Myrouteapp Is It The Future Of Sat Nav?

Well, the EVKEY L200 was sent back. The return to AliExpress was far easier than I imagined to be honest. UK return address, with a paid for postage label, and full amount originally debited was credited back to my account in about three days.

Resigned to using my phone directly for the time being. Swapped around my SP Connect phone mount and wired that into the Mutley's GPS lead. Had to buy yet another expensive part from them to mount it to the AMPS plate on my GPS mount. Tested it this weekend and it worked well, hoping that the anti vibration mount helps to save the image stabiliser in my Samsung Galaxy S22's camera.

Will have a look at the Carpuride version when I can. Need to ask questions from someone using an Android phone with it first though.

 

It's far better than Basecamp in my opinion. I used MapSource and then Basecamp for years and was a full on Garmin 'evnagelist' recommending them to everyone who asked. Basecamp has a steep learning curve and is far from intuitive, though once over that hump it did work quite well. However, MRA changed all that, I was still using Garmin devices, just the route planning was done in MRA.

Multipoint routes: Absolutely. As in Basecamp, unless it's a circular route, just define start and end and then add shaping-points in-between (these can easily be converted to way-points as needed). For circular routes define start, a couple of mid points and end points then adjust with shaping-points as required.

Way-points and Shaping-points: Like Basecamp; the former are hard points you must visit, the latter just used to influence the route. If exporting the route to use in a Garmin sat nav these translate correctly (I used the GPX1.1 format which worked well, there are other options). In MRA both start and end points are way-points by default, anything you add between are shaping-points (you just click on the route line to add these then drag to desired location). Aside from start and end points you can convert any points between the two types.

Mapping styles: A broad range; including Google Maps, Google Satellite, Google Street View, OpenStreet Map, TomTom, HERE.

Speed camera data: Like Garmin this is more a function of an add-on to the GPS rather than the planning software. MRA Next has speed camera data and alerts.

This all works in a similar way to Basecamp but is more intuitive. The real advantages are things like the switchable map layers (Google Maps and Satellite, Michelin Maps etc to name a few), Google Street View, the cloud based nature of it all which really comes into its own when using their Navigation Next phone app for navigation as all routes you've created on your PC are there and ready for use in the phone app. It must be noted that you do need a data connection for this to work directly though they've thought of that and there is a sync function that you should do before a trip to bring the required routes to your phone. It's also possible to bring mapping data to your phone, at a country specific level, so touring in non signal areas works OK (much the same as Garmin sat navs).

It must also be mentioned that some of the functionality is only available in the paid version. Go here and click 'show features' for any version and then click 'compare features'. This will give you an idea of the capabilities of each version. I would recommend a lifetime sub on Nav Gold and Nav Next. There are free trial periods of two weeks too if you want to try them out; Planner Gold and Nav Next. Prices seem cheapest on the MRA web-shop. I have no affiliation with MRA, other than being a beta tester for Nav Next, I just like their product and have faith in the onward development.

Nav Next, from my experience, handles detours and route recalculation better. It shows an alternate route if you deviate but importantly still shows the original route as planned so you can see both. It doesn't have the tendency to recalc and then throw the rest of the route away as Garmins can do. There are ways to get Garmins to behave in a similar fashion though these do involve compromise IMHO. I ran a Garmin XT against Nav Next on a tour a couple of years ago and Nav Next was so much better. This was at the end of the beta development phase too, the 1.0 production version was released half way through that trip, I updated and continued.

MRA are bikers and passionate about their products, unlike Garmin and most other nav manufacturers are first and foremost aimed at motorcyclists, though they have added car, motorhome and truck modes to Nav Next. The products are still evolving and improving with additional features being added. I've been impressed with the evolution of MRA Gold Planner and Nav Next, both have been a case of building on a solid foundation and then improve both performance and UI further as well as adding additional features. Their user forum keeps you up to date with what's happening and it's evident that they listen to their userbase and see that as guidance for the next steps.

If you want a zoom call for a screen-share demo of Nav Gold then drop me a PM. Can't really do anything before Christmas but between Christmas and New Year is a possibility.

