I recently stumbled across this app that is based around the soviet military maps. For the people that head out in the backcountry a lot this is particularly interesting as often they are the only decent map types out there.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ovietmaps.free

Besides this I find that most of these maps are as good as each other. My map on an iphone is having difficulties, which makes me glad I stuck with the android platform.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Hearing that a Zumo can tumble down the road and be OK is good news.

Personally I think any phone is built to be fairly tough, particularly basic Nokias, but that must be compromised by both the need to be pocketable, and the fact they don't really want one lasting for 5 years plus. If your phone breaks, well, thats why they sell you insurance, and you can pop to the high street to buy the latest whizz bang smartphone in your next break between meetings.

I would hope something "designed" to go on a bike's handlebars will be tougher than that! A 5" screen phone thats only a few mm thick won't stand much flexing, and I've had one touchscreen phone that got a small crack despite being in its supplied case in my pocket that rendered it useless In fact, maybe the very fact that a stand alone gps isn't carried round as a phone makes it less open to being damaged?

I'd totally agree with the need for a speedy "high sensitivity receiver" unit too. Stationary, and able to stop at a junction of doubt then maybe not. Otherwise, throw in a few trees or tall buildings with heavy traffic and your blood pressure will rise if it won't keep up with what you're doing! How good a smart phone is in that respect though I don't know though?

Can you for instance download all of the UK, France, Spain and Morocco road maps to a smart phone, as well as having Olaf ready to go on arrival? An old Garmin I had you needed to select only map tiles that covered your route which was really annoying, and I don't want to do that again!

As for not needing a paper map? Good gracious me, surely not?!?

Hey Joe,

I'm not sure you've actually hit the nail on the head here - you appear to have ignored everything people have said about dedicated units, I'm beginning to suspect you'd made your mind up before starting this thread..... in fact a quick look back through your posts indicates a certain, um, dislike, of Garmin...

I've had a really good play with the apps and maps you have suggested. Many of them are very good, despite quite a lot of the data being from dubious sources that are quite out of date.

I've played with the apps on my Android phones (all HTC I'm afraid so wasn't able to test on the Samsung jobs) and they certainly work well. The software is complex and difficult to understand - but then again - so is the Garmin set.

A quick experiment with the phones on my bike though demonstrates several things.

1 - If I don't do something to protect my phone it's not going to last long
2 - It takes too long to set up and the data bill will bankrupt me outside the UK
3 - At speed (25mph plus) it doesn't track well
4 - The battery went from a normal use-time of 4 hours to 30 mins using the GPS all the time....

In my mind that makes the smartphone unsuitable for the job unless:

1 - You go buy and custom fit a waterproof, shockproof holder for your phone
2 - You permanently wire in your phone (which damages the phones battery)
3 - You don't stress about turn by turn directions in an unfamiliar city

As ever - YMMV - but I will certainly not be dumping my Garmin Zumo for a smartphone any time soon - not even for my trusty iPhone with Tom Tom software.

Maps first, Garmin second, phone for emergencies - seems sensible to me!

There is one argument that does stand up... cost. The Garmin Zumo is currently retailing at $649 / £400 (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=15000&ra=true) but you can get a decent Android handset free with a contract or for about £100/£150 without. A good waterproof / shockproof case is about £50 (cheaper are available but not as good) and the cost of wiring the phone in / buying a spare battery is minimal.

So for me it boils down to one of the oldest arguments in the trademans handbook.... buy a cheap tool that just about does the job or buy the proper tool that does the job very well.

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Hello Matt ,,
I hear you ,, My gripe with Garmin is well documented here,, at same time ,, angst ridden tight wad I am,, I also carry a Garmin ,,

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...in-gps-62780-2

My personal issue with Garmin is their marketing of the units, in Korea. On purpose ,, they delete Korean keyboards from all Garmins sold overseas ,, therefor,, they charge ,, USD 1,400 for your Zumo here ,,
Another issue is when it breaks,, they must be sent to Taiwan ,, their H/O ,, repair cost plus USD 90 for the DHL .
Lastly,, you your self have said , that their software sucks. Maps expensive.
I have been using Garmin here in Korea ,, through hills and mountains ,, my Garmin battery goes dead in 20 minutes ,, Always recalculating the routes,, recalculating,, My Galaxy s2 with GPS and 3G on ,,,always on target,, battery lasts 8 hours ,, and I have the music ,, some 3,000 songs. This is both unplugged of course.
I pay USD 48 a month for UNLIMITED 3G data here, in Korea ,, and when I travel the world,, USD 10 a day again UNLIMITED.

