Navigation. GPS vs Phone App. Which one do you trust?
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- There has been a significant number of videos on dedicated GPS units verse phone apps, but in this video I discuss the practical side of actually using both types and my experience with each of them. I used a Garmin Navigator VI on my BMW R1200GS and had issues with it. I now use my phone on my KTM 390 Adventure because I have been unsatisfied with GPS units but I have equally had issues with phone apps. I had been using Rever but now I am looking at Locus Maps for future navigation needs. Take a look at this video to see how I navigate and if you can trust GPS units or phone apps.
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Great video Matt. I'm in Australia and use an older Samsung phone as a GPS. I run the Samsung in airplane mode as it doesn't have a sim card, which uses heaps less power and will run for hours even when unplugged (GPS still works) as it's not running the phone part of the device. I download maps for offline use, and use Google maps or Here We Go (used to be Nokia Maps i think) for my main nav apps, plus a couple of others for offfroad. I have a small Garmin unit (Dakota 10) mounted on the bars which I only use for recording tracks (runs for 24 hours on 2 AA batteries), which also has maps just in case the phone dies and I get lost, but the screen is too small to be really useable (either that or my eyes are too old to be really useable!). Keep the vids coming, entertaining and full of useful info, thanks!
You really have it figured out, I going to start using airplane mode. Great idea. Thanks.
In my limited experience, I have found that even a basic app like Google locates places much better than my Garmin. The Garman seems to not overheat even if in direct sunlight, and has a brighter display which is useful on really sunny days. But I have found using an old phone to be the most versatile for me. I’m planning to buy a friends large phone that has a bad battery for cheap, but that’s perfect for me since I will always use it wired in. I also find that with the phone, if I am unsatisfied with one app, I can try another one. Or multiple. I also like to study my trip before hand so I already have an idea of what I’m doing. I like your idea of tethering the extra phone to the hotspot, it uses surprisingly little data. Thanks for your videos, really enjoyed this one!
Great point on overheating, completely forgot about that issue now that it is cooler out. Thanks.
Who needs either one?
I just wander around lost and call it "exploring". 😁
When I no longer have to work, that's what i am going to do!
Thanks for your great videos.. I use my Garmin Zumo with Base Camp to plan my trips.
I use my phone as a backup. As far as expense My Jacket cost more than the Zumo.
It's all relative. Keep the videos comming.
Thanks for sharing what you do. It has been interesting to hear what others use. It is all relative, safety is more important, getting lost can be fun. Cheers.
I have a Garmin motorcycle gps it is much brighter I can see it in the sun. Having it hard wired to the battery is a huge deal and it gives adventure routes if you want it to instead of highway it does twistys
I'm in the UK and mostly ride on the road. I have an old TomTom GPS which I keep in a bag on the bike JIC, but mostly I use an old iPhone 5 with a PAYG sim card to run navigation apps and an iPhone 11 tucked into my jacket pocket for everything else. I also have all my longer routes plotted onto paper maps and I keep the map for the day in my tank bag along with some basic prompts with road numbers and town names. I plan all my rides at home on the computer and usually generate GPX files which I then transfer to my nav phone.
You have a really good plan for navigating. Thanks for commenting.
I use both. The GPS allows me two options. One, to load custom tracks that I want to follow and keeps them within my eyesight as I’m riding. Two, it allows me to see what is coming up on the road along with other information about where I’m at. I like the phone because (with cell service) I can put in an address or search for a location and it loads quickly. Plus, each acts as a backup to the other.
Good video. Thank you for sharing.
Valid reasons to use both, makes sense.
You can load custom tracks to apps. I use basecamp to fo my tracks and load it up on my tablet
Nice Video - I agree with you and most of the comments that both the GPS and the Phone have pros and cons without a doubt. ONE thing though is that on my Garmin Zumo 595LM, (and most garmin Zumos) off-road navigation is possible and not with phone apps. and when I say offroad I mean literally no roads or tracks shown and yet you can navigate to a point in offroad mode and use the breadcrumb option to find your way back if needed. I have not found any phone apps that have that option yet. food for thought. Personally I have the Zumo and the Android phone on my dash and with the two together I find I have the best of both worlds and one acts as a backup for the other.
I really need to try the Zumo. I started using a phone called Locus Maps. It is the most comprehensive phone app I have ever used. It shows dirt roads and I have used ut for navigating offroad. I am not sure about the bread crumb feature but I want to say it has it, because it allows rides to be recorded so it easy to back track. The best part is the offline navigation. It also has maps from all over the world with remarkable detail. Have you tried this app?
