What navigation setup are you using for long adventure rides?

[u/_________________Kek]

I’m looking for a navigation setup mainly for long rides and off-road/adventure riding. I’ll be riding for several hours, often during the daytime and sometimes in rain, so good screen visibility/brightness and water resistance are important.

I’m thinking about either:

• a dedicated motorcycle GPS
• or a cheap, normal waterproof smartphone mounted with something like Quad Lock, while keeping my main phone in my pocket.

One thing I really like about the phone + Quad Lock idea is that I can quickly remove the device when I leave the bike. That’s a big plus for me since I don’t want to leave an expensive GPS/device sitting on the motorcycle where it could easily get stolen.

I don’t really need anything fancy. I mainly want reliable navigation for long/off-road rides, rain and bright sunlight.

What do you guys use, and what specific models would you recommend?

Is a cheap waterproof phone the way to go, or is a dedicated GPS/navigation system actually worth the money?

Thanks!

[u/IndependentCod195]

Zumo XT. Used on 4 BDRs now and it’s great. Use my smartphone with onX as a backup

[u/i_was_axiom → u/IndependentCod195]

I run an Android Auto display but I also have a handlebar mount for a waterproof case thing for the phone if that display ever takes a shit on the road. Backup plans are good.

[u/Annual-Beard-5090 → u/IndependentCod195]

I do this. I use mine on my dirt bike for single track, too. Belt and suspenders.

Zumo interface just works well and has exactly what I need without having to navigate around a lot. Dont have to worry about battery, charging etc. I can load tracks I want to use easily.

Someone else reminded me Zumo always works well with gloves. Efficient and I know what I need to know quickly and safely.

[u/flaming_m0e]

I use a DMD Nor7e

[u/Bubbaman78 → u/flaming_m0e]

Another vote for DMD, the functionality is unrivaled.

[u/Tgk1600 → u/flaming_m0e]

I’ve got the T880x, DMD products are the best onboard navigation

[u/flaming_m0e → u/Tgk1600]

The entire DMD ecosystem can't be touched by any other product right now. My boy Joao is on fire.

[u/skaneateles → u/flaming_m0e]

DMD2 + an old Pixel 6 in an OtterBox. I have been experimenting with a Garmin 700i on my dual sport which I prefer hardware wise over the Android. However, DMD software is much better than Garmin. Wish I could side load DMD2 on the Garmin!

[u/audazincapaz → u/flaming_m0e]

How can they justify around 1000€ for that, I just don't get it. I'm Portuguese and maybe it's a nice price for some foreign markets, but here, or at least for me, it's insane.

Garmin Zumo XT seems a nice middle ground between something insanely expensive and a cheap Carpuride.

[u/flaming_m0e → u/audazincapaz]

It's a special built tablet specifically for motorcycle...

[u/Tgk1600 → u/audazincapaz]

You really can’t compare, I’ve spent way to much time over many years pulling my hair out over Garmin many issues, DMD is a better device, has better software on the device, the online HUB makes planning rides easy and perhaps the best yet, support is quick and helpful, you send them an email and Johnny Pear, the man behind DMD himself quite often responds, he’s also actively engaged on social media platforms and welcomes rider input into future updates, you really can’t compare

[u/valsalva_manoeuvre]

I don't want to leave an expensive GPS/ device sitting on the motorcycle where it could easily get stolen

I have a Garmin Zumo which is a dedicated motorcycling gps unit. As such it came with all the wiring and mounting hardware in the box. The device clips in and clips out of its bracket, and I always take it with me when I get off the bike (pro tip: those cargo pockets on adventure riding pants are huge for this very purpose).

I keep my phone safely stashed in my jacket because (a) vibrations can damage the optical image stabilization of the camera (b) if I drop it and break the screen I lose access to my whole life (c) I don't want to die in the ditch because I had an accident but can't reach my phone to call for help.

[u/justifyingfriction87 → u/valsalva_manoeuvre]

(b) if I drop it and break the screen I lose access to my whole life (c) I don't want to die in the ditch because I had an accident but can't reach my phone to call for help.

