I'm sure this has been asked many times before but humour me.
I'm looking for a rugged satnav with largeish screen that I can load routes from memory map and the lanes overlay onto. Budget less of an issue than getting good kit. Recommendations?
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Never break more than one law at a time, or carry more grass than you are prepared to eat.
I had a satmap but didnt get on with it at all. I now run Viewranger on an android phone in a case. StevO uses a rugged CAT phone which he rates highly.
Trouble with phones is they don't generally store maps, they download data and if you don't have an unlimited plan that can cost. Also they're generally not all that rugged or waterproof.
-- Edited by Tomcat on Saturday 31st of October 2015 11:38:25 AM
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Never break more than one law at a time, or carry more grass than you are prepared to eat.
Trouble with phones is they don't generally store maps, they download data and if you don't have an unlimited plan that can cost.
Not true, it's just that people use the sort of apps that download maps rather than installing ones that use a map set.
Google maps usually comes packaged so people use it but they could install Co-Pilot Free instead, which downloads the whole of the UK and saves it to the card. That way you can do it all by WiFi.
I run Ozi on my Andriod and run converted MM maps. There are apps that will run MM map straight.
As for making them waterproof - a £10 holder from fleabay will take care of that.
Garmin 600 for me with a charging bar mount runs straight to the battery of the bike , plan a ride on base camp which is easy download to the garmin , and then easy to follow large screen good in sunlight and waterproof
I use a cheap 5" android in a lidl case. StevO uses a cat rugged phone, which seems to have really good battery life.
Memory map do a rugged satnav with a phone built in, I think.
For cost the phone running viewranger is a good option, and well supported by fellow members.
Never tried.the MM3500, but looks like nice kit.
Seen an iphone shut down due to getting cold, also mine does mist up between the phone and the cover occasionally, probably worse in winter.
I use a phone with viewranger too, works really well. Another advantage of a phone is you can change your mapping software if you get bored of or don't get on with one.
They are also much smaller than most if not all GPS devices, you can choose the type of map to view, for example OS 50k, or free maps
You can also use a turn by turn GPS app, like a car satnav, to get you to a meet point for a ride then switch to OS maps when you get on the lanes. You can even have all of your bikes wiring diagrams and service manuals on there.
I would advise either a waterproof one like Stevo's CAT phone, or one with tons of custom fitted accessories like an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy
I use a satmap active 10 in a rugged rubberised case. I get on fine with it, and it's pretty bullet proof with amazing battery life. Only slight don sides is it can be difficult to read in bright sunlight and getting it in and out of the case is a little fiddly, but that doesn't put me off.
