Satnav for cycle

[68c]

I was looking in Lidl this week and they had a cycle case that strapped to cross bar and it had a pocket with clear plastic phone holder. Looked pretty good but it's not on their website for some reason.

We have one of those useless. Half the time it is fogged up, the rest of the time its wrinkled flexible window reflects so badly you cannot see the screen so still keep stopping to take it out to check the route. I suppose it is more accesible than a pocket though.

 

[mofurt]

One thing to bear in mind with Quadlock type mounts is you might have trouble if you get caught out in the rain. Even an IP rated waterproof phone (e.g. Samsungs) can have trouble if water gets into the USB socket; I've had that, the phone worked but wouldn't charge until it had all dried out.
Now I'll only put the phone into a properly waterproof case (I use a transparent Peli case on the motorbike) if the weather looks at all iffy.

 

[Guigsy]

I was using Komoot or Google Maps on my phone. I still do when I'm city riding on the Brompton. But on long rides, I'd need battery support. And off-road, I was always worried about damage, even with a quadlock.

I got a Garmin Edge 830 a year ago and I've clocked 2000km between my MTB and gravel bikes. I plan the route in Komoot and it transfers automatically via WiFi or via the phone. I've done all day rides and never had to worry about battery life. It's just a dependable tool.

 

[suavecarve]

Just an update. I ve looked at pros and cons and thank everyone for their thoughts.
For me, I m going to blow the expense and just ordered the garmin

 

[jannyman]

Just an update. I ve looked at pros and cons and thank everyone for their thoughts.
For me, I m going to blow the expense and just ordered the garmin

Following this thread with interest suavecarve. Can you let us know how you get on with this please?

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[MattR]

Just an update. I ve looked at pros and cons and thank everyone for their thoughts.
For me, I m going to blow the expense and just ordered the garmin

They are good for pottering about and exploring. Is that the kind of cycling you plan to do mainly?

I'd recommend wrapping the strap around something on your bike, such as a light in case your garmin comes off the mount. It doesn't happen often and might be down to the mounts you use but I've had my garmins come off the mount twice when cycling - they weren't damaged but could have been.

 

[suavecarve]

They are good for pottering about and exploring. Is that the kind of cycling you plan to do mainly?

I'd recommend wrapping the strap around something on your bike, such as a light in case your garmin comes off the mount. It doesn't happen often and might be down to the mounts you use but I've had my garmins come off the mount twice when cycling - they weren't damaged but could have been.

Generally pottering about, normally on disused railway lines.
But having done a bit of Belgium and their numbering system which seems to change regularly on the routes we take but the numbers don't show up on mapy.cz
I suspect next holiday (Languedoc) it won't be as useful as it could have been this time.

 

[MattR]

Generally pottering about, normally on disused railway lines.
But having done a bit of Belgium and their numbering system which seems to change regularly on the routes we take but the numbers don't show up on mapy.cz
I suspect next holiday (Languedoc) it won't be as useful as it could have been this time.

I'd recommend a silicone case and possibly a screen protector too. I take mine off whenever I'm leaving my bike (café stops etc) and the protection reduces the risk of damage when in my pocket etc.

 

[kevenh]

They are good for pottering about and exploring. Is that the kind of cycling you plan to do mainly?

I'd recommend wrapping the strap around something on your bike, such as a light in case your garmin comes off the mount. It doesn't happen often and might be down to the mounts you use but I've had my garmins come off the mount twice when cycling - they weren't damaged but could have been.

Good point raised

My Garmin used to be mounted to the Stem. It was nice to have it’s weight central but mounted there it was solid with no give. So every bump I went over went straight to the mount and if it was bad enough the Garmin would be ejected

After a few scratches and having to collect the separate parts (inc. batteries), I finally relocated the mount to the handlebars and there there’s less shock transferred to the Garmin. It (the mount) can flex there.

 

[Pablo19]

They are good for pottering about and exploring. Is that the kind of cycling you plan to do mainly?

I'd recommend wrapping the strap around something on your bike, such as a light in case your garmin comes off the mount. It doesn't happen often and might be down to the mounts you use but I've had my garmins come off the mount twice when cycling - they weren't damaged but could have been.

They normally come with a loop that you wrap around the bars/stem.

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[MattR]

They normally come with a loop that you wrap around the bars/stem.

That's what I do with mine but many others don't seem to.

 

[suavecarve]

Update,

Just got it, cant work out how to turn it off. Far too much on there for what I want it for. Not interested in running or how many calories I have used, not interested in sharing my calender with it, or having my emails on there. I just want to follow a cycle route. Had to download a garmin app onto my phone.

