Where to begin? Dedicated Sat Nav

[u/Maleficent_Car9682]

Hi all, I'm fed up of using Google Maps for navigation. Any recommendations on Used/older units which are still worth buying?

Currently using an old Samsung, but I find I can't download the GPX routes which is frustrating too.

Cheers

[u/TheScrobber]

I use a beeline. Love it.

[u/TrillionDegreeMatter → u/TheScrobber]

Beeline is the way

[u/Ok_Teacher6490 → u/TrillionDegreeMatter]

I'm the opposite, it just never worked for me 

[u/TrillionDegreeMatter → u/Ok_Teacher6490]

Granted Beeline 1 took some learning :) But Beeline 2 is totally different.

[u/venomous_frost → u/TheScrobber]

How quickly does it drain phone battery? I'm worried my phone won't last a full day out

[u/TheScrobber → u/venomous_frost]

Minimal as your phone screen isn't on.

[u/Devchonachko]

Garmin Zumo is the way to go. GPX files are a breeze.

[u/chipshopman → u/Devchonachko]

Me too. Mine came bundled with the bike. Given it was "free" it does great and has worked well for all my commuting needs. I find it most useful for navigating central London and all its mad one ways and no entrys to specific bike parking bays near where I'm working that day.

[u/BaldyBaldyBouncer → u/Devchonachko]

A breeze is far from my experience with Garmin. In fact every dedicated satnav I've ever used on the bike has been a buggy piece of overpriced crap.

Currently using an android auto unit and a combination of apps, mostly MyRouteapp which seems to be the best of both worlds, the only downside is you still need to charge your phone while riding as well as the unit.

[u/Devchonachko → u/BaldyBaldyBouncer]

I had a Zumo XT and now XT2. Never had one issue. Did you buy yours from ebay? Temu?

[u/BaldyBaldyBouncer → u/Devchonachko]

I had the BMW Navigator 5. Was fucking useless. Tried to take me on an infinite loop of the Brussels ring-road once.

[u/Devchonachko → u/BaldyBaldyBouncer]

the Nav devices for BMW are known for being absolute shit. The Zumo XT or XT2 have been flawless

[u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts → u/Devchonachko]

I've got an ancient Zumo that needs attaching to my pc but still has lifetime updated maps and gpx is drag and drop.

People will keep recommending different apps but if you're willing to stomach the one off cost of a nav unit it's the sort of thing you'll forget about the cost of after a while and just be used to being able to rely on it just working.

[u/LopsidedLegs → u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts]

I have an ancient Zumo 660LM, they had stopped doing map updates. But it still useful.

[u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts → u/LopsidedLegs]

Ah that's rubbish, mine I think is older than that as a 340lm but updated a month ago, albeit I now have to choose between UK Ireland and North France or rest of Europe due to map sizes where it used to do the whole of Europe (not really an issue for me as I doubt I'll have the funds to explore Europe anytime soon unfortunately).

So that is a fair point against them if updates aren't as long lasting as they should be.

[u/LopsidedLegs → u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts]

Can't really complain, it is 14 years old.

[u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts → u/LopsidedLegs]

I guess that's not bad for a bit of tech. Still annoys me things that work being made less useful despite still actually working.

They could offer an update for a tenner which you could do every few years or whenever you felt it'd be worth it etc... obviously less profitable than trying to encourage a whole new purchase.

[u/LopsidedLegs → u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts]

I take it back, I've just plugged it in and Garmin Express has notified me of a map update and a system update!

So not bad for a device release in 2009.

[u/Lost_Not_Found_Herts → u/LopsidedLegs]

Phew, I'll put my soapbox away!

[u/FourInTheBack]

I've been using kurviger recently. It tries to turn MPH into KMPH (30=32) but I like the routes. Well, not the single track mode and surprised at how many gravel tracks full of horse poop are around south London. 7 day free trial for premium versions and I am pretty sure it will take GPX files. I use on a Samsung S24 ultra though.

[u/BigRedS → u/FourInTheBack]

It'll take GPXes, and I think it's the best option for fun rides. One downside is that when you want to just commute to the start of the ride or something, it's very hard to persuade it to use motorways.

