Before I buy a 2nd phone… could I just use it for BRP Connect functions?

[OverHillAndDale]

I have a handlebar mount for my phone because I monitor my blood sugar on the display (I’m a long term diabetic). This means I can’t use BRP Connect since it controls the display. I can still use my phone for phone calls and music via Bluetooth, but none of the BRP Connect features.

If I had a 2nd phone with no phone service, could I use it just for BRP Connect functions like GPS mapping and the like? I could connect it to my main phone via Bluetooth if needed.

Thoughts?

[Bfromla]

Sorry -How would you get GPS with no service? Maybe stand alone GPS or like others have & not connect what all functions do or do not cooperate.

[SLICE]

you can use google maps offline ( it's a PITA).
BRP connect is useless (IMO)
buy a gps YOU can afford.

[Peteoz]

Sorry -How would you get GPS with no service? Maybe stand alone GPS or like others have & not connect what all functions do or do not cooperate.

Using Sygic does not require phone service, Bfromia. It works off satellite signal. Of course, you would not be able to get weather or traffic inputs which DO require phone service.

I actually tried this with an old iPhone I had, OverHill. It does work, but it is limited as I mentioned above (and there are a couple of other “gotchas”). I also find BRP Go unreliable. It is one of those apps that is “nearly” there, but not quite, so it can frustrate the crap out of you. If you have to buy a cheap phone to try it, I would advise against it. You would be better off looking at buying Sygic for your current phone and run your GPS function from there…..better screen, too.

Pete

[pidjones]

Put a blank SIM in the phone for your sugar monitor. Use another phone for everything else. Many don't like BRP Connect, so check it out before commiting.

[Drwerner]

I have a handlebar mount for my phone because I monitor my blood sugar on the display (I’m a long term diabetic). This means I can’t use BRP Connect since it controls the display. I can still use my phone for phone calls and music via Bluetooth, but none of the BRP Connect features.

If I had a 2nd phone with no phone service, could I use it just for BRP Connect functions like GPS mapping and the like? I could connect it to my main phone via Bluetooth if needed.

Thoughts?

Get a GPS!

I really wanted to use BRP connect. I had a second phone and could semi permanently store it in the glove box. I just couldn't get it to work effectively, and I am a technology person!

Connection to the bike was terrible (I often had to take the phone out and re-establish it), Sygic (and other) maps were terrible on the BRB screen. I ended up with a Garmin Zumo XT and love it.

[sduskin]

You could get a cheap phone and use a pay as you go plan.

[Flamewinger]

YES you can as all smartphones since the iPhone 3G (2008) have cell, WiFi AND GPS antennas. So the “Offline” GPS apps (Sygic & Genius Maps) work without WiFi or Cell. The only need for cell service is to get traffic and streaming music. You can turn on the hotspot on the active cell phone and connect the none cell to it if you need traffic.

It really is amazing how so many don’t know what smartphones can do.

[YIRYDE]

YES you can as all smartphones since the iPhone 3G (2008) have cell, WiFi AND GPS antennas. So the “Offline” GPS apps (Sygic & Genius Maps) work without WiFi or Cell. The only need for cell service is to get traffic and streaming music. You can turn on the hotspot on the active cell phone and connect the none cell to it if you need traffic.

It really is amazing how so many don’t know what smartphones can do.

Yes, use the main phone as a WiFi hotspot and connect (also called tethering) the 2nd phone to it via WiFi. You will now have internet service on both phones. Check your cell phone Data Plan because some carriers have a bandwidth limit on tethering, if you exceed it they may charge you for the extra bandwidth usage.

[Peteoz]

Yes, use the main phone as a WiFi hotspot and connect (also called tethering) the 2nd phone to it via WiFi. You will now have internet service on both phones. Check your cell phone Data Plan because some carriers have a bandwidth limit on tethering, if you exceed it they may charge you for the extra bandwidth usage.

Can you tether the 2nd phone to your main mobile while BRP Go has the 2nd phone’s function locked and under its sole control, YIRYDE ? I didn’t believe that was possible?

Pete

[YIRYDE]

Can you tether the 2nd phone to your main mobile while BRP Go has the 2nd phone’s function locked and under its sole control, YIRYDE ? I didn’t believe that was possible?

Pete

Pete,

You have me thinking about this differently now, I believe it's possible since you will tether the 2nd phone to the main phone via WiFi, then connect the 2nd phone to BRP Connect via Bluetooth.

I will have to try this when my new phone arrives.

[Peteoz]

Pete,

You have me thinking about this differently now, I believe it's possible since you will tether the 2nd phone to the main phone via WiFi, then connect the 2nd phone to BRP Connect via Bluetooth.

I will have to try this when my new phone arrives.

It will be interesting to know, YI. I think you might be right
One of my issues with BRP Go is how it ties itself in a knot when anything it doesn’t expect occurs, and you have to shut everything down and restart it. Not that I have really been trying anything special with BRP Go since I installed my Zumo XT, as it does everything I need. I’ll probably have another look at Go in a year or two.

Pete

[lstayner]

If you do decide to use a 2nd phone, consider a rugged model off amazon. They come with much larger batteries and are considerably cheaper.

[Peteoz]

If you do decide to use a 2nd phone, consider a rugged model off amazon. They come with much larger batteries and are considerably cheaper.

Can you still charge them through the glove box usb though, Istayner? It struggles with enough output to charge anything larger than a stock phone.

Pete