Brighter Screen, Better Ride: DMD2 T-865X vs. T-865 | Motorcycle Navigation Review

In this video, I dive into the world of motorcycle navigation with the DMD2 ecosystem, focusing on the T-865X tablet. After using DMD2 for years, I’ve upgraded to the new X model, which brings one major enhancement: a significantly brighter screen. I’ll be comparing the T-865X to the standard T-865 and putting the screen brightness to the test in real-world riding conditions.
From the seamless hardware integration to advanced features like handlebar controllers and more, this review covers everything you need to know about why the DMD2 T-865X is a game-changer for motorcycle navigation. Join me as we hit the road to see how the brighter screen performs under the sun!
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[@WeAreChad]

This intro wins the internet today 😂

[@tshansen]

The power of the dark side is strong 🤣 I'm so damn impressed by this system. I have used it for the last couple of days, trying to learn everything and It is so damn intuitive. I will be the first to admit I have been a fool for not switching this a long time ago. Djizes.

[@BigRockMoto]

You make the best videos on this sort of thing. I have the T-865, I LOVE it, but now I want the X model! Love the controllers, I agree they are a must have.

[@NomadSweden]

Thanks man 😊

[@jimwood1068]

The best product and best support. I’ve been using it for a couple of years on multiple trips and rally’s. Zero issues. No other nav system compares. I have OsmAnd on my iPhone as a back up but never had to use it. Tried it now and again and it works, but nowhere near the same useability and features. Plus the controller is so good! Feel like I couldn’t ride without it now. I don’t think it’s expensive either. Garmin Tread is more without any of the features. Fantastic product and great team behind it. 👍🏼

[@NomadSweden]

I agree 😊cheers

[@Braapncamp]

Very interesting comparison Rob and I really like to see the continous updates. Thanks for the vid, my local DMD2 Boss! The dark side gets closer for every day 👀😂.

[@ReallyFarFarAway]

🌬️ It looks like the Motorcycle runs faster with the T-865X version .. !!! 💨 I'm definitely getting the "X" model : worth the extra €95.00 .. !!! 👍👍👍

[@torandresyltesether7832]

😂😂😂

[@NomadSweden]

Haha yes a bit faster 👊🏻✊🏻

[@PatchedBandit]

Great video!! X is the one I’m gonna build later for sure. Intro was so good 😂

[@NomadSweden]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@guillaume05ch]

Omg you always happen to make a video on a topic I'm currently interested in! Thank you!

[@NomadSweden]

I have installed spyware on your computer to know what you need :D

[@guillaume05ch]

@@NomadSweden hahaha this could well be :'D

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Technical progress! The tablet serves doubles up for tomato cutting. What a funny intro. Cheerio, Günter/Nürnberg

[@NomadSweden]

Prost 😊

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@NomadSweden Skal, Robert

[@kennethvernonprivate]

Awesome.....Thank you Robert! All the best from Canada

[@NomadSweden]

Thanks mate 😊

[@johnmitchell9705]

Please make a DMD video showing the features and workings of the road navigation. I am currently using OsmAnd and wondering if DMD is ready to replace OsmAnd?

[@PeterR0035]

No! All mentioned software features are easy to install on any generic Android tablet and are often free. My Samsung tablet boots automatically in "road map mode" and has no problems with rain on the touch screen. I can read RPM's and engine fault messages via any OBD bluetooth dongle, even more extensively than DMD2 does (engine fault messages are not provided in DMD2). I have tried the DMD2 software on my Samsung tablet but the maps do not install on the external SD memory card. Just a few small countries would already fill the whole tablet memory, so no option if you want to travel with off line maps! I do not want to use online data in foreign countries because of the huge data cost... Thork help desk said "not our fault, Google does not give us permission" to use SD cards. Yet there are plenty other map software providers who do not have that external SD memory card restriction... A spicy fact; Thork seems to force potential buyers to get into their own system (and not use the DMD2 app on other tablets) because they do implement offline maps on a SD card in their own tablets 😞

[@paweboruc7798]

Great rewiev as usual. Some more info about latvia event,

[@NomadSweden]

Coming soon!

