[superslomo]

Anyone have a good mounting solution for an Android or iphone that will let me keep it safe, protected from moisture, and still visible for use as a GPS unit? Trying not to spend any money at the moment I don't have to, and a Garmin is a little rich for my blood...

 

[garandman]

Arkon waterproof hard case with mount. $20 or so.

 

[rjsurfer]

I'm not sure how a smartphone would work on a bike, I know with my Droid the touchscreen doesn't work well if I put a piece of soft plastic over the screen and I know using gloves is a no go with those types of screens.

Ron W.

 

[Chefdave]

Currently using a droid in the map pocket of my tank bag. I'm having problems with it overheating though.

 

[DC_Dave]

I frequently used my android phone as a gps in fact I am posting this message using my droid phone speech recognition.

That's said, however, I prefer using a dedicated garmin gps to using android phone as gps. I prefer using a garmin gps because the user interface is easier to use and more refined .

Yesterday, while on a road trip with my family, my android phone gps cost me an extra 45 minutes because it is difficult to see the roads not on your route, and as a result, I got stuck in traffic when I was unable to drive around it.

 

[T_parsons]

Keeping your phone's cool.

I too use a smart phone as a gps on my bike. I use the waterproof case shown above but also deal with overheating issues. However, one thing does help. I purchased a small funnel and a length of 1/2" black tubing from the hardware store. I inserted the funnel into one end of the tube and tie wrapped it to stay put. I then tie wrapped that to my forks up under the front cowl. I routed the other end of the tube up to the waterproof case and inserted the end into the charger cord hole on the bottom side just enough to poke through to the inside. This setup provides just enough airflow to keep the phone from overheating while underway. However, it will still get too hot if sitting still in traffic. I am still planning on picking up a Garmin, but this setup does the trick for now.

 

[TheWall]

I use an HTC Hero (Android) on my bike. I picked up a Tech-Mount handlebar mount from Twisted Throttle that works pretty well. I've found that, positioned where it is on the handlebars, rain isn't really a factor although I'll admit that when it is really raining hard, I leave the phone in my pocket or in a saddlebag. If you really needed it in a downpour, I'd say a ziploc bag would probably work. As for using the GPS while riding, I've got a stylus that I intend to leash to the handlebars so that I can still operate the smartphone while wearing gloves (traffic lights or on the side of the road only!!!), and I picked up a Scoshe FM-transmitter from Amazon.com that I use to pipe the audio navigation into a Scala Rider bluetooth headset on my helmet. The system works reasonably well, although battery drain is an issue. I intend to add a 12V outlet to the bike, but haven't done it yet...

 

[garandman]

I use an HTC Hero (Android) on my bike. I picked up a Tech-Mount handlebar mount from Twisted Throttle that works pretty well. //

That's a really nice piece of gear!

 

[BigMan73]

Anyone have a good mounting solution for an Android or iphone that will let me keep it safe, protected from moisture, and still visible for use as a GPS unit? Trying not to spend any money at the moment I don't have to, and a Garmin is a little rich for my blood...

I would not advise using a cell phone as a Motorcycle GPS unit.
It is not the right tool for the job - I just installed a Nuvi 765. When I come to visit you, I'll show it to you.
It is robust, has custom routes, fast, has media player, big screen, blue tooth and has a screen that works with gloves - I know it is not cheap $200, but it feels like the right tool for the job.
Already used it on my ride last week end to Rhode Island (total 9 hours) and it works almost flawlessly - the custom routes are a blessing. I'm using Tyre software and it is working with Garmin very well.

 

[ockerstrom]

Condom

Try the Tech Mount and a non lubricated condom over it (the phone that is :biggrinjester:

Keeps the phone dry and you can still operate the touch screen.

 

[AceRider]

thats a brilliant idea - just have to explain to paper why you need a piece of rubber between u and the phone:biggrinjester::mrgreen:

 

[T_parsons]

SlipGrip

Look for a company called SlipGrip. They make phone specific holders that you can mount up using a RAM ball among other hardware. You would still need the waterproofing bag when raining, but they seem to make nice stuff. You can find them on eBay or Amazon.

 

[vektra]

I am looking to one day mount my phone as gps/radio, the 2 best looking options I have found are the med aquabox, but I did not think of overheating.. and the ram cradle, but its not waterproof. I have not used either but I wanted to give you some options to look at.

