Reasons that people still buy and use standalone GPSes
1 - People who don't have unlimited data plans (there are a few)
2 - areas that have absolutely no cell service (some mountain pass areas)
3 - Traveling to another country without a SIM or being charged a crap-ton of data roaming
4 - not wanting to be on Google's records of when/where you are
5 - having a second screen dedicated to navigation
There are probably more, but these are the ones I just pulled out of the air
These units are actually pretty good, if you travel a lot by bike. They are water proof, so you can leave them on the bike all the time.
Yes, the phone can also serve for navigation, but you would need accessories to make it waterproof. Plus the vibration from the bike would probably damage the phone after a bit.
While I do ride and see the need for (have) a stand alone GPS on my bike, just keep a few things in mind:
• this is an old GPS at this point.
• it was offered for this price almost exactly 3 years ago.
If you need an inexpensive GPS for your bike right now (or, perhaps more importantly you own the $200 Touratech locking mount for this and your existing 396lmt-s has died) then this is probably a good option. Or the 4.3 size works well with your bike.
Otherwise I agree that waiting on another $350-$400 deal for the Zumo XT is probably a good way to go. (Or a deal on the xt2 if you've got the cash and space to mount it.)
Timing of this is interesting. I've had a Nuvi with LMT on my bike for a decade now and have loved it. Standalone GPS is awesome.
But I just changed to a RAM mounted widescreen motorcycle Android unit similar to an auto stereo. Waterproof, connects to phone for Android Auto or CarPlay (even though it's android based, still supports Apple), dual bluetooth for connecting phone and helmet/headphones simultaneously and thus also voice commands, has dual camera inputs, SD slot for standard dashcam functionality of loop recording & such, can integrate with TPMS sensors, and I can set up offline maps locally instead of via phone if I want. Only downside is it's not touchscreen; uses A/B selector buttons mounted near the grip.
As an alternative to this use secondary phone with motorcycle navigation app and offline maps. I use Scenic on an old waterproof iphone. Scenic also makes it easy to plan and exchange routes with others. Phone is loaded with music to listen to and radar detector is attached to it via BT. All that goes into the helmet. Works pretty well for me.
I agree with others to not mount your primary phone on the bike. In case of an emergency you'll want to have your phone on you. Had situations where I could see finding someone might be a challenge even if they ride in group.
Reasons that people still buy and use standalone GPSes
1 - People who don't have unlimited data plans (there are a few)
2 - areas that have absolutely no cell service (some mountain pass areas)
3 - Traveling to another country without a SIM or being charged a crap-ton of data roaming
4 - not wanting to be on Google's records of when/where you are
5 - having a second screen dedicated to navigation
There are probably more, but these are the ones I just pulled out of the air
Another one, but that maybe personal. Cars that don't have Apple / Android CarPlay and people don't want to get expensive third party units installed they can buy 7" - 8" gps units for pretty cheap and use them as gps. It leaves phone for music and calling and not overheat.
Yes there are, BUT you need to download the area to your phone first. That's more steps.
Offline phones don't provide traffic. GPS units often have traffic included.
the standalone GPS unit does have real-time traffic if it is not connected to the internet..
it preload the maps to system, it has no diffidence for smartphone to load offline maps....
the standalone GPS unit does have real-time traffic if it is not connected to the internet..
it preload the maps to system, it has no diffidence for smartphone to load offline maps....
Yes, agreed stand-alone gps units can have real time traffic. Some have it and some don't. On a Garmin unit you can typically tell if it has traffic by the letter "T" in the model. NOTE: This one, the LMT-S probably only gets traffic when connected to a smartphone….that's what the -S means.
Stand alone GPS units don't connect to the internet to work ….they use satellites to work. This helps in rural areas without cell signal.
If a smartphone is not using data and is using previously downloaded offline maps, then the smartphone would not have real time traffic.
In order for a smartphone to have real time traffic it needs to have the data on ( can't be offline).
That's a benefit for GPS for those phone users who don't have unlimited data.
Link to a waterproof android phone with mount and usb cord that plugs into bike, also pressure sensitive screen to use with gloves on (don't have to pull over to use it).
Garmin makes really nice high tech watches. TomTom though... I have no idea how they are still around. They must be servicing 3rd world countries with devices. Got to find your niche.
I was surprised to see the TomTom logo pop up on the built-in nav on the Dodge Durango I just rented. Wasn't aware they were still around at all.
How are these standalone GPS navigations speed nowadays? Back just a little over a decade ago a lot of them took forever to find its location and was so slow and laggy. I couldn't see that kind of performance ever working on a moving motorcycle as that causes major high risk situations. Missing exits and or trying to make it the last second because of the slow GPS. I'm assuming these are as fast as Google maps now?
Also I've read a long time ago that these will eventually fail from all the vibrations. The screen literally falls apart I think. They fix that too? I have memory problems so I can rarely go out far because direction is too abstract for me. This would be so nice..
