With all the satnavs around which is the best for 1300gs plus lower protection bars.
Thanks
Thanks
Satnav and lower protection bars
- Thread starter Swansea Jack
- Start date
I can only go from my experience...
The best satnav is your phone, displayed on an AirPlay device like the Chigee. I use a 6-inch CPMC that cost less than half the price of a Chigee. The screen is bright, the touchscreen reliable and connectivity faultless. I got it with a discount code from a review video on the Missenden Flyer youtube channel. I've used it in pouring rain and it appears well made enough to keep the water out. App-wise, I use Google navigating in the background with Waze displayed day to day. For rides out, I use Kurviger which seems to create great routes.
I specced the BMW engine bars on mine to stop me dropping the bike onto the cylinder heads. I like the look of them and they look plenty strong enough.
I think it depends on what you intend to use your satnav for...
Personally, for touring, using routes I've planned on a PC (whether that is in MRA or Basecamp) using specific waypoints and specific roads, I still prefer my Garmin Zumo XT. Obviously, it's a stand-alone device that does not rely on a phone signal.
However, it if just a satnav to get from A to B using shortest, fastest, or curvy routes (and allowing the device (phone/sat nav or whatever) then a Carplay or phone replicator device is probably easier.
Probably depends whether you want to decide the route or if you're happy for the device to figure it out.
Personally, for touring, using routes I've planned on a PC (whether that is in MRA or Basecamp) using specific waypoints and specific roads, I still prefer my Garmin Zumo XT. Obviously, it's a stand-alone device that does not rely on a phone signal.
However, it if just a satnav to get from A to B using shortest, fastest, or curvy routes (and allowing the device (phone/sat nav or whatever) then a Carplay or phone replicator device is probably easier.
Probably depends whether you want to decide the route or if you're happy for the device to figure it out.
Locke
Registered user
Old phone in Connected ride works for me - use TomTom amigo for point to point navigating and if I want to plan or use waypoints on computer then upload the gpx file in to BMW motorrad app. Had a Chigee AI05 which was nice but phone has a 6.7 inch screen so easier for my old eyes! People say vibration through connected ride can kill phone camera, but is old phone so not worried and can't see any more significant vibration than having it in the tank compartment on charge!
You can download the maps in Google Maps, so no signal necessary. I create routes and waypoints. Save the lot in GM and in Notes. See everything on the Chigee or similar. I have a Peak Design handlebar cradle and I use PD case for my phone anyway, as a back if the Chigee packs up. I don't even use Bluetooth, just plug in the helmet speaker in the phone. I like simple....
Engine bars wise, looked at a few - some more minimal than others but I liked the slimline Unit Garage ones (3 mounting/1 touch points). Regarding Navigation - older Nav 5 from BMW actually worked well on my older GS, tried an XT2 - gave up after x2 faulty units. Didn't want to use a phone in the connected ride (mate's £1000 Iphone bounced out and was crushed on the M6) so went for the Chigee 6" that was £320 on their Kickstarter campaign (more £ now). Use MRA route design (on PC) and even though they have improved the Navigation app still think OSMand+ is the best for Android Auto navigating (once you know the settings to use!). You also download all maps for offline use, so you don't need a phone signal. If it's A to B navigating then Google Maps/Waze. Calimoto also works with the head unit but only if you have a Apple device (no Android).
Carpuride 702BS is the way to go, good price, BMW wonderwheel useage, choice of numerous car play navigation apps if you pick one with offline map facility then signal is not an issue. No problem on phone life fit phone in the the new cubbyhole on charge 
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2015
- Messages
- 12,983
- Reaction score
- 4,912
Just my 2 cents (euro) but I prefer cylinder head guards to crash bars, more discrete and arguably more effective, mine are OEM
Just my 2p worth:
Satnav, I use a garmin zumo xt with a 3DAM adapter in the bmw cradle. I prefe4 a dedicated satnav rathe4 than use my phone.
