The ULTIMATE Motorcycle GPS - A True Garmin Alternative - PLUS Rain/Glove Test and more

I have used your set-up now for a full riding season on the single track, ATV, Forest Service and logging roads in Washington State and Northern Idaho. It works well so thanks for the video. I have had 2 nagging problems though. 1) on a hot summer day the Kyocera will overheat and shut itself down (Only happens when you are on a backroad out in the middle of nowhere:) 2) I can't read the screen at all in direct sunlight. I thought the problem was that I purchased a refurbished phone so I bought a new one, but it works about the same. I now use My Maps to plan my routes on the internet and download them to MapsMe. I now use both phones at the same time, with the second phone running OsmAnd software to . Often backtracking is required as the backwoods road maps of Idaho (regardless of their source) are extremely inaccurate. It makes riding out in nowhere so much better when you aren't afraid of getting lost.

I notice you keep ignoring the huge "White Elephant" in the room, (cell service) when I ride dualsport/adventure I spent most of my time outside of cell service areas. When I need gas, or a campsite, food, hotel or anything else outside of my preloaded maps the cell phone is useless and I have to keep relying on buddy's GPS's, (this isn't much help when riding alone) this is a big deal and a deal breaker for me that's why I ordered a zumo XT this week, I will still have my phone with GPS apps as a backup........

JetBlue 737? Do tell! ;-) Jus funnin' with ya. Nice vid man.

Sweet man! I might have to pick one of those up in the future

Thank’s for the video. How is the screen in direkt sunlight (sun coming in from behind you, over your shoulder)? How is the visibility? My Zumo 595 is crap in light conditions 🙃

What software could I use for Mexico, and would it have topographic views? Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info on Kyocera... What nav software would pair with that to match Garmin or Tomtom for Motorcycle riding application?

Great product review but you mention it would be great if Garmin provided a software UI that works with this phone. What mapping app would you recommend to a Garmin user? Most of my maps are created in Garmin Basecamp

What gps app do you use on your phone? I like the trip planner on Garmin

Came across your videos looking at the Garmin XT as I need a device on my bike. I once used to put my iPhone up there, but then I got told about the shaking and issues with that. I’m thinking about selling my iPhone and buy a cheap rugged phone. The one you talk about here isnt available in Norway. Would it be the same with a Samsung x cover? The X cover 5 for example? I too want a do it all device. Camera, gps, cellphone, music..

I love my tablets…in boats and my plane. But one issue that seems to be a major thing with newer iPads and iPhones is rapid overheating. I have had occasions in all these vehicles where the tablet just shuts down because it gets too hot. That’s not a big deal in my boat or on my motorcycle, but in my plane, it seems to happen at the worst possible moment, I have mitigated this somewhat by creating air cooling streams to help cool the tablet down. Also never ever leave it in a tablet case or anything that prevents air circulation and heat transfer away from the device.

Hi DowndtatesADV - thanks for sharing with us the more practical way using our smartphone for motorcycle gps. I need some advise on which app you use on your smartphone so that I can transfer my old garmin gps tracks/waypoints to use on my next motorcycle dual-sport adventure. Thanks and looking forward with your professional advise. Thanks again, Gery

I would go for the Pro. It has SD card slot. It was a must for every phone I've used. Witnessed too many people losing stuff in the clouds. Been using the Samsung Rugby 2 since 2014. Original battery, zero charging problems. It did get a cracked screen while getting out of a forklift a couple years ago. Hit the step then must have landed on a diamond🤭 It had far more violent tumbles before. Finally found 2 used ones that were in very good shape. They came with batteries and new charger/chords. Rugby 2 are slightly larger than the garmin eTrex. Fast enough for google and make wonderful music players. Have a 650 Montana and just had problems. Went back to using an eTrex20. Small+Simple=😊

But does it have anything beyond basic GPS? When you are in heavy cloud cover, deep canyons, thick forests, etc you will want all of that extra GNSS satellite coverage that Garmin devices have or it will be pretty inaccurate

I missed one thing, what maps/nav app/software do you actually recommend to have on that smartphone? I'm looking for some replacement for g maps to have this "adventure" mode. I know garmin has that as well as tomtom, but is there sth similair you can have on android?

Anyone know if the newer phone is compatible with Xfinity mobile? I have had a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for under a year, the cameras have only worked for about 3 months of that. All 6 cameras have been replaced, and failed a month later. Needless to say, for $1400, I am extremely frustrated and looking for something else.

Great video I’ve been looking at getting the zumo xt but it doesn’t seem to be very rugged for my ride of on and off road which makes the Kyocera a better option but is there any way to search for routes without a service plan or internet? I dont always know where I’m going but like to always be able to find a way back home and a normal gps can do that without internet.

Thank you for the great videos! I was leaning toward the Garmin, but this seems like a good option. I only need it if I get lost on trails 😄 So with this and an App (I like Gaia) I don’t need a cell service contract, is that correct? I don’t want to pay for another line every month. Thank you!

But I have a smart phone already, havent even opened my new one I am getting for my birthday on Saturday. What about my accounts? What about my cell phone plan, do I need another cell plan? I am up against it...also...powering it???

do you need a phone contract to use the mapping ap? I'm not giving up my iPhone, but I want something to use on the bike for routing directions without jeopardizing my iPhone.