Does a 'TomTom' exist for bikes?

[vickster]

Is there such a thing as a satnav for bikes with a good battery life. I have an iphone but the battery lasts about 2 hours. I have just bought a battery pack for it, but that's not really the most practical. I want something simple with maps that tells me where to go - stick in an address and it tells me where to go - on the road (so it changes if I miss a turn, decide to go a different way or whatever). I don't need HR monitoring, cadence, speed etc (although it would be good if it links with Strava)

It needs to be very simple and preferably not too expensive and needs to be safely hand bar mountable

This may be a very stupid question

 

[smokeysmoo]

YUP

Designed for motorbikes so don't know how adaptable the bracket would be for bicycles TBH


[EDIT] My above reply was literally in response to the use of words 'Tom Tom' by the OP. Obviously there are Garmin and similar products. I use an Edge 200 myself.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Garmin Edge 800/810

Bryton Rider 50

 

[Sara_H]

Is there such a thing as a satnav for bikes with a good battery life. I have an iphone but the battery lasts about 2 hours. I have just bought a battery pack for it, but that's not really the most practical. I want something simple with maps that tells me where to go - stick in an address and it tells me where to go - on the road (so it changes if I miss a turn, decide to go a different way or whatever). I don't need HR monitoring, cadence, speed etc (although it would be good if it links with Strava)

It needs to be very simple and preferably not too expensive and needs to be safely hand bar mountable

This may be a very stupid question

I don't think there is! I've been on the search for such a thing for a couple of years. I'm really useless at directions, so it impacts a little on me going out and trying new routes.
Many people have recomended various Garmin's to me but it seems a bit overkill for me, I literally just want the directions. Plus they're very complicated and expensive.

When I was recently looking for a route to to Chesterfield from my home in Sheffield, I found that using the bike routes setting on my satnav came up with a better route than bike hub or Google maps. In the end I didn't test it out (I was meant to be going the day I was admitted to hospital ) so I've yet to find out how long the TomTom would last on battery, but plan to try it when I'm fit enough.

 

[MattHB]

Just use a bike mount for your smartphone?

 

[Sara_H]

Just use a bike mount for your smartphone?

I tried using Bike Hub on my Iphone - it was fairly useless. The actual routes were bonkers, and I couldn't hear the spoken insructions even with earphones (the voice its a really wierd robotic voice). If you miss a turn (which I did frequently) it takes a long time to recognise and reroute.
I wouldn't trust it to take me somewhere I was unfamiar with.

 

[vickster]

Just use a bike mount for your smartphone?

The battery only lasts for a couple of hours though. And the mount I have is a bit rubbish (even though it had good scores and wasn't especially inexpensive) - I have had several heart stopping moments where I have hit a pothole and the mount has flown off - in traffic!! I don't think you can charge the phone while it's in a mount?

Cheers Smokey, I might pop into Halfords. From what i understand the 200 doesn't have proper mapping? The 800 does I think (?) but it's over £300 and seems to do a load of geeky stuff I shall never need or understand how to use! There's a 500 in the middle but don't know what that does?

 

[oldfatfool]

Bryton rider 50, a full charge lasts a good 12 hours.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Cheers Smokey

My pleasure

From what i understand the 200 doesn't have proper mapping?

True. I have no need for full mapping at all, so the 'breadcrumb trail' does me fine, but if you need anything more detailed then you would need the 800/805.

There's a 500 in the middle but don't know what that does?

The 500 is basically a 200 but adds cadence and HRM features.

 

[vickster]

Bryton rider 50, a full charge lasts a good 12 hours.

And this is a proper satnav with voice etc?

 

[Kookas]

The battery only lasts for a couple of hours though. And the mount I have is a bit rubbish (even though it had good scores and wasn't especially inexpensive) - I have had several heart stopping moments where I have hit a pothole and the mount has flown off - in traffic!! I don't think you can charge the phone while it's in a mount?

You could buy a portable USB charger and attach it somewhere, then use that to charge the phone as you go. Haven't seen a waterproof one though.

2 hours is pretty bad though, what phone is it?

 

[vickster]

4S - 2 hours may be an understatement, that's when running Strava. I just ordered one of these,don't know if waterproof

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006UOYZ92/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Bryton 50 sounds good I think http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...oduct/review-bryton-rider-50e-os-gps-12-46740

 

[PpPete]

Garmin Etrex.
Fantastic Battery Life (16-20 hours with good recahrgeable AAs - more with Lithiums)
Good mounts available from Garmin and others.

Doesn't do spoken instructions but you can set it up to put the instructions on the screen.
Best to input your destination by finding it on the computer screen first and then transferring it with the USB cable.

Personally I plan the route on-screen first and transfer that, rather than letting it decide on which way it's going to take me.

 

[ColinJ]

I would hate a machine deciding what roads to send me down. I choose the routes, and the machine is just there to help me follow them, so for bikes it is GPS - yes; Sat-Nav - no. IMO, of course ...

The fact is though, that many bike GPS devices do come with a Sat-Nav function.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Cheers Smokey, I might pop into Halfords. From what i understand the 200 doesn't have proper mapping? The 800 does I think (?) but it's over £300 and seems to do a load of geeky stuff I shall never need or understand how to use! There's a 500 in the middle but don't know what that does?

If you're spending £300 on an edge 800 you are doing something terribly wrong. I got mine for £200 brand new, they aren't much more new on handtec.co.uk

£234 http://www.handtec.co.uk/satnav-gps/cycling-gps/garmin-edge-800-black-white-010-00899-01.html

Basemap is crap though but if you know where to look garmins maps can be had for £0, or indeed there are a few open source options out there.