 27Likes
 |
|
18 Dec 2018
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,105
|
|
|
Perfect smartphone for overlanders?
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...e-mah-capacity - lasts over a week in normal usage, has wireless charging (you could rig that up in an X-grip!), is water/impact-resistant, and has acceptable internals by modern smartphone standards. Should run Waze/Maps no problem, maybe even Snapseed or another decent mobile photo editor.
Do you reckon that the walkie-talkie functionality will pass through to a Bluetooth headset?
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62699198/DSCF6653.0.jpg)
|
18 Dec 2018
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 895
|
|
dumb phone
The perfect smart phone for overlanders is not having a smart phone.
You travel to meet the people and talk to them, learn from them, so stop staring at your phone and talk to the people and concentrate on the riding!!!!
mika 
|
18 Dec 2018
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 70
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...e-mah-capacity - lasts over a week in normal usage, has wireless charging (you could rig that up in an X-grip!), is water/impact-resistant, and has acceptable internals by modern smartphone standards. Should run Waze/Maps no problem, maybe even Snapseed or another decent mobile photo editor.
Do you reckon that the walkie-talkie functionality will pass through to a Bluetooth headset?
|
Interesting. I would be surprised if the walkie-talkie functionality would seamlessly pass through to Bluetooth (both directions) but maybe.
When out on your bike, a phone is more than a phone - it is your camera, navigation device, reservation maker and weather forecaster among other things. Most people see it this way. So despite snarky unhelpful comments by some, I appreciate the post.
Jim
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
|
19 Dec 2018
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,105
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mika
The perfect smart phone for overlanders is not having a smart phone.
You travel to meet the people and talk to them, learn from them, so stop staring at your phone and talk to the people and concentrate on the riding!!!!
|
|
26 Dec 2018
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mika
You travel to meet the people and talk to them, learn from them, so stop staring at your phone and talk to the people and concentrate on the riding!!!!
|
maybe you, I ride bike mostly to be alone...
|
4 Jan 2019
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 57
|
|
|
Samsung S5
I have used a Samsung S5 to navigate from north America to South America. When my phones charging port broke in Argentina I was looking to get my phone repaired or replace it. I think it is great to have a resource for what phones work for travel work arounds charging using in the rain and using in bright sunlight. For me there are more pros than cons for using a phone to navigate with. So what works and does not work is great.
Pros
Waterproofish
Works well with offline maps
Has a built in compass
Has extra slot for sd card so great for storing maps and photos
The battery is user replaceable
Fairly cheap phone now as it as old model I got a second hand one in Argentina for $150 aus.
Con
The Charging USB is a weak area esp on a motorcycle
Small internal memory 16gb but had SD slot for 128gb
Battery life is short I try to keep mine charging most of the time.
I would not trust it to be fully waterproof but great as a backup to keep the dust out as well.
|
5 Jan 2019
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mika
The perfect smart phone for overlanders is not having a smart phone.
You travel to meet the people and talk to them, learn from them, so stop staring at your phone and talk to the people and concentrate on the riding!!!!
mika
|
Hey Mika !! It's the world we live in. The only places you meet people now are where there is no signal or WIFI.
Smartphones are great tech when on the road to check email, banking, maps etc. But it also leads to an anti-social environment. When i started travelling, campsites and hostels were fun places to meet people and interact. Now they're just zombie waiting rooms. Full of people staring at screens who don't want to talk to anybody.
I'm glad I saw a lot of the world before Facebook/instagram/twitter existed !! It seems people are more interested uploading selfies for likes than actually experiencing the places they are visiting.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
4 Jun 2019
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
|
|
I don't see myself traveling without a phone because it's such a nifty device. Like what's already been said, it acts as a camera, a map, predicts the weather, and so on. I'm not one to actively seek out people normally, but I try when I'm on the road. I'm often comfortable on my own company though so that doesn't happen a lot 
|
4 Jun 2019
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 377
|
|
|
I used the Samsung S9 last year, obviously now there is the S10.
