I'm probably missing something here, but why not set up your main phone as a hotspot, connect the waterproof secondary phone to that, and then use apps on the secondary phone to navigate. No lag, no android auto, no need for the Headunit Reloaded app, and you only need a SIM in the main phone. I've been using this setup for a while now, without issue.
Well, searching for the right route is faster on the main phone (as that phone is fastest in fact), so the idea is that you can still use that fast phone, then just turn on Android Auto which will pick up the directions from that device. Also with that solution you can answer phone calls on the screen in front of you. That is the theory but yes, your solution might be in fact good alternative if only your provider allow internet tethering abroad. Another option to test is international eSim.
I think you forgot a very important thing, the lighting of the screen. I recently bought a 7” CarPlay screen with 1,000 real nits, IP67, dual-band Bluetooth for the intercom, and the best of all is that it has no internal battery, now you will only have to charge 1 device on your trips, at most you have You have to carry a small powerbank in your pocket. This cost me €180. Are there many smartphones with the same price-quality? I used to travel just like you, with two smartphones, and this was a revolutionary change for me, like putting on or taking off reading glasses. Good video, see you on the road ✌️
I already wrote a long rant here, but in the end you reached almost the same conclusion. I just wanted to mention the issue with the second sim is not really an issue, if you can afford a second phone. Most helmet comms nowdays can connect to multiple bluetooth devices, so the link between the two phones is completely useless idea.
I haven't seen that. Will read it later as I'm riding today. Just to add a bit; I don't think it's completely useless, it's easy to use but have some problems... so eventually a bit useless ;)
ps. for some reason I thought you wrote a long rant on your channel's community page ;) Don't ask me why I thought it... probably it's my todays hangover
@@UncleLongbeard 😆 I wrote it as a comment, but I finished it before the video was done. There were midroll ads, so I started typing all that was wrong with the idea, but then suddenly the video continued 😛
Maybe we are just used to using our Garmin 660's. Used them for about 10 years in conjunction with Garmin Basecamp for planning routes. Requires more forward planning on a computer. The 660 isn't so good at planning as you ride. This last summer riding in 40C heat, our phones shut down in the direct sun but the Garmin kept working.
I use Basecamp on my computer to prepare gpx files from my trips. Not the best planning software to be honest. I much prefer 'Tyre'. Nevertheless it's easy to export gpx there. Garmin devices though are crazily expensive and terribly slow for the prize. Lack of real time speed camera/police/traffic warning is another story. But my experience confirms that it's usable when you plan on your computer and upload routes there.
@UncleLongbeard For us changing to anything is double expensive. Two bikes two satnavs. We both also have quadlock mounts and cases, this does give Google maps and Android options when out on the bikes and we acknowledge its much more user friendly than Basecamp
My solution is a second phone with offline maps. I use Copilot and have East west europe plus Osmand+. When I use it I set it to Airplane mode to disable mobile antenna, but you can still use Bluetooth to the Interphone. This way with the USB power it remains at 100% so the battery doesn't heat up and power goes directly to the phone. You have always on screen, Navigation and music. Second phone in the pocket in normal mode with data, If I ride a lot and don't take photos or other thing, on the evening is at 70%.
And that would be enough in most cases but 1. it doesn't tell you about blue or other road dangers ;) 2. Google maps is much easier to operate and it's easier to search there as it's auto correcting any misspelling etc. So still, the easiest and fastest option is to just use GMaps... or Waze for additional warnings. Just saying as no solution is perfect for now.
@@UncleLongbeard I set that if I go over the road speed limit, gps speed, it will start making an alarm noise and speed traps are indicated. If you stay in the limits and bike is OK, you don't have to be afraid of blue(if blue stands for police) The only thing I miss is traffic, but who cares on a motorcycle. Anycase, if you want that option, it is there, you just have to have data. Gmaps is ok if you stay in your country, but once you go out the border, your data will become expensive and mobile towers are a big power eaters if they are far away or managed by other operators. I like Copilot because I paid once and I have all Europe and it is updated. I'm also thinking of the Android auto, just because you can have Osmand, but at the end is better a stand alone Phone.
