Considering a rugged phone or DMD-T655

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NikkiJ

Active Member
I’ve used a TomTom Rider 550 for several years am very familiar with it and spent a lot of time learning to use it properly. I use it in conjunction with MyRouteApp (Gold version) to plan routes which I export to the TomTom.

I recently changed bikes and needed a temporary sat nav to get me home so used on old iPhone XR with the Sygic app.

I’ve been really impressed with Sygic I can easily download routes to it (at least as quick as the TomTom) and the whole look of the screen is so much better, it makes the TomTom seem antiquated. I’ve now used it for several hundred miles (UK only) and its worked without fault. I don’t use or need a SIM card in the phone.

I don’t have any issues with the TomTom it just feels antiquated and I like the newer look of Sygic and the features it has and its ease, and speed, of use.

I am however very aware of the downsides of using a phone – I know it’s not waterproof, doesn’t work with gloves on, can overheat, struggles in bright sunlight etc so I’ve been looking at alternatives I can use Sygic with.

I’ve seen there are quite a few rugged phones many of which are IP68 rated and use GPS, Glonass, Gallilio and Beidou. I’ve also seen the relatively new DMD-T655 by Thork Racing which is a rugged phone size Android unit designed as a bike sat nav. Is anyone using a rugged phone or the DMD-T655?

I don’t want a Carplay unit as I want a completely separate unit to my main phone for sat nav.
 
I use a Carplay, but have a few mates using rugged phones and very satisfied with result. Some using under bad weather conditions and off road. At least one was using a Garmin GPS before and praise the change as "all advantages - wish I had change before".

Not that unit, but others cheaper and not "designed for bike" - I guess that means the DMD-T665 should work same or better.

But some pals will say using an smartphone as GPS is not right for the kind of drivers living here. :p
 
jesus malaga said:
I use a Carplay, but have a few mates using rugged phones and very satisfied with result. Some using under bad weather conditions and off road. At least one was using a Garmin GPS before and praise the change as "all advantages - wish I had change before".

Not that unit, but others cheaper and not "designed for bike" - I guess that means the DMD-T665 should work same or better.

But some pals will say using an smartphone as GPS is not right for the kind of drivers living here. :p
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Thank you that's useful to know.

I'm struggling to see how much better the DMD-T665 could be over a rugged Android phone especially bearing in mind it's about 3 or 4 times the price of a rugged Android phone but I may be missing something?

I really was a die-hard TomTom /dedicated GPS user until recently :)
 
I'm by no means an expert, but having the right tool for your ride/adventure is the goal.

I love the simplicity of google maps / android auto - of course this is fairly limited to having cell phone reception, crossing way points without cell phone signal, it gets wonky.

Current Samsung S-series phones are IP68 rated, I've driven all day in hard rain with the phone mounted on my bars with zero issues.

I also have a ZumoXT that serves as a backup during longer rides, when / where cell reception is in question.

Those DMD options look interesting and intuitive with the controller, they seem like a mesh of both words on a single device.
 
GTC512 said:
I'm by no means an expert, but having the right tool for your ride/adventure is the goal.

I love the simplicity of google maps / android auto - of course this is fairly limited to having cell phone reception, crossing way points without cell phone signal, it gets wonky.

Current Samsung S-series phones are IP68 rated, I've driven all day in hard rain with the phone mounted on my bars with zero issues.

I also have a ZumoXT that serves as a backup during longer rides, when / where cell reception is in question.

Those DMD options look interesting and intuitive with the controller, they seem like a mesh of both words on a single device.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

I like Google maps but struggle using that without a SIM in the phone - I find it too slow to re-route if I miss a turning and its not easy to import routes. That's where I find Sygic so much better - it'll re-route immediately, zero issues so far (although only used it in the UK) without signal and no SIM card in the phone, and so quick and easy to import routes, skip waypoints etc.
 
GTC512 said:
I'm by no means an expert, but having the right tool for your ride/adventure is the goal.

I love the simplicity of google maps / android auto - of course this is fairly limited to having cell phone reception, crossing way points without cell phone signal, it gets wonky.

Current Samsung S-series phones are IP68 rated, I've driven all day in hard rain with the phone mounted on my bars with zero issues.

I also have a ZumoXT that serves as a backup during longer rides, when / where cell reception is in question.

Those DMD options look interesting and intuitive with the controller, they seem like a mesh of both words on a single device.
Click to expand...

