My cheap alternative to GPS.

[~Cheap_Ride~]

Seeing that I dont own a gps and have always used my phone to get me out of a jam I wanted a cheap alternative to having a gps on my bike in the event I get lost and need directions. The other advantage is an accurate speedometer. I now know that my bike says I am going 2 mph faster than what I really am.

I did not want to take the chance of destroying my new I phone 5 so I rescued my old HTC Incredible II out from the desk drawer and using wifi was able to download an app called Navfree. It downloads maps to the phone so needing data service is not necessary. You do need to turn on your local GPS location service. I searched to find a decent mount that wasnt expensive and found this one on Amazon's website. http://www.amazon.com/ChargerCity-Motor ... ycle+mount

It only cost me $15 bucks and some change and seeing my daughter wanted to buy something with her own money we combined and got the free shipping option.

The mount works well and doesnt move around even when I go over the double railroad tracks on the way to work every day. It can handle a small gps unit too along with a bunch of other brands of cell phones. I have gone on the interstate now testing my bikes speed and wot for 1 mile I held 69 mph and occasionally the gps would flash to 70 then go back to 69. Here are some pictures of my set up.

[~Cheap_Ride~]

Ok not sure why some of the pics are upside down as they show up fine on my pc, but you get the general idea.

[gn2]

I use the thing between my ears.
Costs even less.

[you you]

I use the thing between my ears.
Costs even less.

Aren't you using yer compass in your Clark's Commandos?

[gn2]

Never had those, I had Moonwalk ones with a magnet in the heel and a sole pattern that looked like craters.

[you you]

Never had those, I had Moonwalk ones with a magnet in the heel and a sole pattern that looked like craters.

Cool

Tell the kids today and the don't believed you...

[hatari]

bloke down our way uses a map - not sure if it will catch on though.......

[mdouglas71]

Not bad. A old phone is definitely a good GPS.
Honestly, I use my iphone 5 if I need to get anywhere. It's pretty much the same thing tome.

[mrdtrotter]

Google maps works a treat with head phones and thats free, even better now I have the scala rider Q1 headset. Perfect.

[you you]

bloke down our way uses a map - not sure if it will catch on though.......

Not on a bike in the rain.

[tbln930]

Waterproof locking tank bag with clear map pocket on my Strom.

[you you]

My GPS is a Giant Piece of String. Always gets me back home....

[waspmike]

The thing is with SatNav they get you to where you want to go but you don't necessarily know how or where.

Maybe others do but I like to actually plan the route rather than simply follow. Google maps and a printer. Then use odometer.

You can't get lost with a SatNav, but sometimes whilst getting lost you discover things and places you would never have found otherwise.

For work business where time is important OK.

[tbln930]

I updated my wife's old TomTom 720 (from 2010) and with the latest firmware and maps it is actually works very well. It an even alerts me when I get 5 mph over the speed limit and has gas stations, restaurants, etc.. They say you can pick them up used for $50 on Craigslist and then $25 for the one-time new maps with discount and just update the firmware for free. I also put a new $12 battery in it off of EBay but I run power to it.

I use the Tyre application to create my routes and then Tyre runs the TomTom software and updates the itinerary to it. Works great. The only issue I found is that the TomTom has a 48 point waypoint limit so I am miserly with waypoints a bit. I think it is tough to beat the Tyre program. It works with Garmin, TomTom, Google Maps and Earth, etc..

http://www.tyretotravel.com/

I still have my Samsung Galaxy S6 on board for communications and it is a GPS backup but the touchscreen and display isn't ideal for GPS use with gloves and in the sun.