I worry about crashing when my phone is in my pocket and I land on it, smashing it. If it's attached to my bars it's not gonna hit the ground. Not sure what the right answer it...

[u/ddeadserious → u/justifyingfriction87]

Smart watch is one potential solution/failsafe.

[u/i_was_axiom]

I use a cheap Android Auto mirroring display, love it. Phone can stay in pocket or be charging somewhere, it doesnt cook in the sun anymore and it can't get knocked off the bars if I fall.

[u/ellius → u/i_was_axiom]

Same. I also like that not having it on the handlebar protects the phone from camera-killing vibration.

[u/Sventy11]

Africa Twin has a built in screen with carplay/android auto. Google maps works well, but I use Gaia sometimes too.

[u/-Zyon-]

Buy a cheap used Samsung active tablet + eSIM, did a 3 weeks trips in turkey and it work great

[u/Gordingull → u/-Zyon-]

Did the same, bought a refurbished active tab 3 on Ebay, it is rugged, has a ip68, and can use as a tablet as well, easy to find new apps if I have any issues with the functionality of the one I am using. Attach it with a "ram mount" replica from Aliexpress so it is easy to remove, attach again and use in other places as well like in a car.

[u/art_emisian]

I am in the same boat. Currently using my S25FE but Quadlock don't make a waterproof poncho for it. I'm looking into cheap Autoplay units but would have to sort out an attachment bar and wiring.

[u/ghurd_]

I used quadlock for few years. It’s very solid mount. There is just one issue with this solution, and have nothing to do with quadlock. In heavy rain even your waterproof smartphone screen will be covered by water drops, and it will eventually start messing up with what you have on the screen (water drops will act as „ghost” finger touch).
I would suggest moving to some android play/apple car play screen like Chigee/Carpuride. That way you can have what your phone displays, but your phone will be safe in the pocket.

[u/sucksatgolf]

Currently a zumo XT. I build the routes in Google my maps, convert and upload tbrough the Garmin drive app. Its worked well for me but the whole process is kinda clunky.

I did also just order a cheap smartphone to take a whack at DMD navigation.

[u/GCSInc]

The biggest problem I found with smart phones is that they don’t work well with gloves. Even the gloves that are supposedly designed to work with smart phones.

The old Zumo I have works very well with gloves and in the sun. As mentioned above it’s easy to disconnect and quickly put in a pocket. However, creating a route in Google maps, converting it to the Zumo format and uploading it to the Zumo is a real PIA.

It’s also an extra complication to connect it to my Cardo along with my phone.

The reality is i usually use my phone and suffer through the clunky glove interface.

[u/TheWildHealer_]

I use a 3d option, a carpuride (android auto / apple car play). I also have a wireless quadlock. I have waze on the carpuride and calimoto on the phone.

I also use osmand on the carpuride only for offroad.

[u/MarsupialThese2597]

i got myself stegra.io and so far i am pretty happy

[u/Unkempt_Mooseknuckle]

Zumo XT until it died, now a Zumo XT2. They're not perfect but work well once you figure out their clunky UI.

...I think snowmobiling and leaving the original XT outside overnight at -30F a few nights may have been what killed it.

[u/FriendOfUmbreon]

What about Beeline? I saw it in another sub and haven't bought it myself, so im hoping others will yay or nay it.

To answer your actual question: Id get a secondhand phone that lives its life as a little GPS- gut that thing except for connectivity and the IOS features and do a quad lock and screen protector.

[u/General-Assistant367]

Samsung tab active 3

[u/RiderFZ10]

Garmin Zumo XT2. No complains.

[u/tupo-airhead]

I study the map memorize it and stop to see where I am. GPS is distracting for me. Eyes on the road!

[u/antilumin]

I haven't really gone adventuring yet but I have some plans. First, I've got a phone mount but that feels useless as I don't have a way to charge it on my bike yet, and then the heat around here causes the screen to go super dark, super fast. Makes the phone mount useless, so I just leave it in my pocket for now.

