Yesterday's rideout confirmed to me that I need a sat nav for the bike. I had to rely on other peoples good will in pointing me in the right direction. That's not my way but another thank you to Liam for helping me out.
What I have.
I have a very capable HTC ONE X.
This phone has a great sat nav which I use in the car. I have no problems with it it works great and I can plug it into the cigarette lighter in the car. The maps on the phone update free of charge every so often. For regular use on the bike i would need a power supply and a way of mounting it
I also have a Samsung S3 which has the same mapping software but I also have 3 spare batteries s so I could maybe do with out a power supply and just use it when I need it. i would need a way to mount it on the bike.
Tom Tom one
Comes with a power lead for a cigarette socket. Map's are about 5 years out of date and not worth spending huge amounts of money updating it considering how much use it would get. I would also need to sort out a power supply and a way of mounting it.
Garmin I3
Takes batteries of which a have a shit load of rechargeable's but only ever used it once and it got me completely lost in Norfolk which is hard to do. so wouldn't have a great amount of trust in it.
That sat nav for the bike wouldn't be used very often, mabe a couple of times a year so I don't want to spend loads of money. Mounts and power supplies cost a fortune so I want to do this on a budget.
Ideas and thoughts appreciated.
Cheers
Chris
Sat Nav idea's please
- NorfolkChris
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- poldark
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
Many people avoid the complexity of mounting a satnav and just have it in their pocket with headphones running audible instructions only.
Certainly a zero cost option using your HTC, would have thought try that first and see if you can live with it. If you don't like the idea of wired in-ear headphones (I use them all the time) then use bluetooth and just get a set of in-helmet speakers.
Though that will drain the phone quicker and then you have power supply wiring to bother with. You could run a charger from a 12V socket under your seat if you want easy power option, if you use bluetooth helmet option.
If you do want to mount the HTC, I've seen good reviews of this - Ultimate Add-Ons
Certainly a zero cost option using your HTC, would have thought try that first and see if you can live with it. If you don't like the idea of wired in-ear headphones (I use them all the time) then use bluetooth and just get a set of in-helmet speakers.
Though that will drain the phone quicker and then you have power supply wiring to bother with. You could run a charger from a 12V socket under your seat if you want easy power option, if you use bluetooth helmet option.
If you do want to mount the HTC, I've seen good reviews of this - Ultimate Add-Ons
Honda NC750X DCT (2017)


- mottza
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
Use the samsung S3 if you have spare batteries. You can get sucker mounts that could be used on the inside of the screen. I suggest having a back up cord just in case it falls off. Thats what I do.
I use NavFree and its great. On iOS and and Android.
I use NavFree and its great. On iOS and and Android.
2023 Honda ADV350 & 2020 Honda Super Cub 125
- poldark
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
I used to run a cheap SatNav on my Burger 650 using the car windscreen sucker mount and it coped well. With Givi screen it was nigh-on impossible to get rained on because of the curvature.
As Chris says worth using an anchor, I got fishing line and this worked well.
As Chris says worth using an anchor, I got fishing line and this worked well.
Honda NC750X DCT (2017)


- NorfolkChris
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
Gn2 have you tried reading a map at 70 mph on the motorway. Doable but it's awkward to get the creases in the right place. Lol
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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Bluebottle
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
But if its any help, this way you can play scrabble at 70 mph:
I use this waterproof enclosure and mount and plug in my helmet speakers/mic or earbuds.

I'm using Garmin on an i-phone 4s but they do cases for all kinds of phones and sat navs as well as mounts for bars, mirror stems etc - same ball fitting as a RAM mount but a lot cheaper. They do waterproof, fused flying leads as kits so you can sort out your power if you don't want to get into soldering.
The case and mounts are from http://www.ultimate-mobiles.co.uk/
and I wrote about it here
Touch screens don't work with my motorcycle gloves so I picked up a cheap stylus or too to nick the ends off them.
I use this waterproof enclosure and mount and plug in my helmet speakers/mic or earbuds.

I'm using Garmin on an i-phone 4s but they do cases for all kinds of phones and sat navs as well as mounts for bars, mirror stems etc - same ball fitting as a RAM mount but a lot cheaper. They do waterproof, fused flying leads as kits so you can sort out your power if you don't want to get into soldering.
The case and mounts are from http://www.ultimate-mobiles.co.uk/
and I wrote about it here
Touch screens don't work with my motorcycle gloves so I picked up a cheap stylus or too to nick the ends off them.
WE ARE THE BURG resistance is futile
The Ugly Bunch-1
The Ugly Bunch-1
- NorfolkChris
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
I like the idea of a phone with headphones giving instructions and I won't have to buy anything which is even better.
To be honest even yesterday I didn't need it all the time. Just the first hour to get me out of Derbyshire. So I think that's the way I'll go.
Thanks for everyone's responses if it doesn't work I'll come back to it
Cheers
Chris
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
To be honest even yesterday I didn't need it all the time. Just the first hour to get me out of Derbyshire. So I think that's the way I'll go.
Thanks for everyone's responses if it doesn't work I'll come back to it
Cheers
Chris
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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gn2
Re: Sat Nav idea's please
Yes and at much higher speeds on the autobahn too.NorfolkChris wrote:Gn2 have you tried reading a map at 70 mph on the motorway. Doable but it's awkward to get the creases in the right place. Lol
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alp231
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Re: Sat Nav idea's please
How about a tunnel bag with a clear map pocket on the top pop your phone in there keep it dry etc?
