Sat nav options
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I've gone back and forth on this a few times in the past...
I used to use a smartphone, but then got annoyed at the lack of GPS apps with complex route planning ability (this was a few years back), and the limitations of the waterproof mount options on the market (smartphone overheating is annoying when it's your GPS!).
I then used GPS/sat nav units designed for bikes... first a Garmin, then a TomTom. These are fine, but also hard to plan complex routes unless you use your computer to do so and upload them to the unit. That's fine when you're at home, but if you're on a long trip and want to be able to change up the route as you go, you need to bring a laptop with you on the trip.
So this time around, I've decided that I like the simplicity of using a smartphone. Just bring one device with you on the trip and life is easier. It might not sound like a big deal, but some nights on a trip when getting to a hotel at 11pm after riding 700 miles, the last thing you want to do is pull out your laptop, laptop charging cable, connect to wi-fi/ethernet, plan the next day's route, upload that to the GPS unit, unplug everything, put the laptop away. A 5 minute job can seem like a herculean task after an extreme high mileage riding day.
Smartphone GPS software has come on a bit in the last few years too, so plotting complex routes on a smartphone is achievable these days I believe. As have waterproof cases and mounting systems.
I used to use a smartphone, but then got annoyed at the lack of GPS apps with complex route planning ability (this was a few years back), and the limitations of the waterproof mount options on the market (smartphone overheating is annoying when it's your GPS!).
I then used GPS/sat nav units designed for bikes... first a Garmin, then a TomTom. These are fine, but also hard to plan complex routes unless you use your computer to do so and upload them to the unit. That's fine when you're at home, but if you're on a long trip and want to be able to change up the route as you go, you need to bring a laptop with you on the trip.
So this time around, I've decided that I like the simplicity of using a smartphone. Just bring one device with you on the trip and life is easier. It might not sound like a big deal, but some nights on a trip when getting to a hotel at 11pm after riding 700 miles, the last thing you want to do is pull out your laptop, laptop charging cable, connect to wi-fi/ethernet, plan the next day's route, upload that to the GPS unit, unplug everything, put the laptop away. A 5 minute job can seem like a herculean task after an extreme high mileage riding day.
Smartphone GPS software has come on a bit in the last few years too, so plotting complex routes on a smartphone is achievable these days I believe. As have waterproof cases and mounting systems.
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I think I'm coming to the same conclusion as another biker - a smartphone in a good case. I'm also less likely to forget I've left it on the bike when stopping for a, well, for a coffee break dare I say. Or afternoon tea!
I already have the TomTom app on my phone and I might try the Copilot one too. All at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated unit with less pairing issues on the intercom too.
I already have the TomTom app on my phone and I might try the Copilot one too. All at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated unit with less pairing issues on the intercom too.
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57 Posts
Recently bought a 8" Windows tablet (w. bluetooth mouse and stylus pen). Low cost tablet (Win10) and works very good with Garmin BaseCamp. Surprisingly how good it works also with other programs. May be not for use on the side of the road, but can be very handy during a coffee or lunch stop, where you can sit at a table.
Take the tablet with me on the bike.
Take the tablet with me on the bike.
I've used the SW Motech quick lock previously on my KTM 1190 Adv...I really like to remove the base unit off the bike when I'm not using the GPS. Thinking along the same lines for my AT, I came across this quick lock design (for the old shape Versys 1000).
http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Kawasaki-Versys-1000--12-14--Quick-Lock-GPS-Mount.html
I think this may well be the answer for my requirements and it should attach nicely to the screen cross member. I can then butcher the Zumo 590 base unit, getting rid of all the unnessary wires and plug the power cable into the accessory power point.
http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Kawasaki-Versys-1000--12-14--Quick-Lock-GPS-Mount.html
I think this may well be the answer for my requirements and it should attach nicely to the screen cross member. I can then butcher the Zumo 590 base unit, getting rid of all the unnessary wires and plug the power cable into the accessory power point.
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SW Motech now list this for the AT:
http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Honda-CRF1000-L-Africa-Twin--15---GPS-Mount.html
Seems a better bet than the Touratech one.
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77 Posts
I've just hard wired in a TomTom Rider 400
At the moment, it's mounted to the centre of the handlebars, but when my 12v socket arrives (it's on back order), the dealer has to remove all the cluster parts anyway, so I'll get them to hard wire it into the back of the dash, and mount it on the centre bar on the screen, which I think is the best place for it.
It might take a bit of faffing with attachment options, but I'm sure I can make it work
At the moment, it's mounted to the centre of the handlebars, but when my 12v socket arrives (it's on back order), the dealer has to remove all the cluster parts anyway, so I'll get them to hard wire it into the back of the dash, and mount it on the centre bar on the screen, which I think is the best place for it.
It might take a bit of faffing with attachment options, but I'm sure I can make it work
I'm butchering the cables by cutting off all unnecessary leads leaving me with just the power supply which I'll put a plug on and use the power outlet on the bike. This way, I lift the cradle off when I'm not using it.
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Would be cool to see how someone hard wires the system, but so far there doesn't see to be anyone here mechanically inclined to do so.
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I bought the nonshock Cockpit GPS Mount by SW-Motech. The GPS cradle (Garmin Zumo) will be connected to a switched power supply and fixed to the SW-Motech mount. All I will be removing (recommended when leaving the bike) is the GPS unit itself - small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
The GPS mount arrived a couple of days ago. Looks OK, could be smaller, but it is a universal unit, so must accommodate various GPS models.
The GPS mount arrived a couple of days ago. Looks OK, could be smaller, but it is a universal unit, so must accommodate various GPS models.
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459 Posts
Thanks Davy - that looks nice (and big!).
PS The picture upload takes ages so you have to wait until it shows a thumbnail after uploading - initially it updates the progress bar and then shows a massive version of the picture and then a thumbnail - at that point you can drag on another one.
PS The picture upload takes ages so you have to wait until it shows a thumbnail after uploading - initially it updates the progress bar and then shows a massive version of the picture and then a thumbnail - at that point you can drag on another one.
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