Android Phone for NexRad and Navigation

[wingwing]

Please note:
EMFB 4.18 update.. v4.17 and the free "June trial copy" will quit working by mid July

Please check the GOOGLE PLAY store in a few days for an update to 4.18+

This will fix the "won't start bug" that sometimes makes EMFB fail to start if there is no data connection when you first open it..
(error: "file not found")

It will also use "ft" instead of meters for accuracy and altitude.

YOUR "old" 4.17 will stop working by the middle of this month due to the "won't start bug".
.. So be sure and update to 4.18+ before then.


Also.. fyi...
Be SURE and download the newest version of Google MAPS..
It allows for LARGE area "pre-caching"
I was able to download almost the entire Smoky Mountain National Park and "no signal" was no longer a problem.

Thanks,
Dennis

[wingwing]

EMFB Update:
v 4.18 is now available for download on Google Play.

v 4.17 and the free trail copy will stop working on July 15,
please update before then.

The only two 4.17 bugs that were reported have been fixed in this update:
1) error 101, file not found
and
2) sometimes DND (Do Not Disturb while riding) generated multiple text responses.

New for 4.18:
1) feet instead of meters
2) choice of graphical or numeric format for hourly forecast
3) no "reloading" when switching from portrait to landscape
4) all text and buttons are "larger" again
5) works on ICS (tested up to 4.04)
6) works inside or outside
That means: although it works better with GPS, GPS is not required so you can use it "at the office" or in places where GPS can't "see" the sky.
7) "turbo mode" (there's that word again ) on start up, then "battery save" while running; toggles back to "turbo" as needed.

Please, enjoy, ride safe and let me know if you find ANY issues.

Again, thank you all for your help in getting v4 "out" this year.

I'm using mine in the "Otterbox" case but the Otterbox screen protector is too opaque for my eyes. I removed their screen protector and have just been using the rest. With their big rubber protector around the edges and covering all the holes, I think the phone is now much more water resistant.. not quite water "proof" but much better than stock.
You might want to check one out for your phone.

Dennis
EMFB

[wingwing]

EMFB 4.19 is available for download in the PLAY STORE

After you update, the new title bar should say "v4w".
.. should fix a WiFi bug that only affected some Samsung phones.

let me know?

Thanks,
Dennis

[Late for the Party]

Dennis,

Works perfectly. I'm still lugging aroung an older smart phone so V4.1.8 started giving me issues. I ran 4.19 this morning and it works perfectly.

[ssevy]

Hi Dennis,

I just entered the 21st century yesterday and bought a Samsung Galaxy S3. The first thing I did when I got home was download your app, as I am leaving on a 12-day trip on Monday, and thought the weather/GPS combo would be great.
Noodling around at home with it, everything seems to work fine, so I am looking forward to using it on the road.

Two questions - should I keave my phone connected to 12v during the ride and just leave your app running? My thought was just to check it when we noticed possible weather ahead.

Does this app leave a trail behind so you can see where you have ridden for the day, and give you mileage totals, like a real GPS? That would be an awesome feature, and completely eliminate the need for a separate GPS for me, as I can search for food, gas, etc., with the smart phone I guess.

Sorry if the questions are lame, but this smart phone thing is completely new to me, and I am not up to speed just yet.

[wingwing]

Originally Posted by ssevy

Hi Dennis,

I just entered the 21st century yesterday and bought a Samsung Galaxy S3. The first thing I did when I got home was download your app, as I am leaving on a 12-day trip on Monday, and thought the weather/GPS combo would be great.
Noodling around at home with it, everything seems to work fine, so I am looking forward to using it on the road.

Two questions - should I keave my phone connected to 12v during the ride and just leave your app running? My thought was just to check it when we noticed possible weather ahead.

Does this app leave a trail behind so you can see where you have ridden for the day, and give you mileage totals, like a real GPS? That would be an awesome feature, and completely eliminate the need for a separate GPS for me, as I can search for food, gas, etc., with the smart phone I guess.

Sorry if the questions are lame, but this smart phone thing is completely new to me, and I am not up to speed just yet.