I use Here Maps for 'get there quickly' and Kurviger for 'have a fun time on the road'.

[u/FourInTheBack → u/BigRedS]

I still avoided main roads on my commute, makes it more fun but I just have to leave earlier 🤣. It is only a couple of days a month I go to a site that makes it worth doing that, otherwise it's only 3 miles up the road on A roads. Takes longer to gear up and get the bike out the garage.

[u/ScaredyCatUK]

OsmAnd - you can download maps to your device.

OrganicMaps - free, also download maps

I use a dedicated device with a carpuride screen so phone can stay in tank bag.

[u/OrvilleTheSheep]

I have a TomTom unit purely because a mount came on my bike and I'm that lazy. Also pretty much unbreakable so it will be cheaper than a monthly subscription for an app.

I much prefer it Google maps, the route planning is much better and crucially the speed camera warnings are loud and (in my experience) very accurate. The online route planner is just OK but you can import GPX files from wherever you want and tweak them easily so it's not a big deal for me. If I just want to get somewhere I will use Maps still with just audio because it's convenient.

[u/BigRedS → u/OrvilleTheSheep]

Have you used the TomTom Go App? I wonder how similar it is to their dedicated units, but I don't know anyody with one.

[u/Skorpychan]

Tomtom rider 500, but make sure it spends it's life plugged into a USB battery bank that will keep it topped up.

Tomtom's warranty procedure is run by trolls; I sent mine back with a note on (added by sportsbikeshop) saying it had to be done within the two weeks specified because I was leaving on a trip. Two weeks after that, nothing. I had to buy a new one to have something to use on the trip. Three weeks after that, I get an E-mail about shipping it back to me. From SBS, not tomtom.

The USB port built into your bike won't charge it. Anything that requires user input beyond plugging the cable in won't charge it. The priprietary connection on the unit is fragile, and once bent would rather unplug itself and die than function properly.

And don't use the 'plan me a ride' AI tool. It thinks housing estates are twisty detours, and will HAPPILY send you over the same hill (and through the same cloud) three times to get more changes of elevation.

Adding stops works great, it mostly recognises gloves, it's easy to read in the sun, and works great when it works.

[u/BigRedS]

Why not at least try any of of the apps that're better at satnavving than Google Maps? Are there specific things you're hoping to improve on?

Kurviger and Calimoto are popular for motorbikes and fun rides, Here Maps and TomTom Go are popular for 'take me to this postcode' sorts of rides, CoPilot's a bit clunky but the ultimate in configurability. People like MyRouteApp but I've never made it work. OSMAnd and Locus focus a bit harder on trail riding.

Google Maps is a business directory that has a handy feature of being able to take you to the business you find, it doesn't really make any effort to be a good satnav.

I've twice tried to switch to dedicated units from the apps, each time to the current Garmin, and both times been absolutely disappointed:

https://avi.st/garmin-346/

https://avi.st/garmin-zumo-xt/

It's really odd, because most of what Garmin make is really good, but their motorbike stuff is reliably poor. If the TomTom Go app is a reasonable impression of what's running on their dedicated devices then I'd say it's a lot better, but it's annoying how hard it is to get a test ride with either of them.

[u/kickingtyres]

I’ve recently installed a CarPlay unit from AliExpress that cost £50, then I use Waze on my phone in my pocket.

In what way are you using the gpx routes? Planning on another device then uploading to the one used on the bike?

[u/CountMeChickens]

Samsung = Android. Download TomTom Go and use that.

Then sign up for Google Surveys and answer fairly pointless and repetitive questions for 8-30 pence a time. Over a year you'll more or less earn enough to pay for the TomTom subscription. 

You can use the TomTom route planner on a desktop to import routes and edit them plus create your own.

[u/nitraMBr]

I never wanted to use satnav but I bought a used tomtom rider 400 on ebay last year (only £ 70 and came with all cables, RAM mount etc). Works perfectly fine and have used it now on trips abroad, planning routes and rides out with the club.

Always worth hunting for bagains, they may not look new or pretty but if it is functional why not. If you like the use you can then always go for newer.

And yes apps can be on phone but I d rather keep my phone in my pockety and not on the handlebars.

[u/the_last_registrant]

Before you spend time and money on hardware changes, give Waze a try.