Replacing dedicated GPS device with Smart Phone

Zumo... try drop kicking your I-Phone (don't ask me how I know...:rolleyes:). The other advantage to Zumo, waterproof charging cradle that is offroad capable as I run the Zumo between STacey and the Baby Versys. And I keep old fashioned maps, 'cuz I'm paranoid like that. :p But hey, I'm a live and let live kinda guy so if you like your smart phone...enjoy! :thumb:
 
I hate paying the 120 or so dollars for another charging cradle to put on the ST, but that is what I will wind up doing simply because I can push a button and take it off of one bike and put it on the other or put it in the top box or my pocket when I leave the bike.
 
I use both my ..
- iPhone6s+ on a RAM mount off the dash left eyebrow
(With Tomtom and Google Maps)
- Garmin DriveSmart 51 NA LMT-S on right eyebrow
(with Lifetime Maps/Traffic, Live Parking, Bluetooth,WiFi, Smart Notifications, Voice Activation, Driver Alerts, TripAdvisor, Foursquare)

The iPhone on full brightness isn’t quite good enough under the LA sun, but its Bluetooth connection to my Sena20s helmet is nice. The advantage of using Google Maps is that on my Win PC I can make maps with exact paths that I cannot on the smartphone platform. Then i send the PC map route to the phone and its good to go. The iP6s+ is bt linked to my iWatch, which shares nav map and turn info and tactile feedback.

The Garmin is very good in all sun and weather conditions (The iP6s+ is not good in sun or rain, and overheats on +90*F days). The Garmin is good for street navigation from start to end point and recalculating on the fly as I go the way I want. It is not good for custom waypoints as is on the Win PC Google Maps. It also has a bigger and brighter screen than the iP6s+, which is helpful with older guy eyes.

So in essence I use both for each’s strength that the other lacks. Both need to always powered on an USB cable to keep them running long and not screen saving.
 
Last edited:
ST1300 Alicia said:
Does it have the ability to locate the POI's in your local are and reroute you to gas or food without any cell or data coverage. Does it have the ability to keep you apprised of your updated Arrival Time.
Click to expand...
The GPS chip in the phone is the same as the GPS chip in— your GPS. They're the same thing in principle.

The difference is your GPS comes with maps installed. The iPhone comes with a Maps app that needs cell towers for continuous guidance. However map apps can be had that work 'offline' such as Google Maps. That is they reside on the phone just like your Zumo and don't need cell towers to feed them data.

Either is not better than the other for everybody. As a phone is more important to me than a dedicated GPS and I don't need one all that much my phone will do just fine.
 
I’m using Waze, more and more, in the car, mostly for the voice input. Tap the screen and tell it where you want to go. It also allows input from drivers for speed traps, disabled vehicles in the road, congestion and objects in the roadway. Evidently, lots of people use it, as I see quite a few of these alerts popping up. If the hazard has moved, there is a way to clear the alert from the system. The phone needs to stay on the charger because 30 minutes of use will consume all your battery. Another reason I like it, is that on the Wing, it will show on the dashboard screen, using Apple CarPlay. Waze runs from the GPS chip for navigation, but requires phone service for the alerts. It doesn’t seem to use a lot of phone data, for those with limited data plans. One feature that came in handy is its ability to reroute around congestion. On a trip home from N GA, it routed me around a backup on I-40. It routed me around the accident, before I even got to the backed up traffic.

Another App is Sygic. It’s a little different from Waze, as it uses downloaded maps. But, unlike most map sets, you only have to download the states, where you’re traveling. After your trip, you can delete the map areas that you don’t need in order to free up phone memory. It uses the GPS chip in the phone and doesn’t require phone service. I’ve tried this app, and it works great where there’s no phone service, but it doesn’t always know the best route. I know that all GPS will often take a less than perfect route, but Sygic is worse than most.

I believe that Google maps is the only one that updates gas, food, and lodging. Nearly all the rest use the data on the downloaded map set for these features.

Right now I have Apple maps, Google maps, Waze, and Sygic on the phone so I have a choice. Plus, I keep the Zumo on the bars. I hate getting lost. :biggrin:

John
 
ST1300 Alicia said:
I'm not sure I'm up on what the GPS chip is and does. Does it have the ability to locate the POI's in your local are and reroute you to gas or food without any cell or data coverage. Does it have the ability to keep you apprised of your updated Arrival Time.
Click to expand...

The GPS chip does the math to compute your location on the earth based on the signals from the GPS (and other) satellites that are orbiting the earth. It is SERIOUS math. No cell or data coverage is needed. As long as the chip can get enough satellite signals, it will compute the location. You can install an app that will tell you all about your GPS chip; I use one called "GPS Status."

The GPS chip doesn't do any of those other things you mention; it only computes the location. Once the location is computed, other apps in your phone use that location to display a map, calculate a route, etc. Those other apps usually require cell coverage, unless you've downloaded the map data in advance.
 
Last edited:
I run both. I like the constant GPS suctioned to the windshield and my iPhone 8+ is on a X RAM mount in the middle below the instrument cluster. Just downloaded the Navmii app. Will give it a try. The mini iPad is a great option for a little bigger screen. But the 8+ is pretty big too. Great thread!
 
