Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

Table of contents

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

10 pictures

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

1/10
Ralf Niedling, Kevin Margis, Roland Park, Wolfgang Ernst, Marco Weib, Anja Jira, Sebastian habenicht, Thorsten Todter (from top left to bottom right).

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

2/10
A total of eight testers were allowed to try out the new Navigon app in southern France.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

3/10
The practical test of the newly developed cruiser app should help the Navigon developers to make the app better.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

4/10
The testers clearly enjoyed the trip to the south of France.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

5/10
Whether Monaco or the hinterland, mountains or sea: Thanks to cruisers, testers will find great routes everywhere.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

6/10
At the Gorges du Verdon, the wonderfully curvy D71 offers a brilliant view down to the Lac de Sainte-Croix.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

7/10
Just for the photo, all the testers line up nicely. The rest of the time everyone drives alone or in small groups.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

8/10
There is something for every taste: lunch delights with local specialties, cruisers with individual routes.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Beyl

9/10
The tester’s verdict is positive.

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France
Navigon

10/10
Navigon Cruiser has been available for iOS and Android since May 23, 2017. The app can be tested for seven days free of charge and with its full range of functions.

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Navis, communication, apps

Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France

Impressive nature, ingenious curves, grippy asphalt – the south of France is a paradise for motorcyclists. This is exactly why Navigon invited eight readers to test the new Navigon Cruiser app in advance. MOTORRAD was there.

Tobias Beyl

05/22/2017

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day. However, eleven people in the hinterland north of Nice see it very differently on this sunny spring morning. Somewhere a faint “Ils sont arrives!” Can be heard, and the first dish of the day is already losing its relevance. The motorcycles are suddenly more important. Two days earlier, the participants’ bikes were loaded in Wurzburg. Now everyone is looking forward to seeing you again on French soil. Days full of great routes, impressive experiences and, above all, a practical test of the newly developed cruiser app from Navigon await. The Wurzburg navigation specialist Navigon is the Garmin brand responsible for smartphone navigation. The company had called on MOTORRAD readers to apply for a practical test around Saint-Paul de Vence in the south of France.

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The way the goal

A measure that should provide the developers with important findings from real operations. Out of over 300 applicants, seven testers and one tester and their bikes were given a weekend to test the new navigation app. While motorists usually use their satnavs very pragmatically and above all expect to get from A to B as quickly or as comfortably as possible, but in any case without precise local knowledge, motorcyclists like to set other priorities: They want to have fun, often that’s the way Goal. The app needs different functions accordingly; the layout should be designed for operation on the motorcycle if possible. Whether Navigon has taken these peculiarities into account during development?

An app for motorcyclists

 “A navigation app by motorcyclists for motorcyclists.” This slogan sounds very promising. And indeed: when the motorcycles transferred from Wurzburg were unloaded in front of the Hotel La Vague de Saint-Paul de Vence early on Saturday morning, not only the eight bikes of the testers were found – from a lowered F 650 GS to a rocked TL 1000 or a converted R90 / 6 up to a Harley Road King Classic – but also the three motorcycles of the gentlemen from Navigon. While Senior Manager Jochen Katzer parks his gray FJR 1300 in the row of the other bikes, his two engineering colleagues Daniel Sollner and Mario Dressler prepare their Kawasaki Vulcan and the wiry Street Triple for the upcoming ride and install their smartphone holders. The only requirement to be able to apply was the ability to attach the smartphone to the motorcycle, along with a motorcycle license, a motorcycle and your own smartphone. So far the app has only worked in portrait mode, but Jochen reassures: “We know that many people want to use the app in landscape format. This function is already in development and will come soon. “

Test drive can be planned individually

Before the app, man and machine set off, Jochen gives a brief introduction: In addition to the usual functions of every navigation system, Cruiser also offers the option of adapting the route guidance with regard to curves exactly to your own wishes and needs. This applies to both classic route guidance and the very popular function of round tours: search for a starting point, select the duration and direction, set the suggested route using the slider for bulging and curvature – perfect! The first test drive can be planned individually. The only requirement: lunch at 1 p.m. in a rustic restaurant in Les Salles-sur-Verdon.

