I've noticed that another, totally separate, app offers the use of Tom Tom maps, at some cost I guess - I haven't tried it, sticking with the free OSM option.
I assume that it is the car driving version that you describe, without the twisty roads function - although there would be, say, sports car drivers who would enjoy the twisties!

The Tom tom option comes with the app "Navigator" which is supplied by Mapfactor; confusingly, it shows up on the phone simply as "navigator" but in the google playstore it is named Mapfactor Navigator.

A 32 Gb SD card is a bon idee.
My 16 Gb (+ another 8 Gb on the phone internal memory) is filling up rapidly.

Ive been on GPS for years. All the maps are made by the same third party company and they all have the exact same mistakes and missing roads no matter what brand GPS you purchase. I'm talking Topo maps here.

That Said: Since smart phones are so cheap on the second hand market, and since you do not need a data plan to operate GPS mapping, I think I will buy a used phone and test it on a bike. I have Wifi at home so downloading the mapping apps (Alpine Quest) is a no brainer. Since no data, it wont be able to guide you to a gas station, but that's why you pack your normal day to day smart phone in you tank bag.

Give navigator a try; the app I mentioned a few days ago - it contains POIs for various categories including "transport and accommodation".. I guess that would find some gas stations (I've never bothered with them).
What I have done is add my own Waypoints into Navigator and they work exactly the same as my garmin Nuvi.

Maps:
There are a number of suppliers of digital formats to the public - some are regional (classically, national mapping agencies), and others offer worldwide products.

I use an app called Be on Road which uses OSN data. Tested it on iPhone, iPad and android and it is pretty good. The app actually works great, the data download is very easy, your data stays on your device. The OSN data however has quality problems. It doesn't seem to have house numbers and there are connectivity problems between road segments.

I'm a bit biased against Garmin. I use Tom Tom in my car and now Be on Road on my bike.

What about the DeLorme InReach (or SPOT) as an alternative? I know cost-wise it is not a cheap alternative, but it adds the function of emergency help, tracking, and (limited) texting with friends/family back home.

Anyone have experience using one vs a GPS or the seemingly preferred phone options discussed above?

I guess you mean OSM i.e. Open Street Map data which is developing rapidly and is updated regularly.
I access OSM via a variety of phone apps and I find that house numbers can be found on their maps if a sufficient level of zooming in is done with the app.
For instance, "navigator" shows house numbering and has a search function which can find, for example, UK postcodes/addresses.
As per the app name, it can navigate to such addresses in the same way as my garmin Nuvi does, while showing a better detail of mapping along the way - hence I rarely use the Nuvi nowadays.


If you search in the HUBB there are some threads that talk about the capability of the InReach and the SPOT products but I don't recall anyone has said that they have used either as a navigation aid.
There are certainly smart phone apps that record tracking data - I have experimented with one called MY Trails which does exactly as it's name suggests.

OSM house numbers... depends on unpaid people putting them into OSM. As there are lots of unnamed roads around me .. I am spending some time just putting those names in. I'd rather spend time putting in tracks in the country side, but given the vast number missing I though I'd add a few. Some 300+ in the last week.

So house numbers will depend on where you look .. Glasgow UK does not have many. Sydney Australia does not have many either.

More hardware competition
 

I've just caught up with the existance of yet another water resistant smart phone, this one coming from Motorola.
UK's Cheapest Moto G (3rd Generation): Where To Buy?

It looks like a great specification at the price (for around the cost of a rear tyre on a sports bike).

Experiences with Mapfactor Navigator using OSM mapping; an update.
 

I've used this for street navigation in a few countries of Europe now.
It has found street addresses in a very accurate manner, in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK using either full addresses or postcodes.
From a recent update (which are offered regularly) it also has a basic form of lane guidance for major autobahn type highways – what I found more interesting, and even quite useful, were the depictions of the overhead gantry signs on the German autobahns which automatically appear in the app software in good time while approaching the junctions.
Naturally, voice directions are also available.

