Using an in-car GPS on a bike? [Archive]

nerrrd

8th May 2013, 23:36

So I've been looking around for a GPS solution, couldn't help but notice how cheap the in car GPS units are compared to anything motorcycle specific (or a new phone sigh).

Anyone think using one in a case like this http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/gibas954.aspx would be workable or just a waste of money?

FJRider

9th May 2013, 01:21

So I've been looking around for a GPS solution, couldn't help but notice how cheap the in car GPS units are compared to anything motorcycle specific (or a new phone sigh).

Is it waterproof .. ??

Gremlin

9th May 2013, 01:27

Is it waterproof .. ??
It's "water resistant". aka, no guarantee, and given enough rain, the cheap GPS has turned into a paperweight.

The reason the bike GPS is more expensive is because they are more rugged and IP67 (some have a higher rating) requires some engineering that car GPS simply don't need.

Most that use a car GPS end up going for a bike GPS if they use it enough, which kinda makes it more expensive in the long run (because you buy two). The bike GPS can be used in the car quite happily. Also, depending on GPS, the bike ones usually have all the mounting gear as well, which adds up pretty quick.

Biggest thing is, if you want to use the GPS a lot, maps that are up to date are important and could cost you more than the GPS itself (again, depending on what you buy). I'd go for a Garmin, then you can use http://www.nzopengps.org/

gammaguy

9th May 2013, 03:04

My GPS units are waterproof and tested in new zealand

And they come with a car and a bike mount so you can move it around

nerrrd

9th May 2013, 06:39

Is it waterproof .. ??

It's "water resistant". aka, no guarantee, and given enough rain, the cheap GPS has turned into a paperweight.

Thanks guys, makes sense, back to the drawing board...

My GPS units are waterproof and tested in new zealand

And they come with a car and a bike mount so you can move it around

Which ones are they then? Wait, just clicked on the link in your signature, found them.

Bald Eagle

9th May 2013, 16:48

My GPS units are waterproof and tested in new zealand

And they come with a car and a bike mount so you can move it around

is the price on your web site nzd?

Arrowolf

9th May 2013, 17:03

I am using a case like this since 3 years with my Tom tom gps. And i am happy with it, sun or rain is all good.:niceone:
Just don`t forget to install a power surce for it.
Arrowolf from Autumn Arrowtown

blackdog

9th May 2013, 17:05

RAM Solutions.

http://www.ramsolutions.co.nz/lifestyle/shop/motorbikes/aquabox-medium-wide-suits-most-gps

An alternative if you have already picked up a cheap GPS, or like me you may want to use different devices for different purposes. My S3 also fits, as I imagine would an iPod or iPhone.

Phreak

9th May 2013, 18:32

I had no issues with my car GPS when it was on the bike, nice big screen, easy to see, easy to hit the buttons (not recommended whilst in motion of course!), plus it played music on the long trips! (External memory card) I made it a habit to remove it from the bracket (was cable-tied to the H-Frame) if it started raining, even though I had all the openings taped over I didn't want to test it's waterproof-ness. Easy enough to wire up a cigarette plug off the battery (fused of course) to provide power. Lol the original reason I got it was for the clock! (my bike isn't flash enough to have one built in!)

Providing you don't mind the map software running out of date pretty quickly, I reckon it's not such a bad idea, so long as you keep the unit dry, plus they are a lot cheaper than going for a proper bike GPS!

(My bike is track spec now, that's why I say I used to have GPS)

This is similar to what I used to use...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/gps/automotive/auction-590097222.htm

nerrrd

10th May 2013, 07:35

Hmmm, see now I'm tempted all over again...

nzspokes

10th May 2013, 08:04

My GPS comes in book form. You read it and it never breaks down. I keep it in my top box.

And you dont get a stupid voice telling you to ride in a river.

nerrrd

10th May 2013, 10:05

My GPS comes in book form. You read it and it never breaks down. I keep it in my top box.

And you dont get a stupid voice telling you to ride in a river.

Maps are good, but then you have to stop, take gloves off, find map, check out where you need to go, put map away, gloves back on, remember where you're going, read the street signs in the dark with crappy eyesight etc so overall I think GPS sounds better (for me).

Like to think I might not ride into a river even if the GPS was telling me to...although I kind of rode into one all by myself the other night (more of a large puddle really).

