Phone mount Google maps or dedicated GPS?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I know I'm reading what you wrote, but to be clear, (I'm old and dim, lol), you're saying you can listen to your music, (like Spotify or Sirius XM?), through your Garmin XT? AND, it gives you Turn-by-Turn as well? All of this in your ears through wireless bluetooth earbuds, or helmet speakers? I'm not too interested in phone calls while riding, but you can get those also? Interesting option......How easy is it to create a route and send it to you XT?
I JUST bought a Rokform handlebar mount for my Galaxy S22 Ultra so I can get Google Maps up on the screen as well as do all of the above, and I can receive text messages read out in my ear while riding with a Talk-to-Text app on my LG Tone Earbuds. THAT, actually is handy!
I JUST bought a Rokform handlebar mount for my Galaxy S22 Ultra so I can get Google Maps up on the screen as well as do all of the above, and I can receive text messages read out in my ear while riding with a Talk-to-Text app on my LG Tone Earbuds. THAT, actually is handy!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
Ive both on mine. Theres pros and cons to each.
Dedicated GPS
Pro
Touch screen always works
More visible in sunlight
Less heat sensitive
Cell coverage is irrelevant
Con
No traffic information
Slow response
Cumbersome interface
Limited dataset of addresses, restaurants, etc
Phone
Pro
Up to date traffic info
Great dataset
Con
Touch sensitivity when wearing gloves
Can be hard to see in sunlight
Heat sensitivity
Vibration damage
Cell coverage
Dedicated GPS
Pro
Touch screen always works
More visible in sunlight
Less heat sensitive
Cell coverage is irrelevant
Con
No traffic information
Slow response
Cumbersome interface
Limited dataset of addresses, restaurants, etc
Phone
Pro
Up to date traffic info
Great dataset
Con
Touch sensitivity when wearing gloves
Can be hard to see in sunlight
Heat sensitivity
Vibration damage
Cell coverage
On trips I have an older Garmin with a X-Grip mount that I install on my handlebars.
I picked up the Garmin and X-Grip mount off e-bay for I believe $15 for the Garmin and cant recall what I paid for the X-Grip but $25 seems about right.
The Garmin has lifetime maps so before each trip I simple plug it into my computer and update the database.
So in short; get the dedicated GPS.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Ive both on mine. Theres pros and cons to each.
Dedicated GPS
Pro
Touch screen always works
More visible in sunlight
Less heat sensitive
Cell coverage is irrelevant
Con
No traffic information
Slow response
Cumbersome interface
Limited dataset of addresses, restaurants, etc
Phone
Pro
Up to date traffic info
Great dataset
Con
Touch sensitivity when wearing gloves
Can be hard to see in sunlight
Heat sensitivity
Vibration damage
Cell coverage
Dedicated GPS
Pro
Touch screen always works
More visible in sunlight
Less heat sensitive
Cell coverage is irrelevant
Con
No traffic information
Slow response
Cumbersome interface
Limited dataset of addresses, restaurants, etc
Phone
Pro
Up to date traffic info
Great dataset
Con
Touch sensitivity when wearing gloves
Can be hard to see in sunlight
Heat sensitivity
Vibration damage
Cell coverage
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
I know that I've had some issues with Google Maps while out on 40-50 day rides when we're out in the boonies/mountains/desert recently, where I lose cell service and my phone doesn't know where I'm at. I bring my laptop on trips that long for a multitude of reasons, but at night, at the hotel or Airbnb, I will plot out the ride for the next day, be it just a fun day trip in that area, or the ride to our next destination. I input "Stops" along the exact route I want to take and then "Send to my cell phone". The next morning, I pull it up on my phone in my Gmail, hit start, and away I go with the Google Maps gal giving me Turn-by-Turn in my earbuds. I pull up the useless HD Nav Map with my final destination inputted just for a visual reference of what the road looks like. But sometimes, like I was saying, out in the sticks, I'll pull over for gas, lunch, scenic view, or something, climb back on the bike, and Google Maps has lost where I am and won't get back on track. Usually till I get back into cell service. I've seen the option to "Tap to download offline directions for spotty connections on your route", but have never done it. Will that cure my issue of Google Maps not knowing where I am and telling me which way to turn out of the parking lot? Does it use GPS at that point to know where I'm at and where to go? Guess I should have tried that function while on our last few trips, but I definitely will the next time we're headed into the middle of nowhere. So, if it does use GPS to keep track of me, why spend $500 for more GPS?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
If this happens to you, you're not using Google Maps properly.
Last edited by Keithhu; Sep 17, 2022 at 11:13 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I did something similar when I had my Sportster. I would write basic turns and miles with dry erase marker on inside of my windshield. Make a turn, take my thumb and wipe off that direction. Could not get all trip on, but got sections up there to see. Worked well for me then.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
Ok, maybe, so what would you suggest that I'm doing wrong then? It works fine the way I've been using it for many years for the other 99.9% of the time. I already mentioned that I have yet to try the "Download the map" option. Is there something else you see that makes you feel that I'm not using Google Maps properly?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Ok, maybe, so what would you suggest that I'm doing wrong then? It works fine the way I've been using it for many years for the other 99.9% of the time. I already mentioned that I have yet to try the "Download the map" option. Is there something else you see that makes you feel that I'm not using Google Maps properly?