China Waterproof Motorcycle GPS / Rage / Peaklife

[keithmaine]

Maine has way too areas with no cell service. The TomTom rider would be my first choice if I were to spend that much money. I'm looking for $125.00 or less and water proof. I have a Garm. Gps60csx which is great but the screen is way too small.

[SpudRider]

If you don't buy a TomTom Rider, Darth Vader will be disappointed.

[keithmaine]

Great video Lee

For adding your input to this thread

[SpudRider]

X2; thanks for posting the excellent video, Lee.

[keithmaine]

rever seems pretty cool if using phone or tablet many features with this route.

This is getting a little off track but choice is good
So let's see under $150.00 solutions

Phone / Tablet pros
1) inexpensive with old phone or cheap tablet
2) large screen
3) multi use
4) Multiple software and maps combos that can be used
5) Full tablet use when off bike (could be used to blog at night w/Wifi)

Phone / Tablet cons
1) may be too large
2) poor connections for power
3) not waterproof
4) Needs Case to waterproof

China GPS Unit pros
1) inexpensive
2) Medium screen
3) Multi use unit
4) Limited maps and software
5) Good power connections
6) Waterproof

China GPS Unit cons
1) No real use when off bike
2) Harder to setup than traditional gps

Did I miss anything?

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by keithmaine

rever seems pretty cool if using phone or tablet many features with this route.

This is getting a little off track but choice is good
So let's see under $150.00 solutions

Phone / Tablet pros
1) inexpensive with old phone or cheap tablet
2) large screen
3) multi use
4) Multiple software and maps combos that can be used
5) Full tablet use when off bike (could be used to blog at night w/Wifi)

Phone / Tablet cons
1) may be too large
2) poor connections for power
3) not waterproof
4) Needs Case to waterproof

China GPS Unit pros
1) inexpensive
2) Medium screen
3) Multi use unit
4) Limited maps and software
5) Good power connections
6) Waterproof

China GPS Unit cons
1) No real use when off bike
2) Harder to setup than traditional gps

Did I miss anything?

I'd say the China GPS mapping quality probably isn't as good as the options you'll get on the phone. OSMand and usgs topo's are hard to beat. I'll update the video I made before as that hardware was old and large (10" in that video, I use a 7 now) and some of the apps have changed for the better. Rever is really nice becuase the routing tool is extremely easy to use and it's sent to your phone seamlessly.

These are the same maps you offline for OSMand+ I have all of north america on my phone.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=5/51.500/-0.100


Select ArcGIS or Caltopo to see the usgs maps you can offline for backcountry navigator. Hillmap is a very nice mapping tool for your computer as well and free.

http://www.hillmap.com/

Many of the phones are waterproof, the 2nd/3rd Gen Motorola Moto G is submersible. They go for 149/179 on amazon and have expandable micro sd card slots. Screen brightness is critical and some of the review sites cover that.

No cell service is required for OSMand+, Backcountry Navigator, Rever, and even Google Maps when you offline/cache the maps within limits of the phones memory. You can do this from any wi-fi network you have access too.

The key to one working well is a RAM mount and appropriate holder. I use the X-Grip mounts mostly for mine but something more secure would be better for heavy trail use (or fast).

[keithmaine]

Lee smaller choices under 7" tablets (4-5" maybe) will be phones correct?
I think many people may want something that does not block out all the standard gauges. My Note II (5.5") may work as far as size and since I already have this I am willing to give it a shot. It would be nice to get rid of the phone carrier crap software but I think the phones need rooting for that.

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by keithmaine

Lee smaller choices under 7" tablets (4-5" maybe) will be phones correct?
I think many people may want something that does not block out all the standard gauges. My Note II (5.5") may work as far as size and since I already have this I am willing to give it a shot. It would be nice to get rid of the phone carrier crap software but I think the phones need rooting for that.

Yes, the Phones are all 4-5.5" Screens. Tablets are 7+ inches. I wouldn't go past 7" for the tablet as it truly blocks the screen. I do like the Nexus 7 as it's not to big and the larger screen helps a bunch when looking at the details on Topo maps.

gsmarena.com has a phone finder tool that lets you filter them for what your looking for. Screen brightness is very important and will likely be set to Max for many of them. (also an issue on Nuvi's). I'd give your Note a shot. If you can find a rubberized case (usually about 10 dollars) it'll dampen the vibration and also stay much for secure in something like an X-Grip. I have not had any connector issues with my Micro usb's but I'm careful to wrap the wire around the RAM mount and plug it in so no torque is applied to the connection. I mount mine to the left or right on the handlebars to avoid blocking the instruments. RAM makes all kinds of mounts for brake resovoirs, handbar clamps etc so worth a look to find just what you need.

I'll grab some pictures from my bikes in the garage.


Lee

[keithmaine]

Thanks Lee

I do have a waterproof case for the Note II I will follow your suggestions. I also have an Ram X-grip system.

[Lee R]

Here's a picture of phone/tablet/regular gps. This is from my eye height (5' 11") sitting on the bike. None of the options block the view to the instuments and I've used each option riding across country, the PN60 is a bit small!

Xgrip in two sizes and the pn60 holder from RAM. You can see I have handlebar mounts on both sides (one of which is going to the RX3) I also have a clamp mount (used on RX3 lately) that I use for the yoke on airplanes with the nexus 7.

[keithmaine]

Lee
I like it

[rjmorel]

Here's where I mounted my 7" GPS. I like it directly in my line of sight just below my field of vision so I can glance at it with out having to look for it down on my handle bars. rj

[keithmaine]

I would have to sit behind that myself to see if I would like it, but it could work me.

Thanks for the input

[katflap]

I've had a number of Chinese sat navs over the years and found them to be pretty good. The only downside that I have found is that they tend to have shiny screens, making them some times hard to see.

Igo Primo, I have found to be excellent and is considered to be every bit as good as any of the major brands of GPS software.

Usually you can also run Memorymap or Oziexplorer on these devices for off roading.

At present I'm using Igo Primo for road and OSMand for off road http://osmand.net/, on my Android phone, both use offline maps so no need for phone network coverage.

[keithmaine]

I am setting up my old Galaxy Note II with a couple diff. apps. now for testing
I really like the looks of Rever as suggested by Lee for on road work.

I love the ideas that come from this forum