| Author | Message | ||
     Dfbutler |
I just got an Android phone and I've had a helmet bluetooth for years (Cardo G4 currently). I knew that the Google Maps app had the ability to give verbal directions, so I thought I'd try it going to a friend's house. Long story short, I listened to music on the way with turning directions popping up as needed. Even better, since I knew where I was going, I changed routes from the originally suggested one several times and the phone (GPS?) never missed a beat, recalculating the route to the destination and continuing with the directions. | ||
| Froggy |
Google maps doesn't hold a candle to a dedicated GPS unit. Slow, buggy, inaccurate, requires data coverage, then it gets all wonky when you try and create your own route, pain to manage favorites and quickly navigate to them. Then you have to deal with waterproofing and power issues. Charging in the summer is also fun, the heat in direct sunlight during a hot day will prevent the phone from charging due to thermal runaway protections. Google Maps works in a pinch, but it isn't even close to a GPS replacement. | ||
| Sifo |
I asked myself that question a few weeks ago. I did some digging and found that the smartphone GPS relies on data being streamed from Google Maps (typically). You ride into an area without cell coverage and you lose the GPS navigation too. Beyond that there are functional differences that may or may not mean anything to a given user. I decided to keep my GPS for navigation and keep using my dumbphone that has no data plan to pay for. YMMV. | ||
| Dfbutler |
I've had a dedicated GPS for years, but don't always leave it on the bike. The phone is always in my pocket. Granted, battery life could be an issue, but should be about the same as the batteries in my GPS, one day on 4 AAs. The GPS is on a RAM mount on my handlebars and requires looking down and reading it to determine how far to next turn, increasing in frequency as the turn approaches since you have to look at it to know to turn. I have not been outside on cell coverage, but the Android (HTC Thunderbolt - how could an S3 owner get anything else?) apparectly has stand alone GPS. I'm jst making an observation based on on weekends use. | ||
| Birdy |
After my last little "Where the heck am I?" trip I decided that the Droid wasn't cutting it. Beside sucking the battery down it gets hot enough to cook on. And I was in "The Dead Zone" so no service. So I am getting ready to drop $400.00 on a Garmen Zuno 200. That the simplest of the motorcycle ready ones they make, so what if there's no radio FM-X or MP3 player? It still had all the other goodies like water-proof, tougher than a $2.00 steak, and bluetooth and a ton more that I have't a clue about. I'll drop extra to get another bike mount for the KLR as it only comes with one and a car mount. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I have the navigon app on my iPhone. Takes up a lot of memory, but doesn't rely on cell connection. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I have a map. Uses some of my memory. Relies on me being sober. | ||
| Birdy |
Dave I have maps TOO but i've gotten lazy in my old age. And in the flatlands in the deep south where I'm from it's hard to find something to get a "Fix" on when off roading. One Pine Tree looks pretty much like the next one.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
Well it was more joke than anything. I know NZ well enough now not to need one. Might consider it when I move though. | ||
| Britchri10 |
Eastern Aus is a piece of P**s: Just keep the Snowy's on the LHS for North & the RHS for South. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Yeah - Living in Perth messed me up though. Ocean on the wrong side. I was thinking more for finding my way around Brisbane. Not spent much time there - usually headed further North or stopped at the Tweed River. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I use the pre trip look it up on the map method. If I need to, I'll write some directions down and put them under the clear plastic on my tank bag. Mostly, I just wing it... which has turned out to be quite fun! | ||
| Danger_dave |
I put the map in the top of the tank bag. I think it depends on the journey. I've done tours on bikes with a GPS and spent more time watching the red flashing arrow than observing the surroundings and the ride. Some of my best 'discoveries' have been from a wrong turn. There is something to be said for the chaos theory - particularly when 'meandering'. But then if you need to be somewhere you havent been before and it's hard to find, or on the clock - then they are a real boon. | ||
| Mtjm2 |
Whatever happened to a peace of paper and some adventure or frustration ? | ||
| Tbolt_pilot |
I use Paint Shaker's method too. I do need to get a new atlas though. My 1998 Nat Geo truckers atlas is falling apart. We are going on a 17-day trip to the four corners states in Sep. I mentioned to my wife that I considered possible looking at GPS's and her jaw hit the floor. "You?...Mr Human Roadmap...a GPS? Are you sick or something?" I'll just get a new atlas. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