 

[MattR]

Update,

Just got it, cant work out how to turn it off. Far too much on there for what I want it for. Not interested in running or how many calories I have used, not interested in sharing my calender with it, or having my emails on there. I just want to follow a cycle route. Had to download a garmin app onto my phone.

Press and hold the power button to turn it off.

Each screen can be adjusted to display more or less info. I have my phone connected to it so I can view sms messages on the screen or see who is calling without having to take the phone out of my pocket.

The Garmin app is useful for many folk.

 

[PaddyM]

Nyon: the on-board computer with navigation for eBikes

Whether GPS navigation, tour planning or fitness training: the smart Nyon eBike on-board computer makes a pedelec ride even more comfortable and varied.

www.bosch-ebike.com

Sat nav , fitness tracker , auto gearbox option , E lock option , these are the future today .
The E lock is a game changer , it isolates the drive so the bike becomes just a chunk of metal to a thief , the auto shift is a revolution for e bikers , it’s like a DSG auto box for pedalecs.

I take it you can return the Garmin ?

 

[suavecarve]

Nyon: the on-board computer with navigation for eBikes

Whether GPS navigation, tour planning or fitness training: the smart Nyon eBike on-board computer makes a pedelec ride even more comfortable and varied.

www.bosch-ebike.com

Sat nav , fitness tracker , auto gearbox option , E lock option , these are the future today .
The E lock is a game changer , it isolates the drive so the bike becomes just a chunk of metal to a thief , the auto shift is a revolution for e bikers , it’s like a DSG auto box for pedalecs.

I take it you can return the Garmin ?

I ve managed to turn it off now after setting the brightness to unbelievably dark, so I dont know what I did.
I m going to have to resort to reading the instructions and watching the youtube manuals as well now before deciding it isnt for me. Might take it into work tomorrow just to see how far I walk in a day. We have been known to walk up to 20 miles in a night shift when busy (step counting) Hopefully only about 6-8 miles tomorrow.

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[MattR]

I ve managed to turn it off now after setting the brightness to unbelievably dark, so I dont know what I did.
I m going to have to resort to reading the instructions and watching the youtube manuals as well now before deciding it isnt for me. Might take it into work tomorrow just to see how far I walk in a day. We have been known to walk up to 20 miles in a night shift when busy (step counting) Hopefully only about 6-8 miles tomorrow.

Does it do step counting? My garmin bike computers measure distance with satellite connection (so no good inside).

 

[suavecarve]

It doesnt but we seem to able to get GPS location on our radios and phones, inside, (not wifi) and spend a lot of time outdoors (if its dry)

 

[dna]

I splashed out on a garmin edge last year.

To maximise battery life I have it set to turn the screen off quite quickly. The down side is you sometimes need to poke it to wake the screen up.
Having generous family members at birthday times I got a remote control which sits by the brake levers so I can stop/start the trip routes, switch through screens etc with my thumb.

Might be worth it for you?

 

[mapman]

m going to have to resort to reading the instructions and watching the youtube manuals as well now before deciding it isnt for me

Had several Garmin edges but the smaller ones since I have a SatMap active 12 for maps. However, the instructions in the box are very limited. i always download the online manual but also check out DC Rainmaker on You tube. His reviews are extremely comprehensive and while I (like you) don’t need all the bells and whistles he shows very clearly how to access all the options . Have fun!

 

[tilleyman2]

The past couple of days I have not been cycling on disused railway lines.
The amount of times we have had to stop, me pull out my phone, try to work out where we are and where we are going has driven me to drink copious amounts of blue beer.
So, forgetting all apps on phones, I am looking for a stand alone satnav which can be clicked on and off the bike handlebars, and shows me a map with route.
Can this one be beaten ? Pricewise ?

Check this out! Amazon product ASIN B0B56W7K7L

Yep, I totally get where you are coming from.
What you need is “beeline”
Check out beeline.co.uk
It has changed my life now I always know which way to go. You can just enter where you want to go and it provides the route with options of fastest, balanced or quiet or you can download a gpx file if you have created your own route from your favourite mapping software.
Follow the arrow….

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[EMS]

I purchased a Wahoo Element Roam unit with all the kit for training etc, it does have satnav capability but have yet to use it. Has any one tried the Satnav on this type of kit? It also transfers my route to Strava with all the details so I could brag to my friends.......

