Sat Nav Or Iphone?

The other half bought a Givi case for attaching a car Tomtom to bike handlebars. The problem with this was that the slightly flexible clear plastic of the bag touching the touchscreen can accidentally change the settings/views on the move (he resorted to inserting a clear plastic CD case between the touchscreen and the plastic of the bag for a bit more rigidity). He did power the Tomtom off the bike rather than its own battery but I think this wiring harness was something he custom made (I'm sure there was a connection to the Optimate lead, and possibly a car cigarette lighter plug somewhere in the system, but this was a few years back with his old Fazer).

He also tried using his iphone with the Tomtom app in the Givi case - it overheated and conked out (and this was riding in mid-Wales, not hot sunny climes!)

Frustration with these solutions led him to buy a Garmin Zumo 660 bike specific satnav.

 

Exactly.

 

I've used TomTom on iPhone for the past 5 years with no issues all over Europe and in the US/Canada. Powered from a USB, velcro'd to the headstock or a flat ram mount adaptor. Job done. As a case, I have the Lifeproof Nüud which is the best on the market: it allows you to power the phone without having to take it out of the case.

 

I've got a Garmin 660 which uses a powered mount (RAM-type) and it comes with a mounting you can also use in a car. Good sized screen, ability to use a memory card, create custom routes on your computer/lap top and transfer. But then I haven't got an iPhone. With two devices if you lose one you're only half screwed.

 

Have got both. Car satnav in a waterproof case works more than well enough and not stupid bike twatnav money. Phone works well with google maps etc but find the nav apps a bit hit and miss and if abroad you really need offline maps.

Have used navfree and it works ok, and is by country

 

I have both but I do prefer using the Tom Tom

 

I have a garmin 660 also, use it on the bike and in the car, comes with all the cables and mounts you will need, only downside is that it lags behind sometimes when your getting a move on, which isn't very often. The iPhone I find is always searching for signal, a little hit and miss and using maps that reset themselves and change if you need to use a different function on your phone.
I put the iPhone in my bag, use sat nav to navigate and use a iPod to listen to music

 

In the most part I don't really use sat nav much on a bike whether a European trip or not, if your just getting there or to other destinations whilst on your holiday then just pre check a map and pick up signs, makes for a little more adventure

However I do take a sat nav for the times I need specifics (hotel, dedicated twisty route find etc) but I'm more than happy running either TomTom or nav free on my old iPhone 3GS, I use a quick release ultimate add ons waterproof case and have wired a USB charging point from the battery, underneath the left hand panel and up to the headstock, easy peasey.

The iphone doesn't even have a SIM card in, it's my old old phone which is more than adequate.

Nav free is as it suggests, free (to a degree) - Navfree GPS UK & ROI + Street View on the App Store on iTunes

Works just like TomTom in terms of how it looks but also has other nice features like built in google search and then when you hit the google directions link it drops the route straight in the sat nav ready to roll, again without a SIM card you just need a place with free wifi like a McDonald's.

Maps do cost but they're not much and all offline.

TomTom app is obviously more expensive but probably only £50 for the entire Western Europe?

Tell you what, I'll take a picture of the set up if you want. It's cheap, it's easy and it uses old phone technology you've probably already got so the only outlay is the apps

 

I've got tom tom rider and its just taken me 2400 miles in europe and was absolutely flawless , set it up avoid tolls and motorways and was perfect some of the best roads I've ever been down sometimes not seeing another vehicle for half hour at a time , much better than the gamins I've used in the past

 

I use an iPhone-based solution.
My app of choice is Navigon, which has the added advantage of being able to plan routes using RouteConverter, then copy them to the phone using DiskAid
This makes a better and more intuitive combination than the Garmin offerings, IMHO.

