windows phone Navigation?

[phil-b]

well I want to get out and about on the bike more next year. I live in Pembrokeshire so there are some great places to get out to but being new to the area and a lot of country road all looking alike it would be easy for me to get lost. An OS map in the back pocket will help but navigating this way means stopping a lot

spending £400 on a new garmin edge is not really an option for me at this stage

GPX routes seems to be the way to go me to start but I have a windows phone (6 months into a 2 year contract and regretting it already) Are there any apps for windows that I can use?

 

[Crandoggler]

Alternative to the Garmin could be the Polar V650. ~£140 on Amazon.

Other than that a quick google returned GPX viewer. Might cut the mustard?

 

[jefmcg]

http://appcrawlr.com/windows-apps/best-apps-gpx-files

(or buy an old android handset )

 

[HLaB]

If someone is asking £400 they're having a laugh but Holux and Bryton do cheaper similar units. I've no idea about gps apps though.

 

[phil-b]

thanks for the replies but they seem to point in the direction of there being no easy answer other than buying a new device?

I have a gpx viewer but I am not sure it will give directions so it may be no better than carrying with an os map. There is an app called cycle streets that is a nav app but I can not see how to load a gpx file into it

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Here you go https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/apps/cycle-tracks-gps/9wzdncrfhzjj

 

[IDMark2]

Both the standard built-in HERE maps and Microsoft's own Maps application (which is pretty much HERE at the moment anyway) on the Beta of Windows 10 Mobile allow you to use a offline national map if you wish although I've not found a predefined GPX route import option yet. (I use it to see where I am, rarely is my planning tied to a predefined route anyway...)

I think Ffoeg's suggestion allows the import of GPX's both created with, and uploaded to, the Ride with GPS online application which is free to use in it's most basic form but the link to it costs a quid or so in the cycle tracks app.

Windows Phone options are starting to get a little more interesting, Garmin Connect apparently now have a Windows 10 Mobile version so there are signs that things may improve a fair bit for your remaining 18 contract months.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I use Windows Phone, but not for navigation.

I use "Cycle Tracks GPS" for recording tracks (normally just my commutes, and I don't need navigational help there). It's a good app for recording and uploading GPX tracks. It does have navigation options that I have never tried, and I think the paid version has more options.

I use the built in Here maps for navigating in-car sometimes (normally when I'm a passenger) and they seem to work OK.

But a dedicated Garmin needn't cost £400. You can get a brand new map enabled units for not much over £100. Consider non cycling specific ones like Dakota and Etrex.

The arguments of phone app vs dedicated unit have been well rehearsed on here. I don't like to use the phone on longer rides as I don't want to risk running down the battery and thus losing both phone and GPS in one go. I prefer having two separate ones. Others differ.

 

[IDMark2]

I would add that if you live in Pembrokeshire, stopping a lot is not going to be a bad thing so maybe stick to an OS map! Exploring may be as simple as having an idea or list of town/village names along the way and following signs that seem to point in that general direction. It is very hard to get irretrievably lost in this country.

 

[phil-b]

thanks for all the comments and ideas

cycle tracks gps looks like it may work but I will need to test it out. it will cost about £11 to upgrade it to have voice directions.

and maybe I can explore as IDMark2 suggests not worrying to much about rigidly sticking to a route and just use HERE to get home via the shortest route if I get a little lost. I do use a garmin forerunner 610 to log my exercise and this does have a rudimentary track back function that also may help. So I think with all that I have enough to get by without having to buy any more expensive equipment,

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I also need to sort out turn by turn nav. I also have a Windows phone but could use an android if I had too.

 

[shoogiesco]

I use an app called Cyclers its good and lets you upload to strava

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Have installed Cyclers and it just wont connect to my Strava or FB account. Always issues!

Update - I'm in!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

well I want to get out and about on the bike more next year. I live in Pembrokeshire so there are some great places to get out to but being new to the area and a lot of country road all looking alike it would be easy for me to get lost. An OS map in the back pocket will help but navigating this way means stopping a lot

spending £400 on a new garmin edge is not really an option for me at this stage

GPX routes seems to be the way to go me to start but I have a windows phone (6 months into a 2 year contract and regretting it already) Are there any apps for windows that I can use?

Here maps free and great - I prefer it Google and Apple mapping, turn by turn navigation and works totally offline so no charges. The maps are region/national level too so if you go further afield or are touring, one map/download session and you're away.

I know Google maps offers downloadable maps too - it may be me not doing it right but it seems very limited to the size of area you can download.

I've got a load of android apps to check out that are cycle mapping specific following one of those 10 best..... articles I read recently.

I have cyclestreets downloaded but find it a bit faffy for a beginner and haven't really warmed to using it.

 

[marknotgeorge]

There's an app called Ride Journal, which seems to allow the import of GPX files. I'm not sure about navigation, but I think it'll at least display a line on the screen for you to follow.

HERE maps (Windows maps for Windows 10 for Mobile) does indeed allow the sideloading of countrywide maps. Any program that uses the built in maps controls for Windows also has the use of these maps. I know this because I've been (very) slowly writing a cycling app for Windows Phone myself. What's been stopping me? Lack of time (it's a hobby, and I have other stuff in my so-called life), motivation (I'm struggling massively here - does anyone care what I'm up to) and anxiety (how do I get people to see what I'm up to and join in?). Having said that, it's nowhere near ready, so it's not an option for you, I'm afraid.