27Likes
|
|
27 Nov 2019
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 27
|
|
^ Sounds great, might look into that or another similar rugged phone.
|
5 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Maitland Australia
Posts: 105
|
|
Communication solutions
Folks, I need ideas! I am an old sod and on my proposed RTW trip I hope to use either a dedicated GPS device (Garmin Zumo 660) or an iPhone 7 to find my way around. Yes, the devices are old by today's standards but will they work today?
Obviously I need in-helmet communication (don't want music, bike-to-bike, radio or person-to-person)- just want verbal directions in my helmet somehow. I wear earplugs, as I have tinnitus. Are there earbuds capable of giving verbal directions loudly enough to overcome the use of earplugs while the earplugs are in my ears or, are there earbuds capable of shutting out outside noise while giving directions , with me leaving the earplugs out altogether?
|
5 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
Basic Bluetooth intercom from the auction site. Mine is TCom, 44 quid. Sena etc. also work and are maybe better made on plug connectors etc. but given they cost way more and are slightly better I'm sticking to the cheap stuff. Voice directions are clear to 50/60 mph and you can tell it said something at very illegal speeds. On a big trip I'd get a spare. I carry a battery pack to re-charge when I'm off the bike, but that's only because I listened to music 10 hours a day.
Watch legislation, most places ban in-ear devices, some ban any, some ban any that can give speed trap warnings. Its easy to pull the plug off the TCom while removing the helmet to show Plod it wasn't in use
Andoid devices are now so cheap as to be disposable. I carried four on my last trip, tablet for the interweb and editing photos, my phone, works phone (free interweb anywhere) and the ancient, no sim, "burner" I use for navigation if it's too wet to leave a decent one in the tank bag pocket. I refuse to rent my own data from Apple and don't use navigation constantly, so won't carry some huge Garmin thing from the 90's.
Andy
|
5 Aug 2022
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernbrook
Folks, I need ideas! I am an old sod and on my proposed RTW trip I hope to use either a dedicated GPS device (Garmin Zumo 660) or an iPhone 7 to find my way around. Yes, the devices are old by today's standards but will they work today?
|
An iPhone 7 will run a navigation app easily enough. However, I can think of a few downsides:
* It will want to do online navigation. Yes, there are offline navigation maps, but smartphones generally want to have an Internet connection, and can get testy in various unexpected ways when they don't have one. A dedicated hardware GPS will probably be better for that.
* Your old iPhone probably doesn't have much battery life any more, unless you've recently replaced the battery. Yes, you have a charger on your bike, but Things Will Happen.
* For use as a smartphone as such... I would go with a multisim device. With a slightly newer iPhone, you can use an eSim for your primary home number, and the physical SIM slot for local cards wherever you are. (The advantage of an eSIM is that the QR code for setting it up is somewhere in your email, or you can ask for a new one... so if you lose your phone in New Zealand like I did, you can regain access to your phone number and two-factor authentications.)
So if you can afford it, I think it would be better to have a separate dedicated GPS that is hardwired into the bike, has a screen that works reliably with gloves and in harsh sunlight, and boots up quickly because it only has one job to do. Keep your mobile phone separate and use it as a GPS backup.
Quote:
Obviously I need in-helmet communication (don't want music, bike-to-bike, radio or person-to-person)- just want verbal directions in my helmet somehow. I wear earplugs, as I have tinnitus. Are there earbuds capable of giving verbal directions loudly enough to overcome the use of earplugs while the earplugs are in my ears or, are there earbuds capable of shutting out outside noise while giving directions , with me leaving the earplugs out altogether?
|
First things first: yes, you can wear earplugs and a modern helmet intercom will sound just fine through it. Navigation directions, podcasts/audiobooks, music, whatever. I ride with foam earplugs and my Cardos do just fine.
In terms of earbuds that go inside your ears AND shut off noise - well there are a few solutions, but they are very individual. (For example, I can't use true wireless earbuds - my ears are a weird shape and the buds just fall out.) There are wired earbuds with speakers and memory-foam tips that do a decent job, if you are okay with a wire running down to your phone/nav unit, for example Koss's The Plug. The best noise-cancelling true earbuds are probably the Sony XM4 buds, if you want to spend a few hundred dollars to try if they fit in your ears and under your helmet well enough... but realistically, also thinking about battery management, I think a fixed helmet intercom and foam earplugs are a much better solution.
In terms of which helmet intercom to get... if you're riding alone and just want a connection between your helmet and your phone/nav, then your choice is really unlimited. You can go for a cheap Chinese unit from ebay/aliexpress... but I would recommend investing a little more and getting a single-rider model from one of the top brands. I currently have a Cardo Spirit HD, and in my experience it pretty much just works without hassle, whereas the Chinese units I've tried have all been annoying in small ways, so the Cardo is worth the $150 I spent on it.
|
5 Aug 2022
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
A few things I have found when using smartphones as a Sat Nav.
There are loads of offline maps these days. That don't need internet. They work well and are generally more up to date than Garmin or OS.
