GPS/Iphone Apps

[Broken Hand]

The main advantage to using a stand alone GPS unit is that they are not dependent on cell service to work. Anything based on your cell device needs service to work and you're far more likely to lose cellular service than have the GPS lose the satellite.

Here WeGo app, Nokia's GPS mapping division, allows you to download maps for offline use. I have the West coast downloaded, it takes up a little over a gig of memory space. The entire U.S. is around 4.5 gigs.

[Hodgey1]

Here WeGo app, Nokia's GPS mapping division, allows you to download maps for offline use. I have the West coast downloaded, it takes up a little over a gig of memory space. The entire U.S. is around 4.5 gigs.

I think having the mapping downloaded and not relying on the data/cell signal is key. I see a few like Co-Pilot that you download the maps, do any of them allow you to avoid unpaved roads? That is huge for me, where I live there are still plenty of dirt roads and I refuse to take my F6B down them

[Slammd]

Another option is the Navigon app. It's about $50 and I've been using it for a while and seems to function well. Performs audible turn-by-turn and will allow up to 25 waypoints (stops) for a particular route. Not sure what, if any, limitation the new google app has for this but would am interested in checking it out. Oh, Navigon is also owned by Garmin.

[Hodgey1]

I just downloaded a program from Garmin called Basecamp. It allows you to plan routes by clicking your and customizing the route. You then export it ".GPX file" I have also loaded an app on my iPhone called "Scenic" You then load the .GPX file on the app which once the route is started will give me turn by turn directions on my custom route.

I will be testing it out here as soon as we have a rain free day and I will report back how it worked. The only down side I see with the Basecamp is having to do it on a computer ahead of time. If I choose not to do a predefined route using Basecamp, the Scenic app will work as a basic navigation system to do my routing with options like avoid highways. It use downloaded base maps, so it's not cell signal dependant.

[unsub]

Anyone having any success using their Iphone as a trip planner and turn by turn navigation aid? I have the sena 10 Bluetooth and I'm debating weather or not I could get by using my Iphone for direction instead of spending $500 on a Garmin? I'm particularly interested in the apps you are using, if you are having success.

I down loaded "inRoute" iphone app which looks pretty user friendly but it comes with a pricey subscription which I don't mind paying if it works well?

BTW Navigon just updated their app and gave the UI a refresh. I find Navigon is hard on the phone battery.

Google maps does a pretty good job of giving you the lay of the land and it's free.

Personally I find the phone a better tool for pedestrian navigation, or for giving someone directions.

Ah, but back to a trip planner: When you do land on a GPS you like give Honda's trip planner a try. You need to register to use all the features, but you're not under any obligations.

http://tripplanner.honda.com/#/

[Hodgey1]

BTW Navigon just updated their app and gave the UI a refresh. I find Navigon is hard on the phone battery.

Google maps does a pretty good job of giving you the lay of the land and it's free.

Personally I find the phone a better tool for pedestrian navigation, or for giving someone directions.

Ah, but back to a trip planner: When you do land on a GPS you like give Honda's trip planner a try. You need to register to use all the features, but you're not under any obligations.

http://tripplanner.honda.com/#/

The problem with the Honda route planner and others like it is, most don't have the ability to avoid unpaved roads. Where I live dirt roads are everywhere and a lot with very loose gravel . The Garmin Basecamp software shows all unpaved roads as a dashed line making it easy to avoid the dirt road issue. I have planned a few routes to test the combination of basecamp/Scenic App/IPhone navigation and will be testing soon.

[2kewlgypsy]

David - it is a iPhone app, but doesn't use wifi - It uses GPS, so it doesn't mess with the data. Its a free download, and you have to have storage for the maps, but I did pay for a traffic upgrade that does use some wifi (though used it for quite a while without that)

[Hornblower]

David - it is a iPhone app, but doesn't use wifi - It uses GPS, so it doesn't mess with the data. Its a free download, and you have to have storage for the maps, but I did pay for a traffic upgrade that does use some wifi (though used it for quite a while without that)

CoPilot GPS is also a free app for Android. Looks pretty good to me

[Hodgey1]

I just downloaded a program from Garmin called Basecamp. It allows you to plan routes by clicking your and customizing the route. You then export it ".GPX file" I have also loaded an app on my iPhone called "Scenic" You then load the .GPX file on the app which once the route is started will give me turn by turn directions on my custom route.

I will be testing it out here as soon as we have a rain free day and I will report back how it worked. The only down side I see with the Basecamp is having to do it on a computer ahead of time. If I choose not to do a predefined route using Basecamp, the Scenic app will work as a basic navigation system to do my routing with options like avoid highways. It use downloaded base maps, so it's not cell signal dependant.

I have to update everyone on my previous post about Garmins program "Basecamp". As I really like it so far for custom routes, I'm a little disappointed after just realizing that you must currently have a Garmin "which I do for my car" or purchase the maps to do the routing when I did my test routes using the basecamp, I was using a computer which I had updated the maps for my Garmin Nuvi and apparently it was using those as the base maps? Today I tried doing a custom route on a different computer and it told me I needed to download maps$$$.

I just wanted to update people in case they wanted to try Basecamp for themselves which so far I still highly recommend other than the necessity to pay for maps unless you already have a Garmin

[Hodgey1]

I spent a lot of time preplanning this cool test route on country roads I'd never been on, using the Basecamp Gamin software. I Loaded the .gpx file on my iphone using he scenic app. Tonight I'm ready to test it out and Everytime I launch the app it crashes.... thank fully I had monkeyed with the route so much, that I had memorized most of it and didn't disappoint the group I was leading. I will have to delete the app and reload it, and try again. Anyone else creating custom routes?