Thank you.. and congratulations on getting one of the best phones you can purchase right now!
I got to play with one and it's incredible.

re your two questions:
1) "should I keave my phone connected to 12v"
That is most definitely YES... it will charge as you ride otherwise it will be dead in a few hours.
I keep mine plugged in with a 2 amp charger; that way you can use it AND charge it at the same time.
If you get one of those 400ma USB chargers, it will slowly charge the phone, but only if it's off.
I keep 4 apps running at a minimum ALL THE TIME... (I don't have a separate GPS anymore).
a) Music ..I've got about 10 days loaded on the phone with no repeats
b) EMFB.. either in thr NexRad Screen if the weather is threatening, or the main green screen so that I can see what towns I'm passing through as I ride (I'm almost always on back roads off the interstate).
c) Google Navigation (often running in the background so I'm just listening to it)
d) Google Maps if I've pre-planned a custom route so I see where I'm at.

Your new phone has ICS.. that has an awesome feature that makes the above REALLY REALLY easy..

.. in the lower right hand corner you'll what looks like a box within a box... that is the "task switcher".
Tap that and you can toggle "to and from" each of the above apps.. remember, they are still all running all the time,
you are just switching between which one your are viewing.
If you've not already read it... I've put together a "long-ish" piece that talks about a lot of this.
(and the blue links talk about mounts and chargers)
Check out:
http://www.fogbog.com/gl1800/Android...hing/index.htm

2) re:
"Does this app leave a trail behind so you can see where you have ridden for the day"
EMFB does not do that directly (although I'm working on it) but Google Maps does it once you turn on "Location History".
You just turn it on once and forget about.. it tracks where ever you go 24x7.
It's not for sharing it's only for you BUT .. you can go to your history file and select a data range (like the 12 day trip) and then it will show a map and trail for that time.. THEN you can save or share that map.
As far as daily totals.. I've not found a way to that automatically... you'd have to pull out each 24 hour period from the history file and see how far and where you went.
.. but it IS all there.
I can show you EVERYPLACE I've been for the past 2 years.

Especially when I'm near the end of the day I keep EMFB on
Use EMFB and DESTINATIONS screen to easily locate fuel, food and lodging.
It will also keep a list of what your searched for.
All you have to do is say something like "Best Western" or "Comfort Inn" and then NAVIGATE to and it will take to you the closest one... but if you say "show map" instead of "navigate", then it will pull up a list and you can call around first to check for availability.
EMFB "combines" MAP and NAVIGATION in an easy to use format.
There are so many ways use it.. it's take a little time to learn them all.

Please let me know if you have ANY questions...

good luck on your trip and ride safe..

Dennis

[MadChap]

Dennis: End of August I'm up for contract renewal and will be getting the Sam GalaxysIII. Currently using HTC Incredible. For GPS I've been using Garmin HCX Legend. The USB input on it is now shorting so I either need to send it in for repair of just totally go android.

Since you've clearly spent lost of time on the Android platform I have a question. The Garmin maps seem to show many more primitive roads than Google Maps. I'm in central Oregon and just out my back door there are "roads" that show on my Garmin but not on Google Maps. Are there any alternative maps with more detail?

When I ride my DR350 the conditions for the GPS, Ram mounted to my handlebars, creates lots of shock on the mount and electronics. Ram Mounts is making waterproof mounts for phones. Do you think the phone Galaxy will handle the shock, or should I stick with the Garmin for rough terrain and use the Android for road rides with the Vstrom?

Thanks for any advice. If these questions are being asked anywhere else, I'd love the links.

Thanks
Tim

[wingwing]

Originally Posted by MadChap

Dennis: End of August I'm up for contract renewal and will be getting the Sam GalaxysIII. Currently using HTC Incredible. For GPS I've been using Garmin HCX Legend. The USB input on it is now shorting so I either need to send it in for repair of just totally go android.

Since you've clearly spent lost of time on the Android platform I have a question. The Garmin maps seem to show many more primitive roads than Google Maps. I'm in central Oregon and just out my back door there are "roads" that show on my Garmin but not on Google Maps. Are there any alternative maps with more detail?

