No, mine are usually handwritten.
What's your preferred way of navigation?
- Thread starter r2c9y
- Start date
Interesting thread, just installed a phone holder,was planning to use my iPhone for navigation and music to my helmet speakers. Oh yeah a USB/Voltmeter to power the phone. Supposedly my new tablet has a GPS receiver in it, which means I have to get a tank bag for the ST, if I want to use it for navigation. Thanks for the updates. G
This is what I do occasionally as well. I carry an atlas in the bags that I review at night. If the way is unfamiliar or has numerous turns, I write notes similar with a felt tip marker...waypoints, destination names, miles between. It goes into a clear plastic sleeve and gets taped to the tank. Just a quick glance is all it takes.You mean like this?
I've also gone "high tech" at times
drrod
Site Supporter
You can get smartphones for only a couple hundred $'s. Used ones, even less. I use Motorola Stylus 5G. New was about $180 from Costco. IP7 rated. I use a Hondo Garage Perfect Squeeze holder and power it (if needed) via a USB cable and a magnetic connector to the phone. So far (about 30,000 miles - a lot of them off road) the camera, connections, etc. is fine.
Any GPS program has a learning curve but once you get used to it, missed turns, etc are not much of an issue. Most GPS apps have built in POI's so gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc that are readily available and searchable. One of the biggest advantages of a lot of GPS apps is that they are open source and the roads, POI's etc, are pretty current and are updated at no cost, for ever, and you can use it in any country without having to buy the map for that country. You don't have to wait for Garmin or TT to issue an update or for them to decide that their LTM option is really only what they decide the lifetime of the unit is.
Any GPS program has a learning curve but once you get used to it, missed turns, etc are not much of an issue. Most GPS apps have built in POI's so gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc that are readily available and searchable. One of the biggest advantages of a lot of GPS apps is that they are open source and the roads, POI's etc, are pretty current and are updated at no cost, for ever, and you can use it in any country without having to buy the map for that country. You don't have to wait for Garmin or TT to issue an update or for them to decide that their LTM option is really only what they decide the lifetime of the unit is.
ReSTored
Site Supporter
Just an FYI that if I leave my iPod in the plastic sleeve on the top of my tank bag on a sunny day that it can get so hot that it shuts down.
Mophead
Site Supporter
Rand McNally.
Forgot my cell phone in the car one summer day, it shut off as well.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Michelin Maps, my trusty Toshiba NB510 Netbook with Garmin MapSource for accurate route planning, loaded on my even trustier '04 Garmin Quest-I in a bike-powered cradle, audio feed into intercom (recently upgraded to BT)...
Wouldn't trust any current Garmin GPS further then I could throw it... they're all dodgy, a mind of their own, refusing to start loaded routes, sudden self-empowered recalculations, destroying the carefully planned route in the process, stuck in RUT errors, if you leave a route for gas, food, sightseeing, roadworks, those things just run amok... simply thread back into the running route... no way, they then insist on going all the way back to the starting point!...
When your oh so great latest Garmin XT stubbornly decides that this mountain pass must have a winter closure, it simply won't go over there... basta... it doesn't care that we have August...
My old Quest is too dumb for such parades... ticking along like a Swiss watch...
Even my GF's Zumo 200 gets moody at times... and that thing is already old...
Wouldn't trust any current Garmin GPS further then I could throw it... they're all dodgy, a mind of their own, refusing to start loaded routes, sudden self-empowered recalculations, destroying the carefully planned route in the process, stuck in RUT errors, if you leave a route for gas, food, sightseeing, roadworks, those things just run amok... simply thread back into the running route... no way, they then insist on going all the way back to the starting point!...
When your oh so great latest Garmin XT stubbornly decides that this mountain pass must have a winter closure, it simply won't go over there... basta... it doesn't care that we have August...
My old Quest is too dumb for such parades... ticking along like a Swiss watch...
Even my GF's Zumo 200 gets moody at times... and that thing is already old...
To navigate complex custom routes, I use Garmin 396 (would like upgrading to the XT for a nicer screen). Old Nuvi 1450 for a backup. Phone for A to B direct address.
In the old pre-nav days was using paper maps and written directions on tank (rt#+turns, etc.).
