WAZE Smartphone v Sena 20S

[GaryWWhite]

Hello My Friends,

I have just discovered WAZE (the GPS app) for my smart phone and now am debating whether or not I should acquire a Sena 20S since I could just use noise canceling earbuds and get my music, telephone and NAV simply via the smart phone.  I'm assuming that (and someone please educate me on this) that if I was listening to I-Tunes that the GPS app would override the music giving me the direction command?  The other concern about using this method is that the Sena 20s would allow me to interface with my blue tooth on my Trophy so I could listen to XM Sirius and other radio stations.  Your help in getting me sorted out on what I should do would greatly be appreciated!

My Best,
Gary

[Coconut]

I thought you'd decided on a Garmin and RAM Mount for your Navigation ?

If so you can probably find Noise cancelling earbuds that can be cinnected by wire
to the Garmin Audio Output or SmartPhone to do away with the Sena 20s
or other form of Bluetooth helmet device.

Check thought, that with WAZE, or any other Smart Phone type Navigation App,
you can download the maps needed for your entire route before you set off.

I don't know the WAZE App, but there are a number of similar Apps
that download Map Data as it is needed, while you're on the move,
which relies on you having a Data Connection at the time
( which you may not have if you are riding out through the hills for example ),
whereas a dedicated Sat Nav device such as Garmin, has all the maps loaded and ready,
and just needs the Satellite signals to work, which are much more accessible !

In view of recent events, I'd definitely steer clear of anything else that might distract you.
If you really need to hear music the volume goes up pretty high on the external speakers !

I'd strongly advise against trying to make or receive Phone Calls while riding -
pull over and stop to do that - it's much, much safer 

[GaryWWhite]

Hello My Friend,

Will take your sound advice and leave the communications aspect out of my riding experience until I have gone through the safety class and have practiced riding with an experienced rider.   My Chapter MC president said I had to go through a MC approved safety class and ride with him before I can ride with the group again.  I'm figuring this might not be until next spring.  That's okay because I don't want to be a hazard to myself and especially not to others.  If I have improved substantially after the first of the year I will then go ahead and get the good GPS and Triumph NAV mount and the Sena 20S.  Your counsel is well taken!

As Always My Best,
Gary

[trophied]

Waze has traffic alerts like accidents, stalled cars, police stops, radar, etc..  The only problem I have seen with it is sometimes the alerts may be a week old and were never deleted, so you can't count on it being real time.  If you can get someone to drive you around while you have the app up and running on your phone so you can look at it you may see what I'm talking about on the phone display when the traffic alerts are shown.  I've used it a couple of times and not been too impressed, but when we're travelling my wife gets it up on her phone to keep up with what's ahead.  I find it OK, but not great.  Just my personal opinion, and like I said I've never used it extensively.  Someone with more experience with Waze may be able to give us more insight about it.  I'm not sure if all the Waze alerts would be constantly interrupting audio in the headset or not, I've never used it while my phone was connected to my headset.

[GaryWWhite]

Hey Trophied,

This is the third time I tried to respond to you!  I have a Mac computer and for some reason all of a sudden an advertisement pops up or another URL.  Just wanted to say I'm going to go the Garmin Zumo route and the Sena 20S as I believe I will then be able to utilize all the functions on my TTSE like FM stereo, WX reports, XM Sirius plus my cell phone.  I am still not sure if I want to hard wire the Zumo into the bike thinking I might just mount it in one of mirror mounts.  If the current Zumo goes out of style and needs to be replaced, more than likely the NAV mount from Triumph won't be available and there goes that money down the drain.  You probably could always find a RAM mount for any Garmin product being produced down the road.

Best Wishes,
Gary

[bobv07662]

It's all fun and games till the cell service goes in the tank.  You need both Gary.

[GaryWWhite]

Thanks Bob!  You're absolutely right!

Best Wishes,
Gary

[BigPoppa]

Ever since I rode across the US (California to South Carolina and back) in early 2012 I've always used my phone for communication, music, and navigation (I float between Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps). Until I got the Trophy this worked fine for me.

With the Trophy's bluetooth, I had to break the direct sync between my iPhone and my Sena in order to integrate more fully with the bike. So far I've had no problems with listening to music from the phone and taking calls. I haven't tried the phone's navigation yet but I'll probably do that this weekend. At least with the music and phone calls, the bike does cut the music while I'm on a call and then resumes once the call is done.

What I haven't figured yet out is how to initiate a call with the headset and phone synced to the bike instead of each other. It was convenient to be able to call the Mrs on my way home from work to see if she wanted to meet me for dinner out or some other unimportant business but now that they're synced to the bike, I've only been able to answer calls, not place them. ;-)