The app had something of an apparent glitch around the area of Geneva airport; I was disappointed in this at the time and put it down to something or other to do with the density of roads in that area, or the complex international borders – later, when fiddling with the app settings I found that I had it set for a walking mode at about 4 miles per hour (which previously I did not realise existed), so I guess that this is what caused the apparent glitch. In this mode it could use all forms of footpaths as part of the routing algorithm, such as pedestrianised precincts.
It certainly hasn't misbehaved since then and it is now set in a vehicle-use mode.

This led me to look more at the settings of the app, having ignored this aspect for some time.
It's impressively detailed with various modes that can be chosen and the parameters for each mode can be preset in great detail (such as the average speed, types of roads to be used – tolled roads, ferries etc etc).
I can't find a thing this app can't do actually.
The display can also be modified and personalised to suit most things that folk may wish to view – number of satellites in use, time to destination, distance to destination, all that kind of thing.
A compass heading can also be placed at the top of the screen.

I think it also has a route tracking capability but I haven't looked into that aspect, having no specific use for suchlike.

Smartphone with maps of Iran, Pakistan, India...
 

Sorry if this matter is courrently solved in the thread, but I don´t find it. I have no smartphone at this moment, I´m going to Thailand from Spain through Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and Myanmar (Bhirmania). I have a new Tomtom Rider 400, who has all Europe and Turkey maps too, but I look for Tomtom maps from Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar and Thailand and there are not available, only Thailand.
Do you know if "here maps" has maps of these countries, and witch kind of smartphone (Nokia, Windows, Samsung...) I need for? I´m not introduced so much in smartphone new phones, I have a simple Nokia with no internet connection but I need to get in contact with the world when I depart from Barcelona. I will stay also about three month in Thailand, and need one cheap smartphone but in the middle range of quality.
Can you help me, please?

I think you'll have a battle on your hands at short notice if you are not familiar with smart phones. Here is for Android and probably iPhone. Personally I recommend Android for travelling. Locus is a very good app for it that's not on iPhone. It allows you to use custom mapping but I think that would be a bit technical in your case. They do have lots of other offline options though.
They had all those countries except Pakistan and Myanmar. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

I'm still struggling to find an android app that shows friends and family where I am. Delorme does it but I ought to be able to do it from my phone or tablet.

Can't you send a pin by email?

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

"Real time GPS Tracker" free on the app store. Gives you a link you can send anyone you like.

Andy

A comment to SeoulJoe after a long trip to Siberia and Mongolia, re smartphones vs. Garmin GPS: what good are smartphones when "No Service". They don't remember much when "offline".

Charlie

...that's probably why people use apps like 'Here maps' and ' maps.me' that work perfectly well offline using previously downloaded maps..!

Sent from my P6000 Pro using Tapatalk

Exactly. I'm finding a lot of the people in the no camp haven't done their homework. If you know a little about digital mapping (GIS) you'll never go back. Phone are powerful, new models are hardly better than 3 generations back (I'm still using an S4), easily available, wireless setup if you need to swap, I can keep going.
Using a phone opens up a vast array of options that I didn't have access too before. You can now truly go off the map. I'm planning donkey tracks that are not on the map in Google earth. With easily available gis software and in app you can download all the free mapping you want. Plus in gis software like global mapper you can download aerial imagery and use scanned paper maps like tracks4Africa, in decently sized files to find population asking your route as a safety net. Really, it's a no brainer and I cannot understand why people still spend a couple of nights at a resort type money on dedicated gps units that offer less not more.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Half the difficulty is the mass of information and geek speak.

I've been playing with a tracker

https://sites.google.com/site/pooratrek/poorasecure

Still no idea what GPS&M/GRP/GPS is but it seems if you text it a fixed sequence it texts one back. The radio signal is called about 12 different acronyms and TLA's doh

Andy

Really? Please. "No Service" refers to no cell service, so you can't make a phone call or use 3G/4G/LTE/CDMA connection. It says NOTHING about the phone's capability of receiving a satellite signal.

