Tipper integration with Google Maps

[HimalayanPete]

I'm going to ride some of the MABDR next weekend. I've got the routes planned for each day using goggle maps then onto paper like I use to do back in the day racing enduros. But I'm wondering how to use the Tripper on my Himalayan. I sent a test route to my iPhone but cannot figure out how to save it and use it with Tripper? I also have beeline but I found it to be too hard to see the direction arrow in daylight. I don't need turn by turn just a track. Any advice/help would be appreciated. - Gene

You cannot load anything into Tripper. You also can not save a route in Tripper. So Tripper I am afraid will not be of any use to you. Beeline maybe. If your planned routes can be saved as GPX files then these can be uploaded to Beeline and saved. What I do not know is how Beeline would treat any sections of the route that is off road. I am guessing if the road / track is not in the Beeline (google) map it will not know how to navigate it. If you can get waypoints / destinations into Beeline as locations then you can use Beeline in Compass mode. In Compass mode Beeline arrow points to waypoint / destination as the crow flies, it is up to you to choose the roads to get there. In this mode it will also give you straight line distance to the waypoint / destination. This maybe of some use.

 

[HimalayanPete]

Just tried to place a waypoint in a field and Beeline will not play ball. So any of the ride that is off road will not work with Beeline. Looks like your paper directions is the only answer unless you go for a dedicated app that can provide track information when off road. If you find a way do share.

 

[ghunt]

So pretty much it's no very useful except for getting around town from place to place. Meanwhile Beeline too doesn't provide a way to import a route made in goggle maps yet is uses google maps. Paper it will be.

 

[HimalayanPete]

So pretty much it's no very useful except for getting around town from place to place. Meanwhile Beeline too doesn't provide a way to import a route made in goggle maps yet is uses google maps. Paper it will be.

You can import a route made in Goggle maps but it needs to be converted into a GPX file. Unfortunately this is a Goggle issue. If you use Goggle MyMaps then the route can be exported as a KMZ file. This can then be converted into a GPX file which will import into Beeline. If your route is just using the Goggle maps in your browser then you can via another website convert the Hyperlink that is produced into a GPX file. It is a PITA that Google cannot save a route as a GPX file. This sounds like a faff and it is. Think I would just replan your routes in the Beeline app and save them or use a planner that can export routes as GPX files. However this will only work for the on road sections of your ride.

 

[Iowarider]

Sorry for the basic question. Can you actually here phone directions from your phone in your pocket while riding? I'm thinking a blue tooth headset would be a good investment.
Also, I'm riding a classic 350, wich app routes secondary roads best? I definitely want to stay off the multi lane highways. Okay back to your discussion and thanks.

 

[HimalayanPete]

Sorry for the basic question. Can you actually here phone directions from your phone in your pocket while riding? I'm thinking a blue tooth headset would be a good investment.
Also, I'm riding a classic 350, wich app routes secondary roads best? I definitely want to stay off the multi lane highways. Okay back to your discussion and thanks.

Not a basic question at all. If you get a BT headset for your crash helmet then yes you can connect that to your phone and hear directions from which ever app you choose. All navigation apps can be set to avoid highways but other faster roads require you to plan the route. There are quite a few dedicated motorcycle orientated apps to choose from and it is really down to personnel preference. I'm an iphone user so have only tried IOS apps but my favourite is Scenic. Others I have tried are Calimoto and Rever. A popular app is Google but it is difficult to plan complex multi waypoint routes to avoid the busy roads. Most apps you can use for free with limitations but it gives you an idea if you like the way it does things before purchase. Hope this helps.

 

[Iowarider]

Thanks, I appreciate your time. I'll check out the apps you suggested.

 

[ghunt]

I have BT Coms for my helmets and iPhone, use it mostly with XM Radio. I'm not sure I could tolerate turn by turn while riding, I even turn it off in the car, except for the last mile.

 

[Caspice]

I had high expectations for the Tripper on my Himi, but was ultimately disappointed. My solution was to repurpose an old android based phone for use as a dedicated motoGPS.
A brief overview is in the post referencedbelow:

Pennsylvania Owners

Rode the PA portion of the MABDR Section 5 on Saturday. Had already ridden many parts of this route previously but this was the first time as a structured trip. A few places where fresh gravel had been added increased the excitement level. A few tight corners on downhill sections required a...

www.royalenfieldowners.com

Has worked well enough for downloading maps of the MABDR.

My only use for the Tripper currently is as another clock.

 

[Overdrive]

I’ve just used the scenic app (on iOS) for the first time today, and for Himalayan type rides it’s certainly better /easier than Google at finding decent routes (in the UK at least) plus it’s easy to plan trips with multiple stops/waypoints. I’m still on the completely free version, which uses points per trip, but once these are used up - another 9 trips - I think I’ll buy the subscription.
Big thanks to Himalayan Pete for the pointer a while back.

