Motorcycle-Specific Navigators vs. Smartphones: Which is Better? From Pros and Cons to Choosing the Right Option

Dedicated Motorcycle GPS vs. Smartphone: Which is Better?

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The number of people using navigation systems on motorcycles is increasing, but they are divided into those who mount navigation systems with LCD screens, similar to cars, and those who use smartphone navigation apps.

Both have their pros and cons, and which is better depends on the user's environment and preferences. However, navigation systems are recommended for the following types of users:

Who Should Use a Navigation System?

Navigation systems are recommended for those who want stable navigation while riding, or who plan to use navigation for long periods or in hot weather.

Motorcycle-specific navigation systems are designed to be resistant to vibrations, so there's no concern about the power suddenly shutting off while riding.

Furthermore, during long periods of use or in hot weather, smartphones may overheat (thermal runaway), causing safety features to activate and the screen to shut down. With a navigation system, such worries are unnecessary.

More navigation systems are now designed to be operated with thick gloves on, eliminating the need to constantly remove gloves for navigation, making them user-friendly for riders.

Who Should Use Smartphone Navigation?

Smartphone navigation is recommended for those who want to use navigation as cheaply as possible, or those who use navigation infrequently or for short durations.

There are many navigation apps available for smartphones, and most can be used for free. So, if you have a smartphone that supports the app, you can use navigation without spending money.

Also, for short-distance travel or infrequent navigation use, the risk of thermal runaway and vibration-related issues from prolonged use is low, so smartphone navigation is often sufficient.

If You're Undecided, Try Smartphone Navigation First

If you're unsure whether to get a dedicated navigation system or use smartphone navigation, it's recommended to try smartphone navigation first.

Smartphone navigation can be vulnerable to vibrations and is not ideal for prolonged use or use in hot weather. If you experience inconvenience or problems, then consider getting a dedicated navigation system.

Also, some smartphones are not waterproof, so if you're using a non-waterproof smartphone for navigation, be careful not to use it in the rain.

Advantages of Using a Smartphone for Motorcycle Navigation

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The advantages of using a smartphone for motorcycle navigation are as follows:

1. No initial investment
2. Always has the latest map data
3. Can listen to music and use Bluetooth
4. Doesn't take up much space

Advantage 1: No Initial Investment

With smartphone navigation, you can use navigation as long as you have a smartphone, so no initial investment is required.

To use navigation on a smartphone, you need to install a navigation app on your smartphone, but most apps are free to use.

Some apps offer paid plans that provide greater convenience, such as showing gasoline prices at nearby gas stations, but paid plans typically cost between 300 and 1,000 yen per month.

Advantage 2: Always Has the Latest Map Data

Smartphone navigation apps constantly receive the latest map data, so you always have new information.

While updating maps on a dedicated navigation system can sometimes be difficult, requiring a new memory card, smartphone navigation updates automatically, making it hassle-free.

Some navigation systems may display roads that are difficult to traverse or suggest routes that aren't the shortest, but having access to the latest maps at all times is a significant advantage.

Advantage 3: Can Listen to Music and Use Bluetooth

With smartphone navigation, you can run other apps simultaneously with the navigation app, allowing you to listen to music or stream videos like a radio while navigating.

A word of caution: if you're listening to music with earphones, make sure the volume isn't so high that you can't hear your surroundings, as this could be a violation of regulations. Use caution with the volume.

Advantage 4: Doesn't Take Up Much Space

When using a smartphone for navigation, it's common to attach it with a smartphone holder, which takes up very little space.

With dedicated navigation systems, finding a suitable mounting position can be tricky depending on the motorcycle model, but smartphones take up less space, have fewer mounting restrictions, and can be attached to most models.

Disadvantages of Using a Smartphone for Motorcycle Navigation

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Next, the main disadvantages of using a smartphone for motorcycle navigation are:

1. Fast battery drain
2. Cannot be used in areas with poor signal
3. High risk of failure due to vibration, heat, rain, etc.
4. Screen may be difficult to see in sunlight

We will explain each point in order.

Disadvantage 1: Fast Battery Drain

Using a smartphone for motorcycle navigation quickly drains the battery.

While navigating, the smartphone and navigation app are constantly active, leading to faster battery consumption and accelerated battery degradation due to heat.

The lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones degrade quickly with heat. Therefore, continuously running the smartphone leads to high battery drain and accelerated degradation from heat, placing a significant burden on the battery.

Disadvantage 2: Cannot Be Used in Areas with Poor Signal

Smartphone navigation relies on receiving signals to constantly update traffic information, so it cannot be used in areas with no signal (out of range) or unstable signals.

While it works fine in urban areas with stable signals, one disadvantage of using a smartphone for navigation is that it might not work in remote areas.

Disadvantage 3: High Risk of Failure Due to Vibration, Heat, Rain, etc.

Smartphones are not very resistant to vibrations, and their internal lithium-ion batteries are not very resistant to heat.

