GPS recommendations

[tall_tracy]

3 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

I bought a Sena 3S from @RidersDiscount and it works excellent for music and navigation. It's also a very small profile and doesn't look like your helmet has a tick. 

I have the 3S also and think it's great... mostly bc it doesn't let you pair it with everyone bc I hate talking to people; I'd rather karaoke in my helmet when I'm riding instead. 

[hiro]

15 hours ago, tall_tracy said:

I have the 3S also and think it's great... mostly bc it doesn't let you pair it with everyone bc I hate talking to people; I'd rather karaoke in my helmet when I'm riding instead. 

That's basically me. heh I'd like something that is mainly a speaker. Maybe I don't even need Bluetooth for that. Just plug into the phone? I don't know if voice commands do much for navigation apps.

[Tonik]

38 minutes ago, hiro said:

I don't know if voice commands do much for navigation apps.

 

"Ok Google"

"Navigate nearest gas station."

"Play music."

[Connie14]

Bluetooth.  Accept no substitute.  Once you have it, you will never go back. 

Edited May 14, 2017 by Connie14

[hiro]

I need to hijack something, so...  After researching less expensive (than the Sema SMH10) BT receivers, I bought a RAM mount for my phone instead. heh I figure do try this in 2 or 3 steps. First, mount the phone, then add a power connection, then maybe add BT. As it is now, I pull out my phone when I get lost, look at the map, put the phone away, then get lost again.

[2talltim]

24 minutes ago, hiro said:

I need to hijack something, so...  After researching less expensive (than the Sema SMH10) BT receivers, I bought a RAM mount for my phone instead. heh I figure do try this in 2 or 3 steps. First, mount the phone, then add a power connection, then maybe add BT. As it is now, I pull out my phone when I get lost, look at the map, put the phone away, then get lost again.

Ram mount is a good start.

Step 2, I'm assuming you have a battery tender led on your bike already. So get one of these. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEF4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_rmKhzbQ7JQA1S 

And one of these  quality cables that will put up with the abuse and UV rays( If you have an iPhone I don't know it equivalent)...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GJC4WRO/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_eoKhzbBJ3AX0H

 And don't skimp on the Bluetooth the smh10 is a quality unit and they can be had for a bargain. You get what you pay for do it right the first time buy quality stuff.

 

Edited May 19, 2017 by 2talltim

[hiro]

2 hours ago, 2talltim said:

Ram mount is a good start.

Step 2, I'm assuming you have a battery tender led on your bike already. So get one of these. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEF4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_rmKhzbQ7JQA1S 

And one of these  quality cables that will put up with the abuse and UV rays( If you have an iPhone I don't know it equivalent)...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GJC4WRO/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_eoKhzbBJ3AX0H

 And don't skimp on the Bluetooth the smh10 is a quality unit and they can be had for a bargain. You get what you pay for do it right the first time buy quality stuff.

 

Yeah, that stuff looks good. What would be considered a bargain for an SMH10? I don't foresee needing an intercom. Mainly something that will output audio, and /maybe/ take some voice input.

[2talltim]

17 minutes ago, hiro said:

Yeah, that stuff looks good. What would be considered a bargain for an SMH10? I don't foresee needing an intercom. Mainly something that will output audio, and /maybe/ take some voice input.

I've seen used singles being sold for as low as $75 on other forum for sale threads you have to keep your eyes open because they go fast. But even the $150 price tag for a new unit is a great deal for the product you get.

[Tonik]

16 minutes ago, Isaac's Papa said:

@Tonik, I think I'm going to get this "sygic" thingy for my iPhone5s. I already have that RAM mount you gave me a couple years ago and my helmet has the Bluetoofs. I would like to import my routes and use the offline navigation. Any tips or tricks to do this, or is it all pretty user-friendly? 

I don't do Iphones.

It is my understanding that you can not import routes in iPhone Sygic. @ScubaCinci tried and failed, and he is no slouch on tech. Lets see what he has to say about that to be sure 

You can modify the route manually on Sygic.... you can drag and drop the route but on that small screen it really sucks and is only usefull for minor route fixes.

One option is get a cheap used android phone. You dont need to put it on verizon or whoever you can do it all via wifi. Bit then you have to learn android...get a google account and carry two pbones.

Might as well by a Garmin man.

 

[ScubaCinci]

Yep, I tried after the last sygic update but you still can't import routes. I even emailed their support about it and the answer they gave me was simply you can import favorite places and they never directly addressed my question. After that I decided not to waste my time with them. 

[ricer1]

On 5/11/2017 at 7:55 AM, Isaac's Papa said:

I do it the old fashioned way. 

Do you have a trailer the for the map? 

[Wahoo]

IP, I received mine as a gift from the family.   I would not have spent that much for a GPS if I was paying for it.

