Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: jamiemac on April 03, 2013, 10:44:02 PM

Title: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 03, 2013, 10:44:02 PM
OK, I have a dedicated GPS unit, but My smartphone with google navigation is much better in the city. Google updates road construction delays, and such. So when I'm on My C14, I like the phone for in town navigation, and also, the battery on the phone lasts 10 times longer. That is more convenient, as I don't have to fiddle with plugging it in.

The main issue, is smartphones don't work with gloves on. There are capacitive gloves for sale on ebay, and they look useless for protecting Your hands against road rash, and they sell conductive thread on the net for about a billion dollars a spool.

Here is where being a pack rat comes in handy. I ripped the stranded wire out of a cheap pair of broken earbud headphones, and untwisted it. The result is a strand of wire about like a human hair. It is plenty good enough to do this job. Take a sewing needle, and thread the wire, 8 or 10 loops through the fingertip of Your riding glove, and then You can use Your phone GPS or music player, no problem.

Cost, an hour sitting at the kitchen table, and being way too close to the delicious donuts in the box on the counter.

Hope this helps. Mac
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: maxtog on April 04, 2013, 05:32:46 AM
Thanks for the tip, that is a neat idea!
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: danl on April 04, 2013, 06:33:18 AM
my wife gave me a cheap pair of those conductive gloves. I figure I can cut the finger off of one and slide it onto my riding glove, maybe a little velcro to keep it there.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: cablebandit on April 04, 2013, 07:55:04 AM
Tape a string cheese to your glove finger.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: connie1 on April 04, 2013, 08:34:16 AM
I love great ideas and that there is one of them!

Thanks Mac!
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Conrad on April 04, 2013, 08:49:43 AM
You're an innovator Mac!    :thumbs:

Cablebandit and his string cheese, not so much. But at least he has a quick snack at his fingertips.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 04, 2013, 09:47:20 AM
my wife gave me a cheap pair of those conductive gloves. I figure I can cut the finger off of one and slide it onto my riding glove, maybe a little velcro to keep it there.
That won't work. Your finger will still be insulated from the glass on the screen.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 04, 2013, 09:52:11 AM
Glad to be of service, fellas. I'm a cheapskate, so the wire thing from the earbuds was just Me in My natural state. LOL
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: AZBob on April 04, 2013, 12:07:31 PM
Tape a string cheese to your glove finger.

I don't know why but this made me laugh.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: lather on April 04, 2013, 01:41:32 PM
Check this out:
http://anyglove.com/about-our-company (http://anyglove.com/about-our-company)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 04, 2013, 02:23:23 PM
Neat stuff. Not free though! haha
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: cablebandit on April 04, 2013, 02:52:01 PM
You're an innovator Mac!    :thumbs:

Cablebandit and his string cheese, not so much. But at least he has a quick snack at his fingertips.

Don't be a hater.  The cheese works as well as the string.  Maybe better.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 04, 2013, 03:19:38 PM
I love cheese! Not good to eat a lot of it, if You're going to ride though! Constipation sucks! Haha
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Conrad on April 04, 2013, 03:33:52 PM
Don't be a hater.  The cheese works as well as the string.  Maybe better.

Oh I'm not a hater of string cheese, I'm a big fan. I like the kind with jalapenos in it.    :thumbs:

Putting it on my MC gloves, well, I'll pass on that thanks.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Gumby on April 04, 2013, 04:50:01 PM
Great tip. I'm going to rip apart a crappy pair of IPhone headphones right now.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: connie1 on April 04, 2013, 05:07:37 PM
Let's not dismiss the string cheese idea to quickly Mr. McGyver.  If it works we can maybe extrapolate on the idea, like maybe a piece of leftover steak or strap a chicken bone to the back of your finger.  Does it have to be processed cheese?   I'm a fan of aged cheddar, would that work?  I'll draw the line at cottage cheese though, that would just look gross.
Oh man, all this thinking about cheese has made me hungry.  Shouldn't post right before supper.  Someone want to start a thread about our favorite cheeses?

But I digress,... back to the scheduled thread.









Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Smiffer on April 04, 2013, 06:05:02 PM

I wouldn't recommend this stuff. Saw it a few months back and thought I'd give it a try. If you have thin gloves it might work. It has to be applied very heavily and be able to saturate through to the inside of the glove so that its conductive. On a good pair of riding gloves I don't think it'd work.


Check this out:
http://anyglove.com/about-our-company (http://anyglove.com/about-our-company)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Gumby on April 04, 2013, 06:12:37 PM
I wouldn't recommend this stuff. Saw it a few months back and thought I'd give it a try. If you have thin gloves it might work. It has to be applied very heavily and be able to saturate through to the inside of the glove so that its conductive. On a good pair of riding gloves I don't think it'd work.
Looked at Amazon reviews real quick and people are saying it does not work on leather gloves.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: stevewfl on April 04, 2013, 06:55:29 PM
Jaimie, NICE!

Now I'll never buy touch tech or those other expensive gloves  :finger_fing11: :loco: :nuts:


Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: katata1100 on April 04, 2013, 07:20:34 PM
Here's my idea that I'll eventually do.
Buy one of those pens that is attached to a plastic coil and a adhesive-backed block.
Cut the pen off, glue to a Ipad capacitive stylus.
Attach block to somewhere around steering tree.
Cover pen with velcro, put the other half of velcro somewhere.
Pen is stuck on velcro. When needed, removed, use, replace.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: CIG4R on April 04, 2013, 09:35:50 PM
Ordered these today...will report back.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 04, 2013, 09:39:30 PM
After farting around with my phone a little today, I'd give the glove mod a 6 outta 10. It works, but not perfectly. It's tough to make the screen slide, but hitting buttons, such as a music stop button on My music app is no problem. Tapping the screen to answer a call is no problem. Anything that requires more dexterity is too big of a hassle to mess with on a bike anyways. My Sena lets Me use the jog dial to advance to the next song on a playlist. I'm curious if voice google navigation will work with the Sena SMH 10. Guess I'll find out.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Gumby on April 04, 2013, 10:38:29 PM
Ordered these today...will report back.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)
Hmmm, I like the Revzilla reviews and I am about due for a new set of gloves. Although, he did not talk anything about how well they will work on a touchscreen. I am anxiously awaiting your review CIG.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Conrad on April 05, 2013, 04:39:08 AM
Let's not dismiss the string cheese idea to quickly Mr. McGyver.  If it works we can maybe extrapolate on the idea, like maybe a piece of leftover steak or strap a chicken bone to the back of your finger.  Does it have to be processed cheese?   I'm a fan of aged cheddar, would that work?  I'll draw the line at cottage cheese though, that would just look gross.
Oh man, all this thinking about cheese has made me hungry.  Shouldn't post right before supper.  Someone want to start a thread about our favorite cheeses?

But I digress,... back to the scheduled thread.

Cheddar is better.    :)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: reesedp on April 05, 2013, 12:25:55 PM
Hmmm, I like the Revzilla reviews and I am about due for a new set of gloves. Although, he did not talk anything about how well they will work on a touchscreen. I am anxiously awaiting your review CIG.

I have these and am quite happy with them.  They work great with my phone, and though expensive are really comfortable and well made.  The venting even seems to be quite functional. 
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: cablebandit on April 05, 2013, 12:36:54 PM
Don't spend too much.  I'm sure the vibration will kill the phone before you get your money's worth out of the gloves.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Awaz on April 05, 2013, 01:26:37 PM
I own a Nokia Lumia 920 that works with gloves on. And Nokia map and gps is pretty darn good.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: CIG4R on April 05, 2013, 04:10:59 PM
Don't spend too much.  I'm sure the vibration will kill the phone before you get your money's worth out of the gloves.

30,000+ miles between the DR650 dual sport and C-14 and the 4S is still good.
Phone has been in an Otter Box since I got it when on the bikes I use Ram Mounts.

No worries, only bad thing that has happened, phone overheating while running GPS changed mount position for some air flow and that issue went away.

Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Gumby on April 05, 2013, 05:10:42 PM
I have these and am quite happy with them.  They work great with my phone, and though expensive are really comfortable and well made.  The venting even seems to be quite functional.
Alright reesedp, if these these gloves suck I'm coming back with a few choice words for ya.  ;)
I figure $100 bucks for a decent set of summer gloves is the going rate.

Don't spend too much.  I'm sure the vibration will kill the phone before you get your money's worth out of the gloves.
My phone has been mounted on my bike since I bought my Connie last year. The only problem I have is trying to get back to the IRadar app after somebody calls. Other then that, I try not to dink with the phone as it averts my eyes from the road. Stopping and using the phone without taking my gloves off is going to be a plus.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: dras on April 06, 2013, 03:40:59 PM
I found something similar to this works quite well with gloves on (Alpinestar SP2). I got a couple of them for my Nexus 7 but it works well with my smartphone too. You can find them on eBay at 10 for under $4 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Metal-Stylus-Touch-Pen-for-iPhone-5-4-4S-iPad-Kindle-Fire-Google-Nexus-7-10-/300870733571?pt=US_Tablet_Styluses&hash=item460d4b0f03 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Metal-Stylus-Touch-Pen-for-iPhone-5-4-4S-iPad-Kindle-Fire-Google-Nexus-7-10-/300870733571?pt=US_Tablet_Styluses&hash=item460d4b0f03)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: reesedp on April 08, 2013, 12:02:22 PM
Alright reesedp, if these these gloves suck I'm coming back with a few choice words for ya.  ;)
I figure $100 bucks for a decent set of summer gloves is the going rate.
My phone has been mounted on my bike since I bought my Connie last year. The only problem I have is trying to get back to the IRadar app after somebody calls. Other then that, I try not to dink with the phone as it averts my eyes from the road. Stopping and using the phone without taking my gloves off is going to be a plus.  :thumbs:

Disclaimer: The Icon Touch gloves work well with the Droid Razr Maxx. In an Otterbox Commuter case. In the state of Virginia. On a Neutron Silver '08. By a trained marine engineering officer...
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Gumby on April 12, 2013, 02:11:09 PM
Disclaimer: The Icon Touch gloves work well with the Droid Razr Maxx. In an Otterbox Commuter case. In the state of Virginia. On a Neutron Silver '08. By a trained marine engineering officer...
Just received these today http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)

Picked them up from the post office, climbed on my BLACK C14,  and easily navigated around a few screens on my IPhone.

I am glad I watched the Revzilla review prior to ordering. He said order a size larger then you normally where. I was hesitant to order an XL pair of gloves, but I am glad I did cause they fit perfect.


(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/thumbs.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: jamiemac on April 12, 2013, 03:40:04 PM
Just received these today http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)

Picked them up from the post office, climbed on my BLACK C14,  and easily navigated around a few screens on my IPhone.

I am glad I watched the Revzilla review prior to ordering. He said order a size larger then you normally where. I was hesitant to order an XL pair of gloves, but I am glad I did cause they fit perfect.


(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/thumbs.jpg)
Nice! Revzilla is a great store, too.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: bkromer on April 12, 2013, 05:11:36 PM
Aerostich sells gloves with electro- conductive stiching in the fingers for touchscreens.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: Pokey on April 12, 2013, 07:38:01 PM
Deer skin gloves......your welcome.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: CIG4R on April 13, 2013, 02:17:05 PM
Ordered these today...will report back.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)
Arrived used them for a couple of rides before passing judgement...they passed, worked good for me on an iphone in a Otter case in the Ram mounts.
DO use their chart to determine glove size.
Title: Re: Making a smartphone work as GPS with gloves on
Post by: reesedp on April 14, 2013, 09:01:41 AM
Just received these today http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-justice-touchscreen-gloves)

Picked them up from the post office, climbed on my BLACK C14,  and easily navigated around a few screens on my IPhone.

I am glad I watched the Revzilla review prior to ordering. He said order a size larger then you normally where. I was hesitant to order an XL pair of gloves, but I am glad I did cause they fit perfect.


(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/thumbs.jpg)

Whew!