Instead of buying a second phone to run head unit reloaded can you not buy an android tablet and run head unit reloaded. You get a better screen than a second tiny phone. It may be easier to manipulate the screen when wearing motorcycle gloves with touch pad fingers than a tiny phone screen no?
@@UncleLongbeard here 7 inch ruggedised which is coated in rubber, shock proof and water proof are around let’s see; converted to British pounds about 240. If it falls off your bike on the highway it should bounce and survive. If your phone falls off it should bounce and crack no?
Did you watch my 2nd to last video? Lol. I made fun of sat navs and stated I am old school paper map and looking up the night before or print them out . Your never lost when on a motorcycle. It's all about the experience. I do know own a smart phone in the last 2 years, where I use it when I stop and feel lost and find my way. Just me. Been riding 24 years and never used a sat nav. But if you Geo cashe I have to use one.😂
I love paper maps... when I have enough time to use them. But in reality it is so much faster to find a right road with navigation, that for most of my travels I decide not to waste time and just go directly where I planned to be. If only I would have 2x more holidays at work...
exactly my way of navigation Sir.. one upto date phone linked wireless to a second battered phone.. l find the best micro vibration damper is the drift inovation mounting cup and glue pads. Their moiunts are all based on glue and clip.. designed for a video camera so perfect for a phone , very robust. £14 from the drift inovation site.🤓🤓
I completely don't get the idea of sharing the main phone with the chip one. Isn't it better to simply put a sim card to the chip one, and use only this one when riding ?
@@prudhoe_at_fckn_youtube And replace it before/after every short trip? A bit of a faf really. That's where this android auto solution shines. You just turn your phone, start google maps and your directions are landing on the device attached to your bike.
I'm probably missing something here, but why not set up your main phone as a hotspot, connect the waterproof secondary phone to that, and then use apps on the secondary phone to navigate. No lag, no android auto, no need for the Headunit Reloaded app, and you only need a SIM in the main phone. I've been using this setup for a while now, without issue.
Well, searching for the right route is faster on the main phone (as that phone is fastest in fact), so the idea is that you can still use that fast phone, then just turn on Android Auto which will pick up the directions from that device. Also with that solution you can answer phone calls on the screen in front of you. That is the theory but yes, your solution might be in fact good alternative if only your provider allow internet tethering abroad. Another option to test is international eSim.
Totally agree. Use a rugged phone. And have a spare. $80 extra a year for a burner phone sim. Dmd2 all the way!
I think you forgot a very important thing, the lighting of the screen. I recently bought a 7” CarPlay screen with 1,000 real nits, IP67, dual-band Bluetooth for the intercom, and the best of all is that it has no internal battery, now you will only have to charge 1 device on your trips, at most you have You have to carry a small powerbank in your pocket. This cost me €180.
Are there many smartphones with the same price-quality?
I used to travel just like you, with two smartphones, and this was a revolutionary change for me, like putting on or taking off reading glasses. Good video, see you on the road ✌️
In another bit newer video I made a review of such a unit as yours. Cheers
I already wrote a long rant here, but in the end you reached almost the same conclusion. I just wanted to mention the issue with the second sim is not really an issue, if you can afford a second phone. Most helmet comms nowdays can connect to multiple bluetooth devices, so the link between the two phones is completely useless idea.
I haven't seen that. Will read it later as I'm riding today. Just to add a bit; I don't think it's completely useless, it's easy to use but have some problems... so eventually a bit useless ;)
ps. for some reason I thought you wrote a long rant on your channel's community page ;) Don't ask me why I thought it... probably it's my todays hangover
@@UncleLongbeard 😆 I wrote it as a comment, but I finished it before the video was done. There were midroll ads, so I started typing all that was wrong with the idea, but then suddenly the video continued 😛
Maybe we are just used to using our Garmin 660's. Used them for about 10 years in conjunction with Garmin Basecamp for planning routes. Requires more forward planning on a computer. The 660 isn't so good at planning as you ride.
This last summer riding in 40C heat, our phones shut down in the direct sun but the Garmin kept working.
