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Perfect smartphone for overlanders? Perfect smartphone for overlanders?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #31  
Old 18 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by Fernbrook View Post
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?

I use an iPhone 6S Plus I bought new and a Garmin 660!

I also have a Sena 30k comms device with speakers built into custom ear moulds to connect with both, and that works fine too. We've been using that basic setup for years, all good, though the Sena isn't the best for comms to the passenger. We may go to something else... eventually, when they die... probably...
Comment: I like the custom ear moulds with speakers, it's ONE thing to faff with. I have LOST custom ear moulds without the speakers as they're easy to drop, and with no wire attached, they're gone, and they're not cheap to lose.
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  #32  
Old 19 Aug 2022
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I just bought a Beeline



Gloriously simple to use, it just points to the destination or the way to go at a junction. You create a GPX file in the software of your choice or just tell the phone where you want to go. The battery lasts all day and I can connect it to any smartphone with or without SIM, so no need to charge the phone either. The manufacturer claims IP69 which looking at it I believe.

I haven't checked if it works everywhere but as it uses Google maps as the base and is only repeating what the phone tells it I don't see why not.

Carrying two on an extended trip would still be lighter and cheaper than many dedicated sat nags.

Andy
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  #33  
Old 19 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
I just bought a Beeline



Gloriously simple to use, it just points to the destination or the way to go at a junction. You create a GPX file in the software of your choice or just tell the phone where you want to go. The battery lasts all day and I can connect it to any smartphone with or without SIM, so no need to charge the phone either. The manufacturer claims IP69 which looking at it I believe.

I haven't checked if it works everywhere but as it uses Google maps as the base and is only repeating what the phone tells it I don't see why not.

Carrying two on an extended trip would still be lighter and cheaper than many dedicated sat nags.

Andy
The obvious flaw to me is that this requires Google maps. Which requires at least 3G connectivity. Even when you download the offline maps it won't navigate you to a new destination unless you have data.

That's the case on my smart phone anyway.
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  #34  
Old 19 Aug 2022
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I will try it and report back.

First test turn off wifi and mobile data, GPS on. It's pointing the right way if I walk round the garden.

Andy
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  #35  
Old 19 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
The obvious flaw to me is that this requires Google maps. Which requires at least 3G connectivity. Even when you download the offline maps it won't navigate you to a new destination unless you have data.



That's the case on my smart phone anyway.
Google maps work on 2G speeds but you are SOL if you get no coverage and make a wrong turn.
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  #36  
Old 19 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
I will try it and report back.

First test turn off wifi and mobile data, GPS on. It's pointing the right way if I walk round the garden.

Andy
Just how big is your garden if you need GPS to get around it?
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  #37  
Old 20 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
Just how big is your garden if you need GPS to get around it?


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  #38  
Old 20 Aug 2022
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Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
Just how big is your garden if you need GPS to get around it?
Does size matter?

I have got a decent pear



Andy
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  #39  
Old 24 Sep 2022
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
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.

I think you are spot on there Ted. The smart phones and social media have a done a good job of turning people into zombies.

I was a huge fan of the website couchsurfing, because it was a great way to meet like minded travelers when you were abroad. Over the years I have noticed a big change in the quality of people using couchsurfing. Now, there are a bunch of shallow people on there using the site for shallow purposes. When hosting younger foreign travelers, you meet them at the door and I would say it is about 30 seconds before they ask you for your wifi password and then disappear for an hour. Incredibly rude behavior when you are a guest in someone's home.
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