Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 21, 2015, 08:46:00 AM
On one of the motorcycle forums I frequent there was a reference to a new Android application which utilizes free OSM maps. Unlike the built-in mapping app these new applications actually download the maps to phone memory and do not require an active tower connection. They do, of course, require the GPS receiver to be turned on.
I have a retired HTC Incredible which still works but its not on a phone contract. So, I thought I would try one of these new OSM mapping applications on it.
I downloaded from Google Play Store the free version of OsmAnd. The free version limits the number of downloaded maps to 10 so basically with it you can load nine states plus the base map on your phone. There is a Pro version which cost $5.99 and allows unlimited map downloads. OSM maps are available for the entire world so if you are planning to travel to a foreign country it would be a very economical way to obtain GPS functionality.
So, how does it work you ask. Surprisingly well. The user interface is of course different from a standard Garmin GPS but is not difficult to master. I have added a few screens here to illustrate.(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F02%2F21%2Fb26f91fb9c8228cf88911ac86df3c27b.jpg&hash=97d6427fdd7ee925f96fa59c9cf9701fb65abcb0)
this is the entry screen and provides easy access to a view of the map or two configuration settings.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F02%2F21%2Fa86a6f39695bf1c71eb9987aedaa748c.jpg&hash=7f59736b5d03c5e63fc71701546aa1248d74f941)
as you can see a map view places an icon at your current location.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F02%2F21%2Fadc81395aa19a6ad85730fb9b7c122a5.jpg&hash=10444c14899f79f9fd29c90da91eb623f5a0cab2)
the view can be zoomed in or out using the +/- keys or by using the familiar pinch function on the screen
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F02%2F21%2F9611d483c70cf13612f719c301dbd61d.jpg&hash=9cefa04f736f53419eda51948d4450a49ae9baa7)
using this menu you can select a destination a route or manage other setting or configuration functions of the application.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F02%2F21%2Faa6d59bd0efb8c3ef414fb4280600d1d.jpg&hash=b50e16e61f1d0cf19c339209df10167f53547efc)
here I have selected a destination and asked the GPS to route me to it.
As you can see it looks very much like a standard Garmin GPS in this mode. The phone does provide voice prompts (in most major languages) for turns and behaves in most ways exactly like a dedicated GPS.
Bottom line, I think Garmin is in big trouble. This thing works amazingly well for a total investment of zero or if you want the Pro version only $5.99. In my opinion the OSM maps are every bit as accurate as Garmin's but do not contain as many POIs. Also, the OSM maps are not indexed for street addresses so if you want to navigate to a street address you need to find the closest intersection. Depending on how one uses the GPS this may or may not be a limitation. Not so much for me but for my wife it would be a negative because she likes to just key in the address of her destination and allow the GPS to navigate to it.
My overall impression is very favorable and it seems that if you want an inexpensive GPS alternative this would be a viable means of getting there.
Post by: PYG RYDR on February 21, 2015, 09:51:58 AM
Post by: HawkGTRider on February 21, 2015, 10:16:33 AM
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 21, 2015, 10:36:59 AM
Cool! Technology is fascinating. Are you ready to return your new Garmin 64s? :D ;DDefinitely not. The 64s provides an entirely different level of utility with the ability to manage and navigate tracks, load external routes, waterproofing, and ruggedness. However, for someone who just wants to get their feet wet with GPS this would be a cheap way to do it. For some people it might be all the GPS they need.
Post by: Brick on February 22, 2015, 11:55:02 AM
I might be out riding my Super Tenere'
Post by: boatanchor on February 22, 2015, 01:45:43 PM
Cool! Technology is fascinating. Are you ready to return your new Garmin 64s? :D ;D
Wait!!! Hold the bus....... Did Jim get a new GPS?????
Post by: DirtFlier on February 23, 2015, 07:28:33 AM
Post by: PYG RYDR on February 23, 2015, 07:36:13 AM
Cool! Technology is fascinating. Are you ready to return your new Garmin 64s? :D ;D
Wait!!! Hold the bus....... Did Jim get a new GPS?????
Yes!
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 23, 2015, 07:51:15 AM
Wait!!! Hold the bus....... Did Jim get a new GPS?????I know it's hard to believe but yes, I actually spent $350 on a new 64S and 2015 maps. I MAY have gotten my money's worth out of the Quest, which, BTW still works but is simply obsolete.