When I ride my DR350 the conditions for the GPS, Ram mounted to my handlebars, creates lots of shock on the mount and electronics. Ram Mounts is making waterproof mounts for phones. Do you think the phone Galaxy will handle the shock, or should I stick with the Garmin for rough terrain and use the Android for road rides with the Vstrom?

Thanks for any advice. If these questions are being asked anywhere else, I'd love the links.

Thanks
Tim

Tim,
sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on this.. I'd not checked this post in a few days.

Great choice on the Sam Galaxy III
(my other fav is the Sam Galaxy Nexus but only because I much prefer the pure Android experience without all the OEM additional bells and whistles.)

I'll mention up front that I'm not current with the Garmin products anymore.
I had them for years in my airplanes but never quite warmed up to their motorcycle offerings.
Got rid of my last one a few years ago and have been using alternates ever since.
The last two and half years I've used Google Maps and they're getting better all the time.
I do some "off road" with my Ural side car set up but don't consider myself a hard core "explorer".
Here in central Florida, the Google Maps have every forest road and unmarked cow path that I've run across.

RE: "The Garmin maps seem to show many more primitive roads than Google Maps."
Is there any chance you could post a side by side screen capture or picture that shows that?
There is lots of (negative) chatter on some forums about the older Garmins having more detail but the newer ones not having so much.

If you have an older Garmin and it has ALL the roads you prefer to travel I would keep it alive as long as you can..
.. a newer Garmin may not.

You can load very detailed topo maps on the Google offerings but I'm not sure that would provide the same flexibility you now enjoy with your Garmin. You'd have to preplan a bit more with the topo maps
Check out some of the Gmap4 stuff at:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

re: "handle the shock"
As far as being able to "take it" I think if you don't bust the screen the phone will take about any "shock" you get on the bike
(short of jumping the red river canyon .. :-) )
I use an otterbox "Defender" on my Nexus.
.. but I also pay the few bucks a month for insurance so in case anything DOES happen it's no big deal and I just get a new one.
The smartphone for me is a tool to be used in that manner, not some jewel to be kept locked away.
In the past few months, there have been a few ruggedized phones coming on the market..
.. not sure if they are military spec but definitely more water resistant which is the main problem.
When the weather gets bad for me I just put the phone in a waterproof pocket and continue listening to it through my Bluetooth headsets.
If it's raining SO hard that I have to put the phone away, I probably should not be looking at IT anyway.

Google Maps have made some great changes this year.
No signal is no longer a problem. You can now pre-load VERY large map sections in advance.
So it is more and more like dedicated GPS.
You can view any of their maps and see your location on it.
What you can't do yet when you have no signal is ask it to find directions for you.
That, is still signal dependent; but I expect that to change soon too.
They have already announced their intent is to eventually make it a fully off line application.
I "play" as often as I can in the North Carolina mountains and mostly there is no signal in the shadows of the hills..
.. but I can preload almost the entire Smokey Mountain National Park with one click..
If I need more, I can download all the surrounding areas with a couple of more clicks.
I live in "the forest" of Central Florida (Ocala National Forest) and I have that entire 800 sq mile area preloaded into my phone.

hope that helps some..
... sorry I'm not as current on the Garmin stuff as I used to be.
Google does it all for me now and with EMFB to show animated weather on the same app, well that's about all I need.
If I were exploring "true wilderness" like where you live I'd have all the hi-res topo maps preloaded..
I might even keep the old phone charged and loaded with all the same maps (as a backup)..
.. even after it's deactivated from the service provider it's still a nice gps with a decent screen.

Dennis

[MadChap]

Thanks for the information. Here's a screen capture zoomed at 1 mile for both programs. Mapsource on left, Google Maps on right. This is just east of my house. Mapsource obviously has way more roads than Google. However most of those "roads" that show are not roads at all but just very faded and overgrown jeep trails. Just the kind I like to ride.

