Phone/GPS/Oven Timer/Phone

[Tazz]

On road is fine. Just glance at google maps before I leave and wing it. Works for me.

You know, you see an interesting looking spot up the hill but you're 4 hours into a 10 minute trip that was just to get milk, eggs and a perm, you don't have time to look that day so you just check the route to see where the hell you actually were when you get home and sort out getting back there.
That is mainly what I want a GPS for, map books are no good to me, not interested, but thanks all the same

Interesting comment about the trees Clint. Definitely a bigger problem than taking your gloves off if you can't even pick up satellites. Wish you could 'test drive' phones for a day before you bought em.

Regarding headsets and the like, it is the same deal as listening to music. You don't HAVE to have it on all the time, just when you want too. And if you can't focus on riding with all this gadgetry on your bike, that's fine too, but there are plenty of people who can and enjoy using it

Thanks for all the feedback. Will chew it over.

[FJRider]

If an unknown part of the province is my route, I'll take a copy of the section of a roadmap. Takes 2 minutes to scan, and folds up to nothing. Lighter than a mapbook. Dosen't go flat and I can read it anywhere. Plenty of roadmaps have the minor roads named, Years ago, I learnt to read, quite a useful skill really

As for using BT on a ride, I ride to enter a world where everything is okay, not to drag family, work etc along.

Not what the OP was asking about, but my rant for the day.

Over the years I have collected maps from various areas I've traveled ... the "Old School" Lands and Survey maps (or similar) ... inch to the mile. Off road or following trails and vehicle (goat) tracks ... not much changes over the 20 or 30 years since they were printed. Hills/valleys/rivers wont move far ... and you can be pretty precise as to knowing your exact location.

Scanned and copied portions of the particular bits you need are easy to carry .. and highlight the important bits you need to remember. Actual maps can be carried .. but for the most part ... stay secure (dry) in your pack. A bit of time doing a close study of a map of the area you're going to go thru ... makes it easy to navigate when you actually get there. A series of "checkpoints" you need to find to confirm you are still on your intended route.

On the open road highways ... I still carry the map books. But more to confirm km's to the next gas station .... or to show other riders where they are or point out where good/bad portions of their intended route are ... or good alternative routes. (For ME or others)

We are lucky in New Zealand with the quality of signposting ... if you take the time to read them.

[Waihou Thumper]

and highlight the important bits you need to remember. A bit of time doing a close study of a map of the area you're going to go thru ... makes it easy to navigate when you actually get there. A series of "checkpoints" you need to find to confirm you are still on your intended route.

Sound advice for adventure riders using route sheets and a gps.... Not to rely on it. Mind you, getting lost is the best bit!

[FJRider]

Sound advice for adventure riders using route sheets and a gps.... Not to rely on it. Mind you, getting lost is the best bit!

Funny how everybody wants Adventure with NO risk. (to life, limb, or sanity)

I found a motorcyclist in the Nevis valley "Lost" once and unsure how to get out (his GPS had died) ... and the main route road still clearly visible. To turn off the main "road" was always obvious you were turning of the main route.

[kiwi cowboy]

Funny how everybody wants Adventure with NO risk. (to life, limb, or sanity)

I found a motorcyclist in the Nevis valley "Lost" once and unsure how to get out (his GPS had died) ... and the main route road still clearly visible. To turn off the main "road" was always obvious you were turning of the main route.

don't lie to us you were that motorcyclist

[FJRider]

don't lie to us you were that motorcyclist

Actually ... I was walking ...

[kiwi cowboy]

Actually ... I was walking ...

[clint640]

I agree. If travelling off road.. .

...kind of implied given this is the Dual Purpose section of the forum...

I started using dad's GPS for nav back when they cost $$$$ & only gave you a grid reference to transfer to your paper map. They were awesome for exploring & adventuring then & are awesomer now. Not relying on it totally - goes without saying, for more adventurous trips I always take topomap & compass, AA paper maps are great for planning & nav where there is a road.

If you have a smartphone I reckon you're nuts not to get some decent mapping apps on it & learn how to use them, it's cheap or free! For those with a proper gps it gives you a layer of redundancy in a device you were carrying anyway, for those with only paper maps it gives you another level of accuracy & detail.

