Sat Navs on bikes

[ajmes1]

This may have already been covered, but has anyone had much success with using non-motorbike satnavs (ie tomtom rider etc.) on their bikes. I've seen waterproof cases etc and just wondered what thoughts were.

[alan sherman]

Google maps. Android phone, earpiece. Good for short journeys in town. No screen but is free.

[alexanderfitu]

I use this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-GPS-SAT-NAV-Waterproof-Leather-Case-Mount-Holder-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Cycle-/330807637586?pt=UK_CE_GPS_Accessories_Software_ET&hash=item4d05abf652

or something that looks very much like this. Works well, although larger sat navs can be a bit of a squeeze. No problems in the rain.

What you miss from the more expensive motorbike sat navs is bluetooth audio directions, which can be usefull on the motorbike. The motorbike specific sat navs are too expensive in my opinion.

I have used the android phone + headset option as well, but it rinsed my data plan, and dranied my battery very quickly. I also found in the latest google maps update, they stop saying road names and introduce a delay in the instructions which is annoying.

[mickvp]

Google maps. Android phone, earpiece. Good for short journeys in town. No screen but is free.

change the earpiece for a bluetooth one (like the SENA SMH10 I have), add a waterproof case to the handlebars, and you have a screen as well.

Google's Navigation app has always worked well on my phone.

MY case is much the same as alexander has posted above.

[fq-craigus]

Now thats a great idea, not thought about headphone and phone thats the answer for my journey at the weekend, I did think abput a tank bag with clear pocket but that means buying a tank bag lol

[ajmes1]

Good move with the phone idea.

I use this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-GPS-SAT-NAV-Waterproof-Leather-Case-Mount-Holder-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Cycle-/330807637586?pt=UK_CE_GPS_Accessories_Software_ET&hash=item4d05abf652
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 It was that listing that prompted the question!  I've used my tomtom in a tankbag but spent an unhealthy amount of time glancing down!


Listening to the directions wasn't much of  an issue that way. Might see if I could download a decent satnavs for my phone and use the Bluetooth idea!

[alexanderfitu]

Google maps. Android phone, earpiece. Good for short journeys in town. No screen but is free.

change the earpiece for a bluetooth one (like the SENA SMH10 I have), add a waterproof case to the handlebars, and you have a screen as well.

Google's Navigation app has always worked well on my phone.

MY case is much the same as alexander has posted above.

The data usage is still a problem

[ajmes1]

Google maps. Android phone, earpiece. Good for short journeys in town. No screen but is free.

change the earpiece for a bluetooth one (like the SENA SMH10 I have), add a waterproof case to the handlebars, and you have a screen as well.

Google's Navigation app has always worked well on my phone.

MY case is much the same as alexander has posted above.

The data usage is still a problem

Just found co-pilot do a free version where you download the actual maps to your device, so less data to download, works without signal and just uses the gps chip

[alexanderfitu]

Google maps. Android phone, earpiece. Good for short journeys in town. No screen but is free.

change the earpiece for a bluetooth one (like the SENA SMH10 I have), add a waterproof case to the handlebars, and you have a screen as well.

Google's Navigation app has always worked well on my phone.

MY case is much the same as alexander has posted above.

The data usage is still a problem

Just found co-pilot do a free version where you download the actual maps to your device, so less data to download, works without signal and just uses the gps chip

I had a play with that and the tom tom android version. Neither are as good as Google maps. Shame

[mickvp]

if you play with the settings in google maps you can turn off any additional layers (satellite, terrain etc), and you can also pe-cache some of your common routes to cut right down on the data usage.

with only the basic map layers on, it should only use between 10-20Mb an Hour. Im on an unlimited data plan (3Gb) so its not a major concern for me.

[alexanderfitu]

if you play with the settings in google maps you can turn off any additional layers (satellite, terrain etc), and you can also pe-cache some of your common routes to cut right down on the data usage.

with only the basic map layers on, it should only use between 10-20Mb an Hour. Im on an unlimited data plan (3Gb) so its not a major concern for me.

I did the same but I use my whole 5gb allocation a month either way.

[ajmes1]

I guess!