Thanks for the info. I don't have a GPS I trust yet, so this is a fantastic video. 🔥💪
My solution is to use my old phone as you mentioned. Works perfectly.
And actually I use the Samsung S7 which is even older. But its IP68 rated, so hopefully it will survive.
That is what I used for a long time. The camera was ruined but I used it for years before it started crashing.
I use my phone most of the time, but I do have a Zumo XT.
Where the Zumo comes out ahead is in visibility. My Samsung phone has a very glossy screen and can be a PITA to see when light hits it at certain angles. The Zumo is always visible.
And as you mentioned, a my phones power port is not waterproof. So in the rain, I will use the Zumo.
My BMW Garmin was replaced under warranty and now it is as difficult to see as my phone. There is no perfect solution, only options.
@@advmatt Absolutely. Its such a PITA just to enter an address in the Zumo that I use my phone and plain google maps the majority of the time!
There are antireflective films you can get for your phone screen. I have it on my tablet and it makes a big difference with glare. I’m considering adding it to my next phone I’ll be using for navigation.
@@I_Santos_ fantastic tip.
@@I_Santos_ Interesting, I will look into this. I am using a Samsung phone now, and they have more glare than other phones I have used. Long ago I used my iPhone 4 and it was fine in sunlight. Maybe time to look at the new Google Pixel for on bike navigation.
So cool. Thanks for sharing.
Having a garmin for backup seems like the best option. Always works in a pinch when your looking for gas or food when there is no cell service. It’s amazing how many areas have no service in this day and age but it’s happened to me on last two trips.
I have trouble with my phone charging when the cable gets wet during heavy rain and have lost navigation. Even an older GPS is worth having as a back up. Cheers.
Another great vid, Matt. My HD has a built in GPS/Nav system that Harley has completely abandoned. I can still use it, but I always have my phone and paper maps.
I always start with paper maps. Thanks!
Thanks for this video Matt, it's super useful as I venture into gps'ing.
Glad you found it helpful. Unfortunately there is no perfect solution.
Thanks Matt, I need to study up on this and you started me off just right.
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Nice one Matt. I found myself using navigation much more passively than I thought I would on the BDR. Just confirming which path at forks or intersections if it was questionable, and the occasional glance to make sure I was on route if my head had been in the clouds for a while. I did however study the route quite a bit in the tent each night. Anxious to hear your thoughts on Locus maps at some point. I haven't fully figured it out just yet, but I also haven't relied on it heavily enough that I felt limited by it yet either.
I will let you know how Locus Maps works out. So far there has been a bit of a learning curve but I already like it better than Rever.
From my 13 years experience of riding motorcycle in 4 different countries. Phone apps are crap to use especially when you want to go off the grid. I always had problems using them outside of city and hence I love my Zumo. Definitely there are cons with GPS like the cost, destinations inside the city(Google is pretty good inside city/town). But apart from that having dedicated GPS where you can use it with gloves while driving and not have to bother about running out of battery or rain or snow or even dropping it is a big plus point I should say. Phones have their limitations but dedicated GPS will shine over phone any days. Its like saying my iPhone 14 pictures are better than Canon 4d Mark 4. For riders who are serious into exploring places I would suggest a dedicated GPS, for others Google maps is the best.
I understand where you are coming from but the phone apps are pretty amazing now. No service required. When you have service you can update maps. Locus maps is pretty dang good. You can download maps from around the world and use them offline. I now use an old phone for navigation. I haven't traveled much out of the states so I can't speak to the value of a GPS. I know Garmin charges extra for other regions. We all have our tools for traveling and what works and doesn't. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Grest informative video. 14:35 right at the end about images being burnt onto a phone. That's quite a big point.
I have burned in images on multiple phones. Cheers.
@@advmatt I was watching your vid again Matt. You mention preferring phone apps. But if you're burning numerous phone screens.....What about the Beeline Moto? Plus you can still enjoy the fun of not knowing where you're at....you just have a little arrow to guide you.....maybe a bit like bumping into one of the three wise men on camels saying "Just follow the star man, follow the star!" 😬
@@arniet1 I had looked at those. I need to give them a try. I like just riding in some direction with no particular destination in mind. I usually run my phones until they don't function anymore and deal with the screen ghost image until they die. This might be a way to extend the life of a phone. Thanks.
