Basic / Cheap Sat Nav options
 

Hi all, I have an older R1200RT. I'm not doing any epic life-affirming adventures, just a few trips around Europe.

I am not up to speed with the latest sat navs, so I wanted to pick your brains.

I usually navigate on the bike using my phone with Tom Tom / Waze / Google, connected to a Bluetooth headset.

In the past I've had a Garmin Zumo 595 and Tom Tom Rider 550.

However I'd like to know if there's a cheap sat nav that I can mount on the bike, as a visual aid. As when I'm touring I like to be able to see a map to confirm any direction instructions, plus I can choose to take a detour by glancing at the screen and choosing a road that looks promising.

However I:

- Don't want to mount my phone (I like to keep it in my pocket, not have to remember to remove it from the bike)

- Don't want an all singing £300 sat nav unit.

- Don't really want to house the phone / unit in a case as the glare on the screen means you can never see it properly.

- Would love to know if there's something like the Tom Tom Vio with a basic display.

- Would ideally like a unit that could work with the apps on my phone to display the route as it's so much easier to set a route on the phone than on the GPS system (at least, I find).

- It would be a bonus to have something that displays speed limits and speed camera warnings.

Sorry for the somewhat basic questions. I have tried to scour Google for reviews but I haven't had much luck.

Thank you.

No better option than a cheap Android phone that will run Waze and whatever offline maps you want.

There are inexpensive satnavs that work fine - but not waterproof. Same with most phones. :( And I find when I MOST need nav, it's because it's raining! :(
I can however second a cheap Android phone - or mini tablet, phablet, whatever. RAM mount it and it should work fine. Be sure to get an anti-glare screen saver. Power from a USB socket will work fine, make sure it's a high power one - the cheapest low power Amazon ones won't do a tablet well. I like the 3BR USB sockets a lot - have two on my dual sporty dirt bike - excellent, waterproof, and one powers a Samsung tablet all day just fine. (and doesn't disintegrate like the cheap ones do.)

Thanks for your replies.

I have an old Android phone. I was under the impression these devices need a SIM card (i.e. access to the internet) to work? Or are you suggesting I hotspot it to the phone in my pocket?

If you have a phone - particularly one with an International/roaming data sim/contract, then why not get an Apple Carplay/Android Auto display unit, and pair it to the phone in your pocket?

That way you can easily access Google maps, Waze etc. (plus Gaia, Avenza, and a whole host of more trail orientated offline maps, via their respective apps) while keeping your phone safe.

Carpuride is one of the most popular brands (typically available in 5 and 7" size screens for Motorcycles (IPX67 spec), but you can get 9" or even 11" tablet sized screens if you wish...

Have a look on Google/Ebay/Amazon - here is one for example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156072344297

Note that you can get Carplay/Auto displays a lot cheaper (from around $100 or less), but they tend to be for in-car use and not shock and weather protected in the same way as a motorcycle specific one.

Jx

Jmo has a great idea, recommended.

You can also use any Android device with WI-Fi to download all the maps you need and you're all set. You won't get up to the moment traffic, but as long as there is a GPS chip in it, it will work just like a dedicated GPS.
Careful - there are some devices that DO NOT HAVE a GPS chip in them, and you must have that.

Not necessarily - there are apps that work completely offline, and even for Google Maps you can download maps while on wi-fi. Definitely better with its own sim card though.

Yes, generally speaking, phones do have a GPS receiver built-in, while tablets do not...

For info. I use an older iPhone (without a SIM) as a bicycle computer on my eMTB - as the manufacturer has an app to adjust the bike settings and record rides etc. while you can download (or cache) any maps and additional navigation apps when you're on WiFi like Grant suggests...

However, if you have a fully functioning phone with you already, then the Bluetooth 'Carplay' style head unit is a great way to have the [majority of the] functionality of the phone in front of you, while keeping the actual 'brains' safely in your pocket/on your person for emergency and protection.

note. Just be aware that you might well need to keep your phone charging (using a cable into your pocket) while you're on the move as the navigation apps and the additional power requirements of the constant Bluetooth connection might well eat your battery faster than before.

Jx