Modern Vespa

It seems I am struggling to find a device for fixing my TomTom Sat Nav to my Scooter due to the weight.

I can fix my phone easily enough but the light dims on the screen after a while as it's not plugged in a charger so what do you guys use for navigation on long trips?

Is there a way to charge phone on the go or ideally have you found a secure say of fixing a dedicated GPS device?

You can run a USB cable from the USB port in the glove box to your phone to keep it charged. Just make sure the cable has enough slack to accommodate the full movement of your handlebars. The glovebox USB port isn't super powerful, though, so it'll be a slow charge.

Alternatively, you can easily install a more powerful set of USB ports in the left legshield cover that will charge your phone faster. ScooterWest sells a kit and has a how-to video: https://www.scooterwest.com/gts-usb-power-plug-black-2-1-amp-twin-usb-charger-ports-fits-gts-super-gtv-abs-300-2015-2018.html

I have used that legshield USB connection on two Vespas - works great, keeps the phone charged while using it for navigation... plus, my phone is at 100% when I get off the bike. No downside.

For phone charging I also use a Twin USB Charging Jack in the left knee pad

And a Garmin GPS connected at the battery and attached to the left mirror stalk. Right mirror stalk can accommodate my phone if needed or a camera etc. I prefer to ride using the Garmin while traveling and the phone in my pocket or glove box.

That ball mount Sat Nav holder is just what I need, have you got a link to where I can buy one please?

The ball mount Sat Nav holder is a Garmin Zumo XT. The GPS, mount and ball connector came together in the package. I purchased it at Cycle Gear during a sales event.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/679804

Ram mounts are also great for securing most everything you need on a bike

https://www.rammount.com/shop-all/motorcycle/phone-mounts?page=2

The Ram mounts are great, very sturdy even for heavier devices.

I use one with a Beeline Moto https://global.beeline.co/pages/beeline-moto for navigation.
That's a solid set up and the power requirements on the phone are low, as the screen stays off, so I usually don't bother to plug the phone in while I ride. The Beeline Moto's battery usually lasts multiple days on one charge, so I just plug it in whenever I am done navigating for the day, i.e. in the glove box.

How do you like the Beeline? I keep going back and forth on it. Love how simple it is and their route planner is fantastic, but I keep wondering if it'd be enough to feel comfortable when riding somewhere I'm not familiar with.

I like the Beeline very much. It works well for me in unfamiliar environments.

That said, your personal experience might be different. Many people like full graphics and sound. I rather do without either as I find it more distracting than helpful.

Regarding the route planning, yes it is excellent and keeps getting better.

That's part of what got me interested in the Beeline. I've found that having my phone right in front of me during a trip just makes me constantly check it to see how much further I have until the next turn, which takes away from the enjoyment of the trip. Just having audio prompts in my helmet has worked better, but I'm still really curious how I'd like the Beeline.

Might have to just buy it and see what it's like.

On my m/bike for long 5-6hr+ trips, I have a 12v socket but on my scooter 3-4hr trips I simply stick a power bank in my pocket.

Since you are in Brooklyn and so am I, if you would like to have a look at the Beeline in person let me know.

Appreciate the offer! I actually just purchased one shortly after your previous post as it seems like it could solve a lot of the navigation issues I typically run into when using a phone on a bike. I just got my GTS SuperTech a few days ago and have been trying to figure out an elegant nav solution that compliments the built-in nav — something I can easily use for adventures rather than A-to-B trips — so thanks for reminding me about Beeline!

I think the Beeline is a great device, keeps things very simple and clean.

I do use a Garmin Zumo XT with RAM Mount on the windscreen bracket. I like the Garmin since I can get weather radar overlays if weather is sketchy and live traffic updates. If you are in unfamiliar territory, having a map to look at will help give you more context to where you are and where you are headed. It syncs to my phone via the Garmin Drive app, and it will route calls and music via the GPS to my bluetooth headset. So the Zumo XT takes over as a hub of sorts.

That might be more functionality that others want, but the Zumo XT has many other great features, visibility and useability that make it incredibly powerful.

Being able to track the weather is an amazing feature!

Garmin on the mirror stem, wired through to the left knee pad. ball mount from aliexpress.

As someone with a Tom Tom Rider 4000 (or something like that), I can tell you that even though I have a mount that is wired for it I still only use it when I'm going to places with no cell phone reception. With all of the different apps available including ones that show you in real time where speed traps, photo radars, accidents, slow downs, road closures, debris on the road, potholes, etc are, my motorcycle-specific GPS doesn't have any advantage over my cell phone. I really only have it because it came with a motorcycle I bought. I've kept it because I'm about to go on a 2000 km trip, if not I probably would have sold it for peanuts to be honest.

I will always favour my TomTom Rider over my phone due to my Sat Nav is fully waterproof, tells me my exact speed, warns me if I am going over the speed limit and I can download routes from myrouteapp.