If it came to I'm sure you could pick up a cheapy off theifbay and either make do without voice directions or ( if you a bit of a whizz with tinkering) could fit a Bluetooth adapter to it.


I feel a project coming on

[rustyrider]

I had to deliver a bike to Paris so stuck the windscreen sucker thing from my Garmin sat nav to the tank and put a polythene bag over the unit and held it on with an elastic band.  No audio from it but it gave me enough info from the maps to not get lost.  The poly bag worked well too even though it pissed it down the whole way there.

[Ian-man]

I use copilot and find it works quite well, you can make a route with multiple waypoints and save it if you wish. No data or loss of signal issues. Sometimes you can download it free for a limited time and get a chance to try before you buy.  Also has camera locations and free app and map Updates.

[mickvp]

if you play with the settings in google maps you can turn off any additional layers (satellite, terrain etc), and you can also pe-cache some of your common routes to cut right down on the data usage.

with only the basic map layers on, it should only use between 10-20Mb an Hour. Im on an unlimited data plan (3Gb) so its not a major concern for me.

I did the same but I use my whole 5gb allocation a month either way.

really?

god thats awful. ive never used my data allowance with anything, but admittedly I dont use the Nav that much!

[unfazed]

I just use a waterproof map

[Punkstig]

I don't use the navigation software, just the maps.
If it's motorway you don't need it on, just need to remember what junction to get off, then have a look again.
If you have iPhone 'navfree' doesn't use data as you download the UK map to phone

[Nosobrut]

I use a tom tom 920 go . Had it for years got a case for it and fittings for  handle bar mounting . Use it every day as a despatch rider in London does the job for me

[unfazed]

I don't use the navigation software, just the maps.
If it's motorway you don't need it on, just need to remember what junction to get off, then have a look again.
If you have iPhone 'navfree' doesn't use data as you download the UK map to phone

[keithfzs1000]

got a tom tom rider v2 and its exceptional if not expensive and costs you to update maps however i have just recommended for my son Navfree ( free app that downloads map to your mobile so doesnt use data a phone specific waterproof case with ram socket and a ram mount. Attach a 12v socket to battery use a 12v usb charger and you have just as good as the sat nav as i have but with free updates....... total cost about 25 to 50 quid depending on your phone
 
use bluetooth or headfones simples

[Davebo]

I use Waze on my phone, it's free and updates traffic in real time, BUT it does use data. (No idea how much as I don't pay for mine).

For the bike, I used to use a waterproof case off of eBay for my old TomTom V1. It was mounted to the bars via a ball & socket but it was a faff to get on and off. Then I was in Hein Gericke (when it was open) and they had one with velcro straps and a nice little sun shade. About £7. They might be selling them off again or via J&S.

DBo.

[Buzz]

Ancient jailbroken iPhone 3GS with Tom Tom, does the job fine.  More importantly the phone is mounted above the clocks on a homemade bracket very much like limax2's setup below, this keeps it in constant eye view unlike when it's on the tank/handlebars etc.

Details FZS600 SatNav bracket

FZS600 SatNav bracket

[locksmith]

I use a Garmin Zumo 550 with a RAM mount on the handlebar wired in to an Autocom system. Expensive to set up but is the dogs danglies.
Plays mp3's as well as navigation
Transfer from bike to bike so lasts a long while.

I've had it that long the Zumo is a little old fashioned now in that the Garmin features are greatly advanced now (like photo real junction display and lane guidance prompting etc, but I wont update till it breaks!

[Mattsplat]

Zumo 660 here, love it but very expensive.

Cheapo version, Nuvi 310 has an 3.5mm jack out and can be picked up for about £20 on eblag, wire it to the battery, waterproof bag from China and you have a proppa setup for under £50.

[fazer390]

I use an old Garmin Zumo765 car satnav. It has a headphone socket to plug my Sanheisser headphones in and a SD slot to add mp3 music files. It's attached via a handlebar garmin ball mount and powered by a cigar socket plummed direct (fused) to the battery. I don't tend to go out in the rain these days; however if it does rain, I put it in a tankbag with a map window.
It also has bluetooth for when I'm in my cage, so it doubles as a hands free kit... Works a treat...