Cheers
Clint

[Oscar]

So my old GPS gave up the ghost (it seemed to be suffering from demetia).

Where would I source a replacement?
I was thinking of a Garmin Montana 650T (or maybe you guys had a better idea).

[pomgolian]

Buy a GPS - phone software and hardware is still not there as they are meant for mainstream and not for taking off the grid, before buying a GPS i tried many apps mainly for iphone which didnt come close to a decent GPS for nearly everything but especially route plotting, also the phones are hard to read in sunlight compared to modern GPS units, iphones also shut down when in sun light too long as they overheat especially in a hard case. Growing up as like Clint i used a a GPS with coordinates only coupled with a good map was enough so i now carry maps as well as the GPS either topo or a small atlas, phone in the bag for when you stop with coverage.

Go for a Montana great unit you can set up with profiles for different uses, i probably wouldnt go for the 650T again as maps you can download and the camera is really just a novelty, although the 650T is the only unit brought to NZ get a 600 out of the states and save some $$$$$

Now if they made a Garmin GPS with a phone at a reasonable price that would be the way to go

[dmoo1790]

I have used my iPhone 3GS fairly successfully, e.g., on the DB1K. I specifically didn't want to buy/carry another device but a proper GPS would do a better job. Problems with the phone: Screen too small and hard to see in bright sunlight, cannot operate it with gloves on, waterproof case required. I used a RAM Aquabox but had to modify it to prevent the phone overheating. The phone is powered via a 12V USB adapter so battery life is not an issue. In fact battery life is improved because the phone is always on charge from the bike while you're riding. The app I used is Galileo Offline Maps which has lots of neat features including importing topo maps, GPS tracks and recording GPS tracks.

[R650R]

I find 'Smart' phones kill their batteries pretty quick when GPS or using apps, then when you need to actually make a call on it your buggered.
I'm a diehard paper map person too, but I will use google earth and LINZ topo to scout a trip beforehand.
My favourite trick now is to just stick the appropriate map pages on my scanner and print off a copy or print out from LINZ TIFF downloads.
Also smart phones are so easy to damage, crack that screen and you cant do nothing. Found that out when mine chewed on carboot edge...
Would like a fancy GPS but just cant justify the cost, same for high end smartphones.

[Tazz]

So I thought I had made my mind up on the phone but now I just don't know again haha.

You're essentially riding a generator, battery is not an issue... With some tinkering you could probably bring a small microwave bush with you. I only mentioned the removable one being a plus as I like being able to pull mine right out when I travel (on planes and shiz, just a personal thing). Probably should have made that clear. Also on snow trips its nice being able to warm it up before you turn your phone on, so it actually turns on All minor things.

I think I am just going to have a gander on trademe and see what pops up. I need a new phone anyway but $400/$500 is my limit (it has been $50 every year until now haha) so I should be able to get an $800/$1000 phone secondhand for that.

GPS, I'll just see what is out there for a price I am happy with. If I can find one with a music player or something (if they exist) Could be a good bet (multi function ftw).

[pampa]

my 1c, I have sony xpheria z and battery is pretty good can last two days, as well as being water and dust proof.

In terms of the maps you can get the topo maps loaded so don't need to be online at all (tried it myself and worked fine). For the NZ topo for OruxMaps (which is a free app you can get from google play) go to https://sites.google.com/site/iroruxmapsnz/

IMHO having a single device saves of multiple cables to charge them, possible different types of memory and also many gadgets to look after.

[Tazz]

my 1c, I have sony xpheria z and battery is pretty good can last two days, as well as being water and dust proof.

In terms of the maps you can get the topo maps loaded so don't need to be online at all (tried it myself and worked fine). For the NZ topo for OruxMaps (which is a free app you can get from google play) go to https://sites.google.com/site/iroruxmapsnz/

IMHO having a single device saves of multiple cables to charge them, possible different types of memory and also many gadgets to look after.

Cheers for your input mate.

I have had a bit of a look but haven't found anything in regards to using the WAMS or LINZ AIC maps offline (or being able to use their layering) so you know exactly where public land starts and ends? There are quite a few places around here illegally gated off, and after checking with the culprits (who might have somewhat legitimate reasons to do so) it's handy to know exactly where you can and can't go if push comes to shove =)