Though some old minded try to refuse that... a modern mid quality android phone IS NOT limited by having cell phone reception.

Old phones used to. But most mid level and over phones manufactured last 5 years and many earlier have true GPS coverage. With GPS receiver chips similar to those used in small dedicated GPS. Without even using an offline mapping app like sygic - google maps includes the ability to download maps (that existed and was taken away at some point, but later returned) to be kept in memory for offline use. Of course that needs to be done in advance, while online, but also if you want to update the Zumo maps or install sygic.

I have been not long ago using my Xiaomi Redmi 10 phone in the middle of Atlas mountains and sahara dessert in morocco, driving inside mostly inhabited valleys far to any GSM service antenna. I was not able to make or receive phone calls... but my Google Maps was perfectly giving me routes, as I downloaded all moroco country maps when I was in my home wifi.

And a modern Samsung S includes dedicated GPS electronics too - I have seen the circuits of a couple not too modern-

I say "android" because I do not use iPhone, and not very interested in its hardware, but would feel strange not to also have real GPS receivers. Modern GPS receiving circuits are very small and cheap - that's why also most modern digital cameras also include a GPS receiver to locate pictures.
 
NikkiJ said:
Thank you that's useful to know.

I'm struggling to see how much better the DMD-T665 could be over a rugged Android phone especially bearing in mind it's about 3 or 4 times the price of a rugged Android phone but I may be missing something?

I really was a die-hard TomTom /dedicated GPS user until recently :)
Click to expand...

I would say you have the option to buy a cheaper, Chinese brand, rugged phone.

That's what most, if not every, of those friends did. Spending under $200 in phones branded Doogee or Cubot. Those cheap phones use not to offer an excellent logic for photo processing, great sound or seamless video and game showing. But you do not need any of that for GPS service and processing map image is sort of basic simple low speed neded action for modern processors.

I would say the main difference of the DMD is offering a charging and linking system designed to integrate in a handlebar, but that is defining only if you plan to use the unit very frequently for long periods under rain. If not, an universal holder and a simple USB cable do all the job.

Other features like mapping, road book showing, OBD2 live linking are interesting but doubt something important enough to justify the price.

Ruggerization... I have long experience with industry devices and I can say no device accomplish what is not offered. Being IP67 is being IP67 - I have used some specialized tablet of phone stile devices made by Garmin, by Zebra... and when they fall, get soaked over regular levels or are mistreated they get broken same as the cheaper brands. You have to pay much more for the "specially reinforced" versions to get more.

If I were you I would order one of those cheaper. You can buy in amazon, and have a nice period of some weeks to try it and if not convinced of results... get it back with a full refund and no questions. And years warranty if it fails. That's what I was thinking to do when I discovered my Carplay.
 
jesus malaga said:
I would say you have the option to buy a cheaper, Chinese brand, rugged phone.

That's what most, if not every, of those friends did. Spending under $200 in phones branded Doogee or Cubot. Those cheap phones use not to offer an excellent logic for photo processing, great sound or seamless video and game showing. But you do not need any of that for GPS service and processing map image is sort of basic simple low speed neded action for modern processors.

I would say the main difference of the DMD is offering a charging and linking system designed to integrate in a handlebar, but that is defining only if you plan to use the unit very frequently for long periods under rain. If not, an universal holder and a simple USB cable do all the job.

Other features like mapping, road book showing, OBD2 live linking are interesting but doubt something important enough to justify the price.

Ruggerization... I have long experience with industry devices and I can say no device accomplish what is not offered. Being IP67 is being IP67 - I have used some specialized tablet of phone stile devices made by Garmin, by Zebra... and when they fall, get soaked over regular levels or are mistreated they get broken same as the cheaper brands. You have to pay much more for the "specially reinforced" versions to get more.

If I were you I would order one of those cheaper. You can buy in amazon, and have a nice period of some weeks to try it and if not convinced of results... get it back with a full refund and no questions. And years warranty if it fails. That's what I was thinking to do when I discovered my Carplay.
Click to expand...

Thank you your detailed reply is very helpful. I’m going to try a cheap rugged Android phone.
 
I might be a little over the top but I have a couple Garmin's, running alongside a waterproof Android Tablet (OUKITEL RT3) bought on Amazon. It's on a cell plan, I use Google Maps by uploading waypoints stop etc in Google My Maps and navigating point to point. I use Basecamp and the Garmin's for routes. I also use my Samsung S21 for music and as a backup to the Tablet.

