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Old 11-04-2012, 03:33 AM   #1
macintosh OP
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Joined: Dec 2011
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Oddometer: 9
Question Rugged Android vs Cheap motorcycle GPS

I'm sure this topic has been covered here many times but after spending couple of days reading here I still have not found anything related to specific problem.

I'm looking for GPS device for use on my bike (surprise). Will be travelling mostly on paved roads in Europe & UK (90/10) with my Kawasaki Versys. For background: I have used previously my Samsung Galaxy S2 (with Copilot Live) as GPS device in tankbag. Found out that this specific phone/setup is not very suitable as main GPS device on bike, mainly due the unreadable screen in any slightly better light conditions (not to mention under direct sun).

As price is an issue so Garmin/Tomom bike GPS are out of question. After looking all over Internet for suitable solution finally came to three possible approaches: dedicated cheap moto GPS (Peaklife), rugged Android phone (motorola Defy), Android Tab. Ruled last one out fast as there is too many problems to solve. Still not sure should I prefer not so good dedicated GPS or rugged/splash-dustproof phone. Any suggestions or ideas about that?

1. Chinese GPS "Peaklife"
For:
+ weatherproof (almost)
+ has all the connectors and chargers for motorcycle
+ easy to mount and remove on stops
+ can be used with gloves
+ tons of maps around
+ everything to set up on bike is included
Against:
- not too good visibility on daylight
- limited usage (GPS only)
- limited software options (iGO Primo)
- quality could be lottery
- too big to fit into pocket
- uses A2DP bluetooth profile on my headset, so can not connect phone/MP3 player

2. Android phone Motorola Defy
For:
+ weatherproof (almost)
+ wide array of different GPS software available (iGo Primo, Copilot Live, TomTom etc)
+ lots of useful apps
+ wireless connectivity (good for weather and fast data update)
+ small enough to carry in pocket
+ doubles as phone
+ putting it to bike and removing it on stops will be relatively easy
Against:
- battery consumption could be sometimes faster than charge rate (can be probabaly fixed)
- can not be used with gloves
- need to buy additional equipment to secure it to handlebar.
- not sure how well USB outlet with plugged in plug will take vibrations on handlebar
- possible overheating issue
- no sun hood

Price wise they both will more or less be the same: 100£/125£/150$ US. Of course Defy does not have all the chargers and connectors included but they can be bought from eBay for quite reasonable price.

macintosh screwed with this post 11-04-2012 at 10:55 PM
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