What's your preferred way of navigation?

FastST said:
A paper map is the thing of the past.
Click to expand...
Wut...?! :unsure:
I'd agree that they might not have a place in the map-pouch on top of a tank-bag anymore, but I still prefer them as "globe" while planning/editing route segments on PC/Netbook (Garmin MapSource hence offline), and IMHO the 1:400,000 Michelin maps give the best tectonic & road-layout information; we do prefer twisty mountain roads in nice scenery.

I refuse the automatism provided when building routes, I set the start <> stop of the daily stages, and drag/shape/force the bearing line onto those roads *I* want to go on, then check all en-detail in over-zoom to eliminate any still persisting errors (like crossing through a populated area whilst there would be a bypass, etc...)
Then I give each stage a easy recognizable sequential ID, either the date they're to be driven or commencing numbers like 01, 02, 03,... no guesswork when opening them on the GPS...

See to have only 4~5 routes stored on the GPS; the more are stored, the longer it takes the devices to open one... (my old Quest-I simply starts navigation with no delay, whilst the Zumo 200 on my GF's bike already goes through a mystic [importing] process... "modern" kits like XT's are prone to take up to 10 minutes for such when having large numbers of routes stored... seems to confuse them...)

Redundancy; I've a stereo, an iPod, a GPS, an intercom, a phone and paper maps aboard... if one fails, the rest is unaffected (never happened though...)
Folks who run all on one device, like a dumbphone or a "modern" GPS, face a problem when that thingy keels up...
Plus that the last generation GPS seem to struggle when they have to run several operations aside navigation... the dedicated forums are full of complaints about seizing MP3 players, drop out audio, loss of BT connection, seizing navigation, jerky map scrolling, delay in nav instructions, complete crashes... (and why folks have the irresisteble urge to receive phone calls and read messages while riding is beyond me anyway...)

The process of planing and navigation in Europe differs though, we don't have a simple "grid" as layout; roads here often follow historical grown hunting and migration paths of the early man, winding and woven like cob-webs...
Nice for motorcycle touring of course, but putting a strain on the skimmed-down "quickest-route-sales-men-address-finder" alogarithms of today's satnavs... hence my refusal on automatisms...
 
St-Gerard said:
One thing I looking for is a good old fashioned Compass . Cloudy days make it hard to know which way you're going.
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That's one of the things I like about my cheap Chinese GPS.
An active compass is one of the additional data points you can select to display at the bottom of the screen. ;)
 
This is an interesting subject.

Some years ago I wrote a maps app for blackberry, it was quite popular. I have also studied and done orienteering. Currently I use a dedicated iPhone and a couple of Garmins. Also the Sun and the compass app on my phone which works without a phone signal or a satellite signal. It’s surprising how often I use just the time and sun, which does not work on a cloudy day or at night.

I’m annoyed by the fact that Apple maps includes an editors picks panel in the app which shows me irrelevant information and cannot be turned off. I want to see a map and directions, not black history month or any other information which is not directly tied to my navigation needs.

I have been lost a few times on back roads in the middle of nowhere on overcast days and the only thing that worked was the compass. Which is why I purchased a Garmin inReach+ GPS Satellite Messenger. It has maps, tracking and coms functions. So far so good.

Paper maps are good until you take a wrong turn and don’t know where you are on the map. Then it’s compass time. I have been looking at one of these. Rather than using the iPhone.

IMG_5559.jpeg
 
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ASPC said:
This is an interesting subject.

Some years ago I wrote a maps app for blackberry, it was quite popular. I have also studied and done orienteering. Currently I use a dedicated iPhone and a couple of Garmins. Also the Sun and the compass app on my phone which works without a phone signal or a satellite signal. It’s surprising how often I use just the time and sun, which does not work on a cloudy day or at night.

I’m annoyed by the fact that Apple maps includes an editors picks panel in the app which shows me irrelevant information and cannot be turned off. I want to see a map and directions, not black history month or any other information which is not directly tied to my navigation needs.

I have been lost a few times on back roads in the middle of nowhere on overcast days and the only thing that worked was the compass. Which is why I purchased a Garmin inReach+ GPS Satellite Messenger. It has maps, tracking and coms functions. So far so good.

Paper maps are good until you take a wrong turn and don’t know where you are on the map. Then it’s compass time. I have been looking at one of these. Rather than using the iPhone.

IMG_5559.jpeg
Click to expand...
As an old pilot I know that You are never lost, only temporarily confused!
 
I have taken cross county trips now that I am retired, as in San Diego to New England, where I grew up. I carry an atlas for the big views but use my iPhone on a ram mount/Quad Lock set up and use Apple Maps. While I can’t route like a dedicated GPS,I normally have towns along the way marked on a card, using the atlas for reference, and put in the next town that gets me on roads I want to ride and normally can align them with pit stops. I like Apple Maps rather than Google as if I am streaming music I hear the verbal instructions seamlessly. It mutes the music and I do not miss the first part of the instructions as happens with Google maps.
 
When I was just getting into LD and rally riding, I realized my preferred method of navigation was to follow Shuey!
:D:D:D
 
I didn't want to learn Basecamp or buy a new Garmin so I started looking for a good iPhone navigation app with custom routes and turn by turn directions. One of the best I've seen is Scenic. Easy to create a basic route and modify it with waypoints.. Once it is saved it is in the cloud. I can send it to other riders, convert it to GPX, or post the route on my riding group's Facebook page so others can download it. Right now it is my goto. I bought a lifetime membership when it was pretty cheap, so I will stick with them for a while. As other's have said, once you begin the route it is downloaded into the phone and you don't need cell service. Another option is plain old Google maps. Matt Laidlaw's utube channel has a great video on how to complete and save a custom route in Google maps. I prefer to have everything go through the phone. One less thing to sync with my Sena headset, and it is already wired for power.