Uncle Phil said:
FWIW, They are out of stock of the 5" but hopefully will have some back in soon.
Click to expand...
They shipped mine yesterday!
I've been using a ten year old TomTom 720 - car GPS which will no longer hold a charge (replaced battery a couple of years ago), is not water resistant and there are no more updates going to be available. I will still use it in the car, but I like a dedicated GPS on the bike.
My biggest problem, as a Canadian with high data costs, is exactly that... no matter what plan I am on or added coverage I get, leaving Canada costs me too much! I know, I can do off line maps and all but I want the real time data.
The phone has been great in a pinch though... just harder for these old eyes to read.
 
I decided one year ago to give up on GPS unit and rely on sygic, navigon and maps.me apps on my cell phone. I've got a samsung s7 edge model, 100% waterproof and my moto life changed. No more extra devices, extra chargers, extra programs, sd cards..... My cell phone can do the same job , plus music, telephone calls etc... I've already tested this using this mount (Attached photo...Motopower MPO619) and of course a permanent charger.
This video helps to choose a good mount!!!MOTOPOWER-MP0619-Bike-Motorcycle-Cell-Phone-Mount-Holder-For-any-Smartphone-GPS-Universal-Moun...jpg
 
I prefer my Garmin 2597LMT unit over the phone, but often use both.
My phones are just too busy to try to use them for routing. (I have both android and iphone; one is for work) Just when I need the phone for routing on some hot, crowded California freeway, a call comes in and I can't see my exit. Or someone adds me to a group text and I have to grumble at my visor. Or some other apps interfere because they think something's more important.
Also, the GPS sensor in my Garmin is faster and more reliable. Sometimes my phone GPS is unreliable and causes me grief.
I also appreciate the "detour ahead", live traffic, and "up ahead" features of the Garmin. I can find restaurants, gas, ATMs, etc. and I use that feature often.
 
One of the "nice" features of my current Pixel 2XL with current Android version is that Google Maps will drop to a large-ish small window in the corner when another app pops up. I can just tap that window to bring it back to full screen even when in a phone call or doing some other app thing. I can move that map window anyplace on screen also and it always stays in front and visible. I've done this while testing navigation while driving my car (as a passenger of course :D ). Phone calls don't interrupt navigation like the older version did and I also can play music and answer calls and do all other tasks the phone will do with that map still visible. Yet another reason I decided to give up on the GPS.
 
Last edited:
ST1300 Alicia said:
I'm not sure I'm up on what the GPS chip is and does. Does it have the ability to locate the POI's in your local are and reroute you to gas or food without any cell or data coverage. Does it have the ability to keep you apprised of your updated Arrival Time. I might be missing out on some really good stuff. A lot of the places I go my phone won't do anything for me. I've got to get into this Century.
Click to expand...
Down load the navmii app for you country from the App Store or equivalent. Turn off data so you won’t get hit for data costs on 3g. This will force the global satellite positioning system element of your phone (most smart phones have them in built) to work and the mapping will track you/ guide you to your route plan. You can add waypoints and it displays or guides you to your chosen poi. Downside is the advertising, but you can pay to remove it. To be honest it is not perfect but i5 is free and considering I have no Nav system for my bike it has become my device of choice. The gig one for me is the audio instructions via blue tooth to my helmet. If you have a smart phone just download and have a play.
 
ST Gui said:
The GPS chip in the phone is the same as the GPS chip in— your GPS. They're the same thing in principle.

The difference is your GPS comes with maps installed. The iPhone comes with a Maps app that needs cell towers for continuous guidance. However map apps can be had that work 'offline' such as Google Maps. That is they reside on the phone just like your Zumo and don't need cell towers to feed them data.

Either is not better than the other for everybody. As a phone is more important to me than a dedicated GPS and I don't need one all that much my phone will do just fine.
Click to expand...
If you download
ATA said:
I run both. I like the constant GPS suctioned to the windshield and my iPhone 8+ is on a X RAM mount in the middle below the instrument cluster. Just downloaded the Navmii app. Will give it a try. The mini iPad is a great option for a little bigger screen. But the 8+ is pretty big too. Great thread!
Click to expand...
m waiting for a decent refurbed iPhone X to come on the market. Not long to wait now
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATA
To be honest, as an ex cartographer and topographical land surveyor I absolutely hate satnav. For years I called them idiot boxes as they stripped away my Nav skills. However, I totally get it. They have their uses, ( which are more than just basic Nav) but, I still prefer having a good look at a real map and forming a mental picture before I go anywhere and then use satnav to confirm. Although I teach computing related stuff I guess I am a Luddite at heart. Weird huh!
 
If anyone wants an iphone app for navigation, I purchased "Copilot" in the past. There's a free version but the paid version is much better.
It's very good and works offline, without using data. You can download all of your maps to the device and it doesn't need network after that.
Hope this helps.
 
two_wheeled said:
I purchased "Copilot" in the past. There's a free version but the paid version is much better.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look. As I mentioned Navigon was my GoTo when on the open road with Apple's Maps for short hops. But Garmin dropped support. It's no longer available at the App Store and it it's broken in iOS 12. It's too bad as it was a terrific nav app that got even better just before it got gone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom