Hello Everyone,

I'm about to go to major trip (in Europe) in two month and one of the upgrades I'm looking for is GPS navigation. After doing my homework and reading tons of reviews I have decided to use my mobile. I no longer consider paying around 300 pounds for stand alone navigation worthy investment. My mobile have GPS, I already own waterproof case so I have just downloaded application and maps. Maps are stored on the mobile and application can read them and determine location when you are offline only with GPS running that is the whole purpose of it. This is free and I have only bought universal phone holder for 4 pounds and motorcycle USB connector + wires for 7 pounds

I'm curious if anyone is using same setup and what experience you have with it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peaklife-Wea.../dp/B0062EAGP2

there is a new version with bigger screen on its way

I too use my mobile. I have spent a little more money though, but that was my choice and my wife says not needed! I use a RAM mount X-Grip universal holder on a RAM mount arm with a lock. My phone is a Sony Experia which are waterproof (enough) so no case required. It has a magnetic charging port so no micro usb slots to let water in. The reason I like this system is that my phone takes 5 seconds to dismount so little theft temptation of a standard GPS and also I have one thing that is the phone (radical), camera, video camera, mp3 player and GPS. I do use a 2A charger as the 1.5A standard one runs the GPS but hasn't got enough umph to charge as well.

The one issue I had with this tried and tested system was that the RAM lock rattled and the X-Grip rotated to one side slightly. Neither important, but very bugging. To solve this issue I pumped a whack of chain lube into both. After a couple of days the solvent evaporates leaving behind the waxy gunk. Perfect. Both now neither rattle or rotate and hopefully will never rust!

I now carry one cable rather than the three and chargers from before. I am aware this is 'eggs in one basket' scenario, but hey, ultimately if it got broken or nicked, its a phone, that all. Simple is good.

__________________
DickyC

Gun Metal Grey 2014 XT660Z
'Advice is sought by someone who knows the answer but doesn't like it'

'The adsence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously'

Batman,

I used the same setup on several trips and had no trouble at all. The only things to mention are that the waterproof cases are anything but waterproof (a clear plastic bag solves that one) and that the Bluetooth was not quick enough to pick up the first one or two words of the guidance. But not an issue really as it was repeated later and you get to fill in the gaps.
A 1 amp USB ran my GPS and kept the phone charged. (HTC and CoPilot live)
The beauty about these Sat Navs is the speed of recalculating routes. Virtually instant. As opposed to the Garmin my wife uses. Painfully slow.

Rob