 
ST1100Y said:
Wut...?! :unsure:
I'd agree that they might not have a place in the map-pouch on top of a tank-bag anymore, but I still prefer them as "globe" while planning/editing route segments on PC/Netbook (Garmin MapSource hence offline), and IMHO the 1:400,000 Michelin maps give the best tectonic & road-layout information; we do prefer twisty mountain roads in nice scenery.

I refuse the automatism provided when building routes, I set the start <> stop of the daily stages, and drag/shape/force the bearing line onto those roads *I* want to go on, then check all en-detail in over-zoom to eliminate any still persisting errors (like crossing through a populated area whilst there would be a bypass, etc...)
Then I give each stage a easy recognizable sequential ID, either the date they're to be driven or commencing numbers like 01, 02, 03,... no guesswork when opening them on the GPS...

See to have only 4~5 routes stored on the GPS; the more are stored, the longer it takes the devices to open one... (my old Quest-I simply starts navigation with no delay, whilst the Zumo 200 on my GF's bike already goes through a mystic [importing] process... "modern" kits like XT's are prone to take up to 10 minutes for such when having large numbers of routes stored... seems to confuse them...)

Redundancy; I've a stereo, an iPod, a GPS, an intercom, a phone and paper maps aboard... if one fails, the rest is unaffected (never happened though...)
Folks who run all on one device, like a dumbphone or a "modern" GPS, face a problem when that thingy keels up...
Plus that the last generation GPS seem to struggle when they have to run several operations aside navigation... the dedicated forums are full of complaints about seizing MP3 players, drop out audio, loss of BT connection, seizing navigation, jerky map scrolling, delay in nav instructions, complete crashes... (and why folks have the irresisteble urge to receive phone calls and read messages while riding is beyond me anyway...)

The process of planing and navigation in Europe differs though, we don't have a simple "grid" as layout; roads here often follow historical grown hunting and migration paths of the early man, winding and woven like cob-webs...
Nice for motorcycle touring of course, but putting a strain on the skimmed-down "quickest-route-sales-men-address-finder" alogarithms of today's satnavs... hence my refusal on automatisms...
Click to expand...
Well, to each their own, as you can see in all the replies here.
But for me, a paper is just a nice big view of roads on a hotel's table. We often ride in Europe and although I have Mich maps with me, I've never referred to them. How many maps would I need to cover all of the places I pass, let alone the local routes and in many different towns... No hiccups from the GPS. My routes are planned in Basecamp and loaded to GPS.
But again, whatever rocks ya boat :).
 
I use several methods of navigating.

Being good at reading maps I like using both "old fashioned" paper maps, or even online mapping. When the timing or destination allows for minor errors and arrival times aren't an issue, wandering with general directions "memorized" is fun.

Going somewhere I've never been to, and when I am not familiar with the area I do rely on Google maps in the car, and my Garmin now on the bike. One of the benefits of running the GPS in the car I've found is rerouting around collisions and being aware of other road hazards.

Leading a ride with followers, I now rely on my Garmin. I'm only a year into using GPS devices on the bike, but I find they work really well, and once you figure out Basecamp a little it's not so bad. Even when you know most of the roads, the little prompts for turns are handy.

To each their own, have fun, and just ride as much as you can.
 
TomTom Rider on the bike, TomTom 5100 in the car. Never let me down, both do what I need. I always carry country maps when across the channel as I like to see an overall picture of where I am going. And if any of those fail then the mobile phone has google maps which I used exclusively when I was driving coaches.
 
I’ve been riding for a while now and have tried quite a few different GPS systems and apps for navigation, but I keep finding myself coming back to Apple Maps. While I know a lot of riders swear by dedicated motorcycle GPS units, I’ve been using my iPhone for navigation, and honestly, it’s been great for me.

Here’s why I stick with Apple Maps:

  1. User-Friendly Interface – Apple Maps is incredibly easy to use while riding. The interface is clean, with simple turn-by-turn directions, and it’s not cluttered with too many details that distract me. It just gives me the info I need without overcomplicating things.
  2. Seamless Integration with iPhone – Since I already carry my iPhone with me, it’s a no-brainer to use it for navigation. It syncs perfectly with my phone’s features, like voice commands and notifications, making it easy to stay focused on the road while getting directions.
  3. Traffic and Real-Time Updates – Apple Maps gives live traffic updates and suggests alternate routes if there’s heavy traffic or a roadblock, which is super helpful when I’m riding through unknown areas or city traffic. It keeps me from getting stuck in traffic jams, which can be a pain on the bike.
  4. Offline Maps – One of the best things about Apple Maps is that I can download routes ahead of time if I know I’ll be in an area without a solid signal. It’s saved me on more than one occasion when I’ve been out in the middle of nowhere.
I’ve also tried other apps like Google Maps, Waze, and a few moto-specific ones, but they either felt too complicated or didn’t offer the same level of seamless experience I get with Apple Maps. Whether I’m on a long trip or just navigating around town, Apple Maps has been reliable and simple, and I always seem to return to it after experimenting with others.

For me, it’s all about convenience and functionality, and Apple Maps hits the sweet spot
 
I usually use google maps or the GO Ride app. I will occasionally just use the sun and kind of see where I find myself when I get hungry.

The GO Ride app can find some really interesting roads and has different adventure levels.
 
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