[@samhill3496]

I always question a man trying to make a point waving a sword. Hi Robert, don't cut yourself. Bad ass handlebar controller. I could use that with my crippled hands. I'll take the brightness, much needed. Better take a map. All good ZORRO.

[@NomadSweden]

Cheers 😊

[@MiSa-xw3ef]

Wieder mal super und Informativ, Danke👍

[@NomadSweden]

Danke sehr

[@edhyteken]

Hari yang menyenangkan

[@guillaume05ch]

Hi! Me again :'D Will there be a video on the Garmin tread DMD one day? I'm trying to figure out what is best for me, between the thork and the garmin devices 🤷‍♂️😅

[@NomadSweden]

Sorry no, don’t have the access to it 😕

[@guillaume05ch]

@@NomadSweden well, thanks for the very quick reply. I will look into it all by myself then haha

[@V-I-L-L-A-G-E-B-O-Y-V-L-O-G]

Amazing

[@KPlas-fs8my]

LOVE IT 🤩!!!! Great video on a great system! Unfortunately a little to expensive for me (for now) Guess I’ll fiddle around some more with my F@c%# Garm@%# and phone…. Nice video Robert 👍🏻 Thnx

[@NomadSweden]

Thanks mate

[@TheFoxyt2]

Love dmd2. Waiting to buy device until buddy tracker. For two stroke adv and snowbike!

[@NomadSweden]

Yeah buddy tracker will be cool

[@petersajo7195]

the bigest problem with it is visibility if it is covered by dust :-)

[@bormil66]

Hi Nomad Sweden, excelent video , on the 1.07 minutes I see you have special mirrors on your Yamaha T700. Please tell me where I can purchase them and is it possible to put them on the AJP pr7!> Thank you 😀

[@NomadSweden]

Check arrow mirrors on rally-motor.nl

[@villekyrola6920]

Can this be installed in a vertical orientation? I have only found pictures of this installed horisontally.

[@NomadSweden]

Yes vertical works just as well

[@ralfabel8657]

Nice to have, but not my style. Very good explanation and funny intro😂👌

[@NomadSweden]

Thanks mate

[@TheDirtRoadClub]

Great informativ and funny video, as always. BUT… …does the „old“ T865 needs a nice retirment home? I’ll could take care of that little problem….! 😇😉 Even if it comes from the Dark Side! 😁

[@baxabuxa17]

Hi Robert, what is the total mileage on your Tenere?

[@NomadSweden]

81.000+ km. Still nothing to report 😊

[@baxabuxa17]

@@NomadSweden Cool 😎. .

[@steamdonkey909]

My favourite T7 show! I just got the new Remote 2 but I can't get the OEM signal/lights controller off. I've removed the two Phillips screws but it stays closed tight as an oyster. Any tips on how to get it apart so I can grind off that pin? Thanks!

[@NomadSweden]

Thanks 😊 well there are only two screws. Not sure what keeps it together for you. I would carefully try to pry it open.

[@steamdonkey909]

@@NomadSweden Good to know. That will give me a little more confidence with the forceful prying, Robert. 😬Many thanks!

[@steamdonkey909]

Done! The PO or factory must have put some glue or silicon around the join on the OEM unit. A wide flathead screw driver did the job with minimal scarring. Happy Trails.

[@NomadSweden]

@@steamdonkey909 Awesome! Glad it worked out

[@advswede]

Tror jag läste någonstans att X-plattan skulle vara 1300 nits.

[@JaySalvoUK]

Hello, I had the Carpe Iter for a GS and sold it as I didn't think the screen was the brightest and the use of the whiz wheel wasn't that good. What software do you use on the device for navigation and how easy is it to import GPX files? Can you download maps offline or does it connect to your phone? Can you use MRA, Kurviger or additional mapping software on the device? Thanks Jay

[@NomadSweden]

I use mostly the DMD2 navigation that comes with it, but you can run any google play app on it including those you mentioned. The DMD map comes with free world, offline maps you can download. GPX files are easy to import and navigate.

[@JaySalvoUK]

@@NomadSweden thank you for replying, lazy of me to ask as I then looked at the thork website and it explained. It looks very easy to use and the controller you have with 360 movement is better than the 4 button set up ai had with Carpe Iter. I’ll have to put it on the Christmas list. Thanks for replying again. Regards Jay

[@mats.wickstrom]

Are there any maps pre-installed? Or, what do you use Robert?

[@NomadSweden]

The world maps are free to download in DMD2

[@nuriar6189]

No difference, yes, more expensive and it still can not be seeing under sunlight. DMD2 does not understand it is not a matter of increase the led backlight, that's only make the display yellowist. The whole display should be designed with the right contrast in order to be seen under sunlight

[@minds4game]

The brightest tablet I've seen is the TRIPLTEK 9 PRO. With the DMD2 software would be great a great setup, but it's pretty expensive.

[@THORKRACING]

​@@minds4game Measured both side by side with a lux meter, its not brighter. Its really hard to capture this on video.

[@THORKRACING]

Actually capturing it on video is an impossible task, they are not the same, they are very different. And no its not just about brightness, its not even just about contrast. On real use you can see the screen content very easy and this is the best we can put out there at the moment. Anything above this would require major development investment which we are not big enough to support.

[@fqras]

They could try an E-INK display.

[@NomadSweden]

Never had a problem reading the tablet so not sure what your problem is

[@PiskotPiskot]

How about CI with 2300 NITS? :D

[@NomadSweden]

That brightness is great, but the device lacks a bit in other areas to my liking. Ex the weight of 1kg with holder.

[@PiskotPiskot]

@@NomadSweden Yeah I understand that. But what is 1kg extra weight for the bike if you have a good holder? But I get it.

[@andersrosenkvist3775]

How do it show where the toilet is? 😮 why not just drive oldschool?

[@NomadSweden]

We drive how we like right?

[@zsoltbeno6114]

Also don't forget to mention that with X version the bike goes faster😂

[@NomadSweden]

Haha indeed

[@kalpetkoff]

I bought my T865 and two weeks later Thork released the better version of it. Very unprofessional by them. They should have put that new device on pre-sale. Lots of people are unhappy with that.

[@NomadSweden]

Ok 👍🏻

[@PeterR0035]

I know you're a DMD2 (sponsored) fan but please let this not cloud your review for viewers. Because you can get everything you mention for about 1/2 the DMD2 price. Yes; both the hardware and the software. That is my major gripe with DMD; very EXPENSIVE. The Thork developers seem to want to grab as much middle age rich adventure motorcycle market as possible. So they also include as much as possible extra's in one system (like the TPMS, OBD,...). It is a business model, so why not? But with a little bit of effort, one can find a very similar extensive system for a lot less money. It's NOT that Thork develops their own tablet; they source that from the same Chinese manufacturers as so many other tablet brands! Like you mentioned; waterproof, shockproof Samsung active tab is a very viable alternative to the DMD2 system and a LOT cheaper. PS the DMD2 tablet can get water inside the pogo pins with major corrosion as a result. A handlebar controller is also easy to find and connect via bluetooth. TPMS also uses bluetooth, which is universal on any tablet. Regarding software features you mention; these are easy to install on any generic Android tablet and are often free. My Samsung tablet boots automatically in "road map mode" and has no problems with rain on the touch screen. I can read RPM's and engine fault messages via any OBD bluetooth dongle, even more extensively than DMD2 does (engine fault messages are not provided in DMD2). I have tried the DMD2 software on my Samsung tablet but the maps do not install on the external SD memory card. Just a few small countries would already fill the whole tablet memory, so no option if you want to travel with off line maps!! I do not want to use online data in foreign countries because of the huge data cost... Thork help desk said "not our fault, Google does not give us permission" to use SD cards. Yet there are plenty other map software providers who do not have that external SD memory card restriction built in their software ... A spicy fact; Thork seems to force DMD2 software app users to get into their own hardware system (and not use the DMD2 app on their own tablets) because they do implement this offline maps on a SD card feature in their own tablets (you made a mistake when you mentioned the limited memory for maps in the DMD2 tablet). So in all; no, I am NOT a fan of the DMD2 system, especially not the tablet hardware which seems WAY overpriced in my opinion, especially comparing the specs with other more modern and cheaper tablets!