[wingwing]

Originally Posted by MadChap

Thanks for the information. Here's a screen capture zoomed at 1 mile for both programs. Mapsource on left, Google Maps on right. This is just east of my house. Mapsource obviously has way more roads than Google. However most of those "roads" that show are not roads at all but just very faded and overgrown jeep trails. Just the kind I like to ride.

ok.. I see.
Easy question:
Have you tried just turning on the SAT view in Google Maps?
For the same location as in your example when I turn on the SAT view I can see all those overgrown jeep trails and more...
..especially when zoomed in a bit...
(I'm guessing they're not marked anyway?)
The TERRAIN view provides a decent topo too.

i.e.


Even when I'm using GN on the street bike.. I ALWAYS have the SAT view on..
.. it's like having a real time helicopter view of where I'm riding..

Dennis

[wingwing]

just wondering..I think it would be useful.. don't know why I didn't think of it before.
..wondering if anyone else thinks it would be useful too?

Currently, when you select DESTINATION , the only two choices offered are "Navigate To" or "Show Map".
It seems to me like if you were interested in that destination, you might want to know the forecast there too?

I do a fair amount of cross country riding and nearing the end of the day I think this would be useful to know if "pressing on" or "staying put" would be the better choice.

So how about two more new choices?.. something like:
"Destination Forecast Hourly" and "Destination Forecast 7 Day".
That would be two taps total for the weather at your destination..
..or, since your last Destination is always sorted to the top of the list,
I think it could even be just a voice request;
something like: "Computer, say weather at last destination".

I don't think it would be too hard to implement, but it would require a fresh download on your part..
.. maybe 4.20?

If I make the change, then after you select DESTINATION,
you would see something like this:


What say ya'll ?
If no interest, then I will leave things be...
.. or maybe just wait for the next scheduled release in the fall.

Thanks for looking.
Your comments and suggestions are ALWAYS appreciated.
PM's or post here..

Dennis

[ssevy]

Okay, first of all, I am a newbie to my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone, and am constantly finding myself closing screens and doing other unexpected things, so some of what I am about to share may simply be my ineptitude using a smartphone. In any case, here goes:
I just returned from a 10 day ride through NY, PA, WV, VA, MD, then back home through more PA and NY. My Galaxy S3 is my first smart phone, and I found the weather radar very useful on day 2 of our ride, when we were dodging thunderstorms most of the day. Unfortunately, using the smartphone as a portable GPS has one major flaw, which is screen brightness. I kept my phone in the clear window of my tankbag, and really could not see it unless I stopped and cupped a hand over it. Having used an inexpensive Garmin auto GPS on my bike in the past, I found that screen to be brighter and easier to read.
I also got a message that the server was unavailable, or some other line like that, about 50% of the time when I was trying to use the program. I ended up using the maps app built in to the phone, as it always worked okay. Unfortunately, it only keeps the display on when you have it in navigate, and I wanted to use the map view, but had to use the navigate view instead or the screen shut down.
While I hate Google maps online, as it always seems to freeze and/or lose a bunch of my route when I am making a new one, the ability to drag to diferent routes rather than the suggested one is an essential feature if one wishes to avoid riding interstates all day, and something I really missed with both the map app and your software.
I also wish I could enter the destination by typing rather than only by voice. I have to admit the voice entry worked pretty well the majority of the time, but it sometimes didn't understand.
I ended up using the phone's built in map app to make my next day's route each night, by entering my destination and then finding better looking secondary roads along the route, and writing a turn-by-turn route on large index cards for my tank bag. (I had done a similar process at home for the first day's ride, using the Delorme Gazetteer for NY, which is an awesome and easy way to build a great route.) Zooming out to see if I was staying somewhere in the vicinity of the blue route line kept me going in the correct general direction. I then used your app to check the live radar each day to see how things looked before setting off.
For my needs, I would like to see the ability to drag and change a route to build it, and then a button that puts the actual turn by turn directions on the phone screen in huge and highly contrasting letters (in landscape view), with the distance until the next turn underneath. No maps or pictures, etc., just the simple arrow indicating direction of upcoming turn, and the distance left underneath. Probably way to much to ask of a $12 app, but you did ask for suggestions.

[wingwing]

Originally Posted by ssevy

but you did ask for suggestions.

