Originally Posted by Fernbrook (Post 630102)

Folks, I need ideas! I am an old sod and on my proposed RTW trip I hope to use either a dedicated GPS device (Garmin Zumo 660) or an iPhone 7 to find my way around. Yes, the devices are old by today's standards but will they work today?
Obviously I need in-helmet communication (don't want music, bike-to-bike, radio or person-to-person)- just want verbal directions in my helmet somehow. I wear earplugs, as I have tinnitus. Are there earbuds capable of giving verbal directions loudly enough to overcome the use of earplugs while the earplugs are in my ears or, are there earbuds capable of shutting out outside noise while giving directions , with me leaving the earplugs out altogether?

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie (Post 630497)

I just bought a Beeline

https://i.postimg.cc/7hjSVfbd/20220813-171133-2.jpg

Gloriously simple to use, it just points to the destination or the way to go at a junction. You create a GPX file in the software of your choice or just tell the phone where you want to go. The battery lasts all day and I can connect it to any smartphone with or without SIM, so no need to charge the phone either. The manufacturer claims IP69 which looking at it I believe.

I haven't checked if it works everywhere but as it uses Google maps as the base and is only repeating what the phone tells it I don't see why not.

Carrying two on an extended trip would still be lighter and cheaper than many dedicated sat nags.

Andy

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* (Post 630499)

The obvious flaw to me is that this requires Google maps. Which requires at least 3G connectivity. Even when you download the offline maps it won't navigate you to a new destination unless you have data.



That's the case on my smart phone anyway.

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie (Post 630500)

I will try it and report back.

First test turn off wifi and mobile data, GPS on. It's pointing the right way if I walk round the garden.

Andy

Originally Posted by Jay_Benson (Post 630509)

Just how big is your garden if you need GPS to get around it? :innocent:

Originally Posted by Jay_Benson (Post 630509)

Just how big is your garden if you need GPS to get around it? :innocent:

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* (Post 593992)

Hey Mika !! It's the world we live in. The only places you meet people now are where there is no signal or WIFI.

Smartphones are great tech when on the road to check email, banking, maps etc. But it also leads to an anti-social environment. When i started travelling, campsites and hostels were fun places to meet people and interact. Now they're just zombie waiting rooms. Full of people staring at screens who don't want to talk to anybody.

I'm glad I saw a lot of the world before Facebook/instagram/twitter existed !! It seems people are more interested uploading selfies for likes than actually experiencing the places they are visiting.