Inexpensive weatherproof phones for the Connected Ride cradle

[Wildhaus]

I've ordered my XR with the Connected Ride cradle but don't want to use my expensive smartphone in it; it is too high value and with too high risk of damage in this application (primarily fumbling and dropping the device, or vibration induced failure of the camera stabilisation hardware if this applies to a Samsung S23 Ultra like recent iPhones).

My preferred option is to buy a secondhand smartphone; something like a Samsung S10 that has a reasonable IP rating, GPS, a decent sized and bright display, wireless and cable charging (the latter for hot summer days where the phone will otherwise overheat) and Bluetooth.  These can be had quite inexpensively now.

Before I proceed though, which older premium (to get wireless charging and weather resistance) smartphones with the above features do forum users have experience of in the Connected Ride cradle?

The device will only be used as my motorcyling satnav with Motorrad Connected, CoPilot and Google Maps apps.  Nothing else.

Cheers,
WH

[capt cf]

I have an S20+ that I use in a Connected Ride cradle with no issues so far.

[Antares]

Not Specifically in the cradle but I had an S10 and now an S20 I've been using without problems in various phone mounts for ages. The S10 suffered it's end by it sliding off a chair onto the pedals of my mountainbike 
Camera was just fine on it, pretty sure this is just an iPhone problem. If I were you though, I'd go with the S20 Lite as it can be had for about 30-40 quid more than the S10 but has a significantly larger battery and much nicer screen, whilst still maintaining all the features mentioned (IP68, fast cable + fast wireless charging, 6.5 inch display, fairly simple but effective camera, BT 5.0, GPS: A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO)

[mjojom]

s21 ultra in a cheap Chinese cradle as I am not planning to use the BMW app anyways, so the jog wheel is useless to me.
torrential rain, cold, hot, vibrations - phone rocks, works fine with gloves on. can have split screens, navigation of my preference like calimoto or google, music, and stats, connected to my comms - who cares about bike displays that force you  to have set screens?
paired with OBD reader to show rev counter, speed, lean angles, lap timers, g forces, and much more is just an app away. 
the chinese cradle has a camera cut out too, so it sort of can be used as a front-facing camera dash-cam too. 

 

[Wildhaus]

Many thanks for these helpful replies.

I'll see what deal I can get on a warranted secondhand S10/20/21 and depending on value for money, choose one of them.

Can't wait to collect the bike when its built and delivered!

[SuperGiggles]

Originally Posted by Antares

Not Specifically in the cradle but I had an S10 and now an S20 I've been using without problems in various phone mounts for ages. The S10 suffered it's end by it sliding off a chair onto the pedals of my mountainbike 
Camera was just fine on it, pretty sure this is just an iPhone problem. If I were you though, I'd go with the S20 Lite as it can be had for about 30-40 quid more than the S10 but has a significantly larger battery and much nicer screen, whilst still maintaining all the features mentioned (IP68, fast cable + fast wireless charging, 6.5 inch display, fairly simple but effective camera, BT 5.0, GPS: A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO)

Do you all have service connected to the second phone, or are you using a hotspot, etc. for navigation?  I'd like to go this route but don't want to sign up for another monthly bill.

[OBars]

You do not need to have any service (not even SIM card) to have navigation working on a phone

[capt cf]

Originally Posted by OBars

You do not need to have any service (not even SIM card) to have navigation working on a phone

This.  I used to use my old phones with no service in a waterproof case running OsmAnd and just import gpx tracks for riding offroad.  With the Connected Ride cradle I have just been using my primary Galaxy smartphone.  If it develops an issue from vibrations then I'll upgrade and use the old one as a nav phone or something.  I don't think I have seen a report of a non-iPhone getting damaged yet so I'm not too worried.  Been using it with my main phone for about 8 months with no issues yet.

[SuperGiggles]

Originally Posted by OBars

You do not need to have any service (not even SIM card) to have navigation working on a phone

Thank you, mah man! 

[Wildhaus]

Originally Posted by Wildhaus

Many thanks for these helpful replies.

I'll see what deal I can get on a warranted secondhand S10/20/21 and depending on value for money, choose one of them.

Can't wait to collect the bike when its built and delivered!

Closing off my question with the actual outcome:  I have been given an iPhone 8+ in pristine cosmetic condition but on which the cellular connection is unstable, so will use this as my satnav in the Connected Ride cradle.  It won't have a SIM card in it anyway,  won't be used for anything other than satnav, and is IP67 rated rather than 68, but should be fine and is well worth a try.  Time will tell whether the screen is bright enough.