dedicated GPS vs phone

[puttbutt]

While riding to check out a new camping area, discovered two faults when using a phone to navigate. #1, when the sun is hitting the screen, can't see crap. #2, at my age now, my vision isn't so great, so I can't see the image and wording too clearly. will a dedicated GPS address these two issues? Thanks

 

[Napom]

I have used a motorcycle specific GPS for years and find that they are (IMHO) leaps and bounds better than just the phone. 1st they are "sun light readable". Now if the sun is hitting directly on the screen, good luck with that - but it is better than the phone in bright sunlight. 2nd importing routes you plan on the computer is easy peasy - just drag and drop the .gpx files. 3rd - No signal required. I tried an automotive GPS at first but quickly realized that I needed the Motorcycle specific ones. I have used a Garmin Zumo 660 for the past 7 years and it recently started acting up on me, so I bought the Garmin ZumoXT which I love. The best benefit is that the phone stays securely locked away in a bag on the bike so it is protected in a drop/crash, and if connected to a power pack, always fully charged and ready to go. I can still play the 3500+ tunes I have on my phone through my Zumo and skip songs I don;t want to hear from the Zumo screen - plus see who is calling when the phone does ring (so I know who I am ignoring when I ride).

 

[puttbutt]

I can still play the 3500+ tunes I have on my phone through my Zumo and skip songs I don;t want to hear from the Zumo screen - plus see who is calling when the phone does ring (so I know who I am ignoring when I ride).

I'm assuming you have a headset on to receive the music, but how does that work with drowning out the ambient noise? do you still need ear plugs? my helmet is kind'a loud.

 

[petespace1]

+1 for the Zumo.
I have used a Sena SMH 10 headset - over several helmets over the years. Still going well.
I also use a full custom moulded set of earplugs that I got down at a bike fair several years ago. Was expensive but has kept wind and bike noise out over many years it’s has been worth it. The Headset works just fine with them.

 

[Aushiker]

While riding to check out a new camping area, discovered two faults when using a phone to navigate. #1, when the sun is hitting the screen, can't see crap. #2, at my age now, my vision isn't so great, so I can't see the image and wording too clearly. will a dedicated GPS address these two issues? Thanks

If you are going to use a phone, ideally it should have a NITS rating about 600. There is some suggestion that 450 is okay but I prefer to go to 600+. If you phone is lower rated then well it is likely to be 'crap'.

 

[Aushiker]

I have used a motorcycle specific GPS for years and find that they are (IMHO) leaps and bounds better than just the phone. 1st they are "sun light readable". Now if the sun is hitting directly on the screen, good luck with that - but it is better than the phone in bright sunlight. 2nd importing routes you plan on the computer is easy peasy - just drag and drop the .gpx files. 3rd - No signal required. I tried an automotive GPS at first but quickly realized that I needed the Motorcycle specific ones. I have used a Garmin Zumo 660 for the past 7 years and it recently started acting up on me, so I bought the Garmin ZumoXT which I love. The best benefit is that the phone stays securely locked away in a bag on the bike so it is protected in a drop/crash, and if connected to a power pack, always fully charged and ready to go. I can still play the 3500+ tunes I have on my phone through my Zumo and skip songs I don;t want to hear from the Zumo screen - plus see who is calling when the phone does ring (so I know who I am ignoring when I ride).

A couple of points if I may:

[1] Dropping GPS tracks to the phone is easy peasy ... just use the appropriate apps. In my case I plan my routes in Ride with GPS so they automatically sync with the Ride With GPS app or alternatively I simply upload them to Locus.

[2] I use the phone as a GPS device ... no phone signal is required with apps such as Locus [it allows all sorts of maps to be saved offline] Even Google maps can be used offline

[3] My personal phone stays secure. My AU$270 Ulefone Power Armour 14 is my GPS unit.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

Two Duraforce Pro Android phones. On in a airplane mode riding in a Juiced Squeeze mount for doing nav duty, no cell signal needed.
The other in my pocket for phone calls. They're set up the same so each is a backup for the other in case of loss or breakage.
The first one was $300 new. The 2nd and 3rd ones were $40 apiece used.

 

[Roy Gavin]

No one has measured coverage - most of the places in this state I might need navigation probably don't have cell phone cover- so is coverage any better with a dedicated GPS unit?

 

[Aushiker]

No one has measured coverage - most of the places in this state I might need navigation probably don't have cell phone cover- so is coverage any better with a dedicated GPS unit?

If you are using your phone as a GPS then its coverage as a GPS is the same as a dedicated GPS. Of course, your maps like on your dedicated GPS should be offline maps. For example, Locus provides offline maps (Android users).

I assume that there would be apps for the iPhone that also allow for maps to be offline (downloaded).

 

[Robert]

"when the sun is hitting the screen, can't see crap. " Did you set the brightness of your screen to maximum? And the position of the phone may make a difference too, I find that the most vertical position reduces reflection most.
Finally there are phone holders/covers that come with a sort of flyscreen, which might help: https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/motor-telefoonhouder-voor-alle-7-inch-telefoons-telefoonhouder-scooter-telefoonhouder-fiets-iphone-houder-motor-samsung-houder-motor/9200000115211777/
(that's on a Dutch site, but I guess that Ali X will sell the same)

 

[Bluestrom13]

My navigation system is in the sky (when the sun is shining).