Do some homework.

Now all you need is for someone to steal the bike so you can test it :rofl:

It's bound to work - after all the man on the website says:

"GPS tracker is easy to use, with just two buttons (although) you must set up the APN of your local GSM network for the SIM card in tracker first ...

As long as you've done that (whatever it is) you'll always know where the joyriders are, right up to the point where they dump it in a canal. :rofl:

But no one knows how the washing machine knows when to wash spin and dry and for how long and when to start. Yet we all know that if you turn that knob you get clean clothes back. Forget the lingo. Keep the eyes on the price.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

The washing machine had a picture of a bloke putting clothes in the drum, powder in the tray, taking the clothes out to read the label, putting them back, turning the knob and pushing the button.

The IT version would tell you your FEP needed RMIW until LED and assume you knew WTF that was.

I have no idea what an APN is. I ignored it and it worked anyway, just like the airbag light on the wifes car.

Andy

Hmm. I need to pay more attention to the washing. F'd if I know which program my jocks need to go in. I guess I do prefer unwrinkled, but that low heat though. I'm going to have to do my Google special research on that one.

Last time I used the washing machine she just stood there, took the half burnt roll-up out of her mouth, sucked air in through her teeth while shaking her head and said " I wouldn't do it like that if I was you". :rofl:

Do it wrong often enough and they do it for you :thumbup1:

:helpsmilie:

Andy

I actually have a licence for Sygic but so far I have been using Google Maps offline and the result is incredible. I have Sygic as a back up but so far I haven't used it.

I've been using Copilot on an Android tablet/phone across Europe for years. It just works. It is road orientated.


Stand alone maps, no permanent data connection required, cheap. 100% recommended.

A while back I decided, after pondering on wether or not to buy a Garmin, to go for a weatherproof smartphone instead. Some people at AdvRider had positive experiences with a range of weatherproof smartphones made by Kyocera but here in The Netherlands these are hard to come by so I decided on a Samsung xcover 4. Being a good €150 cheaper than a basic Garmin Zumo (or €400 cheaper if you want a 5-inch Garmin) I gave it a try.

The phone is supposed to be water-, dust- and shockproof and so far it survived driving through rain and tipping the bike over in the dirt. The screen is very clear and bright and riding on sunny days I've had no trouble reading the screen. The screen also has a mode for operating it with gloves on which works to a certain degree. Pushing large on-screen buttons to zoom the map in and out work fine but you really need to take your gloves off for more delicate things like entering an address. The battery drains pretty fast with the screen on full brightness but I solved that using a USB-port on the dash for the charger.

I've been using OsmAnd which has very up to date maps from Open Street Maps and supports loading GPX routes and tracks. On-screen instructions are very clear. I'll be giving it a try with some nice routes next month in Wales after the HUBB UK meeting!

I've mounted it using a RAM finger grip which fits nice and snug. Never regretted not getting a Garmin.

I'm using a Samsung S7 note which is natively waterproof. Mounted it with the ultimate addons case. None of the charging issues that my S4 has which means it was the problem. The USB connector fits well and stays connected in even the toughest terrain.

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk

More water resistant phones on the market
 

Another year and a half goes by and the technology moves along nicely.
Document

I've been using MotoMappers from the AppStore on my iPhone 5 SE, in a waterproof case from Amazon Motorcycle Pro Bike Handlebar Ball Mount Attachment with Hard Waterproof Tough Case for Apple iPhone 5 5s SE

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AQ68Z..._k6MZzcrILKc5e

Both are working great, with OSM mapping and the ability to import gpx and plan routes etc using Google maps. The only downside is the lack of POIs such as petrol stations, although I gather that is a work in progress.