Yes, thank you for the detailed report.
I'm a bit sorry you saved it all up for AFTER your trip. Had you contacted me more often (during the trip) I could have saved you some frustrations.

Some of your issues are due to your newness with the Android OS.
.. some are limitations of the current technology
.. some are limitations of my software.
I'll try and separate the issues and address each one individually.

Originally Posted by ssevy

Okay, first of all, I am a newbie to my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone, and am constantly finding myself closing screens and doing other unexpected things, so some of what I am about to share may simply be my ineptitude using a smartphone.

.. If you have the time, please read this: I call it <> and it is a great place for people who are new to Android to start.. even "power users" might pick up a trick or two. The most common "trap" is using the back key too much. I call it "the hammer" because yes, it will get you back but often times too far back. With EMFB there is really no reason to use the "back" key. There is a button for everything.

Originally Posted by ssevy

and I found the weather radar very useful on day 2 of our ride, when we were dodging thunderstorms most of the day.

.. that is good to hear. It is my primary goal that EMFB keeps your ride safe.

Originally Posted by ssevy

Unfortunately, using the smartphone as a portable GPS has one major flaw, which is screen brightness. I kept my phone in the clear window of my tankbag, and really could not see it unless I stopped and cupped a hand over it. Having used an inexpensive Garmin auto GPS on my bike in the past, I found that screen to be brighter and easier to read.

In a side by side comparison, I agree that a stand alone GPS is brighter than most cell phones are. But I have used my cell phone as a primary GPS for something close to 50,000 miles and for the most part it is very usable. Yes, high noon I have to shade the screen. That phone you have has an awesome display and I've read more than one review praising it's outdoor brightness.
Questions:
a) are you sure you had the brightness turned ALL the way up?.. if you leave it on "automatic" sometimes it still does not turn up all the way.
b) was the phone plugged in while you were riding or running off battery?... some phones will dim as the battery discharges.
c) do you have a screen protector on the phone?.. that is the biggest contributing factor to the screen appearing "dim" outside. If you have a screen protector AND clear plastic for the tank bag, then I'd be surprised if you could see it at all.
I do not have screen protector on mine; it makes it nearly un-usable outside.

Originally Posted by ssevy

I also got a message that the server was unavailable, or some other line like that, about 50% of the time when I was trying to use the program. I ended up using the maps app built in to the phone, as it always worked okay.

Please check and tell me which version of EMFB you are using (tap and hold the EXIT button and the version will display on the first line). If you are still using version 4.18 then there is an easy fix and that is upgrade to version 4.19. Shortly after the release of 4.18 several people reported right away they were having connectivity issues with Samsung phones... it only seemed to affect Samsung phones for reasons unknown to me. I made some change in the code, released it as version 4.19 and in every case, it fixed the connectivity issues. I posted an update in the PLAY STORE and in this thread last month. See this post: http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....9&postcount=33
If you HAVE already updated to version 4.19 then I'm at a loss to explain your connection issues. No one else is reporting that at this time. Please, let me know?

Originally Posted by ssevy

Unfortunately, it only keeps the display on when you have it in navigate, and I wanted to use the map view, but had to use the navigate view instead or the screen shut down.

That is another setting on your phone. Some phones allow complete control and others only partial control. In either case there is an easy fix.
If your phone allows complete control you should find a setting either in DISPLAY or DEBUG that says something like "keep display always on when charging". If youre phone does NOT permit that, then the other alternatives are:
a) Go to Display and set the time out to the highest setting. For most Samsung, that is about 30 minutes. That means you only have to tap the phone ONCE before 30 minutes expires to keep the display on.
b) If your phone does not natively allow you to adjust the time out, you can download any one of several FREE apps from the PLAY STORE that will keep your display on for as long as you wish.

