The Outdoor Navis in the test
Picture gallery
It does not matter whether it is sporty on a road bike or mountain bike or a comfortable round on the Stadtrad. And because car-navigation-spoiled cyclists even reluctantly ask for directions during their holidays, it makes sense to use a navigation device even when cycling. Of course, outdoor enthusiast two-wheelers can also easily plug their smartphone. They already have GPS and the appropriate map material is easy to find. There are brackets for the bike. But what happens when a violent rainstorm surprises the smartphone cyclist or the fast-paced descent of the expensive iPhone in the gravel field kills the mountain? If your smartphone is dear and expensive, you can leave it at home with adventurous biketours.
Weight and processing
Devices such as the Mios Cycle 305 or Medions GoPal weigh just 150 grams. They are quite slim and look quite appealing. Due to the rubberized surface they are still handy even with wet hands. The other two devices, Garmins Montana 650t and Falk Lux 30, are larger and heavier, but can also be used with wet fingers.
Mounting
The rugged outdoor pilots are also a little squeamish against the rain showers. All devices in the test are waterproof according to IPX7. And even the one or the other of the linings put them away.
Voice navigation only for one device
At Mio, the device sits very close to the handlebar, which is an advantage in mountain biking. For this purpose, the holder is fastened with cable ties. The bracket sits so firmly on the handlebar without any annoying screws. However, new cable binders have to be produced whenever the cyclist turns his mountain bike onto his racing or touring bike.
Falk also worked on a screwless holder. In the so-called "Easy2Fix", a rubberized fabric band is attached to the handlebar or stem, which is not easy at first. And just when the handlebars are installed, the belt has to be bomb-tight, otherwise the device will wobble in rough terrain on the handlebar.
Android Tablets
The small, lightweight GoPal from Medion is similar to a car-navi on a swan neck holder. At first sight, this is somewhat unstable, but it has the advantage that the device can always be placed in the right light via the flexible rod.
Garmins Montana sits securely in the mount, but this is not part of the package and needs to be purchased.
If you are accustomed to navigate in the car by a friendly navi voice on the shortest or fastest way to the destination while avoiding a traffic jam, you will miss the comfort of the outdoor navigation system. Voice navigation is only available with the Lux 30.
In Garmin and Mio, audio signals indicate directional changes. While the GoPal only shows an arrow on the display the way. All the devices tested have a touch-screen, and the menu is quite similar to that of Auto-Navis.
While the road bikers are looking for asphalted roads in a profile, families with children's trailers should be able to choose the cozy tour on cycle paths via a different profile. While this would in principle be feasible, the implementation of the map material failed.
While it is possible, for example in the case of the Lux or the Montana, to set up a sporty driving mode and to include the use of hiking trails, the routes offered are often below expectations.
For all needs the right route
The mountain biker, who does not shy away from steep slopes and rocky mountain paths, needs a compass for orientation in the groundless terrain or information about the nearest bike shop. Practically, the compass and barometer are now the standard equipment of an outdoor navigation system.
The bicycle shop, the nearest pharmacy or restaurant should be listed as a special destination (or POI) as with the car navigation device. Fortunately, there is no outdoor controller ragged. Falks Lux offers an extended travel guide as well as a travel guide for bus and train.
Maps
With the offered map material Medions GoPal and Mios Cyclo mainly rely on freely available OpenStreetMaps. This is an online community dedicated to collecting geodata worldwide to create digital maps in vector format.
Without additional map material, users of the Garmin Montana do not go very far. The offered Topo-Deutschland-Karte (in the Pro version) suggests with about 200 euro to beech. This type of investment can be dispensed with by cyclists when they load the free OpenStreet maps onto their Garmin.
Guide: More functions through firmware tuning
Test winner: Falk Lux 30
Expert opinion
With the Topo-Deutschlandkarte, however, so-called "ActiveRouting" is possible. The card has several preset activity profiles, so the hiker, the tour cyclist or the mountain biker will be offered different tours in the same area.
The Lux 30 is not quite so flat and light as the Cyclo or the GoPal, but the outdoor Navi can be operated with conventional batteries, which can be easily exchanged on longer bike rides
The display is not very big with its three-inch diagonal, but the most important information is always in view and the maps even in sunlight still readable. Turning commands are also available on request by voice. On the device, maps are routinely pre-installed. There are routes and tourist guides. Additional routes can be installed.
If you do not want to have your smartphone on the bike, but looking for both sporty cycling and tour biking, can confidently grab an outdoor navigation. The devices are easy to operate thanks to touch screens and are becoming more and more powerful. However, they are very far apart. The most expensive Montana is recommended for real outdoor freaks, and the Lux is also a good choice for beginners.
Download: Table
Falk Lux 30, Garmin Montana 650t, Mio Cyclo 305, Medion GoPal S3857
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