Much, much cheaper than a dedicated m/c gps and lifetime map updates included.

Still works OK for me.
 

About 18 months later and I am still using this mapping/navigation app with the "free" OSM maps (they still offer online purchase of TomTom mapping).
No reason to change, it does what I want it to do.

It does track routes used and save them into GPX or NEMA formatted filing.
It can also import GPX files from elsewhere but I haven't explored that capability much - just the importing process that is explained in their online handbook -
https://www.mapfactor.com/manuals/ma.../Navigator.pdf

ps
Hardware.
Reading elsewhere, it seems that IPhones are prone to overheating when used for navigation - something to do with "the CPU working intensively".

AGM phone
 

Some 2 1/2 years later and I remain very impressed with the performance of this hardware.
It has never let me down in running as a GPS/mapping system for my type of usage.

At the time of purchase I did wonder about buying what amounts to an unknown brand - not that I am a big follower of brands - but it turns out to be a company that is still in production with a range of mob phones:-
This one is about nearest to the specification that I bought - A8 SE (2GB RAM) | AGM Mobile
As ever, the technology has moved along in quality and quantity with increased specifications all round for not a lot more in the asking price (it even has dual SIM now). About the only thing that is the same as my model is the screen size.

And -
"The software of AGM A8 SE has been specially optimized for stable GPS and Glonass performance, which makes you never lose your way outdoors" according to their marketing blurb.

More from their blurb page:-
"AGM owns patents on smartphone rugged/waterproof design, and AGM models can meet IP68/MIL-STD-810 standard"
http://www.agmmobile.com/en/page/about

How to put it all together on a bike
 

There's a good description about how to set up a smart phone - I use a chinese made copy of the same X grip on one of my bikes.
https://www.transeurotrail.org/forum...php?f=17&t=418

Having joined this conversation very late in the game, I can only share my experience using a smartphone as a GPS instead of a dedicated GPS. I used my iPhone 5 to navigate through cities in Mexico to find hostels and on several occasions the phone overheated and shut down. Running the software often heats phones up, and under the blaring Mexican sun, it only made it worse.

A few times I was sitting on the side of the road after a long day of travel in some foreign city, fully kitted in my riding gear, sweating like crazy, tired from a long day's ride, simply waiting for my phone to cool down long enough to show me how to get to my hostel for night. Not again, no thank you.

Fortunately, more than 80% of smart phones sold nowadays are running the Android operating system.

I had an Android for about 6 months and sold it last month to go back to Apple. It just plain works better for me. But, a dedicated GPS is in my near future.

Not reading 30 pages: I used a Garmin before, small so we could use it in the car and while hiking. But we don't hike that much.

Currently, I see no reason to use a Garmin of which the interfacing will always be outdated compared to a phone. And when I was using a Garmin, I was already using it with OSM.

Now I use OSM because it is easy to download a country, and use tracks (import ones or create your own).
So I see no reason to spend extra money on a seperate GPS navigation system.
The phone can get warm while doing all that work and charging at the same time, but it does not cause issues.

I've been using an iPhone 6S with what is now called Guru Maps Pro, formerly Galileo Pro. Offline mapping.
We were successful in using it to navigate London for two weeks of walking around there. I don't really get turn by turn with it, but rather a warning to "return to the route" when following a track.
I'll be doing some more experimenting with it this year around the Southwestern deserts in preparation for a 2020 ride around the HoW and Western Canada and BC. Maybe even Alaska if I convince myself that would be interesting.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...MG_3442-X2.jpg

I have gone down the phone route for a SatNav.
I have discovered that the HereGo App for phones is very good. I also found by accident that HereGo is the SatNav application used by BMW cars.
The App has the facility to be used off line, therefore you don't incur any data charges. All you have to do is download the maps of the area you need when you have WiFi and off you go, turn by turn navigation. Most of the world is covered.
All I have done is use my old iPhone 6 with a UltimateAddons waterproof holder. I have found it so useful I won't going back to a dedicated SatNav. It more than covers my journeys and routes without any problems. I have never used it outside Europe but I can't see why not.

Here is indead too used in the BMW Navigation unit. But on the Smartphone it is more powerful:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3XexEID3...ne-android.JPG

I hope you all did also did test other helpful apps during travelling?

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...-2021-for.html

I did mention them all - with the specific use case I did use them during my journeys...

Surfy

Sometimes I see people riding with a tablet on their bike, like Itchy Boots (the Youtuber) does. Does anyone know what kind of software/device they're using? It looks like proper navigation software on a normal tablet, or is it just a really big dedicated navigation device? My google skills weren't good enough to find out, so I thought to ask here.

Apps for tablet
 

Same as for smartphones

Android tablets and Android phones use same apps. Same OS

Apple phone and tabet use same apps. Same OS


If you want to know what Itchy Boots uses, it is better to ask her direct.

I tried downloading the Here Wego app onto my iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store - it isn't "available for my region" unless I am doing something even more stupid than normal. Any suggestions as to which regions it is avaailable for - I will then connect via VPN and get it that way?

Works ok in Canada

She uses a Gamin XT.

How to change your Apple ID country or region:
https://support.apple.com/en-euro/HT201389

Sadly it got more complicated as the offered services like subscriptions and payment options growed.

If you have subscribed to Apple Music you have change back to your original country before you can use Apple Music. Apple Music subscription is only valid in the country store where you subscribed!

Would be interested if turn by turn is still an issue for you?

I am just digging in into guru maps. Read on insta about an off road rider who uses an ipad in a 3d self printed tough cases on his dirt bike to navigate in regions where no cellphone reception is given. Look pretty smart and feedback from other off road pilots about guru maps was much positive.

Still no joy even when I am “in” Canada. Hurumph.

I used to have it as well and I liked it - I wondered where it had gone and now it would appear that apple have taken umbridge about it for some reason - probably not giving 75% of the profits to them.

Where are we as if 2022?
 

This thread has not seen much activity in a while. So, where do we stand as of 2022 in terms of adequate mobile navigation offroad?

I'm wondering wether to get a dedicated GPS or not. I have a handheld trekking GPS that is now more than 10 years old (Garmin GPSMap 60 CXS - the one with color screen and expandable memory slot). It has served me well enough from the open seas to mountai peaks and desserts). The only real gripe I have had with it is that it doesn't really like rechargeable batteries all that much.

There is still much to be desired on my ancient Grmin, and my mobile therefore now does 99% of the grunt work 99% of the time. It is only when I go far off the beaten track that I use the GPS. For road trips, I hardly ever bother to bring it any longer. When I do, it's for backup for when my phone shuts down from too much heat, or becomes difficult to operate in the rain, etc. When that happens, I find that I have not entered a route into the GPS (a pain to do), and that it is then much easier to use my internal compass or simply ask for directions. Also, paper maps and a compass still seems to work just fine for me still.

For most of the time I would prefer to have only one device to deal with (phone) and have a very good GPS for those times that the phone won't do.

I am looking for a way to expand the use of my phone into the realms of a dedicated GPS, but not to replace a dedicated GPS. The question then becomes. What is the best app, and wether it has any significant shortcomings.

What I want from a dedicated GPS is

• Import and export GPS
• Turn by turn navigation with voice commands - both on road and on trails
• Navigation to next waypoint, and not solely to the finish
• Option to automatically recalculate routes, or deactivate (for road)
• Single line address search and route calculation
• Filters, i.e. to avoid highways, ferries, etc
• Speed limit warnings
• Speed trap warnings
• Easy to create and edit routes (on and off road)
• A great screen

The more boxes above my phone can check off, the more a standalone GPS becomes redundant for me more of the time.

