[Mafia]

So far there is no viable navigation solution for bikers!

Investing in a bike with an inbuilt navigation device seems the most effective. Scooters have it easier than the bikes as there are existing models which have navigation on a large screen (Ather and Ola S1)

[camitesh]

Originally Posted by NSK123

Thanks for your insights. I am using Portronics bluetooth headset which has a clip with buttons which can be put on the collar. I thought going to a smart watch would be better. After dropping the phone once, I am worried about putting the phone on mobile holder again. You made me think twice on smart watch.

Glad to be of help. If you really need something decent for navigation, try a good quality phone mount (like RAM mounts) or an entry level dedicated helmet intercom set. This should set you off by Rs. 4-5 k but should work better than most smartwatch navigation.

[Himalayan_Ice]

I just did Gurgaon > Jaipur > Jodhpur > Jaisalmer > Bikaner > Jhunjhunu > Gurgaon navigated exclusively through airpods and the phone.
Some stuff that I figured:

• Navigation on the Sena was audible in the city
• Not audible on highway speeds due to the wind noise
• Anyway cannot use helmet comms on highway because I use filters for wind noise
• Airpods work better due to their noise cancellation tech, but everytime you take your helmet off, prepare to find one (or often both) on the ground. For something that rests IN your ear, I don't think being on the pavement is the best idea
• Google navigation through voice is pathetic for in-city navigation. Ever heard google say "take left on jan pratinidhi marg and then stay on jan pratinidhi marg to enter baba ram rahim the love charger ashram road"?
• Anyway by the time it manages to say all that, the left you were supposed to take is far gone, and you've entered a street where either you waddle your 300kg bike backward, while getting glares from helmet-less angry activa guys, or you get the agility to turn around like the garbage grazing bull that now stands in your way
• Multiple times I did not hear any update from the app, and stopped the bike to check if I have shut the app by mistake

All said, the only real options are a GPS navigation unit, or a second hand older phone that has wireless charging loaded with a JIO SIM.

I would honestly prefer a GPS unit, but we don't seem to have any around!

[kiki_13]

I have been looking for a GPS Navigation solution for my bike for some time now. I tried keeping the smartphone in the top pouch of the tank bag, due to which the phone was heating up a lot. A foolhardy decision of leaving the zip a tiny bit open for ventilation, the phone slid through and fell on the road while riding. A dedicated GPS device with a RAM mount has been on my mind for the past year or more. As if on cue, this thread popped in front of me when I was in the Motorbikes sub-forum. I am just a day old in this forum.

Reading the inputs from seasoned, experienced riders, I have got good insight. My dilemma, whether to buy a dedicated GPS navigation device, seems to be resolved.

[AlQuazi]

For everyone asking for a dedicated navigation device and (rightly) not wanting to use your phone. Here are my two cents. I have tried it, it works

1. Buy a RE Tripper pod which comes with the Meteor or the Himalayan
2. Catch hold of someone with a RE Motorcycle registered to his/her name.
3. The tripper pod only requires a 12V power supply (from Battery and Ignition) and a Ground connection.
4. Figure out a mounting position/mechanism. I used lots of duct tape and wound it around the LH mirror stalk.
   
   
   
5. Login using your RE friend's credentials into the app. In case he/she has never used the app, first time login requires OTP sent to the registered mobile number. Subsequent logins work with a password.
6. Have fun navigating

Pros of the RE Tripper

• Dedicated hardware only for navigation
• App works with Google Maps support.
• Colorful and informative display. Although the icons do take some time to get used to.
• Because this is an OEM developed hardware, it is expected to be sufficiently vibration resistant and ingress proof!
• Fact that it works purely with +12 and Ground and is not communicating with vehicle CAN makes it adaptable to any vehicle - RE or not!
• Mounting should be fairly straightforward. You can purchase the mounting brackets for Meteor or the Himalayan and figure out the rest or make some simple brackets from scratch.
• All you need is the RE app logged in. I turned to a friend with an INT 650 and was able to login (even though the INT doesn't get the tripper pod).

Cons of the RE Tripper Pod for Navigation

• I borrowed the pod from a friend's meteor. Not sure what the retail price is for the pod and if RE retails it over the counter!