I use Basecamp on my computer to prepare gpx files from my trips. Not the best planning software to be honest. I much prefer 'Tyre'. Nevertheless it's easy to export gpx there. Garmin devices though are crazily expensive and terribly slow for the prize. Lack of real time speed camera/police/traffic warning is another story. But my experience confirms that it's usable when you plan on your computer and upload routes there.
@UncleLongbeard For us changing to anything is double expensive. Two bikes two satnavs. We both also have quadlock mounts and cases, this does give Google maps and Android options when out on the bikes and we acknowledge its much more user friendly than Basecamp
@@Banditmanuk fair enough
My solution is a second phone with offline maps. I use Copilot and have East west europe plus Osmand+. When I use it I set it to Airplane mode to disable mobile antenna, but you can still use Bluetooth to the Interphone. This way with the USB power it remains at 100% so the battery doesn't heat up and power goes directly to the phone. You have always on screen, Navigation and music. Second phone in the pocket in normal mode with data, If I ride a lot and don't take photos or other thing, on the evening is at 70%.
And that would be enough in most cases but 1. it doesn't tell you about blue or other road dangers ;) 2. Google maps is much easier to operate and it's easier to search there as it's auto correcting any misspelling etc. So still, the easiest and fastest option is to just use GMaps... or Waze for additional warnings. Just saying as no solution is perfect for now.
@@UncleLongbeard I set that if I go over the road speed limit, gps speed, it will start making an alarm noise and speed traps are indicated. If you stay in the limits and bike is OK, you don't have to be afraid of blue(if blue stands for police) The only thing I miss is traffic, but who cares on a motorcycle. Anycase, if you want that option, it is there, you just have to have data. Gmaps is ok if you stay in your country, but once you go out the border, your data will become expensive and mobile towers are a big power eaters if they are far away or managed by other operators. I like Copilot because I paid once and I have all Europe and it is updated. I'm also thinking of the Android auto, just because you can have Osmand, but at the end is better a stand alone Phone.
makes sense. I will probably get the android auto device soon so I will do the proper test
Instead of buying a second phone to run head unit reloaded can you not buy an android tablet and run head unit reloaded. You get a better screen than a second tiny phone. It may be easier to manipulate the screen when wearing motorcycle gloves with touch pad fingers than a tiny phone screen no?
That would be too big for any of my bikes, but if you've got a place for that why not. Just find a waterproof one...
@@UncleLongbeard here 7 inch ruggedised which is coated in rubber, shock proof and water proof are around let’s see; converted to British pounds about 240. If it falls off your bike on the highway it should bounce and survive. If your phone falls off it should bounce and crack no?
I was talking about military grade phones here, for £180 with 6" screen ;)
You can hotspot your internet to the other phone as well.
Not in every country
Did you watch my 2nd to last video? Lol. I made fun of sat navs and stated I am old school paper map and looking up the night before or print them out . Your never lost when on a motorcycle. It's all about the experience. I do know own a smart phone in the last 2 years, where I use it when I stop and feel lost and find my way. Just me. Been riding 24 years and never used a sat nav. But if you Geo cashe I have to use one.😂
I love paper maps... when I have enough time to use them. But in reality it is so much faster to find a right road with navigation, that for most of my travels I decide not to waste time and just go directly where I planned to be. If only I would have 2x more holidays at work...
exactly my way of navigation Sir.. one upto date phone linked wireless to a second battered phone.. l find the best micro vibration damper is the drift inovation mounting cup and glue pads. Their moiunts are all based on glue and clip.. designed for a video camera so perfect for a phone , very robust. £14 from the drift inovation site.🤓🤓
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I completely don't get the idea of sharing the main phone with the chip one. Isn't it better to simply put a sim card to the chip one, and use only this one when riding ?
It is simply better indeed, but you need to pay extra for another SIM. Probably 10 a month wasted
@@UncleLongbeard Why do you need another SIM ? Just use the one you have, but insert it to the cheap one, which is going to be used as navi.
@@prudhoe_at_fckn_youtube And replace it before/after every short trip? A bit of a faf really. That's where this android auto solution shines. You just turn your phone, start google maps and your directions are landing on the device attached to your bike.