Blue tooth ear phone while cycling?

[Katherine]

Has anyone ever tried using one?

At the moment I use Google maps or Ride with gps app on my android phone. I set it on voice cues on loud. I put the phone in my jacket pocket or when not wearing a jacket, I put it in my handlebar bag.

This works quite well, but in traffic or if there's loud wind noise, sometimes I miss an instruction. Also, other people can hear it too, especially on the quiet lanes.

So, I'm considering getting a blue tooth ear phone for one ear. Obviously, I still want to hear everything around me and won't use it for listening to the radio or music etc when on a bike.

Thanks

 

[steveindenmark]

And I always thought you had super powers Rocky.

Instead of using Bluetooth earphones. How about a Bluetooth speaker?

 

[vickster]

@jefmcg does / has at least

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Seems a reasonable approach. So long as the tech works as intended.

 

[si_c]

Would work fine, I use normal earplugs but just put one in. That works too, plus I don't worry about battery charge

 

[tobykenobi]

Would work fine, I use normal earplugs but just put one in. That works too, plus I don't worry about battery charge

I've done this too when using the Sat Nav facility on my phone to get around a strange part of town. I have a old Nokia smartphone the mapping app of which had a dedicated cycling directions option. My current one just has driving or walking. Neither of which is ideal.

 

[Jody]

Just stick some normal headphones in.

My current one just has driving or walking. Neither of which is ideal.

Google maps has option to select route based on cycling. The navigation is great.

 

[LonesomeWanderer]

Google maps has option to select route based on cycling. The navigation is great.

When I tried that it tried to send me along the A303, one of the fastest busiest dual-carriageways in the country.....

 

[Fab Foodie]

When I tried that it tried to send me along the A303, one of the fastest busiest dual-carriageways in the country.....

 

[DWiggy]

I believe if you have an android watch, google maps works with haptic feedback instructions (vibrating on your wrist)

 

[Jody]

When I tried that it tried to send me along the A303, one of the fastest busiest dual-carriageways in the country.....

Maybe not that good then

 

[Katherine]

I use Google maps a lot. It usually gives you 3 choices. You can ignore what it says and it will recalculate.
I just have trouble hearing it sometimes.

The ride with gps app gives excellent verbal cues. It's only $6 a month which makes it a justifiable expense.

I like being able to keep my eyes on the road and appreciate the scenery. I wouldn't be able to read a screen anyway without stopping to put on reading glasses and I'm not ready to start spending money on prescription bifocal cycling glasses.

 

[martinclive]

Just another thought / option

Garmin (even the cheapest 20) is great if you pre-program in a route - does not have a map but has a black line trace and beeps at you when coming to a turn so you can just glance down as see which way to go

You have to set the route on a computer before you ride and can move the route around to avoid busy roads etc (but cannot change once on the road)

Obviously upfront cost for the Garmin (about £80 currently for the 20) but free after that.................

I used this to get from Kings Cross to Hays in Kent (having never ridden in London before) and it was excellent

 

[Hill Wimp]

Just stick some normal headphones in.



Google maps has option to select route based on cycling. The navigation is great.

It is until you want to get in or out of a European city when it has a hissy fit.

@hopless500 and i used it extensively in Europe last summer and Helga, as we named her seriously lost the plot as we got into or tried to get out of the bigger towns and cities. Otherwise i use it all the time for my travelling.

 

[J1888]

Google maps with bone conduction headphones is perfect for navigation