In the old pre-nav days was using paper maps and written directions on tank (rt#+turns, etc.).
Moto-Charlie
Vendor
I ride in Europe (Alps mostly) every year. I used detailed maps 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 to find many of the little roads I like to ride and have committed to memory. For the last 4 or 5 years I have supplemented my paper maps using the Here WeGo app on my phone. The app is owned by a consortium that includes Audi, BMW and Mercedes, so it works pretty good in Europe. It can be used online, or offline by downloading the various country/regional maps.
Using it online can locate and route you to some very minor, out of the way, places (like some tiny little lake at the end of a long dead end valley) that don't show up on the offline maps - but - if you find the oddball place you want to go to using the online search and the ask it for directions to that place, it will remember that place using the offline maps even if you start using the offline maps from a different starting location.
The app has several routing modes, including a "motorcycle" routing preference. It does a pretty good job of mimicking the back road, obscure routing I prefer. It also has city maps for when you want to walk in villages, towns, etc. It's also worked well here in North America. I've used it to navigate a round trip from NH to GA and back as well as through the Canadian Maritimes. I've been pretty pleased with it.
My start of using it coincided with using a Samsung Note 20 Ultra, and then a S23 Ultra and now a Fold6 - all waterproof so I use it rain or shine. I generally keep the phones plugged in via a USB connection, which I will disconnect (use battery only) during a heavy prolonged rain. So far, so good.
Using it online can locate and route you to some very minor, out of the way, places (like some tiny little lake at the end of a long dead end valley) that don't show up on the offline maps - but - if you find the oddball place you want to go to using the online search and the ask it for directions to that place, it will remember that place using the offline maps even if you start using the offline maps from a different starting location.
The app has several routing modes, including a "motorcycle" routing preference. It does a pretty good job of mimicking the back road, obscure routing I prefer. It also has city maps for when you want to walk in villages, towns, etc. It's also worked well here in North America. I've used it to navigate a round trip from NH to GA and back as well as through the Canadian Maritimes. I've been pretty pleased with it.
My start of using it coincided with using a Samsung Note 20 Ultra, and then a S23 Ultra and now a Fold6 - all waterproof so I use it rain or shine. I generally keep the phones plugged in via a USB connection, which I will disconnect (use battery only) during a heavy prolonged rain. So far, so good.
ChucksKLRST
Team Colorado
Picture says it all.
A paper map is the thing of the past. You don't even know where you are in relation to the map if you have no cross-reference point. It's just good to look at on a hotel's table.
But in the "field" the Google map on the phone is a thousand times more useful. Weather to cross-reference with the nav check where exactly you are, or whatever you need.
No service? A GPS/nav screen is there for you.
But in the "field" the Google map on the phone is a thousand times more useful. Weather to cross-reference with the nav check where exactly you are, or whatever you need.
No service? A GPS/nav screen is there for you.
I will never buy another Garmin product but have used one and my cell phone with a Sena 50. I bought but have yet to install a CHIGEE with cameras, blind spot alert and its own GPS antenna which hopefully will allow me to use the iPhone in my pocket away from vibration and rain. I use sysgic [sp] maps because I ride in US, Europe and Morocco.
PmodelinUS
Site Supporter
Well mostly during the day I navagate by sun position and road signs if there are any. I do however at times go where the heck am I and pull out the phone. Most of my rides are head to this general area, but when touring I carry paper maps a compass and my phone. Like my bike I'm pretty low tech.
Like most of the riders here, redundancy is a good plan.
If I’m riding multiple states there is the tear out from the atlas in the map pocket, locally it may be just a printed list of destinations. Having planned it on Google maps, they are in the recent searches. The Garmin is a backup or a way to see the bigger picture and chose a more scenic path.
For me, not worrying about how makes it more enjoyable. It’s running on the phone and if I miss a turn it just recalculates. Conversely, if it’s a timed event, all my ducks are in a row and the Google, Garmin and paper are all in sync.
Hope you find an easy and enjoyable way to navigate.
If I’m riding multiple states there is the tear out from the atlas in the map pocket, locally it may be just a printed list of destinations. Having planned it on Google maps, they are in the recent searches. The Garmin is a backup or a way to see the bigger picture and chose a more scenic path.