[@THORKRACING]

If we are comparing new products you need to compare it to the 128GB SIM Card Active 5 which is 628,35 € here, and you still need to add a holder and power supply, is that so different in price? You can indeed go that route, but you will not have M12 screw type charging and remote controller connection, the screen will not be as bright, the GPS wont be as good, DMD2 will have to be bought separately, you will rely on external power supplies, and many other things. Im having a hard time finding a single truth in your post. Our margins are way lower than standard on this types of products. We make between 25 to 30% profit, and all our profit in the last 5 years was put back in development and infrastructure. Just like every brand we work with manufacturers sure, and they make the hardware that we ask for and need. We do not grab any tablet from a shelf and rebrand it. We work with a manufacturer and spend a lot of time to make sure the device is all we want for motorcycle use. This variant of the tablet is ours, only ours, made for us, we are in regular in loco meetings and daily talks in regards to development and manufacturing. Our remotes are the same, we need to pay for all development, our molds, we need to design the hardware, we do the firmware, software and integration, dont make it look like its an easy rebrand for money grab, its OUR product. It took us 1 year to develop the Remote2 alone. For its included hardware and development costs do you really think its an expensive product? It needs close to 1 year of sales just to pay costs. The only product that was a full rebrand with just custom firmware was our OBD dongle, but even that one, we paid for a new chassis to make it waterproof to better suit motorcycle use. The amount of internal work that was required to accomplish what the tablet is today is HUGE. You will not find another tablet with M12 plug for power and remote controller, this was done by us and is manufactured for us. Just making sure the tablet could handle vibrations made us have to try and change most internal cabling. Then you have internal up to 24V, top notch GPS, big battery life, waterproof and submersible, custom tailored OS, hardware buttons and many custom software to manage everything and our DMD2 app fully unlocked. Do you know what happens when the Active5 battery overheats, like on a desert ride? It starts discharging, on our device, we needed a proper system capable of idling the battery and run off the power keeping the battery level fixed (idle), this was one of requirements from our side to the manufacturer. The T865 holder pins should not be exposed to water, is that your claim? Sure, dont remove your tablet if its raining or if you do, clean them up before inserting the tablet, better even, just dont even use them at all, just use the M12 cable, its there, included. We do not make new hardware like the TPMS to force it on anyone, we did it because our community asked for it, thats how and why we do most of the stuff we do. I think Robert point is the easy of use and utility about having everything integrated in one app, having on your navigation app info for OBD and TPMS without the need to switch apps can be a plus for those who want it, its not a mandatory feature. And we support all OBD dongles by the way. Just like anyone can make a compatible remote controller or how you can use third party controllers, we been supporting those, creating a market for them too. Also... DMD2 does show engine fault messages. The issue with maps on SD Cards is due to google changes on recent APIs, you can research about this, we can prove it that our app was constantly denied access to request all storage access, i can show you the rejection emails. The only reason you say some apps support it is just because you never tried them on a recent Android version, i bet you it would be blocked too. Because of the Google restrictions we recently started working on serving our APK directly, you can download it from our website, so that you can install DMD2 using the APK and get updates, all without Play Store, with the APK install we will be adding SD Card and Foreground Location service back, this is something we are actively working. And sure we support SD Card on our devices, its our devices, DMD2 runs as a system app without any limitation by google. But, by the way, even on our own devices, we strongly DO NOT recommend using SD Cards, looking at crash logs, most of the issues we see from our own users is due to SD Cards, they are usually the weak link, they tend to disconnect under heavy vibration, get data corrupted and make everything slower. We are one of few companies that actually works at developing exclusively for motorcycles and off-road, we do our own software (we are coding people) we develop hardware and we freaking put it all back, to make better and to make what the community asks for. Most people on our team could leave the project and accept working for other companies making 3x more. After 6 years we are still on it, taking sub standard industry wages, investing everything back and living very humble lives. But you make it sound like we are a greedy bunch, rebranding for money and not doing anything... dude, as one of the founders, i code around 10h per day, i took 5 days of vacations per year, i been making all sorts of software for off-road communities for free, i been working as a maniac on this, i bought my Tenere on credit and my only possession is a CRF... we are trying to make something good, in a market where it doesnt look like many others are trying... we have regular margins and invest it all back. We have the best support ever, we listen to the community and everyone can easily reach to me. True users will know the level of dedication we have.