 

[hiro]

7 hours ago, Tonik said:

One option is get a cheap used android phone. You dont need to put it on verizon or whoever you can do it all via wifi. Bit then you have to learn android...get a google account and carry two pbones.

I have a cheap, Tracfone Android. I plan to try it with Google Maps. The phone itself cost maybe $40. Not a big loss if it falls off! So far, from what I've seen, using maps barely uses data. I use way more credit for texts. Topping it up is still less expensive than a monthly plan so far. I use PC's more so anyway.

[PhilD'oh!]

I wouldn't necessarily mind using a phone for navigation, but every one I've tried fails in extreme weather conditions.  It's either the extreme heat/full sun situations that cause them to overheat (plus keeping the screen on and running apps full time), HF vibrations from the bars, humidity, cold, whatever and they eventually fail me.  My phone is too important to me when I'm away from home to subject it to that abuse, not to mention that I'm one of those geezers with a limited data plan.  

 

I've been using Garmin Zumo gps units for years now with none of those problems.  They are tough.  My current setup uses an old 550 for basic functions like speed and "what if" routes and a 665 for primary navigation, weather, radio and traffic.   I also don't like using a Bluetooth device when I'm riding solo because of battery life.  Yes, my Sena 20s has a cord that will charge the unit while I ride, but it's much simpler for me to just plug my helmet speakers directly in, everything being powered by the bike, no batteries to charge, no Bluetooth device to go crazy when it gets wet (the 20s does that, makes me angry).  I can and routinely ride 14+ hours a day with no drama like this.  

For just casual riding or commuting, I wouldn't need this setup, but just a phone would be inadequate for long distance stuff. 

[Tonik]

4 hours ago, hiro said:

I have a cheap, Tracfone Android. I plan to try it with Google Maps. The phone itself cost maybe $40. Not a big loss if it falls off! So far, from what I've seen, using maps barely uses data. I use way more credit for texts. Topping it up is still less expensive than a monthly plan so far. I use PC's more so anyway.

You can download maps on google for an area before you leave via wifi to save data. And loon at Sygic man. 30 bucks and you have all of North America on your phone.

[Tonik]

2 hours ago, PhilD'oh! said:

but just a phone would be inadequate for long distance stuff. 

I gotta disagree. I got 130k on phones. Our whole 5k out west was on phone. 100 in texas, snow in Arizona and a monsoon in Tennessee. I am Bluetooth to the sena now, but with nav plus music I have never had it go dead. Was on ear buds before. Power to the phone on my handlebars and the bud cord run under the tank.

Now I will say my fairing protects it pretty well. And most phones are at least waterproof now.

[PhilD'oh!]

I knew you'd disagree, that's  cool.  You do seem to get your phone to serve you well.  Doesn't work for me.  That's all I'm saying.  

My Sena won't play music for 16 hours on one charge. 

[Tonik]

19 minutes ago, PhilD'oh! said:

I

My Sena won't play music for 16 hours on one charge. 

Ok, so I have  not hit 16 hours. 11 or 12 maybe.

[TimTheAzn]

On 5/11/2017 at 9:02 AM, Bad324 said:

My favorite option was when we were out on long rides and I was either fatigued or needed to get back and had to split from the group. Hit the "take me home button" and worked out fantastic

Yea towards the end, the button that got most used was the "I'm going to just stay at home button".

[Tpoppa]

21 minutes ago, Danimal said:

I have a used Zumo 550 with mount for sale. $250

Will go on ADV shortly, and will be gone in a flash at that price.

$200 for any OR member. Works fine.

I might be interested Dan.

Edit:  I'll buy it.  

Edited May 22, 2017 by Tpoppa

[hiro]

11 hours ago, Tonik said:

You can download maps on google for an area before you leave via wifi to save data. And loon at Sygic man. 30 bucks and you have all of North America on your phone.

One downside of a cheaper phone seems to be less storage space. Sygic takes up a lot of space from what I can tell. Could try a larger uSD card, I guess.

 

[Tonik]

14 minutes ago, hiro said:

One downside of a cheaper phone seems to be less storage space. Sygic takes up a lot of space from what I can tell. Could try a larger uSD card, I guess.

 

You can pick and choose what states you install. I add and delete as needed. I got 19 states right now and its using 1.88 GB

[Tpoppa]

15 minutes ago, Tonik said:

You can pick and choose what states you install. I add and delete as needed. I got 19 states right now and its using 1.88 GB

Can you pick red states or blue states? 

[jschaf]

A good radar detector (Valentine or Escort) is on my list electrical gizmos to buy.  A GPS would  be down on the list in matter of Importance.  Dead reconing is the most fun anyway, lol.

[ScubaCinci]

Meh, you're better off using Waze. With the instant on guns a lot of LEO's use, by the time a radar detector alerts you it usually too late.