New to 2026 DMD2 (aka DMD Next)? - Start Here

[SPL]

I’ve been using DMD2 for a couple of years on and off as my go to Nav for off-road rides. It runs on an old Galaxy Active tablet which I got cheap 2nd hand and I pay a Google Play subscription for the fully functional DMD.

I also have a Garmin XT which I still use for road stuff but DMD, IMHO, is better for trail riding. I’ve got a feeling that the new version is probably as capable on road as off and if that proves to be the case I will buy one of their units to replace the XT.

The latest generation of the software, which was known as DMD Next during development and early adoption, has now become the only version and is in effect DMD2 from now on.

It is a significant upgrade to an already very good platform but, for those of us who had barely got to grips with the old version, it’s quite a change to the UI and structure.

The change is definitely for the better but, like anything new, you won’t get the best of it unless you take the time to learn how to use it properly.

This is the best place to start: DMD Documentation

I am working through section by section with the guide open on one device and DMD2 running on my Galaxy Tab, so I can follow the descriptions and update my settings and preferences as I go.

This is working quite well and helps get to grips with where everything is and how to use it.

Allow yourself a few hours spread out over the course of several days, take your time, and do not expect it to be like Garmin at all. Despite all the moans and groans about Garmin we have been subconsciously influenced to expect a Nav to behave like theirs and this does not!

This is also a great resource for information and discussion: Facebook Group

But RTFM first and use the search facility within the FB group second, then ask a question if you still need to. It is incredibly annoying for the people who support the community when lazy newcomers ask the same question over and over without putting any effort in to help themselves, and I’ve seen some people get fairly “direct” responses that have caused upset that could easily have been avoided.

There’s also a YouTube series which should be good based on the quality of the guy’s other content but there’s not much there just yet.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Berin]

I switched over from Garmin Montana 700i to the new DMD NOR7e tablet.

My reasoning was that I wanted a dedicated navigation device, so like a more versatile version of the Montana.

Things I like on the hardware:

Robust waterproof screw in power connnector (the very latest ones have a new push-pull connector)
Physical zoom and screen lock button on the front of the device
4 programmable short cut buttons on the top
Very bright (2200 nits) screen, easily sunlight readable
Robust AMPS mount
Option to add a cable to read Obd data like rpm, water temp, etc - plug and play
Cable remote option
Wide temp range, so hopefully no overheating
Support is very good and sold and supported in Britain by the excellent Martin Wittering of Torque Racing

Dislikes
Not much. Battery life is only around 3 hours, but most of the time it’s in a powered mount and there’s usb c charging too.

Software
The DMD2 is great. It comes pre installed which eases set up, and there’s a very good set up guide on the device itself. There’s a lot of choices to make on the set up, but I worked through it over a couple of days and it was very straightforward.

It has its own Android mini launcher which means all the apps you want to use can be launched from DMD, and there’s rarely a need to venture into the Android OS. It has a road book capability which I haven’t explored yet.

Global maps can be downloaded, it works online or fully offline, and has a very good planner built into the DMD2.
It also has profiles, like the Montana- so you can set for example a profile for riding a road bike in Britain with mph and allowing motorways, one for European riding with kmh, etc.

I’m pretty much there with the DMD2 now, probably had an advantage in not having used DMD.

I’m getting used to the HUB now, which is the web based planning portal, as a replacement for Basecamp.