Mobile phone Sat Nav

[MilozFolly]

I'm off ot France/Germany on monday for a look around.  I got annoyed with not being able to export customer Google Maps routes from PC to mobile (you plot the custom route but when you send it to your mobile it completely ignores what you've planned and reroutes) so I've "splashed out" on TomTom as it's currently about £14 for the year.  I've been able to customer route each segment (I.e. by day/destination) and sync those to my mobile as individual routes (as well as being able to choose how "wiggly" I want that route to be).  I'll feedback when I return but worth a look I'd day for anyone using mobile to navigate at that price.

[Rixington43]

Got a couple of friends who use the TomTom mobile app, they've been really happy with it for a few years.
Helps that our whole group now use TomTom in some way shape or form so only 1 person has to plan the route and then share it ;)

[crump]

This is useful info, didn't know there was a TomTom app, thought you had to buy an actual TomTom device. I've been just putting way points in on Google maps which works but is a bit clunky. 14 quid sounds like a bargain.

[Rixington43]

I believe you can sign up for the TomTom MyDrive route planner online for free without owning any TomTom device or software.
It allows you to plan/save routes and then export as .gpx for use in other devices as well. My mate uses it with his Garmin as the Garmin basecamp route planner isn't great, more geared to hiking and cycling I think.
Just in case anyone is interested

[Barbel Mick]

I tried basecamp, very big learning curve, well for me it was! 
After many hours trying I gave up, then I heard about MyRoute-App (MRA).
Tried the free version first for a few months now I pay for the Gold version. Not necessary to do so, but you get a few extras with it.
I make all my routes on it, save the .gpx & send it to my Garmin.
What I have noticed over the years with Garmins (can't say about Tom Tom as never had one) is that when you make a route (.gpx) you need to put a lot of way points into it, because if you don't & there is a shorter/quicker route between two way points & you want the longer one, Garmin will take the shorter one.   

[Phild]

Do you download all your routes before you go? Or do you have to use some of your data as you ride?

Having used a Garmin Zumo 660 and TomTom550, I know which I prefer (starts with a T).

I normally load my routes to my TomTom, then tweak them via wifi wherever I stay.

It’s not the satnav stuff that I can’t work out, it’s data issues whilst abroad. 12gb per month with most providers.🤷‍♂️

Or am I off topic?🤔

[Barbel Mick]

Phil, yes when I tour, always make routes for every day, sometimes for a weekend or even a day out.
I use a Garmin XT & put all my routes on it on a day to day basis.
I do that via Garmin Drive on my phone, I leave the routes in a folder on my phone & also upload them to Google Drive, that way if I lose them on the XT, I've still got them on my phone & if that should fail Google Drive.
Belt & braces & all that, but it takes seconds to do it all & time won't be wasted on our tours if anything should go wrong in that area.
Obviously if I need to use Google drive data (or WiFi) will be used but from the folder on my phone the .gpx is transferred via Bluetooth to the XT.   

[MilozFolly]

Maps all downloaded to my phone and individual segments planned on PC and sent to mobile and ready to select.  Apart from "live" traffic etc there should be minimal data use whilst I'm away.  Here's the "segments" not in any kind of order on desktop.

[MilozFolly]

No coming round my house while I'm away either   

[nigel s]

I have Sygic on my phone as a backup for the Zumo in case it breaks / I leave it in a cafe 
It cost me £17 four? years ago , not sure what it is now. No annual fees , lifetime updates  and works offline , so handy when there is no signal in remote areas. Will need a memory card in the phone if the onboard memory is small , to download the maps.Easy to add way points , works well for what it is. There is a premium version with live traffic updates with a subscription, not bothered with that as I rarely use it now I have the Zumo. But as an emergency backup works well.

https://www.sygic.com/gps-navigation

[Sir Trev]

I've had a TomTom Rider for many years, and it still works really well, but it will not synch to my Android phone. It did with my old one but I have concluded that I must be on a newer version of Bluetooth now and the TT does not like it.

The lack of live traffic has caught me out a few times so I will probably get an Aoocci C3 at some point soon and use Google Maps instead. If I plan to go somewhere remote I'll save the offline maps to my phone.

[MisterDavey]

Don't know if this is any help, but I use Google Maps Extended Route (Chrome extension) to export from Google maps.....
As you can see from the picture below, once you have your route, click the "e", and you'll get a few export options, including opening in TomTom planner, which opens in another tab/page.

[Rixington43]

What generation Rider is it Sir Trev?
I have both a 410 and a 550 which sync with the Bluetooth tethering on my android 14 phone. Latest versions of Android do helpfully turn off your Bluetooth tethering any time you're phone hits low battery or reboots though which is a touch frustrating.

[ScaredyCat]

I used OsmAnd for my recent trip (NC500) in conjunction with  android auto thing for the bike it was pretty great and allows you to download maps to your device. I've also installed OrganicMaps which is also pretty great.

https://osmand.net/map

https://organicmaps.app/

[Sir Trev]

@Rixington - it's a now rather old Rider 50.  As with all tech it is now pretty low on internal memory as each update sucks up what little is left, so that probably doesn't help.

I can still synch it to the PC to download routes but it's the lack of live traffic that irritates, hence probably going down the Aoocci C3 route next.

[Methusela]

Boys boys, whatever happened to mark one eye balls & a good map, when getting lost was part of the adventure. 

[SMR66]

Just bought the aoci C6 pro, loads of positive reviews on YouTube. After using the affiliate discount code cost £127 delivered. It’s a wireless CarPlay device, google & IOS, front & rear plus tyre pressure sensors.

[Mep]

For custom routes using Google Maps I add 'Stops' to set the route I want so it will take me that way regardless of a quicker way etc. The annoying bit is that you have to press 'Continue' on your phone to carry on to the next 'Stop'. Not easy when are riding but if you factor in a stop there or its at a decent junction you can press the screen. Once I have my routes I email them to myself and then load the desired route when I'm ready. There are some good tips above, and I'll look a the Extended Routes feature for my next trip.

[Barbel Mick]

Boys boys, whatever happened to mark one eye balls & a good map, when getting lost was part of the adventure. 

I have no issues with getting lost on a day's ride out, however, if I'm going on a tour for a week or two, even a weekend then I want to ride the roads I choose, to see the villages, the sites, visit places I choose to visit, not those I happen upon.
The ability to plan routes & put them on a Sat Nav saves a lot of time & faffing for me. Others may feel differently, but at my age I may not get the chance to return somewhere to ride or visit somewhere I missed the first time.
So, a little planning for a few weeks & then an hour or two making the routes is all part of the fun. 

[nigel s]

I sit in between the two camps when it comes to navigating. Neither is wrong. I like using unknown/unplanned routes that bring suprises and the destination is secondary to the ride.......as long as I get there eventually . I am not often in a hurry......serendipity plays its part , coming over a crest and catching a view ?
It doesn't always have to be a Cathedral , a humble Church I never knew existed and couldn't have planned for will do it 
After all... the satnav IS just a map if used as such .
My life already has enough "planning" in it already thank you  , one of the reasons I ride 

Ho Hum