Overall - Simple device for navigation with a user friendly app, BLE integration with the Mobile and continued support of Google Maps ( Let's face it - NOTHING comes close to Google Maps!)

[neil.jericho]

Folks, just my suggestion, stick to the tried and tested methods. Get a decent phone holder and use an old phone for navigation. The bigger the screen, the better.

If you can afford to get the expensive RAM mount and holder, dont even think twice. Get it. It should cost around Rs 4.5K. If you are on a budget, get that inexpensive X phone holder and keep checking that it is tight, once in a while.

If you get the original RAM mount, you will be able to set the phone up high. I keep the phone close to my central line of vision so that me having to momentarily look at the phone, doesnt take my eyes away from the road for long. I see some riders push these phone holders out to the side, but that is going to result in just precious time being lost taking your eyes off the road.

I actually dont need the sound inputs to help me with navigation, so that takes care of one problem.

Please avoid using smart watches and other tiny screens for navigation. They will be a bigger distraction than a help, unless you have pulled over to the side of the road and are carefully checking the screen. Im not a big fan of Royal Enfields Tripper Navigation for this same reason. I would rather just put an old phone next to it and use that instead.

[rarkit]

Originally Posted by himalyan_ice

• Google navigation through voice is pathetic for in-city navigation. Ever heard google say "take left on jan pratinidhi marg and then stay on jan pratinidhi marg to enter baba ram rahim the love charger ashram road"?
• Anyway by the time it manages to say all that, the left you were supposed to take is far gone, and you've entered a street where either you waddle your 300kg bike backward, while getting glares from helmet-less angry activa guys, or you get the agility to turn around like the garbage grazing bull that now stands in your way
• Multiple times I did not hear any update from the app, and stopped the bike to check if I have shut the app by mistake

All said, the only real options are a GPS navigation unit, or a second hand older phone that has wireless charging loaded with a JIO SIM.

I would honestly prefer a GPS unit, but we don't seem to have any around!

Absolutely agree with your google navigation through voice experience. I tried a few times every time google would say turn in xhundred meters x would not be audible and I would have to guess how many hundred meters later I was supposed to turn. And god forbid there is a circle with 5 different exits, you will keep going in circles.

Btw, what is the reason for loading the second hand phone specifically with JIO SIM? After looking for more than a year my conclusion is the same. Just use an old phone.

Originally Posted by AlQuazi

I borrowed the pod from a friend's meteor. Not sure what the retail price is for the pod and if RE retails it over the counter!

I have considered this in past but this is a big problem for pretty much everyone except the lucky few. One could feel a certain degree of confidence in such a device since a lot of research would have gone into designing it, if only we could get our hands on it.

[Himalayan_Ice]

Originally Posted by rarkit

Btw, what is the reason for loading the second hand phone specifically with JIO SIM? After looking for more than a year my conclusion is the same. Just use an old phone.

Jio SIM primarily because I hope to go deeper into Himachal on the motorcycle this year. Went to Spiti in the car last summer and the only decent connection in a lot of remote areas was Jio. Also, they got Jio 4G in Chicham Khas this year.
Anything for the 'gram.

Originally Posted by kiki_13

I have been looking for a GPS Navigation solution for my bike for some time now. I tried keeping the smartphone in the top pouch of the tank bag, due to which the phone was heating up a lot. A foolhardy decision of leaving the zip a tiny bit open for ventilation, the phone slid through and fell on the road while riding. A dedicated GPS device with a RAM mount has been on my mind for the past year or more. As if on cue, this thread popped in front of me when I was in the Motorbikes sub-forum. I am just a day old in this forum.

Reading the inputs from seasoned, experienced riders, I have got good insight. My dilemma, whether to buy a dedicated GPS navigation device, seems to be resolved.

I have not been able to figure a decent navigation device till now, and by the looks of it, no one else on this thread has either.

The solution seems to be one of those Indian Cricketer promoted phones (VIVO / POCO) that you don't mind losing the camera on, mounted on a handlebar phone mount.

I have a mount with wireless charging, so will prefer a phone with that capability.

I understand that it is a rather expensive solution, but given the cost of entertainment led motorcycling today, it is but a needle jab after being stabbed with a 12 inch blade.

