iPhone Motorcycle App Thread

@Jeff
What case are you using? How did you get around water proofing, dust proofing and using with gloves on?

Either way, I'd start with Navigon and Motion X because you'll need them anyway if you're out without a gps and as a backup.

When I was using the iphone as a gps, I had a little gravel dirt nap incident that broke the phone. I figured I'd rather have my gps take the hit and keep the phone in my pocket. For a long time I just used written directions on a tank bag and would pull over when I needed to double check with the iphone. I got tired of pulling over and taking off my gloves.

I also like using Google maps to create routes and using Basecamp to organize them. I never could figure out a good system in Motion X for keeping a large number of tracks organized. Now when I pull up a route it has all the gas stops, restaurants, parks or whatever else I want show up as icons. The main thing I use on the gps is the zoom in and out so I can get detailed info and an overview, although google maps is a much better way to see an overview if you have cell service. I use both the iphone and the Montana when planning routes.

I'd really like to try an ipad mini or android small tablet since that seems like the size I really want but I'm so far down the Garmin rabbit hole now. If someone would build a bomb proof ipad mini in a rugged powered mount that is water, dust and glove friendly that would be great. I haven't seen one yet.

It's good to have options. Either way, start cheap and stay there if it works for you.

Agreed.

I wouldn't risk placing my actual, live phone on bike, but a decommissioned, old iPhone is just about right.

These days I've been trying a similar approach with physical GPSes too. Instead of a high end GPS with weather/impact proofing, I'll put a cheaper, older one on the RAM mount. I can replace 6-7 GPSes before equaling the price of a Zumo.

I'm using a Life Proof case in a Ram mount. My Moose Sahara gloves work just like touching it with your bare finger. I've been using this setup now for 3 years with no problems at all.

I'm gonna be trying with an iPhone 3GS. I have a lifeproof case for my 4s but being that they don't sell one for the 3GS I'm gonna give this a go I think:

http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Dedicated-iPhone/dp/B005RXTAIS

I totally agree with the not putting your real phone at risk. I got a phone wet in the rain forest and spent the next 9 days without a phone, text, email, GPS!

While I think my Garmin Montana is the most overpriced piece of tech I have ever bought, it has also been the most useful on the bike. Totally daylight readable, works with all variations of my gloves. (So I can switch gloves with the weather and not have to have special gloves for everything). Lots of riders use the Montana so you can beam waypoints and tracks to each other on the fly. Permanently mount it and forget about it! Let it get rained on, puts up with drops very well. Last thing you want is to crash in the middle of nowhere and not be able to find your way to the nearest help because you broke the GPS.

My expensive fancy phone and all its life saving functions as a "telephone" and communications device are now safely kept deep inside my bags so that it's there when I NEED it.

Think using a phone as a GPS is fine for day trips and around town. Anything further than that and I'd suggest a dedicated unit!

I agree with the thought of having a dedicated GPS. I'm on my 3 rd Garmin 60 CSX. They don't make the 60CSX any more. Is the Montana close to the 60CSX?

If you want something similar, get the 62. If you want similar but better, get the 78.


Sent using strings and tin cans and Tapatalk.

The Montana in almost all respects is a far superior unit, with the following caveats: The firmware is buggy and Garmin is producing updates very slowly. There is a steep learning curve if moving from the 60Csx series to the Montana and Basecamp. There are some excellent resources for assisting you in that effort but be forewarned, not every Montana owner is a happy camper. If you love your 60Csx, they are still available on eBay and elsewhere.

BTW, the 62 series gets its power via mini-USB connection, NFG for motorcycling or mountain biking. The Montana has solid, weatherproof power and audio connections.

I mentioned Basecamp, which is the replacement for Mapsource. It too is a far superior program for storing and organizing your GPS data. But it will be a while before you're comfortable using it. And it regrettably lacks some of the capabilities of Mapsource even after years of updates, for example, you cannot sort your tracks by date, only by symbol or name. WTF?

Read the ADVRider thread Layin Down Tracks in
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688775 (The New Garmin Montana)

Hope this helps.

I dont know if this has been mentioned as i havent been reading through the whole thread but i had just found this today : Diablo Super Biker. Available for both iOS and Android platform, and it's free. Records your track via gps, and gives you speed and lean angle logs.

Thanks Dave for the insight. I like the techy stuff. I'm not real fond of the touch screen with dirty fingers. It can smear up the screen an make it harder to see in the sunlight.

Does the Montana work with Mapsource?

Not a touch screen fan myself and even though I often wish the Montana had a few buttons, the screen visibility is awesome. Never hard to see in bright daylight and if you add a screen protector (I recommend screenpatronus.com) there's no glare issue.
The main issue I have is that some of the touch icons are hard to engage and the software drops a pin every time you touch it so you're constantly dealing with that, but it does look good.

I see a lot of comments regarding dislike to extreme hatred for Basecamp software. I downloaded it last night, watched a few tutorials on YouTube and found it to be quite easy to use and full of features. I like it.

No dislike - I just find it clunky.

The Montana really seems to hit a sweet spot for on+off road riding. May be time to pick one up soon.

Which Ram mount?

Thanks

http://www.liquipel.com

You can coat any electronic device to prevent water damage.

This one...

http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResu...65077045072079076045080068051085/Default.aspx

Hi Guys,

I realize this is quite an old thread, but if you're still looking for the best app...I reviewed and rated 13 current mainstream navigation apps for Motorcycle use. You can check out my article GPS Motorcycle Navigation Apps for iPhone – 13 of the best apps reviewed.

And if you're thinking about using your iPhone on your Motorcycle (which you all probably already have ) then check out my other article. iPhone as Motorcycle GPS – 8 things to consider

Cheers,
Guido

Where do we get your app? I don't see it in the App Store.

It's not available yet.

Well, I ended up using my iPhone as a GPS by accident and haven't looked back! BOTH of my Garmin's broke a week prior to doing the WABDR - one wouldn't recognize the charging cradle anymore and the other kept having software problems and shut itself off randomly. So, just because it's a "dedicated GPS" doesn't mean it's any more reliable than an iPhone.

I ended up doing a little research and loaded an APP called Gaia GPS onto my phone - AWESOME!!! I can download tons of different kinds of maps and store them for offline use. I tried a few others including Motion X and View Ranger and Gaia ended up being the most accurate and easy to use.

Now I took that same philosophy and mounted an iPad Mini Retina inside a waterproof, shockproof case running the Gaia GPS App. So, I can get turn by turn directions, steam my music, email, import/export .gpx tracks, etc all through one device. Plus I have that nice size screen!

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