SatNav / Phone Mount / Bluetooth Ear Plugs
Discussion
I would search but the bloody search isn't working again, I can find a squillion topics but not narrow it down to this section.
Being new to road biking I have a few questions:
I want a satnav as I have a crap memory. I have a Garmin on my dirt bike but they don't actually sell a powered handlebar mount. A non powered one is £25, a powered one that doesn't fit handlebars is £35 it seems you have to buy both
So I'm wondering whether to just fit my phone instead as I don't think I need the Montana's capability on the road, any suggestions for mounts, I've seen the quad lock is rated.
If I fit my phone presumably I could also listen to music via wireless ear phones or isn't that a good idea / noise levels too high ?
On my first 2hr ride I forgot to take ear plugs and even at 60 the wind noise was quite loud (LS2 Pioneer) and I couldn't hear my bike - an end can is on order
Being new to road biking I have a few questions:
I want a satnav as I have a crap memory. I have a Garmin on my dirt bike but they don't actually sell a powered handlebar mount. A non powered one is £25, a powered one that doesn't fit handlebars is £35 it seems you have to buy both

So I'm wondering whether to just fit my phone instead as I don't think I need the Montana's capability on the road, any suggestions for mounts, I've seen the quad lock is rated.
If I fit my phone presumably I could also listen to music via wireless ear phones or isn't that a good idea / noise levels too high ?
On my first 2hr ride I forgot to take ear plugs and even at 60 the wind noise was quite loud (LS2 Pioneer) and I couldn't hear my bike - an end can is on order
My solution is my iPhone + Google Maps, in my bag connected to one of these: -
https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
roboxm3 said:
My solution is my iPhone + Google Maps, in my bag connected to one of these: -
https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
how do you find the shures on a bike?https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
i have a pair with a cheapy bluetooth adaptor, but i'm not sure weather to give them a go as noise protection/entertainment.
Another vote for Ultimate Addons from me. Quad lock also look good, but the UA stuff is really waterproof.
I used a UA case for my iPhone for navigation. I’d just put it down in the handlebars and hadn’t clicked it into the holder, got distracted with glove faffing, set off and the iPhone came off at about 70mph. When I got back to it, the case was a bit scuffed on the corners but otherwise, the phone and case were both fine.
I know you’ve not asked, but I use the CoPilot app for navigation. It was about £25 when I bought it and it includes both Western and Eastern Europe, but you can also download individual countries or groups (like BeNeLux or Scandinavia), saving phone memory. It’s good for use abroad, as it doesn’t need a mobile data signal, it just uses the GPS chip in the phone. There’s plenty of options to “customise” the app (avoid motorways, avoid tolls, that kind of stuff, as well as options to tailor your speeds for different types of road, giving more accurate ETAs). CoPilot has got me all round Scandinavia without any issues.
Whichever Satnav/map app you use, make sure you know how to work it long before you set off. Trying to work it out on the side of the road is a rubbish plan.
I used a UA case for my iPhone for navigation. I’d just put it down in the handlebars and hadn’t clicked it into the holder, got distracted with glove faffing, set off and the iPhone came off at about 70mph. When I got back to it, the case was a bit scuffed on the corners but otherwise, the phone and case were both fine.
I know you’ve not asked, but I use the CoPilot app for navigation. It was about £25 when I bought it and it includes both Western and Eastern Europe, but you can also download individual countries or groups (like BeNeLux or Scandinavia), saving phone memory. It’s good for use abroad, as it doesn’t need a mobile data signal, it just uses the GPS chip in the phone. There’s plenty of options to “customise” the app (avoid motorways, avoid tolls, that kind of stuff, as well as options to tailor your speeds for different types of road, giving more accurate ETAs). CoPilot has got me all round Scandinavia without any issues.
Whichever Satnav/map app you use, make sure you know how to work it long before you set off. Trying to work it out on the side of the road is a rubbish plan.
V8RX7 said:
I would search but the bloody search isn't working again, I can find a squillion topics but not narrow it down to this section.
