.

Personally I use IMOs from Touratech, love the menu and the large display size but no auto calibration feature. Their sensor cables suck balls big time though, I've gone through 5 in a year FFS. At 50 euros a pop, it slowly adds up

Tony's RNS thingies will probably be next on the shopping list for me, I slowly beginning to despise all things Touratech

[640 Armageddon]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

I slowly beginning to despise all things Touratech

+1 here.. ..

They eat cables for breakfast ... The quality of their cables is way too cheap IMO. Last time I fixed both IMO's and bought new pick up cables... . And the connectors are another matter. They are so big for no reason. ICO and RNS (and MRB ) are using much smaller connectors and you can keep things tidy.
My next setup will be ICO and RNS.
I like the ICO's only because of their auto calibrate function, otherwise RNS is higher quality and the digits are so big that you either have Retinal dysplasia ( I googled it ) or Feline herpesvirus keratitis (I googled that too ) if you do not see these things from a distance.

D.

[Seth S]

The ICO's work but the displays are small, seem to attract dust, and I think there are more options out there now:

[beaney]

Speak to John at Rally-Raid products, he was talking about a nav equipment hire package with the option to purchase after the rally. They are also going to the Hellas rally.

[DaveRMS]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

no auto calibration feature

It's long been the conventional wisdom to NOT use this feature. So, at RMS, we usually turn this off. It keeps everything nice and simple.

Just my $0.02.

BTW, the Watchdog is an enduro computer. Again, I prefer to keep it simple. Too many features in that puppy (or an ICO Checkmate) for the rally raid task at hand.

Dave

[Leeexc]

Thanks, Yes I spoke to rally raid but was thinking I could buy the gear for less than he was talking to hire. the more simple the better, takes me all my time to put a post on a forum

[beaney]

Originally Posted by Leeexc

Thanks, Yes I spoke to rally raid but was thinking I could buy the gear for less than he was talking to hire. the more simple the better, takes me all my time to put a post on a forum

Beware, in Rallying the cheap way and equipment will fu.. you over, normally in the middle of nowhere. Its your choice but I certainly wouldnt recommend it.

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by GSNorCal

It's long been the conventional wisdom to NOT use this feature. So, at RMS, we usually turn this off. It keeps everything nice and simple.

Just my $0.02.

BTW, the Watchdog is an enduro computer. Again, I prefer to keep it simple. Too many features in that puppy (or an ICO Checkmate) for the rally raid task at hand.

Dave

I used the auto calibrate feature in Australia and it worked great. Only thing I had to watch was when I went from dirt to pavement because the autocal would align with the loose terrain and then have to reset for the pavement...only a problem on the way back to the Bivouac.

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by GSNorCal

It's long been the conventional wisdom to NOT use this feature. So, at RMS, we usually turn this off. It keeps everything nice and simple.

Couldn't agree more, I just run the calibration Km diligently 4 or 5 times and can't say I really miss this feature on my IMOs. But I have never ridden any really loose stuff like sand or fesh fesh. Some really experienced riders (not me, I keep forgetting) can factor in front mousse deterioration and adjust their diameter after one or two days on the same mousse.

[gnuttis]

Since after the Tuareg Rallye 2012 I will not put my money to the ICO crap. To much plastic & don,t hold that terrain marocco had så my next tripmaster will be RNS!

[tehdutchie]

Excellent, so many opinions and so mnay different experiences

A lot of wheel inventing going on to try and meet all the requirements and preferences out there. It's making it hard for people from the outside to decide which way to go.

Imho, try and make your own errors, and learn from that.

A lot of wheels have been invented, and shown, some oval, some square and even a few round ones out there.

[Leeexc]

Originally Posted by tehdutchie

Excellent, so many opinions and so mnay different experiences

A lot of wheel inventing going on to try and meet all the requirements and preferences out there. It's making it hard for people from the outside to decide which way to go.

Imho, try and make your own errors, and learn from that.

A lot of wheels have been invented, and shown, some oval, some square and even a few round ones out there.

Some cheap round ones would be nice

Barrier I replied to your pm or tried to Sounds good!

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by beaney

Beware, in Rallying the cheap way and equipment will fu.. you over, normally in the middle of nowhere. Its your choice but I certainly wouldnt recommend it.

Hi Lee - I'd listen to Beaney... the whole point of a navigation rally is the navigation, and if that equipment lets you down, you are screwed...

If this is a one-off, toe in the water thing, then by all means rent something (you could also ask Patsy at Desert Rose if she has any 2nd hand gear she might sell or rent), but a decent roadbook holder and PROPER rally trip computer is the best investment you can make, particularly if you intend to continue rally raiding - and they are always easy to sell on in the future...

Personally, like Brodovich - I prefer the Touratech IMO over the ICO units - but specifically the IMO R50 version, which is much smaller and neater than the old style clunkers... it also has a dual display for partial and total distance at the same time (replicating the page of the roadbook).

Everyone I've ever spoken to says they have had reliability issues with the ICO units - which is why everyone seems to fit two 'just in case' - although I have to say, Tony's (RNS) billet rally computer looks like a lovely piece of work, that I've yet to use myself - I have his remote control unit, and that is excellent quality.

As for the roadbook - don't even think about trying to use a manual one - you have to have an electrically driven one to be able to ride safely at race speeds... the F2R unit is very well put together, and probably the best budget alternative available at the moment.

Steer clear of the Touratech roadbook holder - I've had two, and both failed... The MD is the de facto choice, and I have been very happy with mine... it is also the most likely one you'll find for sale secondhand.

Ultimately, any International rally is not going to be cheap... you can save money by doing your own servicing, and transportation - although don't discount the fact that if you're tired before you get there, and up half the night fixing a problem, this will compound your fatigue for the rest of the event... the point is to enjoy it remember!

Hope to see you in Greece in April - but don't scrimp on your bike prep - be honest with yourself - if you don't have the budget to buy 'an extra tyre' so to speak, then perhaps you should look at participating in a different event in the future, when you can attend with more of a [financial] safety net?

Jx

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Leeexc

Thanks, Yes I spoke to rally raid but was thinking I could buy the gear for less than he was talking to hire. the more simple the better, takes me all my time to put a post on a forum

As I understand it, John will rent you the gear, and if you decide to buy it afterwards, he gives you the rental price as a discount off the purchase price?

The Rally Raid navigation set-up is extremely well proven - it would be worth it in the long run... and if you go for their Rally Lite (bar-mounted package, with the plate and wiring etc.) it is completely self-contained and a 10 minute job to fit; and as I mention above, would always be very easy to sell on afterwards...

Jx

ps. If you are not familiar with the workings of the roadbook and ICO equipment, it might be worth contacting Torque Racing (who as it happens are also a UK agent for the Hellas Rally), and ask about one of their 'roadbook training' courses that they run here in the UK... It will really help you get used to the equipment before you get to the start line - it can be very frustrating trying to learn it all in the heat of competition!