Power consumption too high for Android phones?

The fact that the whole group meets two hours later at the Gorges du Verdon without prior notice is probably due to the fact that Cruiser recommended the same beautiful curves to each of the testers. And rightly so, as the comments on site make clear. For example, Anja sums up: “It’s probably great everywhere here. But what curves the app suggested to me was great. I chose a full swing and got a route that was almost too winding. ”Thorsten, on the other hand, is not afraid to cite criticism: The power consumption for Android phones is too high. Navigon is grateful for precisely this kind of feedback this weekend and promises to have solved such problems before the app has since started. The iOS version, which was already more advanced at this point, shows that lower power consumption is possible. More of the features that interested parties could wish for in advance via Facebook had already been implemented in it.

First impression: really great!

The rest of the day consists of a bit of lunch, a lot of motorcycling and lots of conversations: In the evening, the developers promise further features that are interesting for motorcyclists, while Ralf posts his driving recordings and comments as a MotoVlog on YouTube and Anja performs like a powdered sugar sieve made her Zephyr glitter. But here and there, hardly five sentences go by without the app being praised in some way. The change of location on the second day doesn’t change that. Wolfgang, at 68 the oldest, but anything but the slowest participant in the event, leads a group of testers to Nice and Monaco. Conclusion: The suggested routes can also convince between the coastal cities. It is all the more difficult to say goodbye to the bikes later, which unfortunately are already making the return trip to Wurzburg. Until they meet again and try out the app at home, the testers have no choice but to enjoy another joy in life: the next breakfast.


Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France


Navigon

Navigon Cruiser.

Navigon Cruiser has been available for iOS and Android since May 23, 2017. The app can be tested for seven days free of charge and with its full range of functions.

Card scope and prices: The app provides maps for Europe (45 countries), North America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico) and Australia with New Zealand. A region costs EUR 3.99 with a monthly subscription, and EUR 19.99 with an annual subscription. An unlimited period of use can be purchased for a one-time fee of 59.99 euros. This includes several app and map updates per year. Until June 11th, Navigon is offering a 20 percent introductory discount on the unlimited version, so it is available at a price of 47.99 euros.

Requirements: An Android or iOS smartphone is essential (Android version 5.0 or higher, iOS version 9 or higher). Accessories such as smartphone holders, power supplies and Bluetooth headsets are useful. Gloves that allow operation of the touchscreen are ideal for use on the go.

Highlights: An internet connection is not required for route planning or navigation. The maps are stored in compressed form on the phone and all route calculations are carried out by the smartphone. This is particularly beneficial when abroad or in places with poor reception. With large, freely assignable buttons and extensive route planning options (such as curviness or duration), the app is specially tailored to motorcyclists and shows petrol stations, restaurants and weather forecasts along the planned route at the push of a button.

Info: Navigon’s explanatory video provides an introduction to the many functions and operation: https://vimeo.com/217160821. You can find more information on: cruiser.navigon.com

The voices of the testers


Reader test of the Navigon Cruiser app in the south of France


Beyl

Ralf Niedling, Kevin Margis, Roland Park, Wolfgang Ernst, Marco Weib, Anja Jira, Sebastian habenicht, Thorsten Todter (from top left to bottom right).

Ralf Niedling (44): I especially like the adjustments for navigating the motorcycle. The wow button offers a lot of potential for the community.

Kevin Margis (26): I set the controls to suit my needs: slightly bulbous and very curvy. The route was very convincing!

Roland Park (58): You can simply say: “I now have two hours and I want to drive an exciting route.” I’ve been waiting for something like this.

Wolfgang Ernst (68): I’ve already tried the app at home. And although I’ve lived there for 40 years, I still find great new routes with Cruiser.

Marco White (38): I rode tours with the app that I probably would never have been able to put together on paper. I’m excited!

Anja Jira (52): The app gives you exactly the curviness you want. The announcements and the messages on the display come on time and work great!

Sebastian habenicht (26): The app served us perfect curves and variety. We had set up completely curvy, it was almost like the slalom in driving school.

Thorsten Todter (49): The app delivers exactly what motorcyclists want. The best in terms of route guidance and usability that I’ve tried so far!

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