I just downloaded Navigator OSM as it got some positive reviews on HU (long time ago). I have not had the time to play with it yet, but at first glance it looks awesome

Phone ?
 

I would not use my only phone for navigation.
It is to big risk that it get damage in case of accident.....

So even if I use a phone as GPS. It is a separate phone.
=> Still same amount of devices.

The phone needs a mounting that reduces vibrations, if the phone shall survive.
And a water proof cover top protect it from rain.

End... I do not even try to plan my routes on the phone. (Unless it is from A to B. But not a normal complex route) With that small screen and no mouse. I use a PC and down load to the phone.

Some apps works on both Android and windows.
Others can generate .gpx files to be used by the phone.

When it comes to apps, there are very many opinions.
It is more up to your preferences. No science.

This with "return to route" instead of navigation instructions is because you are following a track. And not a route.

I think we all are aware that phones are less robust, and some less than others. But it really doesn't answer the questions above.

What I and many others are looking for is to be able to extend the use of the phone as a navigation device, not necessarily replace a GPS completely - to use one as primary and the other for backup - depending on circumstance (and on some trips not take the GPS at all). As such we are after some 30 pages more interested in learning about significant differences in software capabilities - as of where we stand today.

Most of us are aware of the hardware issues that still exist, and which puts limitations on phones. In my opinion "Heat Strokes" is the single most relevant vulnerabily (as the others are easily negated). The conditions for this symptom can be metvanywhere on the planet, but more frequently in hotter climates.

The question for most is no longer wether to use a phone for navigation or not - but rather to what extent , and under which surcumstances to do so or not . The question to many will then be how much it is justifiableto spend on a GPS (i.e. if they can make do with a phone and maybe even a 10-15 year old hand held)? The question becomes even more relevant when riding in a group. How many of the bikes riding together ought to have a top of the line GPS or any at all?

Here is a list of popular mobile navigation apps (Source sixt.com). In bold are the only ones on this list that is currently on my phone as they have shown most promise.

Google Maps
Waze
MapQuest
Maps.Me
Scout GPS
InRoute Route Planner
Apple Maps
MapFactor Navigator
OsmAnd
CoPilot GPS Navigation
TomTom GO Navigation
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation
Gaia GPS
Karta GPS
Polaris GPS Navigation
Roadtrippers
Traffic Spotter
Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
Glob
ETA Live Traffic Alert

I also have Avenza Maps, iOverlander, and several others that are relevant for navigation, but that are not proper motorcycle navigation apps per se.

Maps.Me vs MapFactor Navigator - I am yet to put either to the test IRL. I've only played around with the in the comforts of my home.

I can't see a single thing that Maps.Me can do that MapFactor Navigator shouldn't be able to do better. MapFactor Navigator can do so much more than Maps.Me in the way that it is far more customizable - including search, route preferences, and more. It also offers the option to purchase Tom Tom maps (but the free seems plenty good)

I don't trust the search on Maps.Me. I tried searching on the street address for the royal palace in Oslo, Norway (Drammensveien 1, Oslo). It is a good test as the road spans over several municipalities, and ends in another city bearing the same name as the road (Drammen). The search returns far too many idiotic results, and in a manner that is anything but intuitive. Also, it doesn't prioritize street names over all the community garbage entries - making it very difficult to both find and pick the correct address (it took me four attempts, and for a location I really know we'll). If you are not very familiar with where you are going (which is probably when you need a GPS in the first place), it is very easy to end up in a very different location than you intended - far, far off the mark.

What Maps.me does have going for it is a map view that is slightly better for offroad navigation. It is also easier to use over all. It seems as though both spps offer turn by turn navigation and route calculation across road and offroad paths.

If I was to ride offroad on a GPX route, I still think I would favor the Navigator over Maps.Me -even if the map perspective of the latter would be slightly better offroad. The main reason is all the other bits of customizable info I can get on the Navigator (all types of distances, times, elevations, speed, avg speed, etc).