 

[Jeffr3y]

I use Locus Maps app on android phone I stuck heavy duty velcro on the back so can use it on the ebike (powered from the Kiox display) or in the van (powered from cigarette socket)

I've had Locus maps for a few years now and they recently updated to a subscription online service but I stuck with the original version Locus map classic version 3.63.1 which can be used offline once you've downloaded plenty of maps (the first 3 I think it is, are free then it's around a pound or so for further of their own designed Lomaps which are available to cover every country in the world, you buy locoins which you then use to buy maps.

I used it in Morocco recently and all over europe, in the UK I've paid for sections of Ordnance survey maps for areas I'm visiting and I can overlay lomaps with ordnance survey and get great detail plus the lomaps icons on the same view.

You have to also install a routing service (Free) to enable navigation and download the sections of areas you are going to be covering which can mean big downloads but with the size of smartphone storage these days it isn't an issue.
The routing service is called Brouter and Locus maps asks you what routing service you want to use, it shows up as an option if its installed.

A warning it can be very complicated with a steep learning curve until you get to know how its many functions and settings work but it's a very function rich application.
Locus map 3 classic available on the play store.

Locus Map 3 Classic - Apps on Google Play

GPS navigation app for hiking, biking, geocaching, and other outdoor activities

play.google.com

 

[Krumpli]

I have a similar question but it's about walking. Can anyone recommend an app for my wife's iPhone. She often goes walking in the Dales with a group and it would be good if there was an app that recorded her track.
I can take the track off my Garmin SatNav for car journeys but it has a short life battery when not hooked up.

 

[kevenh]

I have a similar question but it's about walking. Can anyone recommend an app for my wife's iPhone. She often goes walking in the Dales with a group and it would be good if there was an app that recorded her track.
I can take the track off my Garmin SatNav for car journeys but it has a short life battery when not hooked up.

Lots of the devices mentioned in this thread record tracks.
The Garmin Oregon I use writes a trail/track.
You can use that as a route back home, or more usefully for me, share that route to others so they can repeat your route.

Also, online, you can find tracks to copy to your device so you can follow them.

 

[lorger]

I have a similar question but it's about walking. Can anyone recommend an app for my wife's iPhone. She often goes walking in the Dales with a group and it would be good if there was an app that recorded her track.
I can take the track off my Garmin SatNav for car journeys but it has a short life battery when not hooked up.

She could sign up to Strava, the free membership would be fine. If she wants one for finding and making routes have a look at Komoot, again the free part would be suitable, I use Komoot for working out cycle and walking routes.

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[Platelet]

I can’t see the need for another device. A good phone mount such a Mous, or Quadlock and best of all satnav/phone/maps.

Be wary of using a newish iPhone on a cycle or m/bike fitted directly to the bike. Apple has admitted that this can cause serious issues with the camera, they will NOT cover any warranty claims for them. Because of this Quadlock has brought out a vibration dampener to their products to overcome this.

 

[lorger]

I have the Garmin edge 830 and can’t fault it, you can make a route in other apps and then send to your edge. It has other useful bits too, if out a cycle and you are recording and maybe get lost or weather turns for the worse it has a get me home option that will take you back to start via quickest route (need phone for WiFi), it also has an emergency call option if connected to phone, if you fall off it will send message to emergency contact with location. Another option I like which my Garmin running watch also has is live feed, I used to do a lot of hill and forest running when off shift and could be so easy to fall, live tracking meant Lorraine could view my live location from work.

 

[Platelet]

One thing to bear in mind with Quadlock type mounts is you might have trouble if you get caught out in the rain. Even an IP rated waterproof phone (e.g. Samsungs) can have trouble if water gets into the USB socket; I've had that, the phone worked but wouldn't charge until it had all dried out.
Now I'll only put the phone into a properly waterproof case (I use a transparent Peli case on the motorbike) if the weather looks at all iffy.

Quadlock do a “poncho” for most phones. I’ve used these for a few years on m/bikes in torrential weather conditions both privately and professionally with no problems.

 

[mofurt]

Indeed. You just need to be aware that extra protection is needed, and that can be as simple as something to stop splashes and spray. In the past I've used zip lock sandwich bags to keep electronics dry on the bicycle and motorbike.

 

[MattR]

I have a similar question but it's about walking. Can anyone recommend an app for my wife's iPhone. She often goes walking in the Dales with a group and it would be good if there was an app that recorded her track.
I can take the track off my Garmin SatNav for car journeys but it has a short life battery when not hooked up.

Strava is good for that.

She can also send a beacon to show where she is... My other half uses it when she's on a bike ride and I can get a sense of when she'll be home so I can pretend to do some house chores....

Broken Link Removed

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