[@PeterR0035]

@@THORKRACING All I have posted in my thread is based on facts. If you can't find a single truth in that, let it up to the viewers to do their own research and compare your system. The CPU and other specs on the newest Active5 you mention, are a level above the specs of your tablet offerings. I can not find your GPS chipset specs but you are just as dependent as other tablet manufacturers on better chipsets. AND when I choose an older Samsung Active tablet, prices are a LOT less than your tablet offerings and they will work just as good. Road map software is not that CPU or GPU intensive... The advantages you mention about internal cables to be able to handle vibrations, only seems like a possible point of failure to me. I do trust a huge R&D Samsung department a bit more... PS a Samsung tablet has no extra internal cables. And the overheating you mention; the ActiveTab tablet has a removable battery and can run on external power alone, if need be. Oh and I've taking my ActiveTab on trans Sahara crossings and it ran +40C outside temps, without any problems. Leaving the fragile T865 holder pins open to the elements is unthinkable to me (what about water penetrating & then freezing?). Your argument in leaving your tablet just in the holder makes even less sense; should I park the bike overnight in the street, with the tablet in, when it's raining ?? Even the silly Garmin Zumo provides a 1$ rubber protector for these kind of pins. A fellow motorcyclist had an easy definable engine issue, the DMD2 app for OBD stated "engine problem" and did not give any extra info (NOT the OBD's fault! the OBD could handle plenty of error codes). That is very basic info from DMD2 to say the least and not useful to me! I have plenty of different new & old tablet models and new & old Android versions at my disposal, here other road map apps are supported on external SD cards. PS --> --> I wrote you regarding this exact issue more than a year ago and got the same answer; "Google is not playing nice, this is something we are actively working on,...". POINT IS; external SD card support IS NOT SUPPORTED with DMD2 NOW. You write that you support requests; well; MANY people request SD card map support because on most tablets, internal memory is too small for more than just a few off line maps. Many people use cheapo memory cards, that is a judgmental error; after riding the most extreme off road conditions for many years, I have yet to encounter a SD card connection error or data corruption on the more than fast enough brand name micro SD cards I use. I'm a software analyst and work in proprietary industrial software development. So I do understand your massive workload and compatibility problems with hardware & software. But my point remains true; it is not that difficult to build your own system, for less money, it's not that difficult at all. ehhh, you say so yourself; you have a 25-30% profit. That would be the least one can save on making their own system... I respect that Robert (sponsored content creator here) chooses an easy all-in solution, but it certainly isn't a cheap one!