Sable

10th May 2013, 10:14

What's wrong with a flash phone? Updates automatically, multi use, some like the Defi are rugged enough for nonprotected use

Zippo

10th May 2013, 12:01

What's wrong with a flash phone? Updates automatically, multi use, some like the Defi are rugged enough for nonprotected use

My friend in Australia uses his phone as a GPS and plugs his headphones in so he can hear the directions.

I gave this a go on Monday on my Samsung Galaxy S2. It worked pretty well. Only improvement would have been if it specified the road I was turning down. I got lost twice, because I didn't follow directions properly, but once I'd pulled over, I could re-check I was on route. Also, my eyes stay on the road instead of a screen. Just gotta make sure your phone is fully charged

Means I have one gadget for - camera, video, phone, gps, computer :)

Also, my $200 GPS died :)

ckai

10th May 2013, 12:11

And you dont get a stupid voice telling you to ride in a river.

But that's the most fun part! Everyone likes splashing in water. :wings:

My friend in Australia uses his phone as a GPS and plugs his headphones in so he can hear the directions.

Means I have one gadget for - camera, video, phone, gps, computer :)

Also, my $200 GPS died :)

This is what I'd do only so I didn't have to carry everything around. I've used the folks GPS and my phone. So much easier just using the phone. The earphones are the big thing for me. Yet to find a comfy way with my lid. The ultimate would be to have a Sena and bluetooth it to my phone.

Gremlin

10th May 2013, 14:26

Maps are good, but then you have to stop, take gloves off, find map, check out where you need to go, put map away, gloves back on, remember where you're going, read the street signs in the dark with crappy eyesight etc so overall I think GPS sounds better (for me).
You forgot the step of: locate where you actually are

Important in my opinion as I'm never lost, but I'm often not in the place I intended to be...

nerrrd

10th May 2013, 21:19

What's wrong with a flash phone? Updates automatically, multi use, some like the Defi are rugged enough for nonprotected use

I'd like to get a new phone but am a bit put off by the cost. Also I've only got Mac computers at home, not sure how easy it would be to use an Android device with them. I've got an iphone 3gs but overall it's been a disappointment, don't really want a newer one.

My friend in Australia uses his phone as a GPS and plugs his headphones in so he can hear the directions.

I gave this a go on Monday on my Samsung Galaxy S2. It worked pretty well. Only improvement would have been if it specified the road I was turning down. I got lost twice, because I didn't follow directions properly, but once I'd pulled over, I could re-check I was on route. Also, my eyes stay on the road instead of a screen. Just gotta make sure your phone is fully charged

Means I have one gadget for - camera, video, phone, gps, computer :)

Also, my $200 GPS died :)

Bosslady has an S2 I think, seems to work great for most things but I think she had a similar problem trying to use the voice given directions at one stage. Do like the idea of one gadget that can do it all though, easy to keep on you when you have to leave the bike or your gear somewhere.

Mom

10th May 2013, 21:37

You forgot the step of: locate where you actually are

Important in my opinion as I'm never lost, but I'm often not in the place I intended to be...

Gold! Know where you are, vital stuff.

:lol: summed it all up in that one post.

I have seen some of your "not in the place I intended to be" pics. Karen needs a spanking.

Probably got her name wrong :pinch:

Gremlin

10th May 2013, 21:50

I have seen some of your "not in the place I intended to be" pics. Karen needs a spanking.

Probably got her name wrong :pinch:
That's the GPS name, coz that's the voice name. I thought it was a cute English accent, then I realised it was Australian English :facepalm: Disagreements have been common, sometimes I'm right...

... sometimes she's right <_<

BMWST?

10th May 2013, 22:22

That's the GPS name, coz that's the voice name. I thought it was a cute English accent, then I realised it was Australian English :facepalm: Disagreements have been common, sometimes I'm right...

... sometimes she's right <_<

i think you mean emily

Gremlin

11th May 2013, 03:09

i think you mean emily
Nope, I mean Australian-English Karen (also TTS)

ckai

11th May 2013, 07:16

I'd like to get a new phone but am a bit put off by the cost. Also I've only got Mac computers at home, not sure how easy it would be to use an Android device with them. I've got an iphone 3gs but overall it's been a disappointment, don't really want a newer one.

We've only got macs. Work only has macs. The only one that doesn't have an android is the boss (mummy). The only thing that is slightly fiddly is music syncing. But the hassle free way is to use doubletwist on both the phone and the mac. Piece of piss.

It's really not that big of a problem. Hell, pm me and I'll tell you how everything is set up.

Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk 2

BMWST?

