electronic navigation

There is not a lot available for Mac

OziExplorerCE will get you a moving map display and let you use most scanned or commercially available maps. However you need the PC version of OziExplorer to generate the map files.

CoPilot will give you 'turn by turn' autorouting on your PocketPC (with their proprietory maps) but rural coverage on these maps tends to be main highways. A new version is due out in March? and should be a bit better in rural areas.

Personally, I would not use a PDA on a motorcycle due to moisture and vibration issues but some do mounting the PDA in a tank bag (it is not easy to read while underway tho).

I would use one of Garmin or Magellans dedicated GPS receivers with we Garmins MapSource ot Magellans Maps and Streets GPS loadable maps.
Both mapping products need a windows PC (or VirtualPC) to load but a dedicated GPS retailer should be able to load it for you (for free).

Thanks all, I was losing hope in getting help! Being a smoker the opportunity to pull over to read the _Permanent_Painted_Coatings.aspx will do fine! Don't like taking the eyes off the road for long anyway, which has probably contributed to my riding history of 30 reasonably safe years!
I'll go the Pocket PC option, it tends to hold up well in small crashes/dust and creek crossings and gives me email access etc. on the road. The iPod is great for entertainment also! wouldn't travel without one!
Thanks again!