I use Ram box mount usually I have my Android around my neck in my bosom
See the picks here ,,
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...in-gps-62780-2

Locus ,, will update your map ,, every other day ,, their Vector maps (Basically an OSM map , ,I am sure you are suing it too in your Garmin) ,, I think two months ,,
Some one sad ,, brilliantly ,, we are using this for RTW ,, not to run down the grocery store. Straight line he said.

Again ,, I hear you ,, get a cheap Garmin ,, stick it on your handle bar ,,, smart phone for all encompassing ,,, multifunction ,,,, in your underwear,,I also carry a small notebook,, only because I have to do online banking and download pictures.

Bottom line ,, Smart phones offer far more choices ,, at free cost of the software ,, free internet via wi-fi ,, free messaging,,, learning Russian on it now ,, got instant voice translator of some dozen languages "Talk to Me",, currency converter ,, skype for free phone calls ,, Viber also works ,, love the Kakao Talk for chatting and sending large files ,, camera that matches normal digital camera ,, even got it's own mini tripod,, several EM programs,,,can watch CNN ,, BBC,,,, Listen to the TED speeches "TED air" ,,,keep track of the finances ,, "Global Stock Market" ,, world weather ,, time ,, not just a lip service like Garmin.
I can back up all the files ,, I pay USD 1.8 per month for the insurance,, for two year coverage in case of theft,, breakage ,, or loss,, I get a new one.

Now ,, for some one at a cross road of buying new ,, Garmin or Smart Phone ,,
Go for the Android ,, I say ,, like you said ,, for 150 quid ,, with a two year plan and insurance.

You know ,, when I did USA and Europe last year,, I did carry a bunch of maps ,, expensive,, big ,, terrible to fold flapping, tearing ,,, becoming more and more bulky.,,After leaving LA ,,, some where in Oklahoma ,, I threw them all away. Try this offline map that gives you the sense of where everything goes ,,

True offline maps for your Android - unplugged ! | MapDroyd

All free of course...

Truly remarkable details in that program ,, I was impressed ,,

Hi Joe,
"Told you!" - I had a hunch this subject would bring out a load of high quality information and views.

The soviet maps source is, in fact, the sponsor of this forum - therefore the link is showing up at the top of this page.

I am still reading, and watching, intently.
There's no rush for me.

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Dave

Hey ,,,it was a very good idea for you to suggest to start this thread,,

Discussions interesting and very proactive....

Look at the Galaxy s3, when it comes out ,, I am dying to get my hands on it ,,
Saw the Galaxy Note ,, lots of nice functions ,, just too damn big.

There is NOTHING that comes close to a ruggedised dedicated GPS unit for durability.

There is no trip I have done to date where a smart phone could have done the job ... no serious international trip.

For me, its not about software, its about durability.

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Challenge accepted.

I reckon it depends on the riding style. But even then, I'm constantly amazed on what you can get away with. As said, friends of mine mount them to their trail bikes and they don't seem to want to die. The map data, if you don't care about turn by turn, is vastly better either way.

I'm concerned about the bar vibes. Wait and see I guess.

Congrats with the record btw. Extremely well done.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

I do agree that rugged specialist units are best, but just to show my luck, my Garmin montana has died within 2 weeks of ownership and was sent to the Garmin hospital yesterday,

My iphone, I have used on the bike regularly, for 2 years, and it only had a fit once with a software update where I lost my music. The only thing that lets the smartphones down are the mounts. I got through 3 plastic iphone mounts, and that was on a road bike, on roads.

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

Hey Walter ,, welcome to thread ,,
Wonder if you count , since you ride in some freaky places,,

Tell us what make you are using ,,

As far as Garmin , the durability is a myth I am afraid ,, as mine went bunkers,, only after a month ,, USB port connection. And the pursuing horror customer service. Other testimonials below.

Our navi unit has to come in a total package ,,
Hardware ,, software ,, function ,, durability ,, dependability ,, customer service and economical sense,,
All of above is a right we must and should have as a consumer.

Whatever ,, comes after is a bonus to us ,,, And smart phones do indeed has so many
We are here to discuss the added value of the smart phones and to see whether it can live up to such a myth of a dedicated gps unit being durable.

Garmin horror stories ,,
Accidental Drop Test | POI Factory
Garmin GPS III Pilot ...horror story
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=12001
Cracked Face on Forerunner 310XT | Applied Vitals

Will you do this test on your gps?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDtNCiBQ8lc

I like that we get here such a list of possible solutions!

Today we can use what we want (iOS, Android, Windows) - and we will find a way to handle our navigation needs.

Currently i use an IOS based setup:

But i`m on for switching over to a Windows Surface based setup - there i have more options. Specially i can also use Android Apps on Windows - what gives me more options over all....

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

Awesome set up,,, !