Amazon.com: RAM Mounting Systems RAM-HOL-AQ2U Medium Aqua Box: Electronics

Cradle Holder - Universal Finger Grip for Cell Phone - RAM Mount

 

[GeoBiker]

I've been using a WinMo PDA in a Ram-mount Aquabox for years as a navigation device. More recently started using my Android (HTC Inspire) as well. I've never even owned a dedicated Nav device; just don't see the need. There is a good selection of Navigation programs that have on-board maps (my favorite is CoPilot), so a data connection is not necessary. And if one program doesn't meet your needs, switch to another! With my Android, I get live traffic and other 'live' features as well as the option to use google or other connected apps when CoPilot doesn't give me what I want. Visibility is the only problem when it is in the Aquabox with the cover, otherwise it works pretty well..

 

[MikeB]

Why use your smartphone when GPS units are so cheap now that they are almost disposable? I have found that when using my Motorola Droid as GPS in the truck or car the battery runs dry after 5-6 hours even when plugged in to 12V. This really surprised (and disappointed) me. The navigation program must be a real power hog. The Garmin unit (265WT), however, runs indefinitely in 12V mode, has a very bright screen and gives voice directions loud enough for everything but full-speed highway use.

The phone is for making/receiving calls and finding restaurants, etc. Stick with a GPS for day-long navigation.

 

[garandman]

Why use your smartphone when GPS units are so cheap now that they are almost disposable? I have found that when using my Motorola Droid as GPS in the truck or car the battery runs dry after 5-6 hours even when plugged in to 12V. This really surprised (and disappointed) me. The navigation program must be a real power hog. The Garmin unit (265WT), however, runs indefinitely in 12V mode, has a very bright screen and gives voice directions loud enough for everything but full-speed highway use.

The phone is for making/receiving calls and finding restaurants, etc. Stick with a GPS for day-long navigation.

I've found this as well. If you use the GPS and have the screen on, the 12 VDC charger doesn't seem to be able to keep up.

 

[larry0071]

The newer phones charge at a higher amp rate and do in fact charge while using Google Maps Navigation. I can run my last phone (Samsung Fascinate) or my current HTC Thunderbolt with the 12V car charger and they both will be at 100% full charge once I get to my destination.

With Google Maps you can select layers and turn on traffic so as to avoid high traffic areas. You can not (or at least I do not know how ) activate traffic avoidance within the Navigation, you need to stop and exit nav and go to G-Maps and activate traffic so you can see the roads ahead. Then you go back to Nav and you simply manually bypass the roads that are full of suck. Just like a Garmin, the Google Nav will re-route you as you detour from its suggested path.

My Garmin died a couple years ago and I don't miss it.

If I had the $600 or $800 for those high end waterproof and vibration proof garmin units that are cycle specific, I would have one.... but I'm to poor for that fancy stuff!

I lay my Thunderbolt in the phone pocket of the Joe Rocket XL Manta magnetic tank bag and leave the pocket unzipped and the flap folded open and under the handle bar cross bar while in towns or areas that I need constant input. Once I go interstate or any time I'm going to be on a road for a period of time I flip it shut and partially zip it. I just re-open the flap as required to check on things while I'm riding.

 

[MikeB]

The newer phones charge at a higher amp rate...

I have to laugh at this. Our Droid phones are ONE YEAR OLD and when my wife went into the Verizon store to get a hard case she was told they don't make them for phones that old any more.:mrgreen::mrgreen:

What's the half-life of a new model now....two weeks?

 

[SnoPro753]

I have to laugh at this. Our Droid phones are ONE YEAR OLD and when my wife went into the Verizon store to get a hard case she was told they don't make them for phones that old any more.:mrgreen::mrgreen:

What's the half-life of a new model now....two weeks?

I hear you about the half life. I can confirm that my Samsung Fascinate/Mesmerize will charge the battery with the GPS running for hours at a time. I didn't realize that some phones won't. Glad mine does.

I can also attest to the phones/batteries getting hot. I left my phone in the console of a rental car plugged into the cigarette lighter to charge during a June afternoon in Denver and when I came back the phone hadn't charged at all. Battery had high temp limit and stopped taking a charge. This was in the console out of direct sunlight too. Food for thought...

I am definitely interested in finding a good solution to the Android phone mount on my DL650. I will keep searching.

Also, if you are worried about touch screen and gloves check out this pair from Aerostich: Touch-Screen Elkskin Ropers - Elkskin and Deerskin Gloves - Gloves - Off and Riding :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear
These have rows of electro-conductive stitching in the fingers. I haven't purchased a pair but I'm thinking about it.

 

[chicago]

smart phone gps

Cell phones can be pretty useless in rural mountain areas so you may not want to rely on them as a gps.