[@tomkristiannerb7435]

I see a bright future for PeterR0035 in selling his own branded Samsung tablets, with all that free superior software which is better and cheaper than the already free DMD2. Please give us the link to your webshop with your superior solutions master, we await thirstily in the adventure navigation desert.

[@THORKRACING]

@@PeterR0035 The Active 5, in terms of navigation, does not present one single better specification. The whole reason why we started making hardware was because we managed thousands of users (over 200 000 now) and the number one device which had more issues was the Active Tabs. - GPS Disconnects due to vibration - we know because we often got accused of being a DMD2 problem and when we look into the logs the GPS simply was disconnecting / connecting (due to vibration) we have it well documented - Low screen brightness - Problems with charging pins, problems with charging with USB - Removing a battery?!? How is that a good thing, a single power delivery issue will set you blind - The amount of users who report battery discharge under heat is huge on the Active2/3, removing the battery is in no way better then our solution - The amount of custom code we have to add to the app just because of the Active Tabs is insane, Samsung changing default Android OS stuff is wild, specially on the older devices, not to mention the worst BT stack ever made (specially on Active2), its the number one devices that i hate the most, we have a saying when there are weird issues, we usually say "I bet its an Active Tab", we are the ones dealing the app support... - GPS quality on Active 2 is BAD, i can provide accuracy data, Active 3 is a bit better, not ideal You are cherry picking on what to complain, for example, about the pins, our Off-road holder will not even have pins, i will say it again, if you plan to leave the pins exposed, disconnect the holder cable, use the M12 cable only, you can even remove the pins from the holder. C´mon, if you cant maintain and protect our pins how are justifying that most people end up charging the Active tabs by USB, and NO that is not a solution for a product someone wants to sell and provide warranty, USB charging is something i would never rely on for off-road riding. Again, about the SD CARD, there was NO SOLUTION, we had no way to circumvent that while on Play Store, the APK install method is rather recent, we still havent finished our own subscription model outside Play Store, thankfully the amount of users using older devices like Active 2 dropped. I would invite you to build the same system at lower price then, we will resell it! I would not mind if someone made something better and cheaper and i would just have to resell it. This is not a DIY project, we need to develop software, take care of certification, boxing, stock, and SUPPORT! Please make something cheaper, you develop hardware, code the software and provide support, ill take around 500 units per month from you instead! Heck i have to develop all the software, hardware and provide warranty and i make the same money as any of my resellers.... i would LOVE if someone else would do it and i would just have to sell it! But no one is seriously trying, not at the same level of investment, im talking about both hardware and software obviously, and why? Its a niche and small market. Man, you are throwing rocks to the only brand trying to build what you would probably like to exist already, a serious Android based Navigation system for motorcycle offroad... and why? Because it does not support your Active 2 SD Card and you dont like the price of the units we currently sell.

[@NomadSweden]

😂

[@fqras]

If you mount huge screens like this on your bike, just save some money and go play a motorbike videogame!

[@fqras]

Might be personal but my life is already filled too much with screens. My bike is a nice escape from this.

[@NomadSweden]

Trying to make all riders think the same is nit easy work. Glad you know what you like 👍🏻

[@Advcrazy]

The bigger screen really helps with off road navigation though. It can be difficult to see smaller tracks and landmarks on maps without zooming in so far you loose perspective of the overall picture.

[@esviyn]

[@user-ge9mt2pu6p]

ill stay with my smartphone

[@thestig987654321]

Am I the only one experiencing uneven audio in the video? It's really bothering me.

[@NomadSweden]

Ah it may be true. My fault for missing audio levels

[@jerry2wheels618]

A little too much electronics (laptop) looks like a Tesla display. Simple stuff less distraction while driving.🫡

[@PeterR0035]

SO TRUE !!! I do use a tablet on my 701; It is useful as a roadmap guide and engine trouble shooter. I do carry a paper map. And I only look at the tablet when safe, a lot of the time it is just switched off.

[@NomadSweden]

Glad you know what you like 👍🏻