Originally Posted by ssevy

While I hate Google maps online, as it always seems to freeze and/or lose a bunch of my route when I am making a new one, the ability to drag to different routes rather than the suggested one is an essential feature if one wishes to avoid riding interstates all day,

Something is wrong with your PC or your connection. Google Maps never freezes on me. I pre-plan many detailed routes using it. I often get asked for some "back roads" way to Key West since I live and ride in Florida a lot. When asked, I share this Google MY MAP I made. It was very easy to create by dragging the lines around. I'm at a loss to explain why Google MY MAPS does work for you..
See if you can see this from your BROWSER.. http://goo.gl/maps/z7QOY

Originally Posted by ssevy

..and something I really missed with both the map app and your software.

My software, EMFB does NOT create routes by dragging lines. Even the Google MAPS for Android phone does not do that. There are many requests for that feature, but currently it does not exist.
There are however some easy workarounds (I'll get to in a bit).

Originally Posted by ssevy

I also wish I could enter the destination by typing rather than only by voice. I have to admit the voice entry worked pretty well the majority of the time, but it sometimes didn't understand.

if you had contacted me sooner I could have helped with that. The easy answer is yes it does. If you speak something and it does not get it exactly, just tap the blue window and the keyboard will pop up and you can edit what you said with BIG easy to see letters. If you don't wish to speak something first, just tap and hold the DESTINATION button and it will bring up a list of previous destinations.. tap on any one of those and either change it or erase it completely and type in what ever you wish. As soon as you tap either NAVIGATE TO or SHOW MAP that info gets entered into the EMFB previous destinations list. (and that is another piece of what I alluded to above about regarding "easy workarounds" .. more on that below).

Originally Posted by ssevy

I ended up using the phone's built in map app to make my next day's route each night, by entering my destination and then finding better looking secondary roads along the route, and writing a turn-by-turn route on large index cards for my tank bag. (I had done a similar process at home for the first day's ride, using the Delorme Gazetteer for NY

ok.. keep all that in mind but lets use EMFB to "keep" the list for you.
Whenever I plan a complex route for my next day I look at the roads I want to travel like you do. I read into EMFB the names of towns along the way. Just speak it, say show map and if it was "right", then use the task manager key to switch back to EMFB, tap "TRY AGAIN" and say the next waypoint. In this manner you can create your "index card" route in EMFB. You can save up 50 waypoints in this manner. Then, as you ride and reach your waypoint, just "tap and hold" DESTINATION, find the next waypoint on your list and either tap SHOW MAP or NAVIGATE TO.
An alternate method if you carry a small notebook is drag and plot the whole day on GOOGLE MAPS (the on line version).. save that to my MAPS and then using your Android GOOGLE MAPS select "MY MAPS and your course will be there. Tap the compass icon and you location will be super imposed over the route. All you have to do is stay on the line.

Actually, I use a combination of those two methods.
I have the MY MAP saved but then I use the DESTINATION button to select from my previous spoken list and then select NAVIGATE TO. Using the task manager button on your phone, you can be viewing the GOOGLE MAP line but listening to the GOOGLE NAVIGATE turn by turn directions.
They are not always "EXACT".. but if you drew the line from A to B and spoke your DESTINATION from point A to B, they will very very very close.
It is much easier to do than to explain.

Originally Posted by ssevy

I then used your app to check the live radar each day to see how things looked before setting off.

Once you've gotten the hang of using MAPS and NAV as described above, you can further add to the mix and have the EMFB RADAR display working at the same time. Remember, your phone is a GREAT multi-tasking device.. you don't have to limit EMFB to see how how things are before "setting off".. you can in fact have MAPS, NAVIGATION and EMFB RADAR all running at the same time and using the phones task manager key (that little box-in-box looking thing) you just tap to change the view. (I keep all three plus have music running too.)
If MAPS or NAV tell me "continue for 15 miles" the first thing I do is switch to the RADAR view to keep an eye on the storms.. NAV will still keep talking to you in background.. and when she says get ready to turn I either switch to her or to my custom MY MAP..
.. again, much easier to do than to explain.

Originally Posted by ssevy

For my needs, I would like to see the ability to drag and change a route to build it,

Me too!.. but not possible at this time. Google MAPS on line lets you do that, but Google MAPS for the phone does not... believe me, EVERYONE is asking for that.. Google is aware and hints at "working on it" in the developer forums.. but bottom line is "no can do at this time".