I get what you're saying. I'm on my 3rd BMW Motorrad Garmin and most of the time I leave it in the case. For almost every trip I'm fine with the Sena and turn by turn navigation. I find it easier to focus with simple navigation instructions than a graphic showing the exit and an actual photo of the sign. I usually only use the GPS for long trips and then it's often set to something like album art and only on the map when I want to see what's coming up. That being said it still makes sense to have a GPS on any bike/scoot you plan on going on long trips with.

Lots of good ideas laid out here.

When I still had Melody, I simply hung my phone on my left mirror stalk via Quad Lock and ran a cable from phone to glovebox charging port. Still doing that with Thelonica, but now that I have a bit more tech to work with I'm still sussing out how I want to do things, and actually having fun in the process (at least since sorting out my initial problems by updating the phone to Android 12).

Did you drill a hole out of the left hand panel for the cable?

With rather flat cables there isn't an issue to run the cable through the gap of the closed glove box.

I use a Quadlock with the dampening kit attached to left side mirror via Bluetooth set up in Bell helmet.

No: I managed to find a non-flimsy flat USB-A to USB-C cable that just fits in that gap between glovebox door and compartment opening. I'm toying with the idea of routing the cable through the left mirror stalk opening if there's no internal butchery involved in the process.

I've done this before, but my mirrors vibrate a ton whenever I'm stopped (slightly less so when riding) and I always feel uneasy seeing my phone shake so much.

Also, for anyone wondering, ScooterWest changed up the USB socket on their GTS USB power plug kit (GTSPPABS-USB) — it now includes a USB-C and USB-A port, and doesn't have an on/off switch (it switches on with the ignition).

Personally I've never liked the idea of leaving a phone baking in the Sun. Especially if it is on charge which makes it even hotter.

Also bluetooth in ya helmet is a good place to start. Might not even care about anything else if you have that. I installed bluetooth without the mic in mine cause I only want it for gps etc.

I have Bluetooth in my helmet paired with the phone GTS but even with the sound at max I can't hear the directions at anything over 50mph hence I need to see the directions.

At the moment I've bolted the sat nav holder to my floor rack and i'll test that out this week with a trip North to the lake district. I'll back this up with the phone plugged into a mobile charger in my jacket pocket but neither of these will be a long term solution.

Anybody utilised a wind shield with perhaps a bar across the fixing brackets to mount a sat nav?

Better placement might make a huge difference. I would play around with it, and maybe also experimenting with ear plugs. I had cheap in helmet speakers that cost $30 15 years ago and I could hear everything once I seated them exactly at the opening of my ear.

These days I use a Cardo Spirit, and custom made ear plugs to block out the wind noise, and even with my plugs in I can hear directions on the highway.

No issue with wanting to see your directions, I just think with some tweaks you'll probably be able to hear them as well.

I did a full 360 of the planet with google maps and a headset in the helmet while listening to moderate music. No problem. It does not need more

I'm less surprised you went the whole way around the world, and more surprised that you used Google Maps the whole instead of Waze to do it

Never change a running system! Rule number one in long distance scootering!

lol, Waze is owned by Google anyway.

another tip:

if you're like me and take plenty of pics when on day rides or touring, configure your cloud backup (eg iCloud, Google Drive or Photos, Dropbox, etc) to only backup/sync while on wifi. This is because when in low cell signal areas these apps tend to smash the battery as they struggle to do their job.

As I use this system as well, I'll take that as an endorsement. I've used Waze off-and-on: some great ideas in there, but also a quirk or two too many for me.

Who owns it doesn't make an impact on my rides. Being warned of where speed traps are, where photo radar cameras are, reported police locations, dangerous intersection warnings, etc. Waze has a lot that makes my life easier, safer, and less expensive.

I was joking a bit as I have no idea how useful it is outside of North America, but for riding within North America, it's easily saved me the cost of my cell phone bill for the year. Here when they need to hit their quotas they'll pull you over for going 3 km/hr over the limit.

Idk that seems like an overwhelming amount of information to me. I'd hate having all of that in front of me while riding, although I can understand why some would find it valuable.

You only have the info if it's relevant to your ride lol.

It's not popping things up at you saying HEY GUYS GUESS WHAT NO OBJECTS REPORTED ON ROAD IT'S SUPER CLEAR. HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING??

+1 on Waze
I use it all the time in my car. Saved me from a few tickets, traffic and even a giant pothole.

I just worry my phone is not so shockproof or waterproof.
I also worry about leaving it on the vespa in the cradle when I stop.

so I keep it in my inside (waterproof) pocket with my wallet.

I did destroy the camera of my iPhone 12 when I mounted it to the handlebars of my Piaggio Ciao moped. I used the RAM X-Grip for that.

True, it's a two-stroke and trembles like mad, but personally I'm not going to put my phone on any handlebar anymore.

I have the QuadLock with a vibration mount - works great. No issue with an iPhone, using that vibration mount for about a year and half. A USB cable to the phone. Generally using Waze, but I occasionally use Apple Maps and get the haptic thump on my wrist from an Apple Watch prior to a turn.