For me, not worrying about how makes it more enjoyable. It’s running on the phone and if I miss a turn it just recalculates. Conversely, if it’s a timed event, all my ducks are in a row and the Google, Garmin and paper are all in sync.
Hope you find an easy and enjoyable way to navigate.
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- 1&2&3-2005 ST1300ABS
I use Trip Adviser and put in all my places I want to visit and stay at under a trip report that I created on there.
Check the ratings and pricing on the places I want to stay at also on there.
I can also check along the way if the points of interest that are worth stopping by seeing the ratings.
Save all these places and then plug them into my Garmin GPS, I currently do this manually.
Then see if we have time to stop at them. I can also check for restaurants along the way by using the nearest restaurant location using the GPS if we don’t already have one in mind.
Then I book all my accommodations at the hotels/motels web site.
Save all these places on the Garmin GPS so they re easy to access by voice command to the GPS.
Another way I’m starting to do is save places on google maps as a trip itinerary, then save the trip with a unique name.
I have made many trips this way and saved them.
If I hear of a good place to stay or see at on here, I save it on goggle maps as a “want to visit” icon on google maps.
Also, I have never used a paper map since the 1980’s.
I used to use the AAA trip books and maps from them.
Still a AAA member since 1980 and they still give out free maps I believe.
The reason I like GPS.
We rented a car from HERTZ in the 90’s and it had a Magellan never lost GPS in it, so as soon as we got home, I bought one and never looked back.
Check the ratings and pricing on the places I want to stay at also on there.
I can also check along the way if the points of interest that are worth stopping by seeing the ratings.
Save all these places and then plug them into my Garmin GPS, I currently do this manually.
Then see if we have time to stop at them. I can also check for restaurants along the way by using the nearest restaurant location using the GPS if we don’t already have one in mind.
Then I book all my accommodations at the hotels/motels web site.
Save all these places on the Garmin GPS so they re easy to access by voice command to the GPS.
Another way I’m starting to do is save places on google maps as a trip itinerary, then save the trip with a unique name.
I have made many trips this way and saved them.
If I hear of a good place to stay or see at on here, I save it on goggle maps as a “want to visit” icon on google maps.
Also, I have never used a paper map since the 1980’s.
I used to use the AAA trip books and maps from them.
Still a AAA member since 1980 and they still give out free maps I believe.
The reason I like GPS.
We rented a car from HERTZ in the 90’s and it had a Magellan never lost GPS in it, so as soon as we got home, I bought one and never looked back.
amorley
Site Supporter
I am very comfortable using Basecamp for route planning and a dedicated GPS. Currently I use a Garmin XT.
But to really answer your question, you need to define what you mean by “Navigation”
To me understanding the type of navigation you require helps determine the best tool for the job.
For instance:
But to really answer your question, you need to define what you mean by “Navigation”
To me understanding the type of navigation you require helps determine the best tool for the job.
For instance:
- Point A to B navigation
- Point A to B navigation with traffic and hazard avoidance / rerouting
- Complex navigation with multiple waypoints
- Multi-day touring with daily rides involving complex navigation with multiple waypoints
- Off road navigation that clearly indicates hazards and has no cell coverage
- International navigation
- Easy to reroute if a diversion is necessary
- Up ahead search for the next gas stop and/or eating
- Ability to share a pre-planned navigation routes easily with multiple riders
- Ability to save ride as a GPX track for a historical record
- Ability to listen to music/audio books
- Ability to control phone calls
- Support for voice commands
- Support for front and rear DVR cameras
Yep. I go through many, as I cut em up for the tankbag.
Speaking of tank bags , looking at getting one for my ST1100 any recommendations. Hopefully can have my 10.5 ×6.5 inch tablet fits in the top.
For street, I usually have no problem glancing at a map and getting where I'm going. I recently started using a rugged Android tablet (DMD2) for trails and such on my DesertX and in my FJ, easy to switch between the two and the ability to create routes beforehand is great. I tried Garmin and Basecamp years ago and hated it. The 8" tablet seems a bit big at first but it's much easier to read than a phone for sure!