 

[Flicka]

I have been using Kurviger for some time, an excellent free application unfortunately only for android. You can easily track your routes on your PC and they will automatically be shared with the mobile version. Also tried to trace directly with the mobile app and with the right settings it traced a beautiful mixed asphalt / dirt road. its routes can be exported in gpx and used with your favorite App/Device

 

[HimalayanPete]

I’ve just used the scenic app (on iOS) for the first time today, and for Himalayan type rides it’s certainly better /easier than Google at finding decent routes (in the UK at least) plus it’s easy to plan trips with multiple stops/waypoints. I’m still on the completely free version, which uses points per trip, but once these are used up - another 9 trips - I think I’ll buy the subscription.
Big thanks to Himalayan Pete for the pointer a while back.

Overdrive if you are happy with the app I would suggest you do not use up your points on trips. You need points to buy maps. I paid for lifetime subscription but you still have to buy points / credits to buy maps. Once maps have been purchased then all updates are free. Checkout the Scenic forum very informative and lots of good help.

 

[RTD]

Inspired by the recent activity on this thread, gave the tripper another go...

The visual directions are fine and perform as intended, but the voice prompts (in my case) are still a glitchy nightmare. It’s an endless chopped-up pile of phrases giving distances to things, like a hyperventilating coke-fiend in the midst of a cardiac explosion... Like, calm down, robot, take a breath. I’m on the current version of the app & IOS, so there’s seemingly nothing else a citizen can do.

Meanwhile, going back to Calimoto or Scenic has been lovely. I may still use Tripper on long country-road trips with few navigation concerns, and keep the voice prompts off. But on routes like that, a nav is hardly needed, eh?

 

[nmroadrunner]

Butler Motorcycle Maps...yeah, I said it

 

[REHima]

think ill remove my tripper- seems to be the perfect place to place my phone mount.

 

[Overdrive]

Overdrive if you are happy with the app I would suggest you do not use up your points on trips. You need points to buy maps. I paid for lifetime subscription but you still have to buy points / credits to buy maps. Once maps have been purchased then all updates are free. Checkout the Scenic forum very informative and lots of good help.

Thanks Pete, appreciate your input, I’ll have a look at the forum.
I started with a 20 point credit, 10 of which were used on downloading the offline UK maps. I think I’ll also get a lifetime subscription, as long as the map updates keep coming it’s great value imho. It’s by far the best app I’ve found.
I use an old iPhone offline on the bike, but as a back up I tether it to my everyday phone in my pocket for data which google /Waze traffic info needs, which works well, especially if I need a direct fast route anywhere. Mostly I don’t worry about traffic problems on the Himmy.
iPhone’s are really easily destroyed by vibes, hence not attaching my main phone to the bike.

 

[wachuko]

I really wanted the Tripper to work for me, but I have not had great success with it.

First of all, the helmet I have been using with it does not have a headset. I have been using the Tripper only following the arrows. The distance to the turns is off, just does not refresh quickly enough, so I find myself missing turns left and right. Having to then continue the ride, make a U-turn and try again.

I tried it this morning on my way to work again just to validate with a known route. Yeah... not that great.

From the feedback here, a few folks feel the same. And looks like the Beeline is a better option if I was in the market to replace the Tripper.

But for now I will stick with my old GPS, Garmin Zumo 550. Just need to finish wiring it. When this one dies I will get the Garmin Zumo XT2

 

[HimalayanPete]

Thanks Pete, appreciate your input, I’ll have a look at the forum.
I started with a 20 point credit, 10 of which were used on downloading the offline UK maps. I think I’ll also get a lifetime subscription, as long as the map updates keep coming it’s great value imho. It’s by far the best app I’ve found.
I use an old iPhone offline on the bike, but as a back up I tether it to my everyday phone in my pocket for data which google /Waze traffic info needs, which works well, especially if I need a direct fast route anywhere. Mostly I don’t worry about traffic problems on the Himmy.
iPhone’s are really easily destroyed by vibes, hence not attaching my main phone to the bike.

Guido the developer of Scenic is very pro active on the forum. The app is due a big update shortly which will include speed camera support. He is always improving the app each year and it just gets better. Android support is in the pipeline as well. The forum is very good but the best part of the app is the developer Guido. He is open to ideas and any issues responds quickly to resolve. Great support. Map updates come regularly. Checkout how to customise the map interface. I changed colours road widths and fonts to make it easier to read. I'm using an iPhone 12 with SP Connect wireless charger combined into an anti vibration mount. On my other bike I use Quadlock anti vibration mount. Must have ridden more than 12k miles with no phone issues. However thats on road only. But using an old phone is a great idea.

 

[Overdrive]

I must admit using one phone is a lot easier as the screen is so much better, my X is a few years old now, so maybe I’ll give the quad lock AV mount a try

 

[HimalayanPete]

I must admit using one phone is a lot easier as the screen is so much better, my X is a few years old now, so maybe I’ll give the quad lock AV mount a try

Quadlock or SP Connect are both good. Which is better ? Think they both do a good job. I moved away from Quadlock to SP Connect on the Himmy because I wanted a wireless charging waterproof option. The SP Connect version with built in anti vibration is very neat. Also think phone attaching is easier on SP Connect but that could just be me.