[navin_v8]

The tried and tested method I have been using since the past 10+ years is SMPDGPS (Smartphone Dedicated GPS)

1. Get the cheapest smartphone with inbuilt GPS where it can latch on A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, etc. This setup can work with or without a SIM card. If one wants online maps they can use their secondary SIM (assuming most of us have at least two SIM's). For offline mode one can download offline maps like HERE, Sygic, etc. which does not require internet connection. For those not having any second SIM they can always switch on their Wi-Fi and use it as a hotspot to power the SMPDGPS. With today's phones' average battery capacity as large as 5000 mAH, it can last quite a while. Else get an aftermarket 12V charging unit installed on the bike or carry a pocket size power bank.

2. Buy a RAM mount, preferably the cradle frame model and not the X grip as nothing grips and secures one's phone like the cradle frame RAM mount. Besides if one is using their expensive smart phone for navigation on the bike then it makes all the more sense to buy a RAM mount for safe and secure mounting. RAM Mount unlike those zip pouch like mounts allows air to circulate around the phone, thereby making it less likely to overheat.

3. Incase one requires voice navigation they can use a cheap communication system like the Parani M10. But this is optional as I find the SMPDGPS setup adequate without voice assistance.

The beauty of using an SMPDGPS is, they are affordable compared to dedicated GPS devices, one doesn't need to rely on the GPS service provider for updates, SMPDGPS can also double up as a dash cam as long as the mounting system does not block its camera (Smartphones today have come a long way with image stabilization and stuff), all in all it is a versatile device.

It is my prediction that the way Smartphones have put cameras, dedicated GPS, etc. out of business they will soon become an alternative to action camera's like GoPro, DJI, Insta360, SJCAM, etc.

[AlQuazi]

https://youtu.be/qDMu4XzyGDs

A video showing point to point navigation in the recently launched Yezdi Adventure. I have experienced the same functionality in the Meteor as well as the Suzuki Burgman. While these simple arrows get the job done in most cases, in some scenarios, having that colorful map in your view gives a better perspective to things.

I reckon we are still some time away from seeing the kind of graphics mobile phones can display coming as stock in speedometers of affordable two wheelers.

[PatienceWins]

Originally Posted by AlQuazi

https://Youtu.be/qDMu4XzyGDs
A video showing point to point navigation in the recently launched Yezdi Adventure. I have experienced the same functionality in the Meteor as well as the Suzuki Burgman. While these simple arrows get the job done in most cases, in some scenarios, having that colorful map in your view gives a better perspective to things.

I reckon we are still some time away from seeing the kind of graphics mobile phones can display coming as stock in speedometers of affordable two wheelers.

My experience with the tripr navigation on new Himalayan is that it drains the mobile battery fast. So a long ride requires mobile on power bank in the tank bag or jacket pocket.

[Himalayan_Ice]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

The beauty of using an SMPDGPS is, they are affordable compared to dedicated GPS devices, one doesn't need to rely on the GPS service provider for updates, SMPDGPS can also double up as a dash cam as long as the mounting system does not block its camera (Smartphones today have come a long way with image stabilization and stuff), all in all it is a versatile device.

This seems very encouraging. Would you have product recommendations, especially ones that'd have wireless charging? Google and Amazon have so many options that it's become impossible to pick one, plus I don't trust their review system.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by himalyan_ice

This seems very encouraging. Would you have product recommendations, especially ones that'd have wireless charging? Google and Amazon have so many options that it's become impossible to pick one, plus I don't trust their review system.

I am not aware about wireless charging options when the mobile is mounted on the motorcycle. Up until recently I was using Redmi 1S as SMPDGPS. Back in 2014 when it was launched it used to retail for 6K and could latch onto AGPS, GLONASS, etc. It was adequate but screen brightness was a little low.

At present there are lots of options to choose from. I would prefer a 6.5 inch Amoled display as Amoled display is brighter and consumes less power than IPS LCD. Most phones today come with 5000 mAH battery and can latch on to AGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, etc. Redmi Note 10 base model at 10K when it was launched was ideal for use as an SMPDGPS. This is much cheaper than a dedicated GPS device and is versatile too.

For video capture most budget phones offer EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) like Mi, Realme, etc. While OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) which is much better is available in high end models like One Plus, Apple, Samsung, etc. Currently the configuration is adequate for amateur video capture, but it is evolving and will threaten action cameras in the near future.