Timing of this is interesting. I've had a Nuvi with LMT on my bike for a decade now and have loved it. Standalone GPS is awesome.
But I just changed to a RAM mounted widescreen motorcycle Android unit similar to an auto stereo. Waterproof, connects to phone for Android Auto or CarPlay (even though it's android based, still supports Apple), dual bluetooth for connecting phone and helmet/headphones simultaneously and thus also voice commands, has dual camera inputs, SD slot for standard dashcam functionality of loop recording & such, can integrate with TPMS sensors, and I can set up offline maps locally instead of via phone if I want. Only downside is it's not touchscreen; uses A/B selector buttons mounted near the grip.
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1 - People who don't have unlimited data plans (there are a few)
2 - areas that have absolutely no cell service (some mountain pass areas)
3 - Traveling to another country without a SIM or being charged a crap-ton of data roaming
4 - not wanting to be on Google's records of when/where you are
5 - having a second screen dedicated to navigation
There are probably more, but these are the ones I just pulled out of the air
Yes, the phone can also serve for navigation, but you would need accessories to make it waterproof. Plus the vibration from the bike would probably damage the phone after a bit.
https://youtu.be/vNCvE03pGoM?si=
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• this is an old GPS at this point.
• it was offered for this price almost exactly 3 years ago.
If you need an inexpensive GPS for your bike right now (or, perhaps more importantly you own the $200 Touratech locking mount for this and your existing 396lmt-s has died) then this is probably a good option. Or the 4.3 size works well with your bike.
Otherwise I agree that waiting on another $350-$400 deal for the Zumo XT is probably a good way to go. (Or a deal on the xt2 if you've got the cash and space to mount it.)
But I just changed to a RAM mounted widescreen motorcycle Android unit similar to an auto stereo. Waterproof, connects to phone for Android Auto or CarPlay (even though it's android based, still supports Apple), dual bluetooth for connecting phone and helmet/headphones simultaneously and thus also voice commands, has dual camera inputs, SD slot for standard dashcam functionality of loop recording & such, can integrate with TPMS sensors, and I can set up offline maps locally instead of via phone if I want. Only downside is it's not touchscreen; uses A/B selector buttons mounted near the grip.
One important thing with the 680 is the mount is very strong. XT mount is a bit lighter duty.
Currently use a 680t on my Husq701/ktm 690.
I agree with others to not mount your primary phone on the bike. In case of an emergency you'll want to have your phone on you. Had situations where I could see finding someone might be a challenge even if they ride in group.
1 - People who don't have unlimited data plans (there are a few)
2 - areas that have absolutely no cell service (some mountain pass areas)
3 - Traveling to another country without a SIM or being charged a crap-ton of data roaming
4 - not wanting to be on Google's records of when/where you are
5 - having a second screen dedicated to navigation
There are probably more, but these are the ones I just pulled out of the air
Another one, but that maybe personal. Cars that don't have Apple / Android CarPlay and people don't want to get expensive third party units installed they can buy 7" - 8" gps units for pretty cheap and use them as gps. It leaves phone for music and calling and not overheat.
Offline phones don't provide traffic. GPS units often have traffic included.
it preload the maps to system, it has no diffidence for smartphone to load offline maps....
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it preload the maps to system, it has no diffidence for smartphone to load offline maps....
Yes, agreed stand-alone gps units can have real time traffic. Some have it and some don't. On a Garmin unit you can typically tell if it has traffic by the letter "T" in the model. NOTE: This one, the LMT-S probably only gets traffic when connected to a smartphone….that's what the -S means.
Stand alone GPS units don't connect to the internet to work ….they use satellites to work. This helps in rural areas without cell signal.
If a smartphone is not using data and is using previously downloaded offline maps, then the smartphone would not have real time traffic.
In order for a smartphone to have real time traffic it needs to have the data on ( can't be offline).
That's a benefit for GPS for those phone users who don't have unlimited data.
..... I hear crickets......
Link to the unit? CarPlay would be epic if it was a slim and bright situation with some kind of way to use it w gloves on.
Thanks!
Also I've read a long time ago that these will eventually fail from all the vibrations. The screen literally falls apart I think. They fix that too? I have memory problems so I can rarely go out far because direction is too abstract for me. This would be so nice..
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But I just changed to a RAM mounted widescreen motorcycle Android unit similar to an auto stereo. Waterproof, connects to phone for Android Auto or CarPlay (even though it's android based, still supports Apple), dual bluetooth for connecting phone and helmet/headphones simultaneously and thus also voice commands, has dual camera inputs, SD slot for standard dashcam functionality of loop recording & such, can integrate with TPMS sensors, and I can set up offline maps locally instead of via phone if I want. Only downside is it's not touchscreen; uses A/B selector buttons mounted near the grip.
Did you get it off ebay or aliexpress/dhgate?