First things first: there are currently no special navigation systems for trikes. This is probably due to the fact that the only navigation parameter that can be of particular importance for trikes, compared to two-wheelers, is the lateral angle of inclination of a cycle path.

So if a slope path, at a more or less constant altitude, has a precipice on the left and a steep wall on the right and also a gradient to the left into the precipice, then it would be advantageous for trike cyclists if they could get this information from the sat nav or the map. Although there are navigation systems for mountaineers that show slope parameters, these do not show any relevant data for trikers on trails. This means that trikers also have to "read" their sat navs and navigate slopes (etc.) of this type with foresight. Sloping roads without turning facilities should be avoided...

Hardware/navigation devices

The hardware is the basic requirement for a navigation system. For many users, their own smartphone or tablet should be sufficient. However, anyone planning long tours, perhaps abroad and in all weathers, is well advised to use a separate device, as it is more robust than a smartphone or tablet and has been specially developed for life on a bike.

The most popular and probably the best sat nav is the "Garmin Edge". It regularly wins the test comparisons. Other manufacturers include Mio, Falk, Teasi and others.

Software/Apps

The range of software on offer is varied and complex, not to say confusing. Some apps and especially their content cost money, others are free. If you are travelling a lot by bike and especially if you are planning more or less long tours, you will sooner or later spend money on good digital maps.

The choice of apps is enormous and we can only go into a small selection here.

ADFC/BVA maps

These maps are the result of decades of editorial work and experience regarding the needs and interests of cyclists. The BVA maps are available completely offline and still offer the clearest and most intuitive (digital) map material for cyclists. They work perfectly with Android and Apple devices.
Although it costs a few euros to download each map area, you get real cycling information in return. The only disadvantage is that these cards are almost exclusively available for Germany, the Netherlands and parts of Austria.

The Gpx import works well. This means that routes can be planned with BRouter-Web, for example, which are then displayed on the BVA map after import.

Only a conversion to vector format would be desirable, on the one hand for a crisper, more detailed display and higher resolution and on the other hand to enable voice navigation one day if required. In conjunction with "Outdoor Active Pro+", however, you can already see where the journey is taking you. This app combines the ADFC maps with the vector maps from OSM (etc.), which you can see depending on the zoom level. However, the advantage of the "native" ADFC map (without voice assistant) is that you don't have to take out a subscription. Once purchased, the respective map does not incur any further costs. For the price of an annual subscription to Autodoor Active Pro+ (€60), you get at least 15 ADFC maps in the Google Play Store (which you have to cycle through first) for a theoretical lifetime of use. Most users, who may have decided on a specific region for their cycling holiday, should be very satisfied with three to four maps for a total of less than €15. And compared to the ADFC paper maps, the big advantage is that the respective position is displayed very reliably via GPS - even without mobile phone credit and an online connection!

BRouter-Web (with Open Street Map)

BRouter-Web is not suitable as a navigation app when travelling. But apart from the often confusing naming of the same cycle paths. (E.G. Once "R1" then again "EV2" etc.), BRouter Web is an excellent free tool for planning longer tours and then EX-porting them in GPX format. The GPX file can then be IM-ported, e.g. into the ADFC maps.

However, cyclists, especially those who are travelling for tourism, will only find much of the important information expected of a good cycling map at the last two (most detailed) zoom levels. Gastronomy, points of interest and easily recognisable railway lines are important for cyclists who don't like to take their bikes for a ride by car, and are particularly helpful for orientation on spontaneous excursions. This problem generally applies to all apps that are based on Open Street Maps (OSM).

Outdoor Active

The "Pro+" version of "Outdoor Active" probably offers the most comprehensive digital map material for people who like to explore landscapes, countries and continents with a lot of physical activity: Two other versions are called "Basic" and "Pro". However, the "Pro+" version is definitely recommended for cyclists/trikers in Germany, because:

"Pro+" combines the ADFC/BVA maps with the vector maps from OSM (etc.) that you can see depending on the zoom level. The ADFC/BVA maps have already been praised elsewhere in this article. With "Pro+", you don't have to do without this benefit and you can also get high-resolution details if required. Outdoor Active Pro+" has a total of 14 zoom levels (1=Details, 14=Global view). At levels 3-8, the display automatically switches to the ADFC/BVA map material when zooming in or out.

