What Device?

[Dadam]

I disagree with this for five reasons:

Well it was just a thought, but most of your objections can be mitigated against...

• The choice of cycling specific navigation apps is similar on a phone as a bespoke device.

Well maybe but I counted 17 cycling specific ones on the google play store and 10 on the Apple store. On ConnectIQ there were a couple of exceptions but most of the nav apps seemed to be for watches. I've no idea about the app ecosystem for Wahoo devices though.

• Phone screens are not easier to read than a purpose designed GPS unit

Debatable. Phone screens are much bigger for a start which counts for a lot. Phone screens vary a lot in brightness and contrast too. I find the Garmin default font is not the best for readability. which is one of the reasons why I went from the 530 to the Explore 2.

• In the event of a fall a phone screen is more likely to break

Again this is debatable. A standard phone yes probably slightly more likely due to being a larger device sticking out more. But ruggedised phones are available, as are very protective cases. I once dropkicked my phone down the road. I was running for a bus and it fell out of my pocket and bounced off my foot! It was in a decent case with a screen protector and was totally unscathed.

• Battery life is very poor in this situation especially if using an older second-hand phone

Depends on the phone again. Some are better than others, and the battery health of a second hand phone depends totally on how it's been used.
I use my phone for google maps nav in the car and I don't always plug it in. I reckon it would last 5 or 6 hours from a full charge, and that's with 4G data on to download maps on the go and live traffic, plus bluetooth to the car for music. With tweaking of settings, pre-downloaded maps and turning off wifi and bluetooth you could eke it out more.

• Who wants to stop to recharge a phone? Riding with a power pack attached to the phone is unreliable.

Well, you could always top the phone up when you stop for other reasons. And cases with built in battery packs are available. There are several solutions.

I agree it's going to be a bulkier solution than a dedicated device and might be more of a lash-up but could be a viable option for some.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

could be a viable option for some.

It's viable for anyone, just not preferable unless you've got a really really good reason. Like being skint, or only a very occasional user.

 

[Alex321]

I agree it's going to be a bulkier solution than a dedicated device and might be more of a lash-up but could be a viable option for some.

Where "some" is a very limited number of people.

Basically, only those who can't afford a dedicated unit, or whose usage is so limited that it doesn't justify it.

I've used both, and I suspect most of those responding to you have also used both. And there really is no comparison. I would never go back to using my phone unless I really had no choice.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I disagree with this for five reasons:

• The choice of cycling specific navigation apps is similar on a phone as a bespoke device.
• Phone screens are not easier to read than a purpose designed GPS unit
• In the event of a fall a phone screen is more likely to break
• Battery life is very poor in this situation especially if using an older second-hand phone
• Who wants to stop to recharge a phone? Riding with a power pack attached to the phone is unreliable.

I'd add a 6th. You want your phone for other reasons. For general communications and some people rely on them for payments and other stuff too. Using it as a GPS puts it at risk of damage or just running out of juice. Sure, use the phone as a backup if your GPS goes kaput.

 

[Dadam]

I'd add a 6th. You want your phone for other reasons. For general communications and some people rely on them for payments and other stuff too. Using it as a GPS puts it at risk of damage or just running out of juice. Sure, use the phone as a backup if your GPS goes kaput.

Which is why, if you read my original point, I was suggesting a second dedicated phone for the purpose.

 

[YMFB]

I use a Garmin 1030 + and varia rear light/radar with Wahoo cadence sensors on two different bikes. Each bike has its own profile mainly because the roadie has Ultegra di2 and I like knowing which gear I’m in and I have different screen setups for each bike.

i started with a Wahoo head unit but found it confusing and the map display woeful in comparison. I suspect they are similar now, but I use Garmin on my motorcycle so have become biased in that direction. BMW & Ducati have their own built in sat nav’s, both of which I have tried but gave up on and retrofitted the Garmin XT 2.

There is a lot of talk on motorcycle forums of people moving over to the cheap mainly Chinese units that are more like a modern cars units with Apple CarPlay, Waze and other programmes built in.

like choosing tyres you have to make your own decision, the biggest in my opinion is to have a head unit and save your phone For comms.