Droid GPS Adventure (BMR)

[redtail]

So, I started off on the "Big Money Rally" today. Perfect for me since there's no pressure time wise and 'cause I'm a noob!

During my "Tour of Honor" ride I realized the value of a GPS when I needed to find an aircraft carrier in Oakland,Ca. Dive off the freeway, pull over to check the map, go a little ways, get turned around, pull over to check the map, etc. etc. Meanwhile hoping not to end up in the wrong part of Oakland!

I couldn't afford a GPS yet, but, I picked up a Ramball mount from 08FJR4me. Then an extension and a multi-use Ram mount. Sweet! Perfect location!

I had a rear powerlet outlet and a cig/lighter cable for a tire pump. So I ran it up along the tank and used the phone charger from the truck to power the phone.

Well it worked OK and I learned even more!

I had bought a Sony Bluetooth Dongle that gives me a 40 dollar version of BT in my helmet. Well it answers the phone but I don't get audio from the Navigation. (Now, I had read about all this and now understand more of what I was reading). Having never had audio, it was still really cool to have turn by turn info lead me right to each location. I had typed in the four addresses before I left home and so now I'm hooked! One more step into the 21st century!

Anyways, other than fighting the glare, it still made for a grand adventure into the inner city... and back home again! It was cool to know I hadn't missed a turn and that it was coming in .4 .3 .2 .1 oh there it is!

Here's my days trophy's!

Now I'm looking for a cheap GPS. Maybe the 1490LMT with an aqua box?

Some of you guys warned me when I first signed up here that it was going to be addictive and expensive!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Looks like fun redtail! You're right...it is addictive and expensive.

BTW, any of the Nuvi, 1300 or 1400 series GPS's are cheap inexpensive and work fine. Instead of a Aqua Box, spring for a zip-lock freezer bag.

--G

 

[redtail]

Looks like fun redtail! You're right...it is addictive and expensive.

BTW, any of the Nuvi, 1300 or 1400 series GPS's are cheap inexpensive and work fine. Instead of a Aqua Box, spring for a zip-lock freezer bag.

--G

I agree, the zip lock would do fine, especially down here in SoCal. It's just when I go to Or. and Wa. that i might want more!

 

[dcarver]

How fun!

Any issues with posting via smart phone?

 

[redtail]

How fun!

Any issues with posting via smart phone?

No, posted fine. It's a 4G Droid Charge which is super fast. I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box when it comes to this stuff, so I get nervous.

Like, I wasn't sure if I needed to have WiFi enabled or not. Seems like it's always searching so I made sure I had power. Not sure whether there's an issue between city and country connections.

I made a couple test posts while in Airplane mode, as suggested, then came back online and they went through OK. Pretty slick way to do it, but without a hard copy I wasn't happy 'till I got home and saw the post myself!!!

 

[SkooterG]

Cool! Looking forward to getting out and getting some bonii myself. Perhaps tomorrow.

Lots of good gps' out there for cheap. Me, I would go with a used 2730 or 2820, but there are lots of great options.

 

[redtail]

Lots of good gps' out there for cheap. Me, I would go with a used 2730 or 2820, but there are lots of great options.

Thanks, I'll do a compare. I was looking at the 1490 because it wasn't discontinued yet and came with LMT. But damn it's tricky to see if the features are right for what we do!

 

[Pepperell]

I've got the 1490lmt. Works well, the giant screen works well with my 63 year old eyeballs. It will hold only ten routes and it isn't real flexible in terms of routing preferences, and if it takes a dump or I get clumsy and drop it I'm only out a couple hundred. Understand that it won't send the directions over bluetooth, but it will couple with your fone.

I have a Droid X. Once you're in the boonies out of cell range it won't work. You CAN save a map of an area for reference but it won't interact with navigation if I recall correctly.

 

[not2shabby]

Yep, works pretty good, doesn't it? I use my Droid X on nice days since the bluetooth talks to my F4 headset. Have you checked out Carhome Ultra? It rocks! You can assign up to 18 apps to it and switch several on at the same time w/o going back to the home screen. I can have the GPS screen showing while listening to music and the GPS will override it when a turn comes up. Or I can take pics or video, or check Radar now if it's looking like a storm is brewing. The Crhome Ultra home screen shows speed, direction you're traveling, temp/weather, and the city and street you're on. I think it's worth the $2 I paid for it. On crappy days I have a 2720 waterproof unit for backup. I can still use the Droid for music, etc. Actually, I can still use it for GPS if it's in a pocket, just can't look at it or charge it.

 

[not2shabby]

I've got the 1490lmt. Works well, the giant screen works well with my 63 year old eyeballs. It will hold only ten routes and it isn't real flexible in terms of routing preferences, and if it takes a dump or I get clumsy and drop it I'm only out a couple hundred. Understand that it won't send the directions over bluetooth, but it will couple with your fone.