Post by: DirtFlier on February 23, 2015, 08:15:18 AM
Post by: boatanchor on February 23, 2015, 11:51:33 AM
Wait!!! Hold the bus....... Did Jim get a new GPS?????I know it's hard to believe but yes, I actually spent $350 on a new 64S and 2015 maps. I MAY have gotten my money's worth out of the Quest, which, BTW still works but is simply obsolete.
I think you will really enjoy your new GPS....More functional and a bigger and better screen than the old Quest is never a bad thing....This is probably the model I will end up getting whenever I decide to replace my ancient 276C....
Post by: touringman on February 24, 2015, 12:14:49 AM
Post by: normkern on February 24, 2015, 09:05:08 AM
Norm Kern
Post by: NinjaBob on February 28, 2015, 01:55:21 AM
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 28, 2015, 07:57:47 AM
This week we've been at Big Bend park riding dual sport. Turns out the City Nav maps have only the major highways thru the park. The OSM maps have every little goat trail very similar to the Garmin Topo maps. After the first day I stopped using the City Nav maps. The OSM maps have been great here. There are only 3 gas stations and everyone knows where they are so POIs aren't real important.
Post by: Brick on February 28, 2015, 07:32:40 PM
I might be out riding my Super Tenere'
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 28, 2015, 09:43:15 PM
http://www.openstreetmap.org
Post by: Brick on February 28, 2015, 09:54:55 PM
This would really be cool.
I might be out riding my Super Tenere'
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 28, 2015, 10:37:01 PM
Post by: stevegrab on March 06, 2015, 04:11:36 PM
I guess before I consider an upgraded GPS (nuvi 2450 now, not waterproof, not MC specific, have some issues with powering through USB plug) I should consider the smart phone option. I wonder are you guys (I guess Jim and Syd mostly) using older smart phones for this, as GPS only? Are is this your regular use phone that you're mounting to the bikes. And what kind of mounts are you using, those four point grippy type spring loaded ones? Or are brackets made for that specific phone?
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 06, 2015, 04:27:18 PM
I was just curious how the application works. I was impressed. I suspect it would be adequate for many people.
I have seen various mounts for smartphones. I believe RAM makes some. However, I would be concerned about durability the phone itself on a motorcycle.
And, FWIW, my new Garmin 64s uses a USB power cord. I simply attached the power lead to the RAM mount with a stress relief (a zip tie) to prevent damage to the USB port on the device. It appears to work fine.
Post by: stevegrab on March 06, 2015, 05:10:32 PM
Oh well it was cheap and got me into the GPS era, still use it in the car when needed.
Post by: DICE32 on March 07, 2015, 11:40:25 AM
Over the years using GPS (car/non waterproof models) on motorcycles, I had the same problems with intermittent connections with the plugs. The easy fix that worked for me.....
1/8 x 1/8 inch piece of gorilla tape added to connection before plugging it in. Keeps it from vibrations that cause the power to go on & off and drives you crazy. Works for me. As far as rainy conditions, I have a zippered case that fits the ball mount on my bars. I also have used the sandwich baggy in the past that worked fine too.
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 07, 2015, 05:18:44 PM
Also, the OSMAnd app supports recording track files while moving just like a "real" GPS. The track files are stored as GPX files in the tracks folder and can be transferred to the PC and read in Basecamp and Mapsource.
I continue to be somewhat amazed by the capabilities of this free/$5 application. My aging HTC Incredible crashed a couple of times when it ran out of memory but rebooted and it took up where it left off) However that is not likely to be a problem with newer Android phones which have more memory and manage it better than the old Android 2.3.4 OS I am running on this old phone. This application (and probably others like it) will inevitably improve and given a modern robust and waterproof smartphone could be quite viable as a Garmin alternative for someone who is moderately computer literate.
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 08, 2015, 11:30:29 AM
Because my interest is more about following tracks that may NOT be on route-able roads I was particularly interested in the app's capabilities in this regard. News Flash! There is a way to use OsmAnd to follow tracks and not recalc. There is a setting the Screen Configuration for each profile to "Keep position in center of screen". And under Map Settings one can choose to display a gpx track from the library of stored (or imported) tracks in the folder .../osmand/tracks/. Choose a track to display and DO NOT choose Navigate and the app behaves exactly like a 64S displaying a track. Basically one just stays on the purple (or whatever color) line roads or not. If you deviate you can always see which direction to go to get back on the track. Certainly the waterproof and robust 64S is a better tool for dual sport riding but I really think this app on a modern Android smartphone (or tablet!) would work awesome as functional GPS without spending hundreds of dollars. I give it two thumbs up!
