Magnets on a case intefere with GPS?

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Does anyone know if magnets interfere with GPS? I don't have a data plan, so I use TomTom GPS with the maps stored locally. I'd like to use my phone as a GPS on my motorcycle, and could fairly easily fabricate a case with a magnetic plate that could mount to the middle section of the handlebars.

For illustrative purposes (not my bike or same handlebars, but that rectangle-ish section in the middle is where the phone would go): http://home.cogeco.ca/~ninja650r/bik...r/DSCN5929.JPG

I don't care about phone reception as I won't be talking while riding, but retaining GPS functionality would be fantastic. I'd also like to verify that the magnets won't damage any other parts of the phone, such as the screen or storage media.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a better bike-mounting suggestion?

Generally speaking, magnets are a big no-no for electronic devices. To get one strong enough to make sure that your device doesn't fall off while riding would almost ensure some kind of permanent damage to the device. But you might want to wait for someone else's opinion.

That's what I figured, but I was hoping I might be wrong. I haven't seen any real method of mounting this phone functionally on a bike. Is there a RAM mount that works?

I'm sorry, I don't know exactly what a RAM mount is. You could probably get a hard case for your phone and install that onto your bike, and put some mounting brackets to keep it on tight. I really don't have any other ideas.

That's essentially what a RAM Mount is: http://www.ram-mount.com/

They sell mix-and-match parts, consisting of a base, an articulating piece, and a bit that holds your device. Some GPS and similar devices actually have a RAM-standard set of mounting holes. I'm not aware of anything like that for the Vogue, although there may be an aftermarket case with RAM mounting abilities... I'll have to look it up.

Thanks for the feedback!

No problem. I hope you get it sorted out! It would be a bummer if you couldn't get it to function easily as a GPS for your bike!

Agreed. I was looking at the more inexpensive bike-centric GPS units and realized that the TomTom Rider is essentially the same exact thing as the TomTom software on my phone. I'm likely going to be upgrading to an Android phone this fall/winter, so it'd be nice to retain some use from the Vogue.

Anyway, if I do get or build a mount, I'll post some shots in case anyone else has the same thought.

Originally Posted by bogus83

. I'm likely going to be upgrading to an Android phone this fall/winter, so it'd be nice to retain some use from the Vogue.

Not to be completely off-topic, but android for the vogue is coming along nicely, so you COULD just keep the same phone. The only nice phone I know of for android coming out is the xperia II. I know there are others on the way... but that's the only one I know of right now

And pictures would be nice.

To make a long story short, I don't have a data plan for my phone which is why I use TomTom for GPS (maps stored locally). In theory that should continue to work even when the phone itself is deactivated.

I've been waiting for a good QWERTY android phone. The Xperia II, if it's actually an android phone (and not WinMo as I'd heard) would do nicely. I do a lot of work "in the field" and being able to type up quick emails and documents would be nice. Too bad the Lancaster isn't spec'd as well as the Hero, or I'd consider that too. If the rumors of Sprint getting the Hero are true, there's a small chance they'll get a QWERTY version eventually, or something similar. The Touch Pro2 would be an option if it were fully functional under 'droid as well.