However, I have seen these things whilst on my travels. "Old" tech, but makes sense - Give your screen a peak.

 

[puttbutt]

ideally it should have a NITS rating about 600

what's 'NITS"? and how do I find out on my phone? I've got an iphone se 2nd generation.

 

[Aushiker]

what's 'NITS"? and how do I find out on my phone? I've got an iphone se 2nd generation.

What Is Nits Brightness? | Are Nits Important For Displays?

What is nits brightness? One nit is the amount of light that spreads over a square meter. Therefore, a “nit” is an alternative way of describing a brightness of 1cd/m2 (candela per square meter). Nits are important because they enable us to look at our mobile phones outdoors. But ideally, “nits...

www.gadgetreview.com

Hopefully, Apple published the rating for your phone otherwise sometimes https://www.gsmarena.com/ has the value.

I am not familiar with the iPhone range but if the phone is either a cheaper one or a few years old it is likely to have a rather low rating which is probably part of your problem.

 

[puttbutt]

my phone is about 2-3 yrs. old. checked the brightness level, and it was set at 3/4 level. will set it at max. level next time I go riding on a sunny day and see if there is any improvement. Thanks for the interesting article. learned something new.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

If you are using your phone as a GPS then its coverage as a GPS is the same as a dedicated GPS. Of course, your maps like on your dedicated GPS should be offline maps. For example, Locus provides offline maps (Android users).

I assume that there would be apps for the iPhone that also allow for maps to be offline (downloaded).

The GPS chip sets built into phones these last ten -twelve years are on point !!

 

[RotorWrench]

If you are using your phone as a GPS then its coverage as a GPS is the same as a dedicated GPS. Of course, your maps like on your dedicated GPS should be offline maps. For example, Locus provides offline maps (Android users).

I assume that there would be apps for the iPhone that also allow for maps to be offline (downloaded).

I have used phones in the past but have trashed two phones due to vibration damage, and that was using vibration isolation mounts.

As mentioned in an earlier post, some phones have higher vibration ratings than others, while some are even categorized as "rugged" phones, yet still seem to fail motorcycle use for many users as noted on several forums, while numbers of others report no problems.

Regardless, my reasons for moving to dedicated GPS units, specifically motorcycle designated GPS units is for various personal preferences.

For one, even though I regularly back up my phone, I am no longer risking my phones to unnecessary risk due to the data and info I have on them, especially given the escalating prices of phones. My Zumo XT on sale cost a third of my phone price.

Another is some of the features I've found to be indispensable to me on motorcycle specific GPSs, most notable being the Zumo XT's glove friendly screen. No special fingtip gloves needed. Even with my thick, insulated winter gloves, my touches and selections on the screen are immediate and responsive. I have yet to find or even hear of a phone that even comes close to working this well with any type or material of glove.

Foregoing additional reasons, one of the most important to me, due to my riding and the areas I explore in the US and Canada, is the quality and type of GPS receivers and chips on phones compared to dedicated GPSs.

Because of where I work, I am exposed to specialists and professionals in the field of avionics and navigation, who are very familiar with the GPS receivers in phones and dedicated units and they will be the first to explain to you the lower quality, accuracy and capabilities of phone GPS units compared to quality stand alone GPS. Not being the phones fault, but due to size and antenna limitations of phones. They're primary function being a phone after all. No phone GPS currently has the capability to lock as many satellites nor has the signal strength of a quality GPS unit, nor the available dedicated processing power for dedicated GPS operation.

Some say buy a cheap phone or better yet, buy a cheap "rugged" phone for motorcycle use, but as explained to me, those cheaper phones and Chinese rugged phones also have cheaper GPS receivers and chips in them. Yet many seem to have OK experiences with them. But for the price, I can definitely find a GPS in a similar price range.

For general, fairly unobstructed sky navigation use, phones work fine for me, better for others. But in several instances where I've ridden in heavily treed and mountainous areas using my phone and stand alone GPS, I've often lost a signal or had ridiculously long refresh times or recalculating times on my phone whereas my GPS never missed a beat.

As in all things of this nature, YMMV, but from my experience, type of riding and where I ride, I much prefer and trust a dedicated GPS unit over a phone, regardless of app or phone. Others have had better phone GPS experiences than I have, but personally I won't depend on them anymore nor expose my phone to the potential damage and elements that my GPS is actually designed to to take.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

My brother absolutely loves loves loves Garmin's in his cars and bikes and Basecamp on his computer.

He buys Garmin Nuvis CHEAP !! and has plenty for spares and loaner/give away.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

The GPS in glass cockpit equipped fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft is several orders of magnitude more advanced than consumer grade stuff.

Sitting here typing this at LAT 47° mine is showing solid locks on 15 of 18 GPS satellites.
If my antique-osaurs phone had GLONASS capability like more modern phones do, the numbers would be higher.