Don’t use your phone as a GPS device…..

[Wapping]

….perhaps.

There is a new thread in the pub, involving a forum member’s lucky escape in an apparent head-on collision with a car.

The fellow’s phone broke its tight connection with its quadlock mount and smashed, leaving him with no communication at all. including when in hospital. If your entire record of phone numbers and email addresses lives on your smashed phone, you are (in a word) buggered.

Of course, we have no immediate way of knowing, had the phone been in a tank bag, a pannier or even his jacket pocket, whether things would have been different. But, it does show that relying on one phone ‘To do everything’, is arguably not the greatest plan. The real trouble being, that you only find out when it’s too late.

 

[JJH]

Phones today are quite resilient especially in a quad lock. JJH

 

[Loiq]

carry a burner... same as a drop wallet...

not really complex is it .... Oh and take badges off you jacket... just incase...! cos you don't anyone tracking you using the old clubcard do you...!

 

[Wapping]

Phones today are quite resilient especially in a quad lock. JJH

I dropped mine, very simply. It smashed the screen, rendering the phone inoperative.

PS The phone left the security of the quadlock mount in the crash. It’s probably after a crash, that you need the phone most.

 

[Wapping]

carry a burner... same as a drop wallet...

not really complex is it ....

I bought a cheap phone and a dirt cheap Europe wide sim card, for exactly that reason.

 

[MrC99]

Can't help feeling this is a bit of a non-issue. Most of us will have an old phone buried in a drawer somewhere, lost and forgotten. Dig it out, update it (Apple seem to keep old models current for years; if it's an old Android install an up-to-date OS such as LineageOS) and then use that as the GPS device. Keep your newer phone somewhere safe. You'll then have two phones both sync'd to Apple or Google.

You don't need an extra SIM - just use one of them as a hotspot and use wifi on the one without a data SIM.

 

[Wapping]

Can't help feeling this is a bit of a non-issue

Have a read of the thread in the pub. A small issue (one broken phone) became a big issue, quite quickly.

 

[MrC99]

Have a read of the thread in the pub. A small issue (one broken phone) became a big issue, quite quickly.

I've only just come back on line as my phone was smashed when it came adrift from the QuadLock mount. Rob has a friend nearby who went and bought me a brand new phone to get me in contact again. I can't describe how traumatic it is being stuck in an Albanian hospital without any means of letting someone know what's happened to you. Being totally reliant on a single mobile phone is not a good thing. Of course, I couldn't remember anyone's phone number, email etc.

Very nasty and could happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime, but not sure I get you. If he'd had two phones as above then wouldn't he have had a potential backup in a pocket or tank bag to fall back on to in such a disaster. Have I missed something ?

 

[richardbd]

Completely agree with Wapping’s premise. You can’t be too careful, especially when a long way from home. On big trips I use my phone as my main communication device and preferred camera. However, I pack a compact camera and iPad so I have a fail-safe alternative for commas and photography. I use a GPS, rather tHan phone for navigation. The phone is back-up to the GPS, with a Quadlock mount always on the bike but phone never in it unless being used for navigation when the GPS has failed for some reason.

 

[Wapping]

Very nasty and could happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime, but not sure I get you. If he'd had two phones as above then wouldn't he have had a potential backup in a pocket or tank bag to fall back on to in such a disaster. Have I missed something ?

That’s the entire point of the opening post.

We see lots of posts on this forum, where bods tell everyone that you only need one phone, as it serves as a single ‘Do it all‘ device, embracing: phone, gps device, internet, diary, address book, camera, music, games and more besides. They give zero thought as to what to do when the phone is lost, broken or stolen. It only takes someone’s hands-on, real life experience, to show how unreliable (and ultimately, fragile) this chain of thought is.

 

[Loiq]

which is also why you should also have a nifty 50 in a ziplock taped to to yer leg...!

 

[diplomaticdanny]

I dropped mine, very simply. It smashed the screen, rendering the phone inoperative.

PS The phone left the security of the quadlock mount in the crash. It’s probably after a crash, that you need the phone most.

A friend of mine did the same screen totally buggered, luckily it was an iPhone so she just had to say, ”hey siri, call so and so”, worked perfectly.

 

[Pootler]

I usually keep a spare phone on a different network aboard anyway, one of the 5 that would otherwise be lying in the cupboard decaying.

 

[malcopopolo]

As others have said use an old phone. Download tomtom go and use full world wide maps for 20 quid a year. No Internet or sim card required once offline maps installed via home WiFi.

Another benefit of using 2 phones is that if one is damaged, lost or stolen you always have a spare

 

[younger06]

A friend of mine did the same screen totally buggered, luckily it was an iPhone so she just had to say, ”hey siri, call so and so”, worked perfectly.

That's amazing...... I wonder when Android phones will catch up....


I'm gonna suggest to them...... "Ok Google"

Seems quite catchy.

Sent by an Android

 

[younger06]

I am starting to notice Android Auto /Apple Carplay screens for motorcycles being advertised.

I think it's a brilliant idea.
Hard wired to power.....like your SatNav and a wireless connection to your safely tucked away phone.

Think I even saw one advertised on here.

Sent by an Android

 

[JJH]

I’m not very good at this air play ect I have a nt 1100 and I find it easier to have the phone in a quad lock holder. When I had a 850gs connectivity seemed easier without as much detail as AirPlay but I did use it. For the Honda you have to connect ear buds then the phone but it’s not wireless so you can buy a dongle which has to be Wi-Fi cannot be Bluetooth. I just don’t bother. With a 2 button press to turn the heated grips or adjust them someone dropped the ball. Anyway I’m getting away from the original post. We have people recommending carrying a spare credit card somewhere on the bike a spare camera a spare phone and so on. If I had them and needed them I’d have forgotten where I put them!!! JJH

 

[(RIP) spike418]

….perhaps.

There is a new thread in the pub, involving a forum member’s lucky escape in an apparent head-on collision with a car.

The fellow’s phone broke its tight connection with its quadlock mount and smashed, leaving him with no communication at all. including when in hospital. If your entire record of phone numbers and email addresses lives on your smashed phone, you are (in a word) buggered.

Of course, we have no immediate way of knowing, had the phone been in a tank bag, a pannier or even his jacket pocket, whether things would have been different. But, it does show that relying on one phone ‘To do everything’, is arguably not the greatest plan. The real trouble being, that you only find out when it’s too late.

Can happen any time. On seeing his provided Lear jet had arrived in the UK with Mr B on board. I resolved to endure a suitable expedition to Booths supermarket to purchase a more appropriate brew to celebrate with. I found it, Old Peculiar, unfortunately at the till I realised I'd left my cash and card colllection at home. Nevermind, I can use my phone to pay. Battery had run out and a second phone would have obviated the issue. I've not needed a second phone since I retired from drug dealing and escort duties, so I was buggered and unpaid! A 10 minute return journey meant I was only marginally discomfited.

We should however celebrate the way GSers got together, mainly Roberto, to provide Brian via his contacts a new mobile phone and contract. Daily deliveries of water and orange juice. Being stuck at 33 degrees, no aircon, no nursing care, no one speaking English, completely out of touch with home would be a nightmare.

 

[G&T]

Most Peoples’ nav phone is my actual phone. WTF

 

[Spout]

Anyone waking up from a 20 year coma would be pissing themselves laughing at this thread. Just saying.