Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
waterproof phone for Sat Nav? waterproof phone for Sat Nav?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
waterproof phone for Sat Nav?
I had originally started to look for a dedicated Satellite navigation unit, but have also started to research phones (despite never feeling the need to own a smart phone).

I now see a number of phones on the market that are waterproof. This would seem advantageous , by not having to have a separate enclosure. But what happens to a waterproof phone when it heavily rains? Does the rain not activate the touch screen and cause weird behavior? Is there an option to lock the touch screen when running the Sat Nav app, and still be able to see the map / get directions? I think an ideal system would involve being able to manually lock the screen when the sat nav app runs, and only unlock the screen again using some specific swipe. Does anything like this exist? Or am I just dreaming about something that does not exist?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Dec 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by chilswelluk View Post
. But what happens to a waterproof phone when it heavily rains? Does the rain not activate the touch screen and cause weird behavior?
I've never experienced that - maybe because the phone is somewhat protected from the weather by the bike screen, but more likely because the phone displays are activated by a capacitance of electrickery between the users digit and the phone screen itself (I even sewed some capacitance/conductive thread into the end of my lightweight, summer gloves to assist this physics).

See the sticky thread in this area of the HUBB for stacks of discussion about smart phones used for navigation: there are loads of water resistant, rugged phones in the market nowadays.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by chilswelluk View Post
Does the rain not activate the touch screen and cause weird behavior?
The reason I say this is I have seen a couple of youtube videos where they spray water onto waterproof phones (to mimic heavy rain) and the water hitting the screen often causes the touch screen to activate.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by chilswelluk View Post
The reason I say this is I have seen a couple of youtube videos where they spray water onto waterproof phones (to mimic heavy rain) and the water hitting the screen often causes the touch screen to activate.


I have used two different Cat Phones (an S60, and S50) and a rugged Kyocera. The Cat S60 worked great in the rain as a sat nav or phone. I never used it on my motorcycle, mostly because I was afraid I would lose it. The Kyocera worked reasonably well and was cheap from Verizon (around $70 US)

Hope that helps some.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
The Cat S60 looks useful. It seem to be just the thing I need. It even says you can use it in the wet and with wet hands. Will also have a look at the other Cat models, as they may offer other features without the thermal imaging?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
I went with the S60 for the thermal imaging specifically. The fact that it is waterproof to 5m for 30 min was just icing on the cake. I had the S50 at the same time as it was the only one that worked with Verizon at the time and I usually carry two phones for work. The S50 was nowhere near as good a phone, but was sufficient if all you needed was a basic smartphone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
Out of interest why did you want thermal capabilities?

I am just looking at the CAT S41 which looks quite decent:

CAT S41
5,000 mAh battery (38 hours talk time and 44 day standby time)
GLONASS, GPS, aGPS, Beidou
Waterproof Up to 2m for 60 mins
microSD (up to 2TB)

It supports "power share" but seems strange you need a proprietary cable for this. With the advent of USB power delivery spec, you should not need proprietary cables.

Also I wonder how waterproof these CAT phones are when charging via usb? I wonder if there is potential of water ingress though the USB port?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Dec 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by chilswelluk View Post

Also I wonder how waterproof these CAT phones are when charging via usb? I wonder if there is potential of water ingress though the USB port?
I used to wonder about such questions then I simply bought one and got on with doing it (as the Nike advert used to say).

I also used to stick a bit of blu tack around the USB connection into my old garmin unit when using it on the bike - it was meant to keep out any moisture and stop the usb cable plug from vibrating out of the socket - the latter was reasonably successful.
There again, I also had a home made sun shield around that old garmin and I have never found the need for that with my phone.

Incidentally, if it were to really, really piddle down with rain, I disconnect the charge cable (the phone is always in a fully charged state when connected to the bike), close off the water resistant usb socket cover and reconnect when the heavy rain stops.
The phone runs GPS for about 3 hours continuous (from memory), depending on various variables.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
The USB port is NOT waterproof on these phones. Like Walkabout said, just unplug it when the rain starts and plug it back up when it stops.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 4 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by cidcolada View Post
The USB port is NOT waterproof on these phones. Like Walkabout said, just unplug it when the rain starts and plug it back up when it stops.

But that's a problem if it rains all day! I remember one camping trip once where it practically rained for a week non stop!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 4 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
I have had those trips too, and agree that is definitely an issue with the phone being the only GPS. That is one of the reasons I have decided that I need to get a proper motorcycle GPS. My phone ran GPS non stop for longer than 3 hrs, but certainly not bong enough for more than a day of rain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by cidcolada View Post
That is one of the reasons I have decided that I need to get a proper motorcycle GPS. My phone ran GPS non stop for longer than 3 hrs, but certainly not bong enough for more than a day of rain.
Problem is a lot of the dedicated units charge via USB, so would this not cause the same problems charging in the wet? I guess you could hardwire the unit in and plaster it with sealant / dry box, but I would imaging someone must make a GPS with a totally waterproof connector.

I wonder how those Qi wireless charging phones would fair, or one of the phones that uses a magnetic charger. Wonder if that is any more water resistant?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 5 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
As I understand it, most of the GPS cradles that get hardwired handle the rain just fine. I had considered the inductive charging as well, but haven’t had an opportunity to try it in the rain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 6 Dec 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by cidcolada View Post
As I understand it, most of the GPS cradles that get hardwired handle the rain just fine.
I have seen these and they do appear to work well. But I can only find them for dedicated GPS devices (not phones) The only thing for phones is completely waterproof cases. But that's not as convenient. At least with the dedicated GPS mounts it appears very convenient to remove the GPS when you park up.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 6 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by chilswelluk View Post
I have seen these and they do appear to work well. But I can only find them for dedicated GPS devices (not phones) The only thing for phones is completely waterproof cases. But that's not as convenient. At least with the dedicated GPS mounts it appears very convenient to remove the GPS when you park up.


This is ultimately why I decided that I was going to have to shell out for a dedicated GPS. I like my CAT phone, but unfortunately it will never replace all of the other devices that I carry every day.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
best sat nav for bicycles? chilswelluk Overland Bicycle Travel 15 27 Jul 2019 21:15
Nav options, Nav 5, TomTom, Garmin 595 adventure_steele Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 1 26 Jul 2017 15:09
Satelite phone, Thuraya SG-2520 MUST GO!!!! biciclown TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 10 Nov 2012 17:24
Best traveller's phone or app? ColinD Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 18 Sep 2012 13:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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. 11-14
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

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:16.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top