Originally Posted by ssevy

and then a button that puts the actual turn by turn directions on the phone screen in huge and highly contrasting letters (in landscape view), with the distance until the next turn underneath.

not quite there yet either.. BUT you can get close:
a) go into your phone DISPLAY settings and change the FONT size to HUGE.. that will help A LOT.
b) now when you are in the MAP view, switch from MAP to "DIRECTIONS LIST".. that gives you turn by turn with the mileage at the top.. you'll have to update that as you go if you want the miles to go to change.
The main MAP automatically provides "time" to go.. that works for me.

Originally Posted by ssevy

Probably way to much to ask of a $12 app, but you did ask for suggestions.

again, thanks for the questions and suggestions.. we are in agreement on those and as soon as the technology is available I will do my best to incorporate it into the EMFB app.
I'm already working on creating custom routes by just speaking but that's a ways off yet to be truly stable and helpful.

I guess this would be easier if I could hold "seminars" on how to best use all this stuff.. but as you said:
"Probably way to much to ask of a $12 app".. :-)
... all kidding aside.. at the bottom of the EMFB help screen, is my direct phone contact info.. I usually check that and answer questions within a few hours.. unless I'm in the hills riding. then it takes a few hours longer.
(I'm leaving for month long trip next month.. still checking all the time but be patient if I don't get back to you right away.)

I could have provided some advice to resolve most of what seemed to disappoint you on your trip..
... no, not all, but most I think.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have a question or if something does not seem to work as expected..
.. surely, that is worth the price of admission.?

Thanks again, and if you don't think EMFB is worth the purchase price,
just let me know the name it was purchased from and I should still be able to issue a refund from my end.
If that is not to your satisfaction, send me your address and I'll send you a check.
I only want happy customers.. I do this for fun and to share what I know.

regards,
Dennis

[ssevy]

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the quick and very detailed response. Other vendors could learn alot from you!

Again, I apologize for some of the questions, as getting used to this device is a bit frustrating at times, and I am learning something new nearly every day! You are certainly correct in that unfamiliarity with the workings of the device itself is a contributing factor to my problem. I will read the resources that you listed and keep at it, but in the meantime, I did respond to some of your questions below for clarification and to possibly assist others.

Again, thanks so much for the program, and your time answering questions!

Originally Posted by wingwing

Questions:
a) are you sure you had the brightness turned ALL the way up?.. if you leave it on "automatic" sometimes it still does not turn up all the way. Yes, it is set to maximum brightness.
b) was the phone plugged in while you were riding or running off battery?... some phones will dim as the battery discharges. Yes, I had it plugged in to a 12 volt line, and the battery bar maintained 100%.
c) do you have a screen protector on the phone?.. that is the biggest contributing factor to the screen appearing "dim" outside. If you have a screen protector AND clear plastic for the tank bag, then I'd be surprised if you could see it at all.
I do not have screen protector on mine; it makes it nearly un-usable outside. Yes, the Verizon store insisted on putting on a replaceable peel off protector when I bought the phone. I have actually ordered an Otter box protective cover, but I am not sure what approach they use in terms of the tough screen protection?

