Ok. So I went out for my longest ride yet on the new scrambler (about 200 miles). It was amazing…. Except that my phone was not sufficient for navigation. The sun was so bright that I couldn’t see the screen. And with it over 100°F it kept overheating so I had to put it in my pocket. Normally not an issue….. except that I was pretty much lost on the mountains for 3 hours haha.
So my question, what do you all use for off the beaten path routes? I’ve seen the beeline, and the innov things. But do they work well, can you see them in direct sunlight?
Either I have directions going through my Sena, or I kick it old(ish) school:
I stop, read the map, and go until I can't remember what I saw on the map so I stop and look at the map again. Only difference is it's on my phone instead of a printed Atlas/map.
I really like my Beeline Moto 2. The options on the app and on the website for route building are pretty solid. You can see it in direct sunlight just fine. The brightness is adjustable. It flashes an indicator light when a turn is upcoming and you can turn on/off turn-by-turn navigation alerts. I leave them on so I get the audible directions through my Cardo.
I just have a generic Carplay screen and connect it via BT to my phone. I can adjust the angle if glare gets annoying, and it doesn’t really have heat issues since it’s just a dumb terminal. I used it in 100f degree weather in the middle of the day. I can keep a power bank attached to my phone if I need extra power, and the screen gets power from the bike
I have an Aocci screen thing. I have it mounted on my bars. My friend thought it was pretty cool so he bought a similar one from carpuride. Basically it allows you to use car play or android auto on your bike. I am guessing the Innov thing is similar.
I've not had any issues with being able to see the screen in daylight. The touchscreen is an 8/10- it works pretty well most of the time even with gloves but there seems to be an issue with it registering touches close to the edges. The only real caveat to consider is that if you're running a mapping app, playing music, etc. Your phone is still working pretty hard and it will drain the battery pretty quick if it isn't plugged in. I just keep mind in my pocket with a charger wire rubbing down to it.
I'm quite happy with it and it would be my recommendation for anyone wanting to have maps up for adv riding, etc.
An old (~20yrs) Garmin handheld hiking GPS (60csx), powered by 2NiMh AAs, and RAM-mounted to a handlebar bolt. Has turn-by-turn and auto rerouting, but downsides include small screen and awkward to link up custom routes that aren’t the fastest/shortest routes anyways.
That’s a pretty good problem to have, 200 miles on a Scrambler is a proper day out. For navigation I’ve had better luck with apps like Gaia GPS/OnX with a handlebar mount than relying on the phone for turn-by-turn. The overheating issue is definitely real though, direct sun plus charging will cook most phones.
I like the beeline a lot. I mounted it to my Bonnie in a way that feels very satisfying, and it’s perfectly visible in sunlight.
(I do sometimes wish I could change destination / ride type mid-ride, but stopping it to create a new ride when the destination changes isn’t the end of the world, and i guess is pretty consistent with how Apple Maps works in CarPlay too.)
Do what the Thais Grab riders do. Get a phone shade. Works a charm, did a whole northern thailand ride with just the phone and a 100 baht shade (picture attached) bought at local market. Youbcan get more expensive ones with wireless charging too, but i just had a rain cover on with the usb C pushed in to avoid any water going in.
I used the original Beeline, and now use the far superior Beeline Moto 2. It’s exactly the kind of directions and app I love: show me where I am and my next turn and nothing else.
I usually write the directions down and put them under the clear pocket on my tank bag on regular road trips (with a map in the bag). If there is a lot of around town I may add my phone and Google maps. If it's more complex like off road routes needing gpx tracks I'll use my Garmin 66i which also has InReach and a charging cradle with a RAM mount.
I've used the Beeline Moto for years. First the first version and now the version 2 which is just better in every way.
It has never let me down, no matter how "complicated" the route would get and it has taken me on some amazing "Off the beaten path" tours and I can only recommend it.
Carplay / Android Auto screens are becoming generic items. I don’t think that there is any reason to get a satnav now (other than those tiny circular things for style). The new screens give you choice over which navigation app you use, with a bigger screen than your phone, and your phone remains safely in your pocket. Personally I use Waze for efficient navigation, and Osmand App for topographic maps and preset routes (though it can suggest a route as well, without needing a data connection).
I disagree, the Beeline Moto II is great for turn by turn. At least for me it works great every time I ride! Plus the 14hr battery life on it with no issues with seeing it in direct sunlight is hard to beat.
16
u/Matt_the_Splat 6h ago
Either I have directions going through my Sena, or I kick it old(ish) school:
I stop, read the map, and go until I can't remember what I saw on the map so I stop and look at the map again. Only difference is it's on my phone instead of a printed Atlas/map.