WASTING MONEY > GPS Boochee

Android as primary GPS?

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ibexonabike:
So, does anyone use their Android phone as their primary GPS on the brick? Namely, using just Google Maps (or an equally stable, free alternative app). Mounted, or in a tank bag clear pocket? Anyone answer calls while riding (yikes)?

leecow:
I use my phone (Windows Phone) quite a bit in the car but don't think it's a practical option on the bike. Key reasons I think are that the capacitive touch screen won't play nice with glove and it's not the least bit weather resistant.

With the right bluetooth helmet comm system I wouldn't have problems answering calls in-flight.

bobw:
I now have a Droid and use the free maps app to check road options, but I have not yet stopped where I didn't have good service coverage.

Last year on my X country trip there were many times I had no service and/or limited service. I could make a call in limited areas, but none of the other functions worked with the no/limited service coverage so there was no checking the weather, maps, etc.

The new phones are loaded with neat stuff (official tech term), but I miss the weatherproof and more rugged case of my old "mil spec" phone. This one also eats battery life at an amazing rate so I keep it in "airplane" mode if not plugged in. I can use the camera, etc., and then turn the systems back on quickly if needed without the parasitic drain of all the apps continually "talking" to the Mother Ship.

I never hooked up the blue tooth to call while riding. I leave it on vibrate and can usually feel it in my pocket (woo hoo!) and also check it for messages when I stop for a photo, gas or ?

I have a Luddite streak in me and still carry paper maps, compass and a small notebook to jot some major waypoints in. I also have always had great roads and points of interest suggested to me by local folks from all walks of life on my travels. If you have the time those "detours" can be the real gems on a ride.

Safe travels and Cheers

Uffda:
When it was time to ditch my Blackberry, I tried the Droid system for 28 days but could not stand the battery drain.  Never thought I would but I went with the iPhone.  Basically, glad I did.  My setup is the Garmin Zumo 660 on the bike for navigation.  The iPhone syncs to it nicely via Bluetooth and battery life is a good two days worth of standby time and basic call activity.  I put a Scala Cardo G4 headset in the helmet and it's synched to the Garmin.  The beauty of the setup is that an incoming call is visually shown on the Garmin, allowing me to easily decide if it's really worth answering while moving.  If it is warrants an immediate answer, one tap on the Garmin and I have a crystal clear conversation going.
Back to the original question about navigation, it's hard to beat a dedicated GPS for doing what you are trying to do - navigate.  Especially while on a bike.  I think the phone's maps and navigation are a good backup but not a primary system for active navigation on the bike.

ibexonabike:

--- Quote from: leecow on July 15, 2011, 02:03:58 PM ---I use my phone (Windows Phone) quite a bit in the car but don't think it's a practical option on the bike. Key reasons I think are that the capacitive touch screen won't play nice with glove and it's not the least bit weather resistant.

--- End quote ---
I hear you on the capacitive screen issue. Though it's not difficult to mod a glove with something small, conductive and non-marring to enable use of such screens with gloves. My main concern would be the weather issue.


--- Quote from: leecow on July 15, 2011, 02:03:58 PM ---With the right bluetooth helmet comm system I wouldn't have problems answering calls in-flight.

--- End quote ---
I tried listening to tunes when skiing once. Had a friend who tele skied whilst cranking 'The Who'. I didn't jive with it, felt too isolated from the environment. That's how I feel it would be on the moto, with music or phone calls. Granted, I'm on the bike for an 1:15 long commute twice a day, so I may be trying sooner rather than later.

@Uffda: That's a nice little setup ...
 

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