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Smart Phone VS Garmin et al as a GPS tool Smart Phone VS Garmin et al as a GPS tool
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Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 22 Sep 2012
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I had a really bad experience using my iPhone for navigation.

The main problem was that it overheated in direct sunlight and shut down, over and over again - it was useless. In the end I used some gaffa to make a sun visor/flap for it that I could lift up to check the map - but it was no good solution.

I still have not given up on the idea though. I am trying to gat my hands on the lifeproof protective case which will make it waterproof, and their GoPro adapter mount. The latter has been out of stock for ages - but is the thing that makes the solution attractive. With this I could also use the phone (camera front and back) as an action cam, a GPS, a phone, mp3 player... with several attachments arround the bike.

I am hoping that I can place it behind my black wind deflector to keep it out of the sun when it comes from the front, and my body if it comes from the rear.

If you buy some conductive thread on e-bay and stitch this into the thumb and index finger of your glove, then you should be able to operate it with your gloves on.





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  #2  
Old 22 Sep 2012
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Now, if you combine this with DeLorme inReach 2 way satellite communicator with GPS - then you can place calls anywhere there is no cell coverage, post to facebook/twitter from anywhere, send sms from anywhere... and send predefined emergency messages from anywhere, use it as a tracker, navigate where there are no roads... Only thing, you can't use it as a modem to surf or send e-mails



And, if you combine all of this with a scala rider bluetooth handsfree, then you should have everything covered:


Listen to music on and off the bike
Place calls on and off the bike - even where there is no cell phone coverage
Listen to the radio
Use it as an action camera or regular camera
Enjoy turn by turn sat nav
Enjoy nav off road
When in WiFi range, you can update blog, upload photos, check e-mail, surf the web...
Etc

But as it is bluetooth, you can't operate it all seemlessly at the same time...
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  #3  
Old 27 Oct 2012
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Tom Tom app for Android
I read a report in some newspaper recently about Tom Tom bringing out an App for Android phones - I can't remember which newspaper unfortunately, but I think it was projected that the UK asking price would be about £30.

I've been reading this report which indicates it will come to the USA market around the end of this month:-
TomTom bringing its navigation app to Android in October, keeping mum on the details -- Engadget
Yep, the mapping will be available on the phone memory so it won't need to be connected to the phone signal in order to navigate.
(the comments attached to this report are somewhat informative and even amusing concerning the enthusiasm for different products).

This continuing discussion reminds me of the arguments about Betamax and VHS recording tapes of many years ago; of course, VHS won the market but they were all superceded by recordable DVDs and, further down the line, digital recording to thumbsticks, cards etc.
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Dave
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  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2012
c-m c-m is offline
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You can get the exact same maps and features on a smart phone as you can get on any standalone device.

The standalone device is simpler, and will probably have a longer battery.

I've done a number of tours in the safety of Europe using the following phones. Nokia N80 - Tom Tom / Ovi Maps. ZTE Blade Sygic, HTC Desire S - Sygic, Motorola Defy - Sygic / Google Maps.

I also have a bluetooth GPS receiver. I used this with the Nokia and TomTom and that's been the best combination I found.

The GPS on the Blade was poor in comparison, as was the HTC. The Motorola Defy was actually pretty good.

I've now got a Galaxy S3 and the GPS seems great. If traveling outside Europe (I haven't made it that far yet) I think I'd also take my separate GPS receiver just as a backup.

In response to the post above. The Tom Tom app is now out. It looks good, but after a couple of years without Tom Tom I actually prefer the look of Sygic. The comment on the Tom Tom are mixed. Most people are complaining about the lack of functionality e.g the ability to set custom POI notifications etc.. I think it's too locked down at the moment for any serious traveller.
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Old 31 Dec 2012
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How many custom routes can you download to your smart phone?

... and how many custom waypoints can you create? all without inernet access.
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Old 31 Dec 2012
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Pretty much the same as you can on a standalone device without internet access.

You don't need internet access any more than you do on a standalone device. Having Internet access is just an added bonus.

I think with most things in life a standalone is usually better, but when many standalone devices are running the same or very similar software and you've got the back up of hard maps, why bother with the extra device?

Obviously there are some advantages of disadvantages of both e.g a phone is much more desirable and you're more likely to lose it, get drunk and break it, or have it stolen, but it's infinitely more flexible.

I also use my phone with an app called ride logger to track my progress, G-force, and lean angle. Just for fun mind.

I suspect this is a discussion that will go on for many years to come.

I don't think there will ever be true convergence for die-hard adventure travellers.
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Old 2 Jan 2013
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Hard to read smartphone in sunlight
Hi
I use an Iphone with Ram mount it is great to read in the morning or evening but in the daylight it is hard at best. Has anyone found a cover that keeps the phone dry and you are able to charge as you are travelling as the GPS chews up the batteries. Any ideas or fixes would be great. I think the smart phones are the way to go one less thing to carry around they will only get cheaper and better.
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