11th May 2013, 08:32

nerrrd

11th May 2013, 11:26

We've only got macs. Work only has macs. The only one that doesn't have an android is the boss (mummy). The only thing that is slightly fiddly is music syncing. But the hassle free way is to use doubletwist on both the phone and the mac. Piece of piss.

It's really not that big of a problem. Hell, pm me and I'll tell you how everything is set up.

More to think about, thanks for that.

FJRider

11th May 2013, 12:40

Maha

11th May 2013, 17:12

My New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas has never lied to me yet ...

What about that it told you that it loved you but it was just the beer talking?

FJRider

11th May 2013, 17:23

What about that it told you that it loved you but it was just the beer talking?

But it DOES love me ... and only one of us was pissed ... :doh:

Maha

11th May 2013, 17:31

But it DOES love me ... and only one of us was pissed ... :doh:

I have a copy (maybe a twin?) but I rely on it as guide. Local knowledge is hard to beat and when you know someone in a particular area, I will ask of them the way etc. Or in a group situation, I will ask them the lead.

FJRider

11th May 2013, 17:43

I have a copy (maybe a twin?) but I rely on it as guide. Local knowledge is hard to beat and when you know someone in a particular area, I will ask of them the way etc. Or in a group situation, I will ask them the lead.

When necessary ... I use my male attributes ... (and guess)

Sometimes I get it right ... but I do get to meet some very interesting people and places ... in the process .....

and some very strange ones too ...

Magnum Noel

12th May 2013, 14:58

Here's what I use. Waterproof mount off Trade me from trader in ChCh and power socket from marine parts supplier also a Trade me dealer.

nerrrd

12th May 2013, 19:44

Here's what I use. Waterproof mount off Trade me from trader in ChCh and power socket from marine parts supplier also a Trade me dealer.

Looks good. Is it this case? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/other/auction-590189352.htm. Have you had any problems with water getting in?

Magnum Noel

13th May 2013, 17:16

Yep thats the one. Only had it out in light rain with no leakage. Power/USB cable enters from the bottom through rubber flaps so provided unit is on a reasonable angle all should be good.

nerrrd

9th July 2013, 22:37

So I tried to order the Givi case (thought the mount looked more substantial), first it was going to be next week, then three weeks, then September...cancelled the order and happened to see a RAM aqua box on amazon for around the same price, one week later it's here.

There's something wrong with this picture isn't there? Not worth the local distributor's time for a smallish item? Last time I ordered a Givi product (top box mount) I waited two months for it not to arrive, then ordered one from the UK and it was here in a week as well.

Anyway ended up getting a Sony Xperia Acro S phone, 'sposed to be water and dust proof on its own so the aqua box is overkill really, but it looked more secure than a zip-up case (can be padlocked shut). Seemed a good deal for a smartphone.

nerrrd

17th February 2014, 23:31

So, 6 months later and here's my experience with the aquabox and sony xperia acro: not great, really.

First the aquabox: It's pretty substantial, but I found the touch sensitive transparent membrane that came with the box virtually useless for 2 reasons:

- it's not completely flat, and the wavy surface makes the screen really hard to read if there's any sort of glare on it (which there always is).
- the fact that it isn't flat on the surface of the phone means I can't scroll through it, since pressing hard enough to get the membrane to consistently stay in contact confuses the touch screen (this may well be an issue with the sony screen I s'pose)

I've made an aluminium insert with a cutout and glued a flat piece of transparent plastic cut from a document wallet to the back of it to replace the wavy membrane in order to get the touch screen to work reliably.

BUT...the phone itself can't seem to handle having gps, wifi, bluetooth, mobile data and the brightness turned up all at the same time when set up in the aquabox (and charging from the usb accessory socket I have hooked up to the battery).

It'll work for a while, but the phone battery drains faster than the accessory socket can recharge it (meaning using google maps to navigate can only be done in shortish bursts - if the phone is idling the accessory socket will charge it no problem.) Plus the phone freezes sometimes in the box, and gets very hot.

So all up, turned out to be a less than ideal solution. Not sure what to try next.

Icemaestro

18th February 2014, 08:30

nerrrd

18th February 2014, 22:16

Lifeproof case and bike mount I have for an iphone, dunno if they make them for your phone? But the case is waterproof, I use it every day, just slots In and out of the mount in 2 seconds

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds like a great set up, my phone is supposed to be reasonably water/dust/shock proof by itself, might look into a holder rather than a case.