I also see the pros and cons of each, and I’ve used them both. I ditched the Nav VI that came with my BMW and mounted a Garmin Zumo XT and it has been great, takes .gpx files I create in MRA Route Planner (I also use REVER as a reference because of its Butler maps overlay), has been rock solid and easier to live with than phone apps, and has more features than I have seen in phone apps. Once in a while, I’ll use WAZE or something to navigate to a place on the fly that I didn’t plan on.
I moved away from Rever in favor of Locus Maps. World wide maps, better tracking, turn by turn navigation and offline maps for routing. I found Rever truncated GPX files which made navigation challenging.
Interesting! I didn’t know about REVER truncating map files because I only used it’s Butler Maps reference. I’ll check out Locus Maps. Thanks for the video!
I have found the FAF with two sims, finding Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-ing files across from one phone to another and generally trying to make 'a phone' replace a dedicated GPS painful. Equally relying on one means for Nav is not clever either. The camera lenses in phones can also get shaken to bits when used as a handlebar GPS too however, I now use a QuadLock and anti vibration mount on my dashboard, which is great for all sorts of pretty tough enduro.
I'm just about to update my 9yr old Garmin GpsMaps62 for a Zumo XT 5.5", which is a more usable GPS but works like a modern phone. I agree that there are other options which are cheaper, but they are not necessarily more reliable, especially something like an out of date phone. We'll see how it goes. Good video btw.
There just doesn't seem to be a single solution that works for all situations. You seem to have it figured pretty well.
I use Gaia app on my phone which with a subscription gives you access to the back roads map pack as well. Its been a great resource, pre download the areas you're going to and it is pretty darned accurate. I did a 1500km trip with both logging roads and hwy, and not an issue.
I think that is only for iOS. I am trying Locus Maps which seems very similar. I hear great things about Gaia.
@@advmatt I use it on my android phone. Samsung A50. The best part is the map overlays. Once you get into it, its pretty easy to use. The areas I venture are no service what so ever, and thus far it hasn't let me down. That said I keep a hand held GPS (Garmin 62 st with a back roads chip) plus map and compass as back ups just in case things go sideways.
Cool, I will look at it again.
I use Rever but find that if I need to edit a route its difficult to do on the phone app. I carry a small laptop computer with me sometimes so I have maximum flexibility. How do you edit routes on the road?
I dont edit on the road and Rever has been frustrating me lately. Its accuracy in routing, especially the BDRs has been poor. I tried creating a route through Death Valley and didnt recognize the dirt roads. That's why I am trying out Locus Maps. I will miss the challenges, which is a feature I really like about Rever, but I think newer apps out perform it.
Good to know. I will look into Locus Maps.
Maybe I just missed it in the video, but how do you make sudden changes ( gas stations, emergency ) to your pre off line downloaded route on your phone if you don´t have phone connection.?
You didn't miss anything. I don't change my navigation for fuel, I wing it for gas, and carry spare out west. As for emergency matters, I should carry a satellite communicator, but haven't purchased one yet. I don't sweat it, too much. I try to never pass a gas station if I am at half a tank or less.
@@advmatt OK, I'm just trying to work out which system to use and in my part of the world we are pretty much 100% covered with phone reception so I'm probably going to use an app.
What's the Waterproof case u are using buddy? I'm have trouble finding one.
I use waterproof cases I find on Amazon.
Phone runs hot and will be destroyed much earlier than Normal use, I prefer the carpe iter 😊
I need to check it out. I have destroyed several phones using them for navigation but I still prefer them, right now.
The fact that your phone will shut down if the charging port, been there, this takes the phone/app option is taken off the table.
I found a solution for this problem. I carry a charging puck I can place the phone on in the window of my tank bag. It's not as easy to see but it will stay charged.
At 7:33 what's the purpose of the breath box in the helmet that doesn't even come close to your nose? Coming from a snowmobile world, that seems odd.
It's suppose to keep the visor from fogging, I think. Don't think it works all that well in cold Temps. I just left it on.
I wonder how well a ziploc bag or some plastic wrap would work in a pinch when caught in the rain. That’s gonna be my backup plan 😂
It might work. Worth a try.
I use Calimoto whitch looks for winding roads made for us bikers😀.
I have seen that app. I need to check it out again.
Bro, Butler road maps. End of problems....
Love there maps.
In the old days a paper map was a must along with a compass now I use my phone as a primary and paper map with compass as the back up I do plan to go to a setup like John T long has just haven’t settled on which tablet to use
Paper maps are magical. Always start there.