 

Had the same decision to make myself as we're off to Italy on Friday. Pasted from my other thread:

Gone for an iphone mounting and charging system in the end,

iPhone Motorcycle Holder | Fork Stem Mount
TwistyRide's iPhone Cradle Review

Co-Pilot app does offline GPS so you dont need to use a data connection on your iphone whilst using the GPS.

The solution no doubt isn't as good to use as the full GPS systems but I dont think I want to spend out on something I'm not sure I'll use after the trip. I'm going to spend the saved cash on a good motorbike bluetooth intercomm system; maybe the Interphone F5MC

Interphone F5MC Review - webBikeWorld

looks pretty cool, you can stream your GPS instructions from the phone and your music to other users so the lady can get them riding her bike as well (so long as she doesn't manage to get 1.3km in a different direction...)

 

My vote would be bike specific sat nav. A bit dearer, but it always works! Unlike my Iphone which had charging problems. Co-pilot is very good on a mobile, had that as well. Problems occur when people phone your number though. You then loose the ''sat nav'' screen until the caller hangs up. Not great if it happens when looking for an exit on motorway with multiple choices..

 

I've used the Aquabox to carry a normal Garmin Sat Nav several times over the years. I wire the normal charger into the bike using a DIN adapter and 1amp inline fuse located behind a side panel or somewhere out of the rain and it works fine. The only downsides are you obviously can't hear any instructions and have to remember to keep looking at the directions or distance to next turn and in bright sunshine it can be difficult to see the display, depending on how it's mounted.

It fits on a standard RAM ball mount or you can just stick it in your tankbag map case, suitably 'propped' up.

RAM Mount UK

 

Tom Tom App and an Iphone 5 have taken me all over Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the US on assorted bikes and have been just great. Bargain too as Tot Tom app comes with free map updates which you have to pay for with dedicated units. Rain protection for me is nothing more than a zip-lock baggie and elastic band. Note I DO use bluetooth helmet speakers for voice directions though. With these you only have to glance at screen occasionally to confirm instructions. I use Sena SMH10 for this and would unreservedly recommend it.

 

I use a cheap Garmin Nuvi for cars (c. £100), mounted in a cheap zip-up "waterproof" case on the handlebars. It's not all that good, but sufficient for warning of speed trap locations or finding a petrol station or hotel. The case is good for showers and drizzle, but all-day torrential downpours eventually get in and the moisture can make the Garmin pack up permanently. If it breaks or gets lost or stolen, £100 I can cope with - £450 not so much. As a backup, my Android phone has two satnavs, one requiring a data connection, the other with maps installed. Plus I always take paper maps with me, which are better for discussing and poring over routes during stops. But best of all is to know where you're going.

 

Tigra mount for Iphone. Excellent and waterproof. £26 Evans cycles.
Co-Pilot app.
Optimate 102 charger.

Only downside is the screen could be brighter in daylight even with the screen brightness setting set to full on.
Use the audio and it will let you know about speed cameras, so either use it wired or bluetooth for sound.
I find the audio is actually the most important so you keep your eyes on the road.

Co Pilot doesn't need data roaming, but doesn't have option to set to 'Twisty's' like the bike satnavs.
Iphone screens are not glove friendly but I'm working on that, best to stop n tap things in anyway.

I also used Sugru to adapt the mount to a Ram stem mount. It's an excellent mount for handlebars anyway but...
no bars on my bike!

I've used this set up here this summer and just done 2k miles in the States and it worked.

Basically I figured its cheaper than a bike rip off price sat nav but it still adds up to a few quid.
Back of my mind....I suspect dedicated top end systems are probably better but 'you pays your money' and it's 1 thing to take rather than 2. I quite like having the phone in the mount n not stuffed in a pocket.
Picks of my set up if anyone wants it.

 

I have a Zumo 660 paired to a Sena SMH10, find it gives something else to swear at in times of boredom. Usually good for a few random routes as well - e.g. north Wales to London via Basingstoke anyone ?
Still it's flat and quite large, so may find itself being used as a sidestand puck if it keeps it up !!