Please check and tell me which version of EMFB you are using (tap and hold the EXIT button and the version will display on the first line). If you are still using version 4.18 then there is an easy fix and that is upgrade to version 4.19. Shortly after the release of 4.18 several people reported right away they were having connectivity issues with Samsung phones... it only seemed to affect Samsung phones for reasons unknown to me. I made some change in the code, released it as version 4.19 and in every case, it fixed the connectivity issues. I posted an update in the PLAY STORE and in this thread last month. See this post: http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....9&postcount=33
If you HAVE already updated to version 4.19 then I'm at a loss to explain your connection issues. No one else is reporting that at this time. Please, let me know? Unfortunately, it is already 4.19.
If your phone allows complete control you should find a setting either in DISPLAY or DEBUG that says something like "keep display always on when charging". If youre phone does NOT permit that, then the other alternatives are:
a) Go to Display and set the time out to the highest setting. For most Samsung, that is about 30 minutes. That means you only have to tap the phone ONCE before 30 minutes expires to keep the display on. Unfortunately, the screen timeout max is only 10 minutes on my phone. There isn't any "keep display on while charging", although it has a feature called Smart Stay that disables screen timeout if it senses that my face is watching the screen.
b) If your phone does not natively allow you to adjust the time out, you can download any one of several FREE apps from the PLAY STORE that will keep your display on for as long as you wish. I will look into this option.
Something is wrong with your PC or your connection. Google Maps never freezes on me. I pre-plan many detailed routes using it. I often get asked for some "back roads" way to Key West since I live and ride in Florida a lot. When asked, I share this Google MY MAP I made. It was very easy to create by dragging the lines around. I'm at a loss to explain why Google MY MAPS does work for you.. My PC is older, and I have been waiting for the new IMAC to be released and jump over to the Apple ship after having used my daughter's Macbook Pro. Maybe this is the problem.
See if you can see this from your BROWSER.. http://goo.gl/maps/z7QOY Yes, it comes right up.
My software, EMFB does NOT create routes by dragging lines. Even the Google MAPS for Android phone does not do that. There are many requests for that feature, but currently it does not exist.
There are however some easy workarounds (I'll get to in a bit).
if you had contacted me sooner I could have helped with that. The easy answer is yes it does. If you speak something and it does not get it exactly, just tap the blue window and the keyboard will pop up and you can edit what you said with BIG easy to see letters. If you don't wish to speak something first, just tap and hold the DESTINATION button and it will bring up a list of previous destinations.. tap on any one of those and either change it or erase it completely and type in what ever you wish. As soon as you tap either NAVIGATE TO or SHOW MAP that info gets entered into the EMFB previous destinations list. (and that is another piece of what I alluded to above about regarding "easy workarounds" .. more on that below). I will play around with this feature. Thanks for that.
ok.. keep all that in mind but lets use EMFB to "keep" the list for you.
Whenever I plan a complex route for my next day I look at the roads I want to travel like you do. I read into EMFB the names of towns along the way. Just speak it, say show map and if it was "right", then use the task manager key to switch back to EMFB, tap "TRY AGAIN" and say the next waypoint. In this manner you can create your "index card" route in EMFB. You can save up 50 waypoints in this manner. Then, as you ride and reach your waypoint, just "tap and hold" DESTINATION, find the next waypoint on your list and either tap SHOW MAP or NAVIGATE TO. I wear ATGATT, so having to take off gloves and tap the screen at each waypoint would not be convenient. That is why I have the entire list on one big index card, so I can see everything without having to hit any buttons, etc.; this is also why even having the screen on for 30 minutes before having to touch the screen again isn't really workable. Maybe I am misunderstanding this?
An alternate method if you carry a small notebook is drag and plot the whole day on GOOGLE MAPS (the on line version).. save that to my MAPS and then using your Android GOOGLE MAPS select "MY MAPS and your course will be there. Tap the compass icon and you location will be super imposed over the route. All you have to do is stay on the line. No notebook. I also don't use a mic and speakers, so that function isn't really useful to me. I can see how awesome it would be if I did wear the sound gear, however.
I will try some of your suggestions and do some more reading. Thanks so much!

[wingwing]

Originally Posted by ssevy

If you HAVE already updated to version 4.19 then I'm at a loss to explain your connection issues.
No one else is reporting that at this time.
Please, let me know?
Unfortunately, it is already 4.19.

Try completely disabling WiFI when you're out riding..

I've been looking for anything that might help..
have you seen this regarding the Samsung III ?
http://androidcommunity.com/verizon-...away-20120712/

short of it is:
.."To make matters worse if you select the option to “always connect” to open WiFi hotspots it will connect just as it should, but here’s where the annoyance becomes an actual problem. If you select always connect yet the phone doesn’t know the password, the device disables your data connection while trying to connect and once it fails the data is not re-enabled. You’ll still get phone calls but all data is stopped until you notice the problem. The Verizon Galaxy S III will just be running in circles looking for an open WiFi connection."

thanks, I'll keep looking...
Dennis