To me, it looks as though MapFactor Navigator has the most to offer. Time will show when it comes to importing GPX how good either are.

As for Google maps, it is by far the best option if you just want to get someplace fast, but don't care about which route. It's when you want to take a very specific route that things become a real PITA. And offroad, forget about Google maps all together.

I have yet to try to import GPX files to Google Maps (if at all doable), but I assume I will loose any turn by turn instructions and/or route recalculation. When getting into this realm, it is probably better to get aquatinted with another app. If creating and sharing routes for Google maps can be done easily, it still has its place. Everybody has google maps - so it is a great way to share routes with others (for planning purposes, for riding together, or just sharing for caring).

What would you see as any significant shortcomings of Maps.Me or MapFactor Navigator - relative to a GPS? Set aside hardware robustness.

One device
 

Quote from your post

"For most of the time I would prefer to have only one device to deal with (phone) and have a very good GPS for those times that the phone won't do."

That why I wrote that I would not use only one device. Even If a phone can do everything.

I would have one as GPS device. And one stored in a safer place.
To be able to call even after an accident.

And that my friend, is the better advice that we all should adhere to. Years back, there was only map, compass and roadbooks. It worked, it just isn't very practical. Having a GPS is in my opinion a must for any long adventures. For many shorter adventures though, caring for multiple devices outweighs it's benefits.

In any regard, wether your phone is your primary device, or your only device, or your backup - it is a good idea to have the best software for that phone. The question then becomes, which is best?

I had the chance to test MapFactor Navigatorbin real life today, albeit only a bit and for all point to point road travel only. It performed really well. I'm yet to test roues or GPX

I tried MapFactor today. Looks good, but it's very unintuitive.

I couldn't figure out how to make it route me somewhere. In fact I still don't know how to do it. Somehow I inadvertantly set it to route somewhere, and now I don't know how to turn off that route.

It's like there are a bunch of buttons missing. I see nowhere to simply route to a POI. And it doesn't look like there's any functionality for GPX files.

I can't get gpx neither opened or uploaded to neither maps.me (don't think it supports GPX, nor Map factor GOX, nor OSMand. I tried opening the file on the gpx viewer app, and it shows up perfect. It is a file found on the official TET site, do I assume the file is ok.

Not sure what I am doing wrong. Maybe android changed their app policies for storage? Maybe it is something with the file? Or maybe it is just me.

When trying to open the file, OSMand is the only one showing up as an alternative - but it doesn't work. Trying to import doesn't work for OSMand, and neither does saving the file to the folder recommend by Mapfactor.

Frustrated!!!

Mapfactor Navigator drains the battery fast as it runs in the background checking for positions regardless if it's in use or not, and doesn't turn off unless forced - which is a pain. Well for me anyways. It doesn't look very promising.

The future of Navigation???
 

I came across this and thought it was worth sharing:

Here is my updated list of Apps for travelling, with the detailed reason described - why and where are they useful on my international (road/offroad) trips...

Article:
https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...-2021-for.html

I use my iPhone or iPad as single navigation unit in the past 11 years, from africa, europe to south america. And I did never got lost.

But yes, I did use it in my 4x4, for bikers there is more stress on those units, if you mount them permanentely in the sun. More heat, more vibrations. But the list of Apps could be helpful, I guess.

Surfy

Thanks Surfy - good list!

Regarding DMD2 spp (video in my previous post above) - I'm simply blown away at the pace of development and how far they have come since I used it last summer!

It is not quite where I need it to be just yet, but very, very close! The Map View and the file Explorer in particular needs some more work - though it is already quite good. I was unable to upload a GPX file that has worked on other apps - and for this reason alone, I'm on the fence . Fortunately those items, and according to their website, are at the top of their development schedule - both close to completion.

I expect them to be "complete" for my navigation needs in just a few months. And then, they will have surpassed Garmin in so many ways that are important to me that it is only the hardware bit holding me back from completely dropping a Garmin.