Google Maps IS NOT one of those. Even if you download offline maps for it.
I have wrecked two phones charging sockets when charging whilst on the go. These sockets are not designed for movement. So if you use a phone, rely on battery power only. Or charge when in a tank top bag where the cable isn't moving.
Blackview phones are full IP67 waterproof. And they work well as sat navs. But they are also notorious for uploading your privacy to China.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
5 Aug 2022
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I have wrecked two phones charging sockets when charging whilst on the go. These sockets are not designed for movement. So if you use a phone, rely on battery power only. Or charge when in a tank top bag where the cable isn't moving.
|
Or use wireless charging. Lots of options for holders with wireless charging pads these days.
|
5 Aug 2022
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx
Or use wireless charging. Lots of options for holders with wireless charging pads these days.
|
Aye. But they're rather expensive aren't they. Do they work in heavy rain too ??
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
5 Aug 2022
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
|
|
They are getting cheaper very quickly.
I have an SW Motech cockpit mount on my bike, and right now I have modified it to work with an SP Connect puck. The wireless charging module is 60 euros - but that's a branded, moto-specific, weatherproof one. The kit came with a big waterproof case that's way oversized for modern smartphones, so I looked at putting a powerbank under the phone inside a case - and there are already very affordable power banks with built-in wireless charging.
This fella is 40 euros in a local shop, with wireless charging off a 10,000 mAh internal battery:
As for heavy rain, well the default answer is, I would trust a moto-specific wireless charging pad in any weather where I would also feel OK about leaving the phone on the mount, rather than putting it away in my pocket.
|
15 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: England
Posts: 32
|
|
I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on a trip last year, mounted onto a Quadlock wireless charging base with the vibration damper. The screen was too dim/small to see very well, the vibration mount allowed the phone to move too much so even if it had been bright enough to see, it was blurred. I could remove the vibration mount but the camera would probanly not survive. I think this solution would be great for off-road or at least slower routes but around France and Italy it wasn't very useful.
I've also got an iPhone 11 pro max which I put in the map pocket of my tank bag but again it wasn't easy to see. Maybe if I'd mounted it better ?
I'm glad I had the Zumo XT too which was always easy to see, bright, stable and fast to recalculate when I made a mistake. A dedicated GPS device is still the best solution especially if you're riding through cities or towns.
But for India I'm going to take the Zumo only for the main roads and use Osmand Maps and iOverlander on the iPhone as Garmin doesn't have the detail for Ladakh. Plus there are fewer roads to worry about
|
16 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 124
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
Aye. But they're rather expensive aren't they. Do they work in heavy rain too ??
|
If your smartphone cover support wireless charging and fits well into the holder, it will work. Never buy a holder which offers a fixed charging socket, better choose one with a flexible cable to connect the phone.
But be aware that vibrations will kill the autofocus and picture stabilisation mode of your smartphone camera. Apple send out an official warning for this in 2020 but also Android ones who offer same camera features wil suffer from this after some time.
Another point when using a smartphone as a navi is display damage through sunlight. Direct sun irradiation and high temperature damage a display sometimes quicker than you think.(The display of a 4 months old Samsung A52 of my nephew got killed by this 3 weeks ago when he forgot to take out of sun while he was in the pool. 3 hrs of sun and heat to the display were enough...)
__________________
Difficult Roads Always Lead To Beautiful Destinations
|
16 Aug 2022
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
It seems a dedicated Sat Nav is still the way to go.
With a smart phone as a back up.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
17 Aug 2022
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 563
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rapax
If your smartphone cover support wireless charging and fits well into the holder, it will work. Never buy a holder which offers a fixed charging socket, better choose one with a flexible cable to connect the phone.
|
I was finding that the charging lead kept falling out of the phone when travelling along. I solved it with a magnetic connector that has more give and reconnects without falling away. The only downside with it is that the charging rate is not very quick - it keeps up and charges the phone but the other day it went from 10% to 40% in a two hour ride - two hours would normally take it from 10% to 80+% - but it didn’t disconnect at all so I will stick with it. This is the sort of thing I mean.
Interesting about the phone screen deteriorating - I have taken to removing the phone from its case to reduce the build up of heat.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
|
18 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 276
|
|
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?
|
This wouldn't be a good choice if you want to travel to US. First it doesn't support some common 4G LTE frequencies and second it doesn't support 5G.
US telcos actively rolling out 5G coverage by recycling 3G bands so if phone doesn't support something like band 66 or n71 it would have alot of no coverage outside of urban areas.
|
18 Aug 2022
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclopathic
This wouldn't be a good choice if you want to travel to US. First it doesn't support some common 4G LTE frequencies and second it doesn't support 5G.
|
I mean yes, that first post is from December 2018 I am sure there are modern equivalents.
|
18 Aug 2022
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 276
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx
I mean yes, that first post is from December 2018 I am sure there are modern equivalents.
|
Irregardless majority of modern phones will have this issue. US carriers are known for using oddball frequencies especially T-mobile or any prepaid service based off them.
|
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
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|