Using an iPhone with BRP-Go Navigation - Review

[mecsw500]

Actually, it appears there is a Google Map app specifically for Macs. I've downloaded the free version. If it serves my purpose, I might upgrade to the paid version.

There are many of these apps. Who was the author of this one? Thank you.

 

[racoon]

Actually, it appears there is a Google Map app specifically for Macs. I've downloaded the free version. If it serves my purpose, I might upgrade to the paid version.

I've been using the Google Maps app on my Mac for quite awhile.
I like that I can plot a route using start and stop points, add waypoints, and then drag and drop the route to the route I prefer. It even has an option to Avoid Highways.

And then I can send the route to my iPhone.

 

[mecsw500]

Yes @racoon, but it's a Web App not a local app, which is a shame. However, it does a passable job for sure.

It's a shame the BRP Go app isn't as good as the Google Maps app or the Apple Maps app on the iPhone. I think BRP could have ported an existing native app to be the BRP Go option.

Of all the iOS apps that run on iOS or Android, one of them could have been the basis for BRP Go!

I hope they get with the program and revamp the BRP Go app over time, as it's just not up to par in my opinion. We live in hope of course.

 

[LisaMal]

I've read a number of posts regarding the issues with android phones and the new BRP-Go navigation but not much about how things are going with those of us who use iPhones. So here goes:

Installation was easy enough with no hiccups. When I got ready for my test ride today, I logged into my BRP-Go app and connected the phone to the USB cable. With ignition on, I went to the preferences applet, then down through General to Navigation, which I turned on. After selecting Navigation on the applet screen, the map displayed. I ran into a little trouble at that point because I also wanted to listen to music through my headset. I moved the BRP-Go app screen aside to find my music app and the map disappeared. Once I got the music playing, I went back to the BRP-Go app screen and it reconnected. Great so far.

I rode for about 50 miles or so and the navigation was working perfectly. I had also selected "record this ride" and it was leaving a nice black line in my wake. I stopped for about 30 minutes, taking my phone with me. When I returned and plugged the phone back in, everything appeared to be functioning as it should. After a short distance, I discovered that the screen was no longer scrolling to keep the vehicle icon centered on the map. It got to the edge of the screen and disappeared. I stopped to activate the touch screen, and slid the map over until the icon was once again present. So, the navigation was still recording my progress, but I was losing my position as soon as the icon reached the edge of the screen. I tried switching navigation off and back on, but that made no difference. I then found, in the lower right corner of the screen, the icon you use to change map orientation i.e. North up, Current direction up, or 3D. I cycled through it and got things working again. Of course, all of this had to be done while stopped, so it got to be a little frustrating.

I'll try it again tomorrow to see if this was just an anomaly. I hope it was. I think that Apple CarPlay will still be my navigation of choice though. It is just more convenient to select and use, especially since I ride with my helmet on and the headset connected for music and intercom.
Oh, by the way, the 'record my ride' feature gave a bunch of interesting data about the ride. Distance, average speed, time, etc.

Report these bugs if it recurs!

 

[racoon]

Yes @racoon, but it's a Web App not a local app, which is a shame. However, it does a passable job for sure.

No, I'm talking about the Google Maps Application that I've downloaded and installed on my Macintosh desktop computer.

Google Maps App - App Store

Download Google Maps by Google on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Google Maps.

apps.apple.com

 

[mecsw500]

No, I'm talking about the Google Maps Application that I've downloaded and installed on my Macintosh desktop computer.

Google Maps App - App Store

Download Google Maps by Google on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Google Maps.

apps.apple.com

I thought the Mac macOS Apple App Store app was just a wrapper to the web app?

I’ll look again.

Thanks

 

[LisaMal]

Under the covers, BRPGo uses Mapbox. Mapbox is a customizable developer platform for building your own maps, whereas Google Maps and Apple Maps are ready-to-use consumer navigation applications.

 

[mecsw500]

Under the covers, BRPGo uses Mapbox. Mapbox is a customizable developer platform for building your own maps, whereas Google Maps and Apple Maps are ready-to-use consumer navigation applications.