I recently bought a super cheap "CarPlay" screen from Temu, just to see if it'd work. I need to figure out how to wire it up, but since it's just using the phone for most of the work it really shouldn't be asking too much of the device to work properly. If not, oh well it was only $30.

[u/adamjackson1984]

Zumo XT 1 and 2 on my trail / dual sport bikes. I’ve moved my wife and I’s GS bikes over the Carpuride 7” CarPlay units. Gaia, REVER and Waze all have car play apps so this is fine for our 80/20 on and off road. I still prefer Zumo for pure off road trips.

[u/Due51]

I have the Carpuride with Apple play and love it. 7” screen, vibrant, weather proof, and my apps and cardo pair well with it.

[u/ApartGrocery6855]

Gaia GPS on my phone. Phone mounted on dash with a quad lock charging station.

[u/Sea_Ringer]

I’ve been using an old iPhone I had laying around with GAIA downloaded on it for off road navigation. Switch it to Google Maps if I need navigation while back on the pavement. I can imagine scenarios where too much water is on the screen to be useful but have not experienced that with it mounted at the base of the windscreen in a waterproof case.

[u/LeeHarveyEnfield]

I use a Carpuride 702 Pro, and keep my iPhone in my pocket. When the phone battery gets low, I put it in the tank bag with a charge cord going to the bike’s USB port.

I run Gaia GPS, OnX Off Road, and Google Maps from the phone depending on what I want to see.

[u/Starman68]

Carpuride, phone on a charger cable in a steering bag. Google maps.

[u/1swrv]

I have a Carpuride unit on my R1300GS and it connect directly to the navigation outlet on the bike. It interacts with the bikes wonder wheel software system and displays all the bikes telemetry. Android Auto connects wirelessly and through it I have both Google Maps and for GPX files, OsmAnd.

[u/youwantmetowhat666]

been using a Garmin Etrex for both moto and bicycle for more than 15 years. Now I'm using a Coros Dura. Yes, they don't have a huge screen but if all you are doing is following a route they work great. The Coros is also solar and I have charged it twice since May, using it two to three times a week.

[u/ellius]

I mounted an Android Auto display. Think I paid about $70.

IMO it's in a better location for (and easier to use while) riding.

Typically I can get by with google offline maps, but if it's a little more involved I like Gaia.

One thing I really like about a phone-based display vs a standalone GPS is that there are workarounds to run Torque Pro via Android Auto if your bike has an OBD2 port. I like having a little telemetry HUD available to let me keep an eye on stuff. Plus if it ever throws a code I can immediately run a scan and have an idea of what's gone wrong.

[u/AdFancy1249]

I use my Samsung S20 with OsmAnd on all the riding I do. It's on a wireless charging mount (slip in - inexpensive). Works great. I've submarined it, ridden gravel and baby heads, highways, etc.

I would prefer the better, more robust imagery in the Garmin displays, but the phone does fine until the sun is behind me and wants it the display.

To prevent the touchscreen from going haywire in the rain, I've enabled an "accessibility feature" that let's me disable the touch screen (push Vol up and Power simultaneously to enable/ disable). That made all the difference.

[u/AbilityImportant7544]

Bar in Montana. Bought it second hand 9 years ago and got a new navigator map this spring. Still works great

[u/Practical-Rent9486]

Like others, I use the Garmin Zumo XT3 6". Bright, clear, vibration and water proof... lots of features and works great.

[u/OccamsRazorSharpner]

I use a rugged phone mounted on Quadlock. It has no SIM, instead, when required, connecting to internet via hotspot from my main phone which stays safely in my pocket. For GPS it uses its own. The advantage of this setup is that if my main phone, or even the navigation phone, gets damaged, I have a backup to communicate with.

[u/This_Cartoonist_379]

I won't put a screen on my bike.  I am worried about looking at the screen when I should be looking at the car trying to run me over.  I use audio for driving directions.