In the car I always used TT on my phone. On the bike I have a rider550 as I do not want my phone on the bike. Navigation gets interrupted when a call comes in. Would be nice if there was some device that you can run MRA on that could be place at the location of my rider;)
@Bert-1n there isn't. And given the size of MRA as a company and the complexities of creating (and supporting) hardware, I don't think there will be a dedicated navigation device anytime soon.
Given the general trend to use phones for everything, I don't think it would be a worthwhile investment at this point either. The big manufacturers (TomTom, Garmin, etc.) have already started to move away from dedicated devices (PND's) to software and services.
MRA Serge is using an 8 inch samsung active 2 tablet, on a dedicated craddle.
Once Next is operational this may be the way to go.
MRA is perhaps to small to design its own GPS device but what is a GPS device more than a rugged small tablet customized for navigating?
MRA could make reference configurations, describing how MRA could best be used in combination with certain hardware like the active pro.
@Bert-1n, Any phone can do that, just remove the SIM card. Or if big is no problem for you, buy a rugged Android tablet.
Suggestions:
https://www.catphones.com/nl-nl/products/
https://www.ulefone.com/
https://www.blackview.hk/products/42
These are manufacturers websites, but often these phones can be obtained locally as well in different regions. I bought a CAT S52 2 years ago and dedicated it for Navigation and Geocaching (outdoor activity). I have a Zumo 390 somewhere but never touched it again.
@Drabslab THat might be the way to go.
I have an old S10 but not sure if it is still waterresistant becais the glass on the back is chacked.
Or as you sais a rugged small tablet migt do it as long as I can place it on the same spot and I am able to teke it of the bike easy
@Bert-1n, With a crack in the back you can be sure it is NOT waterproof. In my experience the NORMAL phones that pretend to be waterproof actually are NOT to the level that can be used on a bike in heavy rain. RUGGED phones are a different story. We have been plowing through rain for two days last week. My CAT said it detected water in the headphone jack and asked if it should be disabled. Things like that you won't find in an ordinary phone. In case of heavy rain I pull out the USB port and close the lid of the charger. My phone almost runs a whole day on battery in the brightest setting, so that is no problem. Also most rugged phones can be used with ordinary gloves. Normal phones can't. Nice extra is that many rugged phones are pretty cheap and a lot cheaper than a Zumo XT. Besides that it handles spotify or any music service you can think of, does the Flitsmeister app, and you have only one device to pair with your headset.
There are really not many aspects of a dedicated navigation device that are not handled better by a rugged phone. However I would welcome an Android based device with an integrated charging mount like the Zumo's and TT's
Since I use my CAT phone dedicated on my bike, I had no problem using this cheap solution for a mount:
https://www.emounting.nl/lampa-titan-opti-ball-head-25-mm.html
With a this sticker on the back of the phone:
https://www.emounting.nl/opti-universal-connector-voor-opti-line-bevestigin.html
@Bert-1n the advantage of a tablet is that it is more convenient than a phone to use it for checking emlails, writing something, play music ... I kind of like a slightly largr screen than what is available on a phone
@Drabslab with my eyes getting older I also prefer larger screens also. but i prefer if it could fit on the space of the TT or zumo on my bike, There is a dedicated space. It migt also be possible to fit something in the middle of by steer but not sure if that will be practical. Need to check that out.
Bur a small ruggen tabelt would be great then
@Bert-1n there isn't. And given the size of MRA as a company and the complexities of creating (and supporting) hardware, I don't think there will be a dedicated navigation device anytime soon.
Given the general trend to use phones for everything, I don't think it would be a worthwhile investment at this point either. The big manufacturers (TomTom, Garmin, etc.) have already started to move away from dedicated devices (PND's) to software and services.