I have a Droid X. Once you're in the boonies out of cell range it won't work. You CAN save a map of an area for reference but it won't interact with navigation if I recall correctly.

Actually, I think it will work with GPS if you pre-cache the maps. I think it needs the cell signal to download the maps. I could be wrong, but think I read it that way on an Android forum. Knowing which maps to cache could be a problem though. I'll just take the 2720 along, just in case...

 

[wfooshee]

The pre-cache on Google Maps is basically a 10-mile square centered on a point you choose. You can have up to 10 of those sections loaded. You can't route with them, just refer to them visually, although your GPS position will display. Routing requires access to online map data.

 

[SkooterG]

You damn Android smart phone girls start speaking the English! This new phone is kicking my ass!

 

[not2shabby]

The pre-cache on Google Maps is basically a 10-mile square centered on a point you choose. You can have up to 10 of those sections loaded. You can't route with them, just refer to them visually, although your GPS position will display. Routing requires access to online map data.

Ah, ok, but you can still 'see' POI's and stuff, right? I haven't used it obviously; haven't been far enough out in the boonies to try it. Plus it sounds like a hassle to cache the maps, etc. I'll use the 2720 if I plan on going to BFE.

Oh, and Scooter...Androidforums.com ....start reading!

Eh, don't feel bad, I've had my Droid X almost a year and still learn new things about it once in a while!

 

[not2shabby]

The pre-cache on Google Maps is basically a 10-mile square centered on a point you choose. You can have up to 10 of those sections loaded. You can't route with them, just refer to them visually, although your GPS position will display. Routing requires access to online map data.

I just thought of something else..if you're planning a route that you know will take you through an area of no cell coverage and you cache the neccesary maps before starting, then it should route you through until you pick up a signal again...ya think? It won't tell you where to turn probably, but if you know the roads you could keep an eye out for upcoming turns.

 

[redtail]

Yep, works pretty good, doesn't it? I use my Droid X on nice days since the bluetooth talks to my F4 headset. Have you checked out Carhome Ultra? It rocks! You can assign up to 18 apps to it and switch several on at the same time w/o going back to the home screen. I can have the GPS screen showing while listening to music and the GPS will override it when a turn comes up. Or I can take pics or video, or check Radar now if it's looking like a storm is brewing. The Crhome Ultra home screen shows speed, direction you're traveling, temp/weather, and the city and street you're on. I think it's worth the $2 I paid for it. On crappy days I have a 2720 waterproof unit for backup. I can still use the Droid for music, etc. Actually, I can still use it for GPS if it's in a pocket, just can't look at it or charge it.

Ok, I'm getting some good feedback here. I can get voice commands while riding if I'm wired direct (phone to earbuds), just not BT.

The navigation on the Phone is pretty amazing, so I'll keep improving that aspect.

Having a Garmin, both as a back-up and for out of cell service is going to be next.

 

[redtail]

You damn Android smart phone girls start speaking the English! This new phone is kicking my ass!

I'm with you SkooterG! I just keep reading and trust that it will start making sense as I apply it! :huh:

And it is!

 

[not2shabby]

Yeah, I've tried voice commands with bluetooth and it doesn't work too well. I think the helmet absorbs too much sound or something. Have you seen the thread about gloves that work with touchscreens? Just be careful you don't asspack somebody playing with your phone while riding!

 

[redtail]

Yeah, I've tried voice commands with bluetooth and it doesn't work too well. I think the helmet absorbs too much sound or something. Have you seen the thread about gloves that work with touchscreens? Just be careful you don't asspack somebody playing with your phone while riding!

I hear you! I'm not really interested in the phone part, other than ... "Oh, hi honey, let me pull over" and then finish the call without taking off my helmet.

I'm really looking for nav. voice to keep from looking at the screen so much. Especially since it's so sunny here most of the time.

 

[not2shabby]

Yeah, I've tried voice commands with bluetooth and it doesn't work too well. I think the helmet absorbs too much sound or something. Have you seen the thread about gloves that work with touchscreens? Just be careful you don't asspack somebody playing with your phone while riding!

I hear you! I'm not really interested in the phone part, other than ... "Oh, hi honey, let me pull over" and then finish the call without taking off my helmet.

I'm really looking for nav. voice to keep from looking at the screen so much. Especially since it's so sunny here most of the time.

What kind of bluetooth headset do you have? I've got an Interphone F4 and it works great with the navi voice directions. Stereo sounds pretty good too.

Opps, just reread your OP, you're gonna have to pony up for an Interphone, Sena, etc to get the navi voice directions. Sorry...it's only $$$!

Here's a good deal on a used one. I bought mine the same way and no problems.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BlueAnt-Stereo-F4-Interphone-Motorcycle-Bluetooth-Kit-/110805690057?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&vxp=mtr&hash=item19cc88a6c9