Yes. But I suspect the lack of platform versatility, the UI, and the features it provides are what BRP Go! is providing that are the issue. The Mapbox core is probably not the issue.

 

[LisaMal]

I hear there is a firmware upgrade that helps address some of the CarPlay issues on the new bikes. Has anyone installed it yet?

 

[mecsw500]

I hear there is a firmware upgrade that helps address some of the CarPlay issues on the new bikes. Has anyone installed it yet?

The V 5.1.0 update addressed a lot of issues for CarPlay and added BRP Go support. The recently available V 6.1.0 update is supposed to have fixed issues where the display blanks out whilst using the USB and Bluetooth interfaces.

I’ve installed both versions and haven’t had any issues using them. But, I didn’t personally have problems at the V 4.1.0 release my 2026 S2S came with.

You can update them over the air from your home WiFi as described in other posts.

 

[Tim2010]

The V 5.1.0 update addressed a lot of issues for CarPlay and added BRP Go support. The recently available V 6.1.0 update is supposed to have fixed issues where the display blanks out whilst using the USB and Bluetooth interfaces.

I’ve installed both versions and haven’t had any issues using them. But, I didn’t personally have problems at the V 4.1.0 release my 2026 S2S came with.

You can update them over the air from your home WiFi as described in other posts.

I had the lastest patch dated Sept 16th downloaded to my RT and it seems to have resolved all of my CarPlay issues. I’ve been dealing with locked up screens and other issues for two years,

 

[mecsw500]

I had the lastest patch dated Sept 16th downloaded to my RT and it seems to have resolved all of my CarPlay issues. I’ve been dealing with locked up screens and other issues for two years,

Brilliant. It should be a lot safer to ride now.

 

[trock85]

Yes. That's how I do it. I don't couple anything to the bike except I installed a USB charging, with no data, cable from the Spyder to the phone mount so my iPhone keeps a charge.

From Amazon I bought these:

[4-Piece] Cozy USB Caps for USB C Cable - Tether/Cap Provides Dust and Oxidation Protection, Projection Adapter Cover, Protects During Travel, Portable, Designed by Cozy (Black)​

and this:

Treedix USB Cable Tester Board USB Cable Checker Data Wire with Acrylic Case Charging Test Data Line Type-C Micro Type A Type B​

The Treedix USB cable tester allows me to quickly tell what each of the seemingly hundreds of USB cables I have accumulated is of which type and data rate. I then label the cables so I know at a glance, which is which.

I have an older 2017 Range Rover and CarPlay works with just a USB cable, which is acceptable for the over a decade old JLR system. Why Can Am couldn't have at least done this. I know a cable to connect is better on a bike because of the increased un-shielded electrical noise.

I forgot to pack my wife's iWatch charger this last trip to southern Utah. I was in big trouble as finding a cable in Escalante UT was impossible. It's probably 4 or 5 hours to a Walmart. I won't do that again. I actually remembered the helmet cables which is good because they aren't USB C on my SRL2 units.

I've decided, after all these years, I'm going to buy a cheap wash bag from Amazon and then fill it permanently prepacked chargers and labelled cables to cover our iPhones (hers is a lightning connector), her iWatch, both of our tablets, both helmets, cameras, her Nintendo Switch 2, and a couple of spare USB A and USB C to USB C cables.

This way, whenever we go anywhere I can just grab the bag and not worry about remembering to pack everything correctly. I probably have 90% of the cables and just need his and her chargers with 3 USB-C and 3 USB-A ports, making sure one port is 30W for her Switch.

Too many electronics I know, but I'm just in charge of making sure I pack the equipment. This last time I failed in one only aspect, the iWatch, but "failure is not an option" as Gene Kranz said.

Thank you for the info you always provide, just wanted to say I am using the Garmin XT3 motorcycle unit, and you can pick 4 levels of "curves" from straight to very curvy etc, but you can also with you finger draw any WAYPOINT you want and it will build it into your route, which is pretty fun actually

Just thought I would sahe what I am doing

Oh I also tried the Cardillo App which was cool with its AI planner, but it would freeze almost every time after a while

anyway, thought I could share this with you