New GPS or iPhone set up?

Dahoum

Dahoum

Registered user
Joined
Jul 20, 2004
Messages
16,183
Reaction score
2
Location
................
My 2610 appears to have given up the ghost after 6 years of stalwart service - screen will not respond to my touch :blast

So- after a recent car trip using the iPhone(4) with Orange Maps (comes free with my phone package) I think for my fairly basic GPS needs a phone set up on the bike might be the way to go.

Anyone use the phone as a bike GPS?

What app do you use?

What fittings do you use to mount/power/waterproof and protect the phone on the bike?

pros and cons?
 
My main GPS on the bike is a Quest however I have an Iphone4 with Nav free app housed in a ridermount on the handlebar.

Using the phone the only problem I have is that the screen tilts with the bike. As I dont use it as a matter of course ive never tried to work out the solution.

I have used the same App whilst in the car and cannot fault it (for a freebie).

No doubt someone with more experience of phone based GPS will be along soon.

As for the mount I cannot fault it. I have been using it for nearly a year, as has a friend, and it has been faultless. Colin of this parish sells them on his Ridermount website.
 
columbus said:
My main GPS on the bike is a Quest however I have an Iphone4 with Nav free app housed in a ridermount on the handlebar.

Using the phone the only problem I have is that the screen tilts with the bike. As I dont use it as a matter of course ive never tried to work out the solution.

I have used the same App whilst in the car and cannot fault it (for a freebie).

No doubt someone with more experience of phone based GPS will be along soon.

As for the mount I cannot fault it. I have been using it for nearly a year, as has a friend, and it has been faultless. Colin of this parish sells them on his Ridermount website.
Click to expand...

I use Nav Free as well but only in the car as I don't have a bike mount

Its basic but gets you there so for free you can't go wrong :thumb2
 
Dahoum said:
My 2610 appears to have given up the ghost after 6 years of stalwart service - screen will not respond to my touch :blast
Click to expand...

My SP2720 had the same problem, same design/case.

Took it apart and cleaned the screen and bezel. There was quite a bit of road grime and grit trapped under it that must have been pressing on the screen. Reassembled and bingo, works as good as ever. That was over a year ago and still going strong albeit as a backup that SWMBO uses in the car.
 
Have tested out twice recently, with saucer's apprentice, he had smartphone and google maps, me with trusty Garmin nuvi 255 and the Garmin wins everytime as the refresh rate on a smartphone were far too slow .. and if solely relied upon would have sent down the wrong route.

Maybe old school :rob on this, but a phone is a phone and a dedicated GPS unit .. is just that.

Mounting, yes in another issue, though, we have X-Grip but would not openly suggest for a GS, maybe the Arkon or Go-Mount case (£20-ish) aand mount properly onto the bike.

My 2p
 
The only reason I can see for using a phone based satnav, is cost... either you can't afford or don't want to splash out on a bike device.

My Son uses a (very good, he tells me) phone based system, but.. he can't create custom routes, which for me is the main reason to own a satnav, plus he has to faff about with waterproof boxes and cables, 'cos the battery only lasts for a few hours, and he can't see it at night..

Ok if you're desperate but not for me...
 
I concur with RAM-man and Sleepy on this. Using a phone for sat nav, especially on a bike, is a big compromise. I have Navfree on my Android Galaxy S2 as a last gasp back-up only.

A decent dedicated Garmin (my preference) or TomTom is the only way IMHO. Yes it may cost a little more but will provide a far better user experience.
 
I would be doubly terrified of misplacing or damaging my phone 'cos then I'd have no SatNav.
 
iphones are not waterproof so all that hassel to try and keep it dry, then if it did get wet its fooked, much safer better and easier to have a dedicated sat nav, I just bought the tomtom urban rider.

spike
 
iphone 4s with co pilot which is excellent and waterproof addons charger and case music whilst i ride, gps, phone :beerjug:

sold my zumo as dont need it!
 
Dahoum said:
Was that on a bike?

If so what mount/box waterproofs the Nuvi?
Click to expand...

No, in a car, tried 'test' several times in local suburbs of Farnborough.

Two pouches or cases, GoMount or Arkon case as options. RAM has nuvi cradles (various, depends upon model). Look out for NOH or whitebox stock (with Garmin 1year waaranty) would look and watch ... Amazon :augie

Power lead, could use ciggy or dedicated bike version from www.locatis.eu
 
I use my iPhone4 in a cheap (£12) case and mount I got off here from some guy in the vendors section. I use the NavFree app and whilst basic it does what it says on the tin.

I only use it on my dirt bike as I have a still funtioning 2610 on my GS.

To be fair, it takes a lot of abuse off road (wet, mud, dust and lots of 'offs') and so far I have no complaints, however, for serious route finding/planning I still prefer my 2610.

2610's are cheap enough second hand, why not just get another?

Andres
 
Spike said:
iphones are not waterproof so all that hassel to try and keep it dry, then if it did get wet its fooked, much safer better and easier to have a dedicated sat nav, I just bought the tomtom urban rider.

spike
Click to expand...

The Iphone has a water detector built into it, (turns red if its got wet) so when you return the phone for repair to your provider or Apple you will find the costs are not covered by your insurance/warranty.:blast
 
Bumpkin said:
My SP2720 had the same problem, same design/case.

Took it apart and cleaned the screen and bezel. There was quite a bit of road grime and grit trapped under it that must have been pressing on the screen. Reassembled and bingo, works as good as ever. That was over a year ago and still going strong albeit as a backup that SWMBO uses in the car.
Click to expand...

I thank you sir - you just saved me a wedge of wonga :D

Did the same - was disappointed to find not much dirt & grime inside at all :confused:

Put it all back together - bingo - working fine :clap:clap:clap

Replacement on hold for another 6 years hopefully :cool:

Now - to get my maps updated from City Navigator v6 :eek:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom