android vs real satnav

[young Ed]

so i realised i cant just print of 500 pages of directions from google maps and hope to cycle from end to end also i want to do my house to dover to paris in a few weeks time and realised i may need more then google maps!

so can i get away with buying a fairly cheap android telephone from a well known brand and download a few maps and use google earth and do it or should i save up and pay the 300 odd for a real cycle satnav ???

and what ever the verdict is what makes should i be looking for what models what maps how much are they where can i get them from where for and if the smart phone what apps??????

i believe i should probably get a garmin if i get the satnav or samsaung sound good for the telephone???

when i get on my other confuser i shall post a linky to the web site of another electronic thingy for you to look at and judge
Cheers Ed

 

[Crackle]

Time and money: As in, the phone won't last more than a few hours and you'll get through about 6MB an hour of data for the maps, which gets expensive abroad.

Garmin etrex/dakota series seem to be what the audaxers and touring folk use. I'm old fashioned and use a map, though recently I got my device to bleep 'and' tell me which way to go.

 

[Davidc]

The only drawback with a smartphone is battery run time.

I use Maps With Me Pro and Bikecomputer Pro on an Android phone. Both are paid for applications available from Google Play. Maps With me gives me offline maps, so not dependent on a data signal like Google Maps, and I've downloaded the open mapping project ones for Bikecomputer, so all that needs is a GPS signal. Bikecomputer happily eats GPX files and displays them, and can also generate them, and has every other function I want.

I also bought a handlebar mounting device for the phone, and downloaded a bit of software which keeps the display on all the time when needed.

I also have an external battery pack, but it did need adaptation for Samsung - it had the peculiar Apple specific connection to the USB data wires rather than the one every other manufacturer uses. (This can be achieved by a simple modification to a micro USB lead rather than the hardware - PM if you'd like information)

If you want the internal battery life of a Garmin, and/or cadence measurement you'll have to buy one!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would buy a cycle specific device for the simple reason it sends the user towards recognized cycle routes.A generic satnav such as the ones on phones send you the fastest or the most direct route which could include motorways.
I have a garmin 800

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I would not rely on a smart phone for any navigation on a tour. Get a proper cycle gps unit and/or paper maps.

 

[amaferanga]

If you buy a Garmin Edge 800, use it, but then decide you don't need it then you'll be able to sell it for not far off what you paid for it. Used Garmin prices are crazy. Handtec are usually one of the cheapest for Garmin.
You don't even need to buy maps - just buy the unit only and download OSM maps for free.

As others have said, battery life is a big problem with phones. Rain would also be a problem, particularly if you're using an external battery pack. I have a phone that I could use to navigate with on the bike. I also have an Edge 800. At no time have I ever considered using the phone instead of the Garmin.

EDIT: just realised you want something for touring. In that case have a look at the Garmin Etrex HCx units - cheap, use the same maps as the Edge 800, but run on AA batteries so you should never get caught short (I used rechargeables in mine most of the time and got >15 hours run time).

 

[BigonaBianchi]

On a tour you wont always have a phone signal or wifi access. Phone creens are often unreadable in bright sunlight. Battery life isn't long enough for long day rides let alone several days without access to a power up. Phones arnt water proof enough in a downpour and the glass screen shatters if you drop it or it falls from its mount.
I have a garmin gps map 60csx it works in all conditions. Use a phone for phone stuff and a proper gps for navigating. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[young Ed]

so the garmin 800 you lot reckon?
Cheers Ed

 

[pplpilot]

Suck it up and buy the proper tools for the job. I suffered with a phone and now have an 800 and it is the best 250 quid I've spent on cycling. Oh and leave yourself a little time to familiarise yourself with it too, it can be pretty in-depth.

 

[young Ed]

cool lets start the saving then!
Cheers Ed

 

[Davidc]

I would buy a cycle specific device for the simple reason it sends the user towards recognized cycle routes.A generic satnav such as the ones on phones send you the fastest or the most direct route which could include motorways.
I have a garmin 800

Only if 1) you haven't found the cycling setting on Google Maps
or 2) you haven't got a dedicated bike application.

I can think of other reasons for getting a dedicated device but that's not one of them.