Dedicated GPS unit vs Smart Phone

[Roadrider48]

+1 for the edge 800.
Use it every ride, it maps my route and monitors heart rate and cadence, and more!

 

[confusedcyclist]

Snagged a refurb edge 800 on ebay for £160, just gotta wait for it now...

 

[Dogtrousers]

The main plusses for the dedicated units: Better battery life, better weatherproofing; more rugged build, better/more secure bar mounts; better daylight visibility. My Garmins (60CSx just superseded by an Oregon) also take AAs meaning you don't have to find a mains supply to get a recharge/carry a charger. (And if your GPS does run flat, your phone still works)

Plusses for a phone are simply that it's one less thing to buy. It all depends on your priorities.

 

[fossyant]

Garmins full stop. Got a 795 and a 200. The 200 is newer, but has been abused and crashed a few times. It works and shows plus 20 mph to zero in a split second.

 

[333]

I use a Garmin 910XT as I was running / cycling / swimming and tbh its a very good unit, nowadays its more inclined towards running and cycling but more cycling than ever, its still awesome mainly because it outlasts my old iPhone (Strava) and my present Android phone, the issue with smart phones and GPS is battery just burns away so quickly unless you are carrying solar panels on your back. Can't fault Garmin just don't buy a new unit upon release.... I'm now looking at the 1000 and the 810.

 

[HB2210]

Can anyone tell me, if I have the 800 and drive to somewhere scenic ... Does it use gps to show available routes? Or do you have to know a bit about the area ? I do lots of cycling on my own, but don't know a lot of routes. Would love to drive, park up and cycle somewhere nice but would have no local knowledge ... Just before I make a decision to buy ( I have the 500 )

 

[maltloaf]

There are Garmins with a random route planner from your current location built in but I think it's on the edge touring. I can't remember seeing that on my 800 but I tend to use it for pre planned routes uploaded beforehand and also cycling to a destination (e.g. An address or something) when I've been exploring and am not positive where I am.

I also went through the smartphone vs Garmin dilemma. The first and foremost consideration that made me change over was battery life. Riding for more than 2h on smartphone gps kills the battery so you would have to charge your battery before your ride and immediately afterwards. Using a garmin lets you ride for hours and still have useable phone battery left after your ride.