Being new to road biking I have a few questions:
I want a satnav as I have a crap memory. I have a Garmin on my dirt bike but they don't actually sell a powered handlebar mount. A non powered one is £25, a powered one that doesn't fit handlebars is £35 it seems you have to buy both
So I'm wondering whether to just fit my phone instead as I don't think I need the Montana's capability on the road, any suggestions for mounts, I've seen the quad lock is rated.
If I fit my phone presumably I could also listen to music via wireless ear phones or isn't that a good idea / noise levels too high ?
On my first 2hr ride I forgot to take ear plugs and even at 60 the wind noise was quite loud (LS2 Pioneer) and I couldn't hear my bike - an end can is on order
I'll try and answer both questions...Being new to road biking I have a few questions:
I want a satnav as I have a crap memory. I have a Garmin on my dirt bike but they don't actually sell a powered handlebar mount. A non powered one is £25, a powered one that doesn't fit handlebars is £35 it seems you have to buy both

So I'm wondering whether to just fit my phone instead as I don't think I need the Montana's capability on the road, any suggestions for mounts, I've seen the quad lock is rated.
If I fit my phone presumably I could also listen to music via wireless ear phones or isn't that a good idea / noise levels too high ?
On my first 2hr ride I forgot to take ear plugs and even at 60 the wind noise was quite loud (LS2 Pioneer) and I couldn't hear my bike - an end can is on order
You could listen to music via good noise isolating earphones like a Shure in ear earphone but I have found a combination of normal earplugs to minimise wind noise and a Sena helmet speaker for music+directions to be a good compromise.
Also you don't always need a phone or gps mount. These days I just keep my phone in my jacket pocket after entering the destination in Google Maps and just listen for directions via the Sena helmet speaker.
vonhosen said:
I'm very pleased with mine.Tried various in ear head phones and helmet speakers, but not found something I feel works for me - yet.
Another vote for ultimate add-ons mount. If you have a trickle charger lead fitted to your bike that comes out somewhere convenient you can get an adapter for £20 that turns it into USB power for the phone - handy on a long journey. Google maps works great for ad hoc use in good coverage areas, for longer journeys into remote areas I have the tomtom go app/maps installed on the phone .lts a tenner a year if you use it.
For audio i have a shark intercoms in my shark helmet which ive used when touring with pillion, its easy and fits well. Most modern helmets have cut outs for a headset which I find more comfy than wearing earphones. You can then wear regular ear plugs for the wind roar and still head helmet headset just fine.
For audio i have a shark intercoms in my shark helmet which ive used when touring with pillion, its easy and fits well. Most modern helmets have cut outs for a headset which I find more comfy than wearing earphones. You can then wear regular ear plugs for the wind roar and still head helmet headset just fine.
pessimal said:
roboxm3 said:
My solution is my iPhone + Google Maps, in my bag connected to one of these: -
https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
how do you find the shures on a bike?https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4-plus/
And a pair of these in my lug holes: -
https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/earphones/se2...
The JBL speakers that come with the Cardo are decent but with the earphones you get the audio and noise cancelling in one, without worrying about separate plugs.
Got us to Milan and back without any dramas with the added benefit of rider to rider comms, streamed music and the ability to take phone calls if required.
i have a pair with a cheapy bluetooth adaptor, but i'm not sure weather to give them a go as noise protection/entertainment.
The only slight faffage is the wire when you’re on and off with the lid but you do get into a routine with it.
MrsMiggins said:
In my experience seeing the map is really helpful when navigating in built up areas as it's not always clear from the voice prompts which lane you should be in or even which turning is the right one.
I’d agree with this for built up areas e.g. Milan...when it’s hot...and raining...at night...but at worst you just have a quick peek at the screen to get the general of where you’re going and you soon work it out...Max5476 said:
vonhosen said:
I'm very pleased with mine.Tried various in ear head phones and helmet speakers, but not found something I feel works for me - yet.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