The Carpe tablet, an insanely well thought through purpose built tablet for adventure motorcyclist, is simply better than anything else offered to bikers for navigation, and more. Combined with handlebar controls, OBD, speed sensors, air pressure sensors, 4G, and sooo much more, they are in a different league - and it is all built to go hand in hand with the awesome DMD2 app.

But, and it is a big but - it is a very complicated and time consuming install if you want the tablet - with little documentation made available as of yet (don't expect to be technically challenged and be able to install this yourself). On top of that, many bikes will require custom fabrication of brackets, etc - as few are available yet. It is also a pricey solution if you want all the Gizmos.

If you just want the app on a phone, it is free. I can highly recommend it.

My greatest concern is that it is a very small operation. Will they be able to keep updating it over time?

Despite all of the cons, I’m sooooo tempted to get one now already - it is so frickin cool!!!

----
Alternative
For a while I have considered the Montana 700i or 750i for it's inreach SOS capabilities and tracking feature (for safety). In the end I have decided against it. The main reason is that if I should get separated from the bike, the device will be on the bike and not my person. The second reason is that you can get a second hand, and hardly used GPS tracker with inreach for close to nothing. You can then afford a dedicated GPS with great features for overlanding, with plenty money left over - and be both safer and have more versatility. I therefore do not think the Montana with inteach is worth it's premium for this feature.

The Carpet tablet, although more expensive, I think soon will deliver far better "value" in the premium segment with so much greater capabilities.

I’ll be holding off any greater investments until I see where the DMD2 pluss hardware is at in 3-12 months (in particular regarding mounts). In the mean time I will keep on relying on my my phone in combination with my old trusted GPSMap 60csx, and old spot tracker.
-----
comms on your body is important
I think having a phone, or GPS tracker with SOS inreach - and on your person, is important for safety reasons. If you accidentally run off the road, with no one around to witness it, don't expect anyone to be able to notice you until way after the stench of your decomposing body floods the area - and maybe not even then. And, don't expect to be able to get to your bike if you are injured or if the bike went off a cliff or something.

Having both a GPS tracker and a phone is best, keeping one on one's person and the other on the bike. I prefer to have my phone on the bike - even though it is liable to get a heat stroke or vibrate to pieces. The main reason is because of DMD2, navigation, music, audio books, messages and calls - the phone is always in use it seems. If my phone breakes, a cheap replacement can be found in just about any decent sized town in the world (at least second hand). Heat strokes also doesn't happen to me all that often (only a handful of times the past ten years). It has never had any significant consequence - this as I carry p maps on long trips to unfamiliar places (except for the only time I didn’t, and had the phone suffered heat stroke after heat stroke, s heat stroke, and I had not bothered to replace the GPS's batteries). The other times, waiting for the phone to cool down to use the other phone features has never been of any great inconvenience.

On a final note. It is not that long ago when paper maps was what we all used for our go-to navigation solution - and many of us still use them to dome extent.

I use my iPhone with the Rever App, I map it on the computer and download it on my phone and I can have access to the map anywhere. It has never let me down and you can also see you riding partners on your map.

I'm now experimenting with DMD2 on a Samsung Tab A Mini, a nice size for a bike, and cheap at only C$179! Mount it in an Otter Box - comparatively EXPENSIVE at $C79 and then figure out a mount. I use GaiaGPS for my off-road riding and like it well enough. It also works on DMD2, as do other apps.
We'll see...

GPS on tablet
 

I have an old Tablet that I do not use any more
=> Free
I used a "ball mount" that was supposed to be used with bolts. But I used super glue to attach the mount to the GPS.
Some cheap camera mount stuff from wish
Free OSMAND app for Android
(Most time I load GPX files to the tablet)

=> GPS 8-9" screen for few €

Works very well (at least until the rain comes).....