My phone and tablet happen to be on separate phone carriers, which in areas of spotty coverage sometimes lets one work when the other won't. There have been a couple times when ran one of them Hot spotted from the other.
 
rneal55555 said:
I might be a little over the top but I have a couple Garmin's, running alongside a waterproof Android Tablet (OUKITEL RT3) bought on Amazon. It's on a cell plan, I use Google Maps by uploading waypoints stop etc in Google My Maps and navigating point to point. I use Basecamp and the Garmin's for routes. I also use my Samsung S21 for music and as a backup to the Tablet.

My phone and tablet happen to be on separate phone carriers, which in areas of spotty coverage sometimes lets one work when the other won't. There have been a couple times when ran one of them Hot spotted from the other.
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God, your bike dash must look like a fighter plane with so many devices :D:D

When you say "spotty coverage fails" you mean lack of internet data to fill maps information, or lack of GPS positioning? - at least the RT3 is supposed to have GPS reception. You use to download your maps to get offline routing info?

@NikkiJ Oukitel is one of those frequent brands used by friends - i did not mention because someone told me it is a spanish importer brand.
 
I mean cellular internet data for the maps because I don't take the time to download the maps. The GPS I believe is always working however you can only make as much use of it as your APP allows. Google Maps will download your map or you can download and area to use at it should work without a cellular connection, I just don't bother with it because I have the dedicated Satnavs.

For the foreseeable future I will continue to use both they have features I like. I generally prefer the directions I get from Google maps and the traffic info seems better, without a doubt it will always be more up to date with road closures etc. and I really like the 8" screen on the tablet.

I do prefer they way I'm able to search along my route for fuel, food, hotels on the Garmin's, I can find it on Google it just takes more brain power and attention.

I spent a month in Europe this past summer and used my Zumo XT alongside my phone, we had an 17 day loop of England, Wales, Ireland, & Scotland retuning to the start. For that portion I had GPX routes for each day, getting to the UK from Germany I was more or less making it up as I
went along so I used both.
 
My Kyrocera DuraForce PRO 2 with "Sapphire Shield" has been going strong for years. Dropped many times from various heights onto multiple surfaces, used to take underwater photos on multiple occasions, and survived working outside in ND, SD, & MT winters for a few years. It was also instrumental in our successful finish of the 2023 IBR when a banananana truck driver decided to block all the lanes of the interstate going into Pittsburgh.
 
I went through a series of "rugged" Android phones. I had two Kyoceras, a Cat, and some Chinese phone I can't remember. They were all physically rugged, but otherwise pretty awful to live with. Performance was generally poor and they all had maddening quirks. One of the Kyoceras liked to butt dial 911 about once a month. Another one had an external camera button that couldn't be disabled so it was constantly taking thousands of photos of the inside of my pocket. Navigation accuracy was generally awful to the point of being useless. Both Kyoceras couldn't mark my position accurately, and the Cat liked to freeze randomly while navigating.

IMO you're better off with a modern Samsung S-series. I have a two year old S22 that is way more reliable and usable than any of "rugged" garbage I had before. It's waterproof, reliable, not buggy, and there are tons of accessories available from Quadlock and others. And if I ever break the screen, every mall in America has a store that can repair it while I wait.
 
keithu said:
I went through a series of "rugged" Android phones. I had two Kyoceras, a Cat, and some Chinese phone I can't remember. They were all physically rugged, but otherwise pretty awful to live with. Performance was generally poor and they all had maddening quirks. One of the Kyoceras liked to butt dial 911 about once a month. Another one had an external camera button that couldn't be disabled so it was constantly taking thousands of photos of the inside of my pocket. Navigation accuracy was generally awful to the point of being useless. Both Kyoceras couldn't mark my position accurately, and the Cat liked to freeze randomly while navigating.

IMO you're better off with a modern Samsung S-series. I have a two year old S22 that is way more reliable and usable than any of "rugged" garbage I had before. It's waterproof, reliable, not buggy, and there are tons of accessories available from Quadlock and others. And if I ever break the screen, every mall in America has a store that can repair it while I wait.
Click to expand...

What took you so long to come bash the Kyrocera this time?
 
I second the Samsung S phone. They are IP rated at a level many would consider rugged. Mine has lived through several multiday rallies. The only problem is occasional raindrop button presses. Note that this happens on the Garmins as well...
 
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