"Pro+" has a lot to offer: in addition to the ADFC/BVA-OSM combination, for example, a satellite view on which cycle paths can be seen. Or the topographical map view. Cycle routes can also be displayed here. And so you click through your favourite views and many other menu items and hopefully don't miss the view of the beautiful landscapes...

The Autodoor Active Pro+ annual subscription costs €60 per year for this luxury. This should primarily be worthwhile for cyclists who travel a lot and plan long tours in many different regions of Germany (and the world).

With "Outdoor Active Pro+", nothing is left to chance and somehow the thought creeps in after this sentence: what a shame! The much-invoked "adventure" in "Outdoor Active" is to real adventures as "painting by numbers" is to the fine art of painting. The unexpected is as essential to adventure as chance. A basic stock of solid (map) information should actually be enough to separate the adventure we might be looking for from recklessness. Everything else is ballast, even if it fits digitally into the same smartphone we use to make calls...

Komoot

"Your next adventure" awaits here too. And Komoot takes the marketing lyricism even further on its homepage in an attempt to square the circle: "Then take a look at what the paths and surfaces will be like, metre by metre. So you always know what's coming, no matter where your adventure takes you." So you shouldn't go off the beaten track, which is where adventures actually begin. And the target group of the pithy marketing slogans is also abundantly clear: "At last it's quick and easy to discover nature"...

But joking aside. According to Wikipedia, Komoot is "Europe's largest outdoor platform" with 15 million registered users... In contrast to Outdoor Active, Komoot also integrates google Maps including satellite view in addition to OSM. This has the advantage that there is advertising from businesses of all kinds and, of course, especially from restaurateurs. And "points of interest" are clearly recognisable from zoom level 1 to 8 (of a total of 18 zoom levels), i.e. within a visible map radius of approx. 20 km. This is of course dependent on the end device, but for planning on the PC at home it is a significant improvement in orientation.

The "world package" costs €29.99 once and belongs to the buyer "forever". "Komoot Premium", to "get even more out of your time in nature", is then available for €59.99/year as a subscription. So a very similar offer to "Outdoor Active Pro+"

OSMand

The OsmAnd app (for Android and iOS) works completely offline if required, both for tour planning and for navigation. The system is based on Open Street Map but is completely independent. Planned tours can be imported from other programmes (e.g. BRouter-Web) as GPX files.

A world base map must be downloaded for offline operation. You can later use this base map to display the maps of the regions and countries. In the free version, 7 downloads are possible.

There are free and paid versions for Android and iOS. The paid Plus version (prices vary from provider to provider...) in the Google Play Store (currently €19.99) is a full version with unlimited downloads. F-Droid offers the full version for free... (F-Droid App)

OSMand is extremely versatile, especially in terms of presentation, and for little money you get a lot in the end. Last but not least, the look and feel of the app will decide which one you choose.

You can find an explanatory video about OSMand here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp141u9R-NE

Website: https://osmand.net/

Open Cycle Map (OCM)

On the one hand, the OCM is very detailed and free of charge. On the other hand, this map, which is based on the Open Source Map (OSM), very often lacks important landmarks. Important "places of interest" are only displayed if someone enters them there. For example, even at the most detailed zoom level, there is no reference to the Herrmansdenkmal, Germany's largest and nationally recognised statue, which is also known locally as the "Statue of Lipperty". No attention is drawn to it either in writing or by a symbol, not to mention a graphic representation. The same applies to the neighbouring Externsteine. You will also find all kinds of local place names, except for those for which most non-local cyclists presumably come to the region in the first place.

However, it gets really annoying when it comes to information that is important for cyclists, especially if they are travelling for tourism: Information on restaurants and accommodation is also completely missing for the places mentioned above. Curiously, such information can be found on "Open STREET Map" at least at the two lowest zoom levels.

Nevertheless, it would not be surprising if one or the other user had the feeling that OSM and OCM have lost the ART of mapmaking in the jumble of data. The difference to the edited ADFC maps is striking. Although these show significantly less detail, they provide information graded according to their importance for cyclists. And in principle at a single "zoom level"!

Photo: Image by Tumisu on Pixabay