85 replies to this topic

[Hombre]

Very interesting thread. Planning a Spanish trip next month and trying to find a good waypoint and navigation app so the route, roads and all stops can be loaded before setting off. Have tried several naff ones so far. Anyone found a good one yet?

[dablik]

Copilot could be what your looking for Hombre...Tom Tom have an app, all free for limited time it seems, Navfree worth a look also..

 

Been using Copilot for 4 years now without issue       

[Hombre]

Thanks Dablik, will look at Copilot. I haven't managed to take to Navmii (navfree). Just watched a youtube tutorial and it could be that google maps does what I need as it has the ability to input multiple waypoints and now you can download areas to allow navigation offline.

[dablik]

Using Copilot is GPS based also Hombre so no data required......initially you enter your route as stops and then simply edit to a waypoint those destinations you want to by-pass. I know you can download Google routes to use offline but, find it a bit of a faff in comparison, i tend to use Google on the PC to route and just copy into Copilot on the phone..

[Muppdog]

Copilot all the way. Used it for years and never gone wrong yet. Best thing is the grab and drop function like Google map. You can alter routes easily and quickly.

 

Rob

[Hombre]

I spent a couple of hours on google maps and agree with Dablik that its OK for planning only. Thanks for the endorsements for copilot - I'll go with that.

[dablik]

Just noticed on that link above Hombre that ViaMichelin have an app as well now, covers Europe, certainly worth a try..

[Hombre]

I had tried ViaMichelin which you can set for motorcycles but it just wasn't intuitive. Copilot I got started with easily, it did exactly what I want with destinations and waypoints, it has a compass, GPS speedo, speed warnings and saves route to phone / cloud. I'll give it a test once I've worked out how and where to mount it. Intend to wire in a USB power supply or 12v socket.

Info for those interested - copilot has limited functionality unless you buy it. 13.99.

Edited by Hombre, 15 August 2016 - 12:43 pm.

[dablik]

Sounds like Copilot has everything you could want, bit like a wife, it will even nag you to turn back if you pass a stop point 

[ChrisG]

In Brittany a couple of years back with Maximus Petrolhead (Mark) who was using Copilot, while I was doing my usual planning method of plan a route on a map to take me down interesting looking roads on the way to the destination, and plug the waypoints in to my Tomtom.  Mark just put the final destination in to Co-pilot and it planned virtually the identical route using whatever it's "interesting roads" option is called.  I was impressed.

 

However there are downsides, phone screens tend not to be as easy to read in sunlight as satnavs, and coming back through Germany on a really hot day a few years back several people using phones for navigation found they overheated and shutdown.

[Studley Ramrod]

There's also the problem you get if you're using copilot and get a phone call, the copilot screen disappears and you end up missing your turn off.  Then after the call you have to faff about getting the copilot screen back oop.  Apparently.

 

Still good for a back up if your satnav goes tits up though.  Think I'll be getting it for a try anyhoos.

[ChrisG]

Thinking of phone navigation, my Sony Xperia came with Garmin's "Navigation" app, so that might be free for other Sony phones

[Muppdog]

I never had an issue with loosing Copilot after a call. Maybe a phone issue rather than an app issue.
On charging, make sure your charger puts out more than 1A. Else it will not keep up with the app. On mine anyway. 1.5A will do it.

Rob

[dablik]

That was my Copilot and phone which Studs is talking about, think it could be down to a phone issue as you say.....will have to check my charger also..

[Favs]

Overheating phone = stop for cake & rehydration

[dablik]

Phone overheating in France 2012 but simply shut itself off as a precaution, having under the plastic window of my tankbag was'nt helping much..

[ChrisG]

Overheating phone = stop for cake & rehydration

 

Great idea in theory but when the phone's shut itself down how do you Google for the nearest cake shop?

[Favs]

Use le nez

[Rallyist]

Use le nez

Could be in trouble if a farmer if enriching his field nearby

[Studley Ramrod]

Don't make the same mistake I did and make sure your topbox is big enough to carry your essentials.