There seem to be an infinite number of navigation systems and apps; for the sake of simplicity, we'll simply refer to them as "navigation systems" from now on.
Most navigation systems do their job quite well. Besides the user interface and additional functionality, there's one big difference from the perspective of TOURNANTI Services: automatic self-planning during route guidance.
Most navigation systems allow you to upload off-plan routes in GPX format; this is usually very easy. However, some navigation systems add their own "intelligence" and simply replan the route and street selection. Some navigation systems let you turn this off, others don't.
We don't like this "intelligence." Only if you miss a turn or somehow get confused, the navigation system is welcome to redirect you back to the originally planned route. But that's about it.
Of course, we don't know all the navigation systems, but we've tried a lot. We only liked one app and found it to be completely suitable:
OsmAnd Maps
[Open street map Automated navigation directions]
This app is our recommendation!
The OsmAnd app is available for iOS and Android in the respective stores. It allows you to download maps for offline use. The basic version of the app is free and offers two subscription levels.
The free version has a perfectly adequate range of features. However, only a few maps can be downloaded for offline use (4, 7 with a newsletter subscription). For calibration: Corsica consists of one map in OsmAnd, while for Italy, there is a map for each region, e.g., Trentino-South Tyrol or Tuscany.
The first subscription level (OsmAnd Maps+), for approximately €10 per year, allows unlimited map downloads and some additional features. We consider this subscription level to be absolutely sufficient.
The second subscription level (OsmAnd Pro), for approximately €30 per year, offers the full range of features, including development options. It's more for professionals and not necessary for navigation purposes.
Loading planned tours into OsmAnd or other navigation apps is incredibly easy.
Here's the explanation based on iOS:
You receive the tour as a GPX file via email, WhatsApp, or other communication channel. Simply click on the file and use the "Forward" button. Select the app you want to load the tour into as the destination, and you're done.
Some apps must already be open for them to appear as an option when forwarding.
A great feature of OsmAnd is the integration of traffic reports based on Google Traffic. This, of course, requires a network connection, so check your mobile phone contract for mobile data coverage in the country you're traveling through. If you know how, integrating Google Traffic into OsmAnd is quite easy 😅. We'll gladly show you the trick here.
There are, of course, different options for using your mobile phone on your motorcycle. Many motorcycles already offer CarPlay (Apple) or Android Auto. OsmAnd can be displayed via these. If your motorcycle doesn't have one, or you don't use it, a steering wheel mount for your mobile phone is a good option. Choose one from the motorcycle accessories and make sure it has good vibration dampening so that the phone isn't damaged by vibrations.
If you would like further tips, just send us a short email.