cycling computers and Android solutions

[tsddave]

I have been trying out various Android phone apps. My finding is that they are great for using the gps functions and mapping my route but I find that they cannot replace a cycling computer due to the fact that the phone goes into a sleep mode after a time.
Anyone found an app that is forced to stay up?

I have an old polar cs100 but the speed sensor has never worked fully, so mainly I just use it on my mountain bike for heart rate.
I figure I need to buy a newcycling computer.

Ive noticed that boardman sell some cheap ones that would well do the job, anyone tried these that can let me how good they are?
I would need a wireless solution as I really cannot handle putting wires all down my new bike.

Naturally ive been looking at all the usual makes but really I dont want to spend more than about £80 and I will probably buy it on ebay to secure the best deal.

Any thoughts on good computers or the above would be appreciated!

 

[rusky]

Yup, you can't set the screen timeout to more than 30 mins.

Also, anything using GPS will kill the battery!

 

[machew]

I have used "Map my ride". And it will still run when the phone is in sleep mode. At the moment I get about 1.5 hrs of life running it, any longer and I will use an external battery pack, disguised as a solar charger which will give it about 2-3 full charges

 

[Black knight]

What function is it you want the android app to do?

 

[Shanks]

Hi there, I wonder if this is a phone issue, what phone are you using? For reference I use an HTC Desire and Sportypal app. This links via Bluetooth to my HRM. All I need to do is start SportyPal, link the HRM, let it find the GPS and then press start. I then put it in standby, tuck it in my back pocket and let it run. The longest I've been out is for a shade under two hours and although it hit the battery quite hard it certainly didn't kill it. As machew said any longer and you can use a solar charger if you need it.

It does have an option to force keep the screen on, so I guess i could get a mount and just use the phone but I can see battery life becoming real issue then.

I also have a small Cateye Strada wireless on my bars so I can see all the info I need (speed, cadence, distance etc) while going along. I only need this as 'to hand' info, the phone app stores all the data for comparison and historical capture.

 

[Black knight]

I use jogtracker.

 

[tsddave]

I want the Android software for mapping my route, time and speeds.

I actually found a solution that will keep apps you selected on for as long as the battery allows. I did a test and it works perfectly.
Its an app called "Screen on" works great not to be confused with the widget by the same name.