Crash bars: I have Touratech sports crash bars fitted…. I like the fact they are not too in your face, but do the job on a low speed drop ( high speed, I dont think any huge bars will be worthwhile) . Fitted mine so the TT badge is reversed so I’m not advertising for them.
Everyone has different ideas as we are all different.
Satnav, I use a garmin zumo xt with a 3DAM adapter in the bmw cradle. I prefe4 a dedicated satnav rathe4 than use my phone.
Crash bars: I have Touratech sports crash bars fitted…. I like the fact they are not too in your face, but do the job on a low speed drop ( high speed, I dont think any huge bars will be worthwhile) . Fitted mine so the TT badge is reversed so I’m not advertising for them.
Everyone has different ideas as we are all different.
Sat nav wise just buy the correct tool for the job. A sat nav. I use Garmin and plot routes on Basecamp. For me it is by far the easiest to use and very user friendly. My bike sat nav is pretty old now, a Zumo 660. It must 12-15 years old now and has never caused me any problems. It will no doubt pack up at some point. I will then buy another sat nav, I don’t know which one yet but it will need to fit the BMW cradle. I think Garmin do make models that fit the same cradle as my old Zumo.
I use a zumo xt2 on the wunderlich plate for my GSA and swapped the oe crash bars for the outback mototrek ones in white, I think it looks great and it gets rid of the sticky out ears which I’m not a fan of, but each to his own.
Maybe a silly question as I'm not very tech-savvy. I also use a Zumo XT for longer trips and holidays. We ride in a group of 4-6. A friend of mine spends a lot of time doing excellent roadbooks on MRA and Basecamp, he mails us the roadbooks and we then download them on our Zumos to be on the same page. If I was to follow your procedure, i.e. downloading them for offline use on Google Maps, would it be possible that maybe GMs "reads" the routes differently? I ask you as we have had problems with one of the guys who runs a Tom-Tom device and not a Garmin and his GPS unit sometimes reads the route slightly differently. Cheers
i dont know of the technicalities but in our normal group we share the routes and typically do get a few differences in exact mapping (Nav6, XT, MyRoute). i suspect it may be in how the more intelligent of our group creates the routes.
Barry
As I understand it - a 'route' is only a series of waypoints.
Any two Sat Navs may interpret that series of waypoints in different ways leading to a slightly different 'route' being generated.
Even the same Sat Navs with slightly differing updates can do this, which in group riding can cause a fair bit of confusion - for example when one rider turns left at a junction and yours is telling you to turn right.
Any two Sat Navs may interpret that series of waypoints in different ways leading to a slightly different 'route' being generated.
Even the same Sat Navs with slightly differing updates can do this, which in group riding can cause a fair bit of confusion - for example when one rider turns left at a junction and yours is telling you to turn right.
Garmin is a leader in aviation and marine navigation hardware and software. It's kind of unbelievable their road gps software implementation is so archaic.
IrishGaucho
Registered user
For me right now, the best one out there is the RiderNav R7M. You can check my review below and also see my playlist to compare it to others and see which one fits you best.
For lower protection bars, AltRider has a pretty solid solution that's often skipped now these days. You should check them out!
If you have the stock bars, they do make a pretty cool reinforcement bar that basically gives it the strength they don't have from factory.
You can check that in this one (and you should also check the skid plate, that's AWESOME!
Hope that helps...
Cheers!
For lower protection bars, AltRider has a pretty solid solution that's often skipped now these days. You should check them out!
If you have the stock bars, they do make a pretty cool reinforcement bar that basically gives it the strength they don't have from factory.
You can check that in this one (and you should also check the skid plate, that's AWESOME!
Hope that helps...
Cheers!
There’s a complete GPS / phone based navigation section on the forum.
That won’t be much help on lower protection bars, which requires very specialist knowledge.
I have the Touratech lower bars on but still undecided as what navigation to buy
I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure
Similar threads