I've been to destination: Idaho,Texas,Maine,Tennessee,Wisconsin and all the states between with specific places to see..........how did I ever get there with no glitches.....without a GPS? Yes I have one now...but what makes us so lazy and unself reliant? | ||
| Sifo |
Whatever happened to a peace of paper and some adventure or frustration ? Use a GPS for a while. You'll get your adventure and frustration. There's also times I do it the old fashioned way. Sometimes I just use the compass built into the GPS. Having it doesn't mean you're not allowed to put it in your pocket. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>> peace of paper<< This isn't 'Nam, Donnie. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I think you mean Walter Dave. | ||
| Danger_dave |
OK - Walter - but I thought Walter said it to Donnie during the 'mark it zero' incident too. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Don't remember that. I'll have to pay attention for that next time I watch it. | ||
| Danger_dave |
nah - he doesn't. - i have it on itunes. only the dude says it. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Shut the f@&! Up Donnie, you're way out of your element here! Several years ago when I bowled we named our team "Mark it Zero". | ||
| Cataract2 |
Since getting here to Germany I have had to rely on my GPS a bit more. Not so much because I don't want to get lost, it's more because of fuel needs. Unless I want to not have any money left over for my trip I have to find the nearest ESSO station as that is where my fuel card will work. It kinda puts a crimp in my riding without a plan to a destination idea that I used in the states, but alas, I will manage. | ||
| Wbrisett |
Here's an ironic story... I'm sure it's just my phone (maybe)... My daughter wanted a new phone, we found Tmobile was blowing out their GarminPhones. I liked it as well and picked one up too. Recently I decided to use it in the car mount instead of the GPS. Mostly because the GarminPhone uses Garmin maps (you even get to update them via Garmin for free). In 45 minutes the unit crashed 3 times and shut off the GPS part of Android 4 times. I realize that the GarminPhone was an early attempt from Garmin to get into the phone game, but I would have expected better from them. Needless to say, I don't think a phone unit will ever replace a full-fledged GPS. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I have a droid x and so far my GPS has been great! Usually place it in my tank bag map cover and keep a ziploc bag or two for rain proofing! Didn't know you could jam tunes and get voice directions at the same time, have to try that out!!! There is also a company out there (name has slipped my memory) but they make waterproof cases in all sizes! Any professional photographer is prob familiar with the company! Anyway, I would like to someday have a dedicated GPS but my "X" works pretty good! Getting ready this weekend to install a power plug for draining battery issue, any paticular plug thats better than the other? | ||
| Crackhead |
You can predownload map sections that you know are in spotty data coverage areas. To enable the function click, Menu > More > Labs >Download Map area. Then in map view a long lick on the area will download the section. When the service providers will finally provide Google with detailed coverage maps, then it will automatically download the necessary map sections. Instead of using favorites, add addresses to your contact list and search by contacts. Forgot to add, the latest map update will pull up mass transit routs and times. (Message edited by crackhead on July 07, 2011) | ||
| Pwnzor |
Ummmm... I partially agree with Froggy. HOWEVER, Google maps on my Droid caches the entire route when I select a destination, so with or without a data connection I will always find my way. The phone could be turned off or reboot or whatever, and as long as I choose the same destination when I restart the navigation feature, the map is still loaded in memory. Also, you can cache as many or as few areas you like in advance and keep them on the SD card. I have a Garmin with lifetime updates, and while it is true that nothing beats a dedicated GPS unit for overall reliability, there is something to be said for the ability to hit one icon and speak aloud "Navigate to Avenue 3 Pizza Long Beach California" and instantly getting directions to the correct location. Also, there have been many times where the GPS was completely failzors and Google maps took me straight into my destination within a few feet. Downtown between tall buildings the Garmin sucks. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Cyclonemick, Maybe instead of the power plug, just try getting a better battery... Here is the one for your phone. I have it for mine and I can run everything on my phone constantly for at least 12 hours. | ||
| Sifo |
Downtown between tall buildings the Garmin sucks. Why would the smartphone GPS be any different in that situation? I would think it would be a function of how good the antenna works to pick up the diminished satellite signals. If my GPS were to fail or get lost/stolen I think I would be looking pretty seriously at my options on phones. I happen to largely feel about phones the way some on this thread feel about a GPS. I really hate when people can't put the phone away for the duration of a simple meal. It's less about the technology than it is about the user. |