 

Further to my setup which now includes a Carpuride W702 Pro Android Auto/Apple CarPlay panel. I've combined this with an Evotech mount with the Carpuride adapter plate with Quadlock. I swapped the bright blue Quadlock release lever, as that offended my sensibilities, with a black one. More stealth, doesn't draw attention to the QD aspect when parked up.


The Evotech plate on the rear of the Carpuride, it's solid aluminium and replaces the original mount making contact with the thermal pad to retain heat dissipation.


The mount


The Quadlock allows this orientation which makes connecting the cable far easier.


Then press Quadlock release lever and rotate through 90°.


Powering on, yet to setup personalised boot screen.


Carpuride home screen.


MyRouteApp under Android Auto.

 

Having spent 18 months using MRA Nav Next on my phone, although I've also used it via Android Auto in my car, it seems to work well. I've only had a couple of decent rides since getting the Carpuride. After an accident in late June I was only back in the road in October.

The functionality of MRA Nav Next via Android Auto is a cut down experience compared to using it directly on a phone or tablet. As a result it does take a bit of getting used to. You can always revert to using you phone for some of the settings menus. Most of the important functions you'll need when riding are accessible though.

The scaling issue I experienced with an earlier panel from a different manufacturer, EVKey, isn't a problem on the Carpuride. This was obviously a firmware issue. The EVKey worked fine with an iPhone, just not with Android where the screen res. was unusably small.

If you plug the USB power lead for your Carpuride into a power bank or charger you can use the device indoors to connect to your phone, see how it works etc.

 

Michel covered all the bases as far as 'flat mapping' is concerned. One of the big attractions of MRA Route Planner Gold is Google Street View being built in. There's an icon for it down the left side of the map, clicking this shows which roads have Street View coverage with a blue line over whatever flat mapping you have currently selected, it doesn't need to be Google Maps. Clicking the blue line brings up Street View so you can check out the road or if a petrol station is still there, parking options near your hotel etc. there are many uses. There's a smaller version of the flat map, which you can pan or zoom, at bottom left so you can move around easily within Street View by clicking the blue line somewhere else in the small map. It's a very handy planning tool worth 'the price of admission' on it's own. It's available in Silver and Gold versions, not basic.



MRA have approached development with motorcycle route planning in mind.

 

That's the beauty of the Android Auto/Apple Carplay pannels, whilst not cheap they're more disposable than a decent smartphone. Also a brighter daylight readable screen, bike powered and usually larger screen size. There's no need for a phone mount either, my phone stays in the tank-bag, on charge and with the screen off. End the day with 100% charge.

As previously stated until the arrival of the Carpuride I've been using my phone, a Galaxy S21. This has been in a damped SP Connect mount to try and protect the image stabilised cameras. I was running two, the S21 and an old Galaxy S9, as despite being powered GPS chip, MRA and highest screen brightness the charge rate couldn't keep up. I had a serious accident in France last year where the bike cartwheeled end over end (it was a write off). The fairing upper complete with headlight, instruments and GPS mount were torn off. The mount and phone case were present, the phone had gone. Being towards the end of the day I was onto the S21, the S9 having lasted until just before the accident. Ian, a member here and with me that day had a search where my bike and I had left the road and miraculously found my phone. It was completely intact with just a merest mark, hardly perceptible, on the outer frame. Even the tempered glass screen saver was unbroken. Granted I was very lucky in that regard and get your point completely on the risk of damaging/trashing an expensive phone. In fact I was doubly lucky as it's somewhat helpful (understatement) having your smartphone when hospitalised in a foreign country where you're trying to arrange all sorts of things like onward travel, insurance, contacting loved ones, dealing with clients, translating etc. etc. I use Android Dex when on tour so it's essentially my PC away from home.

I do get the simplicity and compact size of the beeline, I think they're a great variation on a theme. I understand that there's now a version that you can also upload GPX route files to as well. For me a bigger screen and the ability to look ahead at an overview as well as perform numerous other nav functions. If I had a naked or more retro bike one might well be on the cards though.