It made great pictures and movies. Especially if you put in a tripod you can even make stable 4K video. Obviously the difference becomes visible when there is less light.
Also used it for navigation etc. Has a microSD slot for extra memory.
__________________
2011 Overland from Amsterdam to Nepal and back
2018 Overland from Amsterdam to Tokyo via Central Asia and Mongolia
|
4 Jun 2019
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 563
|
|
An interesting programme on BBC Radio 4 yesterday - the Digital Human. This week it covered mobile phones and how we use them. One of the guests was talking about "phone snubbing" or "phubbing" as they call it (it was about 10 minutes in). For people that were brought up without mobiles it is considered rude to be using a mobile phone whilst "in company" and that this can lead to relationship breakdown. However for those that are brought up with smart phones they do not see it the same way and they understand that you can co-exist in two places simultaneously - in real life and on-line.
The item for those that have a smart phone is available as a pod cast via the following link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0005mr2
|
5 Jun 2019
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Moosejaw Canada
Posts: 89
|
|
The smart phone is my compass , Maps , and when on wyfy calls to home.
Then I am riding I like my motor and the view.
|
5 Jun 2019
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 377
|
|
|
By the way, I find all the stuff about how "smart phones are bad, mkay" in this thread annoying. Yes it leads to non-social behavior when people are together and all that stuff.
But this is all offtopic. The smartphone is also just another tool for travellers on the road, even when there is no connection for miles. And such a thread is about using it as a tool.
Because in these days they are great cameras, they are great for (offline) navigation. It may be good to have paper maps as a backup and know how to work with them, but I'm always using the telephone as navigation on long trips. Why bring some kind of Garmin or whatever? Just more weight and costs. A garmin that can run on batteries for long is only good for long hikes, but for vehicle based travelling not so much use.
I would not bring anymore cameras when on a bike. Just a good phone and maybe such a tiny tripod to hold the phone.
So lets not use all that great and compact technology because some guys may be looking at their phone while in the company of others.
__________________
2011 Overland from Amsterdam to Nepal and back
2018 Overland from Amsterdam to Tokyo via Central Asia and Mongolia
|
18 Oct 2019
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
|
|
|
Agreed. It's not the technology that is bad per se, it's how we end up using it.
|
18 Oct 2019
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
So who's posting on here instead of going out and talking to say the bloke outside the coffee shop with his can of Special Brew and Love/Hatt knuckle tattoos? 
The phone sized tablet computer has to be the most useful tool for riders ever. More navigation power than the Apollo programme had and access to pretty much every book and map ever.
Totally agree on the plugs, but I'd rather have a USB I can get data in and out of than rent everything from Steve Jobbie. Currently have a collection of three Samsungs (the work one gets turned off).
Andy
|
7 Nov 2019
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Scottish but now in just touring.
Posts: 34
|
|
|
My Phone
For the pas 5 years I have owned a Blackview BV6000S phone.
It's basically a Chinese phone that is the same as a Samsung Galaxy in functionality in a metal case with Gorilla glass. It is shockproof, waterproof, dust proof and has a huge battery so it lasts for a couple of days between charges,
The only down side is the battery cannot be removed/changed without taking the phone apart and de-soldering it from the circuit board but I have not needed to change the battery yet after 5 years use.
It is 4G compatible, takes 2 SIM cards and a memory card.
I have dropped it, sat on it, and stood on it on more occasions than I can remember and it has sustained no damage. I paid about £ 130 (150 Euros) for it on Ebay and it came unlocked so it can use any network.
Cheap and rugged phone.
I only use it as a phone with a UK SIM for my WhatsApp and a local SIM in whatever country I am in for data so I can use WhatsApp to keep in touch with friends etc. This way is much cheaper than making calls using either my UK or local SIM cards..
I use paper maps to get around.
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
dumb phone
Linear Mode
