Trail Tech Voyager Questions???

[J-train]

So my stock clocks were on their last leg anyway and amost useless, I went out in a rare rainstorm the other day for some fun in the mud, and now they are totally useless, everything is scrambled.

I have had my eye on the Voyager for a while now and am almost sold. I have a few questions for owners users. Since I have a TE, I have a wheel sensor, tach lead, power lead, etc, in the stock harness already at the bars in the connector for the factory clocks. Will the speed sensor, tach wire, power wire in the factory harness connector work if tapped into to use with the Voyager? I would have to wire the temp sensor, but I figured it would be clean and simplistic to use the factory wiring if I could, seeing how I will probably never go back to stock gagues.

 

[duggoey]

Good question. I am buying the vapor unit for my old Yamaha. Unfortunately I don't think the other existing inputs would work except for the Speedo wire that comes from the wheel. I'm pretty sure it's just a pulse current that is the signal. I know for instance that you must physically install an inline temp sensor into your coolant hose if you want the temperature display. Tach is a physically installed sensor on your spark plug lead much like the temp sensor.

 

[Husq-a-daygo]

I had a voyager. It was pretty cool. I liked the temp sensor and the unit measured wheel distance and gps distance. Interesting to see the difference. Understand that the GPS display does not show a topographical map. It just directs you onto a previously uploaded gps track. It's not like a garmin unit in that regard. Overall though it was a pretty neat moto specific computer. Sold mine because it didn't fit my te511 cockpit.

 

[J-train]

I had a voyager. It was pretty cool. I liked the temp sensor and the unit measured wheel distance and gps distance. Interesting to see the difference. Understand that the GPS display does not show a topographical map. It just directs you onto a previously uploaded gps track. It's not like a garmin unit in that regard. Overall though it was a pretty neat moto specific computer. Sold mine because it didn't fit my te511 cockpit.

I have been playing around tonight and found a program/website where you can pull up google maps and zoom in and add your own way-points based off of the satellite picture and create your own GPX file/routes. Then I assume you just upload them on a MicroSD card and the voyager will read them, basically giving you your custom route every time you ride. From what I read you can track and log whatever you do (freestyle) with the voyager and then upload them back to your computer or GPS unit for later viewing. That's pretty cool

 

[JonXX]

Here's a little bit more feedback on the Voyager...I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but it's on my short list for the TXC250. If you reply on that thread it might get more "alert" attention from Kelly and other users.

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/trailtech-voyager-your-thoughts-feedback.36545/

 

[benwiggin2]

I have one and to answer your question regarding the wheel sensor, yes it is plug and play, stock sensor wiring plugs right in to the Voyager. The tach is different, the Voyager has a reception wire that gets wrapped around your plug wire, picks up rpm. Yes you can preload maps, but only small ones. TrailTech has a program you download onto your computer that works off Google Maps/Earth that lets you mark, draw, edit and then import as a route. When you begin to ride, the unit will track in a darker shade allowing you to track your progress against the route you loaded. There is a bunch of other stuff too. I like it.

 

[duggoey]

I had a voyager. It was pretty cool. I liked the temp sensor and the unit measured wheel distance and gps distance. Interesting to see the difference. Understand that the GPS display does not show a topographical map. It just directs you onto a previously uploaded gps track. It's not like a garmin unit in that regard. Overall though it was a pretty neat moto specific computer. Sold mine because it didn't fit my te511 cockpit.

To me the in line temp sensor looks like it could be a weak point considering you are making another potential leak point. What is your opinion of its robustness?

 

[Radar]

To me the in line temp sensor looks like it could be a weak point considering you are making another potential leak point. What is your opinion of its robustness?

It is as robust as all the other clamped joints. If you want to know the coolant temp you will need the sensor.

 

[duggoey]

It is as robust as all the other clamped joints. If you want to know the coolant temp you will need the sensor.

That is good to hear, thank you. I assumed you would have to install the sensor in order for it to work! Or do you mean it is an extra not included with the unit?

 

[bigmo]

I will caveat my statement that I am a GPS nut and work professionally as a cartographer. I can also say that I have owned a Voyager - luckily Rocky Mountain MC has a great return policy as I thought the unit was terrible.

The overall design is just ok, and the single data point is nice - but they seriously missed the ball with the actual GPS component. You can get a proven, rugged, and ridiculously less expensive GPS unit from Garmin that will provide oodles more useful on the trail. If all you want to do is know which direction your trailer is - then the Trailtech may fit your need.

I tried to convince myself it was what I wanted/needed - but only because I dropped $300+ on it. One long weekend ride and I was so angry that I could not perform the simplest of moto-adventure functions I was ready to toss it on the side of the trail. I didn't want to burn Rocky Mountain with the unit, so I called their customer service line and explained how unhappy I was with the unit and they basically ordered me to send it back for a refund!

If you really want all the feedback - get the Vapor and a "state series" Garmin. IMO you will be MUCH better off in the long run.

I guess on a semi-related topic, I have never understood the need for a tach or a temp gauge on a dirtbike. If boils overs are an issue, you can fix that first. With a better cap and a catch tank, I can run anywhere, anytime at any speed and never worry about temp. Is there some other aspect to temp I am missing? RPMs?

 

[Tessier]

I purchased one used and now know why I got it so cheap off a buddy. The GPS is basically useless without being able to install base maps. It's a super cool idea just poorly exacuted as others have said. The speedo works good, not willing to cut up a perfectly good radiator hose to cut in the temp sensor. Don't need a tachometer so I didn't hook that up, for me it just a odometer and GPS. Since the GPS is so bad I picked up a Garmin Montana and use the voyager as an expensive odometer.

 

[duggoey]

I will be using the Tach and temp sensor on the vapor. Not so much as a solution to a over boiling problem, more to give info about the bikes normal operating parameters. Definitely won't be spending the extra dollars on the voyager.

 

[firecrotch]

had mine on for two years. love it. No issues other than the wire charging it failed it one pont. a re solder job fixed that. at first i want overly happy about initially loading in maps or its bland black and white map with no topo's . But honestly when i am out riding i just want to know where Iam am and how not to get lost. Or how to follow a path. Works great for that. All the extra features like temps and rpm etc I have never looked at. Pluses are exceptional customer service, rugged product(at least for me). Negatives are expensive and its got aall these extra features your paying for youll never use.

knowing what I know now and factoring my cheap nature...you can buy used garmins for nothing on ebay and a ram mount. Then get a cheap vapor. Youll spend easily half than the $300 for that
I still say its a great product though

 

[J-train]

Good feedback guys. I am a bit of a tech nerd, I may not need all those data points and logging capabilities, but it is cool to have. I have been using trail apps with my phone for ride data. Some of them are pretty cool, but definitely a post ride type thing. I have only needed to stop and get the phone out a few times, mostly at a crossroads to figure out which way I needed to travel to get back to where I started. I have been looking at the handheld GPS units as well, but honestly, my phone does everything and more than those. I don't' think I want my phone mounted on my handlebars though. Trade offs.......trade offs. I definitely need a new gauge cluster though, and I have seen Voyagers on ebay for 250$, so I may pick one up.