It's all open source though so only on Android for now but the iOS fans on ADVRider say there's an Apple version in development.
http://osmand.net/ (http://osmand.net/)
Post by: Brick on March 09, 2015, 06:26:57 AM
I might be out riding my Super Tenere'
Post by: normkern on March 09, 2015, 08:39:05 AM
Haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but sounds like a great find!
Norm Kern
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 09, 2015, 12:24:29 PM
This morning I went ahead and spent the big bucks ($5.99) and downloaded OsmAnd to my Samsung S4. It's downloading ALL the US maps now... takes a while. I'll probably buy the $1.99 contour maps too which overlay on the regular maps providing 3D "relief" for ground contour. Doesn't matter much is Florida I guess but it does where I ride.
I sometimes want access to GPS functions when I don't have a "real" GPS with me. I think this will more than meet my needs. Plus it provides a backup system in case my Garmin device fails or get's damaged. Cheap insurance I guess plus the contour maps may actually provide a function my 64S doesn't have.
Post by: PYG RYDR on March 09, 2015, 12:41:21 PM
I am pleased that you are getting extra options for routing so that you can keep us going the right direction when we ride together! No chance we will get lost! ::)
Galen
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 09, 2015, 08:23:00 PM
Jim,We are never lost on a dual sport bike. Possibly a little displaced sometimes but not lost.
I am pleased that you are getting extra options for routing so that you can keep us going the right direction when we ride together! No chance we will get lost! ::)
Galen
Post by: HawkGTRider on March 11, 2015, 12:43:38 AM
From a friend of our friend Roger White...Jim,We are never lost on a dual sport bike. Possibly a little displaced sometimes but not lost.
I am pleased that you are getting extra options for routing so that you can keep us going the right direction when we ride together! No chance we will get lost! ::)
Galen
There has been a great deal of confusion generated by the term “lost” as it applies to motorcycle touring. As a veteran motorcycle rider and an authority on such stuff (even though I have never been personally “lost”), I feel that it is only right that I set the question to rest.
The term “lost” is just one of many improprieties that are listed in the Motorcyclist Rider Handbook, Chapter 12, “Malfeasance”. To be officially declared lost, the rider must meet all criteria listed for that category of malfeasance. The 5 criteria are as follows:
1. You must have less than a vague idea of where you are.
2. You must have something better than a vague idea of where you would rather be.
3. You are about out of gas and see no hope of finding any soon.
4. It is either…
a. Raining or at least threatening.
b. Dark or will be soon
c. Tall grass is growing through cracks in the road
5. Co-pilot is nagging (mere whining does not count).
Please note that all criteria must be met in order to be declared LOST and subject to the verbal abuse from friends and peers that is the just punishment for those who become LOST. Also, please note that if nobody actually knows that you have met the criteria, the charge is null and void and you are therefore not LOST. It clearly follows that many motorcyclists have been unjustly charged in the past.
However, be forewarned that even though you do not meet all 5 LOST criteria, if you meet criteria 3, 4, and 5, please be advised that those are included as part of the criteria for motorcyclist malfeasance categories TROUBLE and BIG TROUBLE.
Dave Alford
Sept 24, 1989
Obviously, this is more related to road riding, but you can make appropriate modifications to accommodate dual sport riding.
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 11, 2015, 07:28:43 AM
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 11, 2015, 08:17:47 AM
Post by: TN2Wheeler on March 11, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Here are three views of the same geographic location (unpaved road over Cinnamon Pass, Colorado)
Car - just the basic map
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F11%2Fab5a7efb947766c35c80d8d4f83e4da0.jpg&hash=a8e71c28e265fa9d86001769b36f1979220bdbef)
Bike - the basic map + contour lines(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F11%2F67264f6b9025fc403792731144401281.jpg&hash=f1ccc61415278ffd8b2d639e3ac3b4689874f1ae)
Walk - the basic map + contour lines and Hill shading(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F11%2Fc915e80ca530d1128502338312f0280f.jpg&hash=3c41be61a93fe483befefca94baa5a0b0a5a9c6d)
Obviously the use of contour lines and hill-shading provides a lot more information about the actual terrain.