Best app or device to use as cycle satnav

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Lumix

New Member
Location
Newcastle
Hi all

I have recently started to use Strava to log my rides (time/speed/distance etc...), which is really good. The only thing I'm missing is a satnav as I have 0 sense of direction and often get lost.

Is there an app that does what strava does but also acts as satnav? I use an iPhone 5, so would need something to connect it to handlebars.

Or, if the above hasn't been invented yet, what is the best cycle satnav and will it sync with my iPhone (for strava).

Apologies if my questions are a bit 'simple', I'm not exactly what you'd call a techy!!!


Cheers
 

uclown2002

Guru
Location
Harrogate
All roads lead to Garmin. Check out the 200, 500 and 800 Edge series depending on your needs and depth of pockets.

This thread is not open for further replies.

^_^
 
OP
OP
Lumix

Lumix

New Member
Location
Newcastle

jay clock

Massive member
Location
Hampshire UK
All roads lead to Garmin. Check out the 200, 500 and 800 Edge series depending on your needs and depth of pockets.

This thread is not open for further replies.

^_^
The 200 and 500 will not offer any satnav or navigation type of facility. The 800 does but falls far short of the TomTOm style satnav facility in my view. Plus the 800 I had had very poor screen resolution and re-routing off a preplanned route was fiddly as hell

Some sort of phone app might be better but battery life and handlebar mooting might be an issue
 
OP
OP
Lumix

Lumix

New Member
Location
Newcastle
As daft as it seems, if you are using an android phone, why not simply use google maps.

I was thinking that, but won't it be hard to stay away from major roads? Also battery life may be an issue as I intend on completing a few centuries and will always worry about battery dying.
 
I was thinking that, but won't it be hard to stay away from major roads? Also battery life may be an issue as I intend on completing a few centuries and will always worry about battery dying.

Some satnav have a button for walking, cycling or driving so shouldn't be an issue if you can find one with that function, I used my Note2 for satnav and it will easily last all day, but I have no idea on how long a battery will last on an iPhone..........I do have a mate who uses his on his bike and that seems to do pretty well.
 

Peteaud

Veteran
Location
South Somerset
Another + for Garmin.

Edge 205 or 305 are cheap on ebay (used only) and breadcrumb route is easy once you are used to it.

705 as above but with maps and still go for silly money

New, then 200, 500 or Touring.

Then 800 or 810 and now 1000 for those with full pockets.

(i have just upgraded from a 205 to the Touring, so far i am pretty happy with it.
 
By the time you buy an app, a holder, a battery pack and waterproofing for the iPhone, the Garmin 200 becomes better value.

Write down three columns:
What you "need"
What you would "like"
What (if there was no financial limit) you would like"

Then find something that has those in the first column, part of the second column, and ignore the third!
 

marzjennings

Legendary Member
You can install google maps on an iphone an it's free.

Plus you could put the phone in a plastic bag and run one earbud to an ear. It'll then tell you where to go and where to turn without having to watch the screen. And the screen will be off saying battery power.
 
The 200 and 500 will not offer any satnav or navigation type of facility.

Not strictly true that. Granted they don't offer the ability to enter a destination at the roadside and then take you there, but for pre-loaded routes they do offer turn by turn navigation brilliantly.

Anyhow, another vote for a Garmin here. Don't compromise, get the device that's built for the job, which Garmin that will be is upto you.

Garmin's also sync with Strava, so you can keep your phone in your pocket with the battery charged up :thumbsup:
 
Location
Pontefract
The 200 and 500 will not offer any satnav or navigation type of facility. The 800 does but falls far short of the TomTOm style satnav facility in my view. Plus the 800 I had had very poor screen resolution and re-routing off a preplanned route was fiddly as hell

Some sort of phone app might be better but battery life and handlebar mooting might be an issue
as @smokeysmoo says, it also warns you if off course so you can go back and pick it up, however the 500 I had, had a habit of warning you if the gps signal went outside a given range, so for example it could say of course even on a straight road, it usually picks it up soon, but did on occasion take sometime, which if you know the roads isn't to bad, but can be tricky in towns with lots of streets and building bouncing signals, but I used mine successfully to get to Leeds general infirmary from Pontefact.
 
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