Motorcycles are constantly exposed to road vibrations and wind, and smartphones are susceptible to sunlight and temperature changes, increasing the risk of smartphone failure.

Additionally, smartphones without waterproofing cannot be used in the rain, and there's a risk of damage from sudden downpours. These are all disadvantages of using a smartphone for navigation.

Disadvantage 4: Screen May Be Difficult to See in Sunlight

Another disadvantage of using a smartphone for navigation is that the screen can be difficult to see due to reflection from strong sunlight on clear days.

To counteract this, you can apply a film that reduces glare and improves visibility, or use an app that enhances screen visibility in bright light.

Advantages of Using a Dedicated Motorcycle GPS

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Compared to smartphones, the advantages of using a dedicated motorcycle navigation system (hereafter referred to as "navigation") are as follows:

1. Shockproof and waterproof design
2. Can be operated while wearing gloves
3. Can be used offline
4. Better battery life

Advantage 1: Shockproof and Waterproof Design

Dedicated motorcycle navigation systems are designed to be shockproof, waterproof, and resistant to dust, which is a major advantage.

While riding a motorcycle, you're constantly exposed to road bumps and wind, leading to significant vibrations. However, dedicated navigation systems are designed to be shock-resistant, offering better vibration resistance than smartphones.

They are also waterproof, so you don't have to scramble for cover when it rains, whether you're using it in the rain or encounter sudden showers while riding. This is a key advantage of dedicated navigation.

Advantage 2: Can Be Operated While Wearing Gloves

Dedicated motorcycle navigation systems are designed so that the touch panel can be operated even while wearing gloves.

Many are designed with button layouts optimized for easy pressing, even with gloves on, which is an advantage smartphones don't offer.

Advantage 3: Can Be Used Offline

A significant advantage of dedicated navigation systems is that they can be used offline.

When using a smartphone as a navigator, maps and current location are not updated if there is no signal reception. However, dedicated navigation systems can be used regardless of signal conditions.

In remote mountainous areas where there is no signal, smartphone navigation cannot be used, but dedicated navigation can be used anywhere, which is an advantage that smartphone navigation does not have.

Advantage 4: Better Battery Life

Many dedicated navigation systems with built-in rechargeable batteries can be used for about 10 hours on a single charge, offering better battery life compared to using a smartphone for navigation.

Dedicated navigation systems come in two types: those powered by an internal battery and those that draw power from the motorcycle. With the latter, you don't have to worry about the battery dying.

However, with the power-supplied type, since the navigation system operates using the motorcycle's battery, you need to be careful not to use the navigation system for long periods while the motorcycle is stopped, to avoid draining the motorcycle's battery.

Disadvantages of Using a Dedicated Motorcycle GPS

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Having looked at the advantages of using a dedicated motorcycle navigation system, let's now consider its disadvantages.

1. Initial investment tends to be high
2. Map data updates also cost money
3. Cannot obtain online information such as rain radar and traffic information

We will explain each point in order, so please refer to them along with the advantages.

Disadvantage 1: Initial Investment Tends to Be High

Dedicated motorcycle navigation systems require an initial purchase of the navigation system itself, so the initial investment tends to be high.

While smartphone navigation offers many free apps if you own a smartphone (paid apps are typically around 500-1,000 yen per month), dedicated navigation requires purchasing the unit itself.

The disadvantage is that dedicated navigation systems require an initial investment, whereas smartphone navigation can be used for free.

Disadvantage 2: Map Data Updates Also Cost Money

To update map data on a dedicated navigation system, you need to purchase new data media, such as an SD card (the type of data media depends on the navigation system).

While smartphone navigation offers free map updates with just a tap of a button, dedicated navigation requires purchasing new data for map updates, which is an economic disadvantage.

Some navigation systems offer free map updates, allowing you to download data to your computer and transfer it to the navigation system, but you still need to provide a memory card with the necessary data capacity yourself.

Disadvantage 3: Cannot Obtain Online Information Such as Rain Radar and Traffic Information

Dedicated navigation systems are generally not connected online, so they cannot obtain real-time weather information like rain radar or traffic information, which is another disadvantage.

Without such information, you can't predict the weather at your destination, and traffic information isn't updated in real time, so the estimated travel time to your destination is just an approximation.

In contrast, smartphone navigation, if it has signal reception, reflects rain cloud movements and traffic conditions almost in real-time, making it easier to predict weather and travel times.

Summary

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We've discussed the pros and cons of using a smartphone navigation app versus a dedicated navigation system for motorcycles.

While smartphone navigation often offers many free apps and free updates, it can be difficult to operate, vulnerable to vibrations, and prone to breakage.

Dedicated navigation systems require an initial investment and costs for map data updates, but they can be operated with gloves on and are resistant to vibrations and rain. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Please refer to the information we've provided to create your ideal navigation environment and enjoy a better motorcycle life.