DMD2, Chigee, Carpuride, Aooci, ...?

[JWeetje]

Which is the best screen for MRA?
For me that is using Carplay.
I have read quite a few topics, here and elsewhere. It seems that price and quality go hand in hand. But a collegue with cheap one from Ali, is also happy.
Stable connection, not too much phone battery drainage, no missing functions. That is what I would like.
On this site Chigee seems too have less issues than i.e. Carpuride.
DMD2 is super, but not for Carplay.

Please let me know your thoughts and experiences?

[Steve Jarrell]

"DMD2 is super, but not for Carplay".... I run a DMD-T865X tablet with the MRA Navigation Next Android app on my BMW R1300GS motorcycle and my Can-Am Spyder (I have the wired DMD brackets on both). I also run Amazon Music, the Musicolet music app for locally stored music and SiriusXM using my iPhone as a hotspot for data (I don't have a data sim card in my T865X). I typically run offline maps stored in the T865X so that I don't have to worry about being out of cell coverage range.

I like the T865X because of its large, very bright touchscreen and it runs all of these apps natively instead of relying on an Apple Carplay or Android Auto connection. Also, it's ruggedized and weatherproof, and it has a very, very good GPS receiver (better than my iPhone's).

When I use MyRouteApp in my BMW X7 I use my iPhone and Apple Carplay.

While this certainly isn't the least expensive setup, it works very well for me on both the motorcycles and in the car seamlessly.

Hope this helps!

[JWeetje]

Thanks for your reply Steve.
DMD2 is like a tablet. Different from Carpuride.
Are there more tablets like that? Less expensive. Any rugged phone would do?

Nederlanders weten dit vast wel.

[Guzzist]

@JWeetje sorry to say, but by using a CP/AA device to keep your mobile phones securely in the pocket - you will run in new issues. It's still my opinion, if I see so many reported issues in different forums.

Like @steve-jarrell, I prefer to use only 1 device, but a excellent device - manufactured for hard offroad use: T-865X from DMD. They offer also smaller devices and the possible best app for navigating tracks - DMD2. Devices and app are manufactured from riders for riders.

The devices are based on Android, therefore you can install additional apps to the DMD2 app too.
Because I'm riding also offroad as well as onroad, I use the probably best app for onroad: MyRoute-App. And parallel for offroad the DMD2 app, LocusMap and OsmAnd. Just that app, which is the best for current situation.

For me the best: driven by the same gpx file, I can run all apps parallel. Just by push one hardware button, I can switch through all apps - backwards and forwards.

And as ultimative game changer, I'm using a remote controller - a button on the bikes handlebar - which I can easily operate with my thumb; no longer need to tap on the navi screen during the ride!

So, may read the information I have linked, then take your own decision

[Steve Jarrell]

@jweetje I forgot to mention that I purchased a Chigee device to use on my BMW R1300GS. It fit directly into the GS's cradle and interfaced into its systems natively. Still, for navigation with MRA via Apple Carplay I found the Chigee to be less than ideal and I didn't use it for more than a couple of weeks. Running MRA natively with the T-865X is not even remotely comparable.

As @guzzist mentioned you can easily run other Android apps simultaneously on the DMD. I typically have MRA, one of my music apps, and Waze running. I run Waze (if I'm connected to my iPhone as a hotspot) without a destination put in as that will report hazards, accidents, traffic, traffic cameras or police officers ahead in realtime which I find to be very helpful.

Also, there are times when I want to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible and I'll just run Google Maps or Waze instead of MRA.

As I'm sure that you've already realized you have several choices....

a) Use a dedicated device such as a Garmin or TomTom GPS and use MRA for route planning (I did this for quite a while),

b) mount the iPhone or Android phone where you can see it. I didn't use the handlebar mounted phones as those devices are not meant to be exposed to the weather, and I didn't find the screens to be adequate to view or operate via touch, especially using gloves, or

c) use a dedicated, purpose built Android device like the DMD devices. There aren't any iOS purpose built devices for motorcycles that I'm aware of.

All have of these options have their pros and cons.

After a LOT of experimenting, challenges, money, aggravation, etc. I found that the DMD T865-X was the best all around choice for me on the motorcycle, and my iPhone and Apple Carplay works great in my car.

Like @guzzist I have used a number of different combinations of hardware, software and apps trying to find the best solution for me.... Garmin 596 and XT, iPhone with Chigee, Mapsource, Basecamp, Kurviger, etc. before winding up where I am now.

I have attached a couple of pictures showing the size of the Chigee unit beside the DMD T865-X, and another showing how the DMD is mounted to the BMW R1300GS. I hope these will be helpful. Try to imagine the information that's shown on the DMD screen on the Chigee screen and I think you'll see why I didn't find it to be usable, especially with my "old man" eyes!

Best regards,

Steve

[Steve Jarrell]

@JWeetje You are absolutely correct. The DMD T865-X IS a tablet, ruggedized and specifically made for motorcycle navigation. As far as I know there aren't any other tablets that are made specifically for this purpose, especially with ruggedized mounting brackets and wiring harnesses specifically made for motorcycles.

While there are ruggedized Android phones available (I actually have one), take a look at the photos that I posted comparing the Chigee unit with the T865-X. For me, it was impossible to use MRA effectively on a screen the size of an average phone. For others, this may not be an issue.

My Garmin GPS units had similar screen sizes as a phone (possibly a little larger), but their software was specifically designed for that size screen and as such they were very useable. However they had their limitations as well. The ability to run MRA natively is a huge plus for me.

For ME.... the combination of the MRA Route Planner, the MRA Next app and the DMD T865-X is the perfect combination on a motorcycle. I completely understand that other people may have solutions that work just as well or better for them!

Best regards,

Steve

[JWeetje]

Looks like a nice toy.
And that DMD2 users are quite happy users.
I’ll have a look in their website.
Can you easily click it on and off the bike, like a Zumo?

[Steve Jarrell]

Yes, you can. I also has a built-in lock so it's somewhat safe to leave on the bike for a few minutes, but I always remove mine.

The tablet gets it power through pins in the bottom of the bracket (road holder only), but it has a secondary power supply that screws into the back of the unit which I always connect as well. It only takes 30 seconds or so to connect the screw-in connector, and it provides a backup power source.

More importantly to me, it serves as a lanyard to catch the device if by some chance it comes loose from the bracket (which it never has, but better safe than sorry!)

Click here.

Steve

[Guzzist]

@JWeetje said:

DMD2 is like a tablet. Different from Carpuride.
Are there more tablets like that? Less expensive. Any rugged phone would do?

Yes, there are rugged phones or tablets on market, prepared for outdoor use. But there are big difference to DMD devices: DMD devices are really manufactured to be used in harsh offroad conditions with heat, dust, water and hard vibrations. Usually such conditions will destroi standard phones/tablets.
Yes, there are some users, saying they are using standard phones/tablets without any problems. But the same amount of users confirms issues.

There is one more advantage of DMD devices: they will be delivered including mounting cradle and complete cable harness. Cable has to be connected to 12V of bike/car; no need of a 5V transmitter (USB). Next advantage: power management is driving primary the device and is loading the battery just if it's needed. Standard mobile devices doing it vice versa; therefore they w8ll ve overheated in summer conditions!

[AWDC LAO]

A Chigee is rubbish; it’s just an external monitor. You can buy a decent second-hand iPhone with a bigger screen for half the price.
We’ve kicked the Chigees out of our bike group.
A Carpe Iter or similar, as mentioned here, is a tablet with loads of features.

The so-called overheating issue can be easily resolved with a bit of technical common sense.