Should You Use A Motorcycle GPS in a Foreign Country
When exploring the world on your motorcycle, it can be tempting to let fate decide where you end up. Some people have a natural ability to navigate their surroundings, and others do not. When you’re exploring a foreign country, the risks are raised. You’re in an area where you don’t know the locals, you don’t know the terrain, and you likely aren’t familiar with specifics of the locale such as changing weather conditions and what to do in the event of an emergency.
When exploring the areas around Ladakh region in India, you’re going to come across the very famous road, the Khardung La. This road is a sweet spot for motorcyclists looking for an adventure.
The Khardung La is famous for being the highest road where vehicles are allowed. This makes it a daredevil motorcyclists dream destination. This being said, using a GPS to navigate the area, especially if you’re a foreigner, can make or break your experience.
Dedicated Motorcycle GPS vs Smart Phone Navigation
One of the many benefits of using a motorcycle GPS system when traveling through areas such as the Ladakh region is that it operates independently of your smartphone. This means it has its own battery and doesn’t need to rely on your cell service to operate.
Most of the best motorcycle GPS on the market today can give you turn by turn directions, stops along the way, and estimated arrival time (You can find out more about them here https://theridersmarket.com/best-motorcycle-gps/). If you opt to navigate using a map or your phone, you lose out on some of these features. When you’re in a foreign country, this can mean you’re opening yourself up to danger.
Using a dedicated GPS is not for everyone though. As with anything, there are pros and cons to opting for a dedicated GPS device when traveling.
- Pros of Using a Dedicated GPS
There are three huge benefits to having a dedicated GPS for your motorcycle. First of all, dedicated GPSs tend to be more reliable and more accurate. Since they only have one job to perform, they do that job well. Second, their battery life is far better than the average smart phone, and you’re not syphoning off of the same battery you use for music and communication. Lastly, GPS devices are much more durable than a smart phone. Most GPS devices are shock resistant and waterproof, this means that you won’t have to worry if your device gets knocked, or if it starts raining.
- Cons of Using a Dedicated GPS
While there aren’t many, one of the biggest drawbacks to using a GPS device rather than your phone is map updates. With a phone, since you’re connected to the internet, maps are updated in real time as long as there is internet access. With a dedicated GPS device, this isn’t always the case.
Great Navigation Instincts Help, But Shouldn’t Be Relied On
You may be the type of person who can get from point A to point B without using a map. You may have an incredible sense of internal navigation, but this doesn’t mean you’re going to not run into issues once you go into a foreign country.
If you come from an area where road laws are drastically different, you’ve already got enough to worry about without adding in the potential of getting lost.
With a good motorcycle GPS system, you can ride your motorcycle on some of the most beautiful roads in the area without having to worry about getting lost. While some people like the idea of exploring, you can still do this while remaining aware of your general location in relation to your destination.
Explore Smart
When visiting roads such as the Khardung La, you’re going to be blown away by the beauty of the area. Roads like this are not for inexperienced motorcyclists, and the journey shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If you’re planning a trip to this region on your motorcycle, do yourself a favor and invest in your safety so your vacation won’t be ruined by unexpected navigational issues. Getting lost in a foreign country can be life-threatening. Using technology such as a motorcycle GPS can help you get the most out of your trip so you’re able to spend your time taking in the scenery, and less time worrying about getting lost or stranded.
By Julie Adams