Dedicated GPS unit vs Smart Phone

[confusedcyclist]

Ok two questions, firstly what does everyone think about GPS units like Garmin 800 vs using a smartphone with usual suspect apps like Strava? Why would anyone buy a Garmin unit?!

I have a low energy bluetooth HR monitor from my running days and just realised I can pair it with strava which has me thinking, should I get a smart phone mount to assist with training, or should I just use it for post workout review and leave it in the jersey pocket, as I can't really see how I will benefit from having strava open on a ride, other than segment updates (which I'm not really bothered about...)

Thoughts?

 

[uclown2002]

All roads lead to Garmin.
Next!

 

[Hacienda71]

GPS dedicated units are more accurate and tend to have substantially longer battery lives than phones. Having used a phone in the past and having two Garmins now I wouldn't go back.

 

[Drago]

The thing that bugs me a bit is smartphone battery life. If I'm out the house for the day and want to log my rides then I'm severely restricted in how much I can use the phone or internet.

It's not a ballbreaker, just a pain. Nevertheless, when this phone dies I think I'm going to get dedicated GPS and a conventional mobile.

 

[Big_Dave]

All roads lead to Garmin Next!

Amen to that

 

[confusedcyclist]

All roads lead to Garmin Next!

Sorry what's a Garmin "Next"? Googled it and didn't return anything obvious?

 

[Big_Dave]

Sorry what's a Garmin "Next"? Googled it and didn't return anything obvious?

he meant next question.

 

[MikeW-71]

Ok two questions, firstly what does everyone think about GPS units like Garmin 800 vs using a smartphone with usual suspect apps like Strava? Why would anyone buy a Garmin unit?!

Only go for an 800 or higher if you really want/need maps. Otherwise a 200 will do fine, or a 500 if you want cadence/HR/power.

Why a Garmin? 15 hours battery life vs. 6 hrs max from the phone with Strava running. This means I can be out for 8 hours, record it all with ease and still have a working phone for emergencies.

 

[BrynCP]

For me it was two things

• Unable to see phone until I am back home. There are phone holders though.
• Battery life. Phone battery would run out after a couple of hours of GPS use, and I was worried about what if I need the phone for an emergency, rather than losing any data.

I use an Edge 500, but only because it was the same price as the Edge 200 when I bought it.

 

[Big_Dave]

Only go for an 800 or higher if you really want/need maps. Otherwise a 200 will do fine, or a 500 if you want cadence/HR/power.

Why a Garmin? 15 hours battery life vs. 6 hrs max from the phone with Strava running. This means I can be out for 8 hours, record it all with ease and still have a working phone for emergencies.

+1 If you want enhanced results i.e. 185mph max speed and 60mph av speed up 25% hills then use your phone, if you want true results buy a garmin

 

[MikeW-71]

+1 If you want enhanced results i.e. 185mph max speed and 60mph av speed up 25% hills then use your phone, if you want true results buy a garmin

True

Beware what you put next to them though. If I mount my GoPro above the bars (and close to the Garmin) the GPS trace is all over the place due to interference. Mounted below the bars, it's fine.

On a night ride last week, I had my more powerful lights on the bars (and close to the Garmin). It lost GPS signal entirely at least 3 times during the ride for minutes at a time. Seems Cateye Nano Shot and Nano Shot+ lights also put out some interference. Usually on night rides, I just use the phone to record as I'm only out for an hour and a half, but this ride was 100k

 

[winjim]

Only go for an 800 or higher if you really want/need maps. Otherwise a 200 will do fine, or a 500 if you want cadence/HR/power.

Why a Garmin? 15 hours battery life vs. 6 hrs max from the phone with Strava running. This means I can be out for 8 hours, record it all with ease and still have a working phone for emergencies.

If you want maps on a budget then consider the Etrex series. Not bike specific like the Edge, but has maps and runs off AA batteries, so good for touring.

My big expensive smartphone stays at home, and I take a tiny key fob phone out with me ICE.

 

[Drago]

And you can get a handlebar mount for the erred.

 

[winjim]

Just make sure it's clicked in properly
Although the unit is quite rugged and survived its fall onto the tarmac with only minor cosmetic damage

 

[John the Monkey]

Ok two questions, firstly what does everyone think about GPS units like Garmin 800 vs using a smartphone with usual suspect apps like Strava? Why would anyone buy a Garmin unit?

I had the same debate with myself a little while back.

In the end, the problems of battery life, and heat build up clobbered the phone as an option for me.

I bought a Garmin 800 (because I wanted navigation) - the performance pack, and a microSD card on which I put free OpenFietsmap maps.

The OpenFietsmap maps were good enough for following pre-planned routes (set up on Ridewithgps.com) and for ad hoc navigation - I did an on the fly route locally using the maps to avoid lanes that dead ended, and used the navigation to find my way back to the gite when I had to cut a ride short in France. I'd recommend an "out front" mount as a useful extra for the 800.