Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Sep 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 82
Best traveller's phone or app?

It seems my well -travelled Nokia Navigator 6710 is dead, RIP. So now it comes to the question of "What next?"

I'm only asking this in temrs of mobile phones that are traveller-friendly. The features I liked about the 6710:

* Good battery life - about a week on standy.

* Very useful turn-by-turn navigator, with speed camera locations and speed limits.

* Able to download free maps for nearly every country, with very detailed city maps for most places. The downloads were on my PC, so no cost for data download, so I could prepare in advance for a trip at no cost. I guess this is a Nokia feature, not specifically a 6710 feature. Don't want any phone that makes me use the phone to download maps, especially not during the actual trip!

* Four band, so it works everywhere, even USA.

Not so good was trip logging. I used "Sports Tracker" which is a workout log (complete with upload of music used for the workout, hooray, such a useful feature, not). However I was able to record a route and upload it onto Google maps even when I had no Nokia map availlable for most of the actual trip. It showed speed, altitude, average speed, max speed (good), but had no way to add photos or notes along the way (very bad).

If I go down the path of Smart Phone, are there any killer travel apps? I don't mind paying if it's good enough. It seems like thee really isn't anything much that's not a smart phone these days, but they aren't so good for travel in temrs of battery life, fragile, bulky.

Suggestions?
__________________
www.motoindo.com
One-way and multi-island rentals ex Bali
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Sep 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 86
I don't have an answer for you but I can share my experience with a smartphone, a Motorola Milestone 2 that I've been using for a year or so.

Pros:
- I don't need a laptop for travel as it has a relatively large screen with good enough resolution and a slide-out keyboard. Finding a free WIFI spot is easier when you are walking around with the phone in hand.
- You have access to great offline maps in apps like Locus, SovietMilitaryMaps , OSMAnd etc. Better than OVImaps on my old Nokia 5210.
- Photo quality is surprisingly good, there are a lot of apps for that, too.
- Durable metal case and glass. I dropped it twice and travelled quite a lot with it.. no probs so far.

Cons:
- Not that great as a phone. A simple old phone can be much lighter and easier to use for calls.
- Battery life is very poor. You can charge it every day.
- It would be great if I could copy stuff from memory cards and portable drives on it. I think some of the smartphones have that option.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColinD View Post
It seems my well -travelled Nokia Navigator 6710 is dead, RIP. So now it comes to the question of "What next?"

I'm only asking this in temrs of mobile phones that are traveller-friendly. The features I liked about the 6710:

* Good battery life - about a week on standy.

* Very useful turn-by-turn navigator, with speed camera locations and speed limits.

* Able to download free maps for nearly every country, with very detailed city maps for most places. The downloads were on my PC, so no cost for data download, so I could prepare in advance for a trip at no cost. I guess this is a Nokia feature, not specifically a 6710 feature. Don't want any phone that makes me use the phone to download maps, especially not during the actual trip!

* Four band, so it works everywhere, even USA.

Not so good was trip logging. I used "Sports Tracker" which is a workout log (complete with upload of music used for the workout, hooray, such a useful feature, not). However I was able to record a route and upload it onto Google maps even when I had no Nokia map availlable for most of the actual trip. It showed speed, altitude, average speed, max speed (good), but had no way to add photos or notes along the way (very bad).

If I go down the path of Smart Phone, are there any killer travel apps? I don't mind paying if it's good enough. It seems like thee really isn't anything much that's not a smart phone these days, but they aren't so good for travel in temrs of battery life, fragile, bulky.

Suggestions?
Actually, there is a related discussion in this thread for both the hardware and the software aspects (the technology is developing rapidly it seems with quite a few more "waterproof" smartphones coming to the market).

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...armin-et-63191
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Sep 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColinD View Post
It seems my well -travelled Nokia Navigator 6710 is dead, RIP. So now it comes to the question of "What next?"

I'm only asking this in temrs of mobile phones that are traveller-friendly. The features I liked about the 6710:

* Good battery life - about a week on standy.

* Very useful turn-by-turn navigator, with speed camera locations and speed limits.

* Able to download free maps for nearly every country, with very detailed city maps for most places. The downloads were on my PC, so no cost for data download, so I could prepare in advance for a trip at no cost. I guess this is a Nokia feature, not specifically a 6710 feature. Don't want any phone that makes me use the phone to download maps, especially not during the actual trip!

* Four band, so it works everywhere, even USA.

Not so good was trip logging. I used "Sports Tracker" which is a workout log (complete with upload of music used for the workout, hooray, such a useful feature, not). However I was able to record a route and upload it onto Google maps even when I had no Nokia map availlable for most of the actual trip. It showed speed, altitude, average speed, max speed (good), but had no way to add photos or notes along the way (very bad).

If I go down the path of Smart Phone, are there any killer travel apps? I don't mind paying if it's good enough. It seems like thee really isn't anything much that's not a smart phone these days, but they aren't so good for travel in temrs of battery life, fragile, bulky.

Suggestions?
I'd suggest to have a look at the Motorola Razr Maxx.
Actually, I'm trying to get one myself these days, but it's still a bit too expensive for me. Prices will probably drop a bit more soon because Motorola has just announced the successor model Razr Maxx HD which will launch markets the next month(s) (depending on country).
It's battery life is unmatched by any other smart phone, it seems to be quite robust and even water resistant (lots of videos on youtube), but isn't very small with it's 4,3" screen. It's difficult, however, to find smaller smart phones with such capabilities these days.
Software wise it's running stable and smoothly on Android's 4.0.x (Ice Cream Sandwich) according to various reviews.

Cheers,
Kevin
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ontario Canada 2012 HU Travellers Meeting, Barrie, ON, September 20-23 2012 Grant Johnson HU Travellers Meetings - North America 21 2 Nov 2012 14:17
Translation app for i phone scrambler73 Communications 1 11 Jul 2012 12:10
SIM cards in Russia for Travellers colebatch Northern and Central Asia 1 14 Jun 2012 16:30
best Mobil phone card in UK gobybike2012 Europe 6 14 Mar 2012 00:54
Golden Triangle Riders Welcome Motorbike Travellers RTW FRANK West and South Asia 4 18 Jan 2012 21:05

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:07.