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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 Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



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  #16  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jordan325ic View Post
A GPS isn't a safety device unless you plan on doing any serious trans-saharan routes.

A big downside of a GPS (or a hard-mounted smartphone) is that it's one more expensive-looking thing that must be removed and secured at every stop.

I have never used a GPS or smart-phone for navigation while travelling. This is more difficult but much more fullfilling. You are forced to rely on and interact with the local culture dozens of times each day. All my memories around the world... almost none of them would have happened if I had any sort of navigation. Being lost is a good thing.

So whatever you choose, I encourage you to turn it off from time to time. Insert worn out travel cliche here.
You saved me from having to write the same.
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  #17  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by Arma View Post
I'm with those who have said bring both, the dedicated motorcycle GPS units are tough, waterproof, glove operable, and reliably sunlight readable.
I would say get a old car Garmin for 100 Euro from Ebay insted of buying an expensive iPhone. It does not have to be waterproof just put it in your tank bag if its raining...
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  #18  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by schmookeeg View Post
Let's you and I be "bothered" together then. I have roads in my notes, particularly in Abidjan, which were depicted on maps.me which do not actually exist. How can I report these roads so that they are removed for future travellers?
I've been 'bothered' for some time
https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Warin61

Over 3,700 edits .. so far, some bigger than others.

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Originally Posted by schmookeeg View Post
I would love to help correct these. Show me how.
Too easy ..
Join Join the community - OpenStreetMap Wiki

Edit Beginners Guide 1.3 - OpenStreetMap Wiki

On deleting those 'roads' ... if you simply delete them ... someone else might just simply add them again .. thus the problem persists! I have taken the step of altering the 'tag' (the way in which things are described) .. a road will have a tag highway=something ... (something could be unclassified, track, motorway etc) ... I simply change the tag to, say, nonexistant:highway=something (keep what ever the something is) ... in this way the information is very obvious to anyone who looks .. yes it generates error messages for various people .. don't let that bother you .. as long as what you put in is correct and the description is obvious. Most OSM people are very good about things that don't quite follow some 'rule'. People who produce maps from OSM data use the official tags to do produce their map .. things that don't fit just get lets out of their maps - thus your retagged road won't appear.

Oh and to the OSM community ... I have mapped in UK, Africa, India, Vietnam and Australia. Generally before I go somewhere I look at the OSM map and compare it to other maps ... then look to make the OSM one better ... if I do that some 3 months before I go I get a better map when I am there ... and once I return I can improve it further. Sometimes there is not much I can add before the trip due to copyright reasons.
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  #19  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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Whatever you choose, also make sure you have a good compass and paper maps - and are confident in using them. Much more adventurous looking at a map and tracking your progress than relying on electrickery gizmos

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  #20  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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One of reasons I only ride night is that it allows me to do celestial navigation. I also never leave the house without my sextant.
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  #21  
Old 8 Jan 2017
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Try one of these Chris





Works with any Sun Compass and just plugs into the cigarette lighter.

Andy
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  #22  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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Have you tried Here Maps. I usually take a gps unit (garmin ) and my phone as a backup, and last year, on my trip to Marrocos it was a life saver. My garmin died and i had to rely on my phone (worked fine). I installed two apps: Maps.me and Here maps, both free and with offline maps installed. For me, Here Maps was a little more accurate, complete and up-to-date.

I always (try to) take a dedicated gps unit because is much easier to use on the go. In my phone, with the wp cover is almost impossible to interact with the device without stopping.

I recently bougt a new garmin zumo 340 for this year adventure (aka trip somewhere) and it works fine. You can always spend much less and buy a car unit that costs 1/4 and does the same. If it rains you can always put it inside your tank bag or buy a cover (or even take some plastic bags and ties).

I also take a paper map with me everytime i leave home. Nothing replaces a true map when you have to plan or find a place, or if you get lost.

Hope it helps.


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  #23  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris View Post
One of reasons I only ride night is that it allows me to do celestial navigation. I also never leave the house without my sextant.
Have you got the Touratech mount part number handy for your sextant Chris?
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  #24  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Have you got the Touratech mount part number handy for your sextant Chris?
Funny you should ask Bertrand, yes I do: 4r5374Lk1nG
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  #25  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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Tobias will along in a minute with a description on how to make one for 16cents I'm still looking for that place in Thailand where he managed to rent a motorcycle with insurance for 10 dollars... Tobias any info please?
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  #26  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
for 10 dollars... Tobias any info please?
Not 10 just 5 dollars per day thats the normal price if you rent a local bike in Asia for a week or longer. Nothing special...thousends of tourists rent there every day. Just ask the locals they know the places. There are hundreds of plaes side by side in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Luang prabang, Pakse and Phnom meng etc etc etc renting out bikes to tourists. Same in Goa, India (with black numberplate) etc. Only on the islands in Thailand its a little more expensive...

http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re..._hong_son_loop
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  #27  
Old 9 Jan 2017
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I still believe in GPS than just using a smartphone app. The good thing about GPS is the offline map, better sat signal, and better power management compared to smartphones. I used a Sony android phone to open Googlemap once in a while when entering cities because the chance of getting better phone signals and more updated maps compared to GPS. But my primary navigator is a cheap yet waterproof Garmin Nuvi 550.

At some part of this world having both is still the wiser option. Can't rely too much on maps especially when it is written in local letters like in India or Thailand. And relying on road signs also could make you travel to places beyond your plan, simply because you don't understand the language and very difficult to use Google translator like what I've experienced during my travel to Thailand.

Cheers!


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  #28  
Old 10 Jan 2017
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GPS

That's like saying is toilet paper necessary !!! They are handy but shit loads of alternatives !!!

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  #29  
Old 10 Jan 2017
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That's like saying is toilet paper necessary !!! They are handy but shit loads of alternatives !!!

Cheers
Paul

bi er
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  #30  
Old 10 Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by rendra-hertiadhi View Post

I still believe in GPS than just using a smartphone app. The good thing about GPS is the offline map, better sat signal, and better power management compared to smartphones. I used a Sony android phone to open Googlemap once in a while when entering cities because the chance of getting better phone signals and more updated maps compared to GPS. But my primary navigator is a cheap yet waterproof Garmin Nuvi 550.
This is no longer true and hasn't been for a while now.
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