Best app or device to use as cycle satnav

[thefensman]

Hi lumix, I have just started using "bike hub app" on my android and it does everything I need. As easy as a car satnav to use, simply enter start location then where you wish to go, press "cycle route" and your off. You can put in as much or as little info as you want ie places of interest along route, shortest, quickest, flatest route etc. It will even plot you a circular route which I have used a couple of times from my house around a 40 mile ride and then back and never on same road twice. It can be used as conventional satnav as I say but maps can be peloaded before your ride which apparently uses less battery, however as i,ve said previously i,ve not had any problems with battery life while using this app, i,ve simply made sure phone had a full charge before I set off. Also has voice prompt via head phones if needed. May not be for you but give it a look.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Mine doesn't use batteries and although not backlit the screen doesn't reflect back in the dark if I use my front light to view it by. Its not waterproof but if I put it in a waterproof casing, when I wipe it with my hands, the map doesn't scroll with my hand leaving me lost

It cost about £8 and is completely reliable, it even shows byways and brideways for off-roading and shows the TPT and similar trails - and it discourages over-reliance in the event of a lost signal or hardware failure.

The current model even has a picture of a cyclist on the outer case, just in case you had your doubts about its suitability

OK, I'm being deliberately contrary but having noticed my own navigational instincts erode through use of in-car sat-nav I like to keep a bit of the old tradition. That way with my ancient HTC Wildfire, if I do get a little lost, instead of riding extra miles to catch my bearings, I can switch on GPS and get my location without hammering the battery..then I'm back on course again.


As for zero navigational skills, I am also a walker but only as of the past 5 years. I had little navigational skills away from roads or waymarked paths but by using guidebooks and viewing a map as I did so, I learned and am now happy to go into totally unfamiliar country and open access land with a map and compass, or devise and lead walks for others. It's a skill that improves with use and a worthwhile skill to have (ask the many bemused Duke of Edinburgh youths who I have helped out after happening across them looking bemused and bewildered)

 

[Enis Baysal]

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 have a galaxy s4 but im sure the iphone also has a map app... if not one can surely be downloaded.
my phone is set to use cycle routes which 80% of the time do avoid major roads.. I still use big roads regardless to be honest.
is there a reason you want to avoid major roads?