PRoductreviews
inRoute v 4.0 Nearly fl awless navigation for your iPhone
By Matt DeWald #174635
THE REQUIRED FEATURES FOR A cellphone routing app would seem to be reasonably simple: • voice navigation • easy-to-use routing • sufficient number of waypoints to create the perfect route
• file-sharing functions for GPX files • navigation adaptability if a rider deviates from a planned course.
Unfortunately, finding all these
features bundled together in one phone app was impossible…until the January 2016 release of inRoute v 4.0. Created by Carob Labs LLC,
inRoute combines all the critical func- tions for routing and navigation in one place. Importantly, this app (available only for iOS) can replace the expense and aggravation of having a separate GPS unit and has the ability to quickly create routes that get you to your desired destination. In order to leverage the full
spectrum of features, users will need to purchase two in-app additions: “Route Planner Premium” which allows up to 25 waypoints versus five in the default version, waypoint optimization, GPX file sharing, weather forecasts and other information, and “Navigation & Severe Weather” which includes voice navigation with severe weather alerts. They cost $4.99 and $9.99, respectively, when purchased sepa- rately, or $11.99 when purchased as a bundle. Do not hesitate! Get the bun- dle and start riding your new routes.
Test equipment To test the latest edition of inRoute, I used an Apple iPhone 6 on iOS ver- sion 9.2.1. Throughout the test, I appreciated smooth transitions from
22 BMW OWNERS NEWS May 2016
one waypoint to the next. There were no interruptions in navi- gation,
turns announced were with timely adequate
notice, and no user interven- tion was required. The voice- spoken directions allowed me to secure the phone in my tankbag and keep my eyes on the
road. However, a
mounted, weatherproof case, such as a RAM Mount, may be a reasonable option for riders who like to see the map while riding. Additionally,
I used an
Interphone F5MC Commu- nicator
2016, page 26) to wirelessly connconnect the iPhone to the communicator’s helmet speakers, along with No Noise Hearing Protectors
Owners News 6, p
t t e iP
e 26) to wir les e to t
(tested in BMW Owners News September 2014, page 118). Alternatively, riders can use high-qual- ity, noise-reducing speaker headphones, such as a pair from Ety- motic Research.
First impressions InRoute (when fully bundled as previously discussed) provides rider-friendly informa- tion about
the route such as elevation,
curviness, and weather. The GPS will drain the iPhone battery
quickly, so make provisions to power the phone from the bike’s 12V DC system or a supplemental battery pack if long trips are planned. Because the iPhone can play music while
using inRoute, I enjoyed listening to my favorite tunes on long stretches, and the voice instructions politely interrupted
when necessary to provide directions.
Creating routes Creating routes within inRoute is very sim- ple. Whether using addresses, GPS coordi- nates, or dropped pins, inRoute connects waypoints. If the route is not lining up as desired, removing pins and changing the route order is quick and easy. Significantly, inRoute allows the user to start and end the route at the same point. Therefore, whether the rider is taking a 250-mile westward route or a 250-mile loop that begins and
(tested in BMW February
member tested
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