Smart Phone and Map App (Android) - Beginners Guide?

[Hacienda71]

I don't mind paying a few £££ for the digital maps - I've already spent £30-40 on dedicated cycling maps after all.

When you say coverage do you mean for this app I have to have GPS turned on?



I think, and feel free to correct me lol, that I could have GPS at a minimal data usage and do a (wifi) download of the route taken later in the day?

Asking as I've found a tariff on o2 that is 50p more than mine but includes 100mb data for 12 months - would 100mb be enough for say 2 x 6 hr rides each weekend?

GPS doesn't require data download. Your bolt on of 100mb should be fine though for that amount of riding you mention with data on. There are other apps you may need to watch that download data without you even being aware of it although not to any significant level. Just avoid things like browsing the net using data.
The only reason I turned mine off in France that roaming data in Europe is seriously expensive.
I have a free app called net counter on my phone which monitors what data you are using so you can keep an eye on it

 

[calibanzwei]

GPS doesn't require data download.

A-GPS does If you have the option, turn it off - it uses the mobile network to get a more precise GPS fix.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Right thank you all I think I have it:

1) I can buy/get a set of maps or map app that I will use with wi-fi at home/wherever to make sure I have the maps for my ride on my phone
2) I can use non A-GPS tracking without a data cost or just turn it on as and when to tell me where I am (and to track route etc)
3) If I do need to use the data, 100mb is plently for say 48hrs of riding max per month - I wouldnt be using for commuting just my leisure rides and that 48 is the absolute maximum. I'm normally closer to 24hrs a month.

I wouldnt be using the phone for anything else e.g. browsing, faceache etc Just maps and 'normal' phone stuff like calls/texts etc

Just remains to pick a phone now lol

 

[calibanzwei]

Spot on - as Hacienda said, you can free apps that monitor your data usage.
I use https://market.android.com/details?...EsIm5ldC5yZ3J1ZXQuYW5kcm9pZC5nM3dhdGNoZG9nIl0. - tell it that my limit is 250Mb, that its' per month and when my allocation gets renewed (mid-month).

 

[wiggydiggy]

Supurb Its a bit confusing when I'm pretty tech savvy on say a normal computer but when it comes to Android/Smartphones I have no ideas lol

Just need to find a budget smartphone, hust reading up and....

Galaxy Y - dodgy screen and slow(ish) speed put me off
HTC Wildfire - Best so far but 'only' Android 2.1

Anything else anyone wants to put forward? Exandading my budget to say £75-£125 as I think that's more realistic....

 

[calibanzwei]

Wildfire is a good solid entry level Android handset (I work in business mobile comms) - you'll have to do some reading as to whether you'd miss any of the functionality of the later Android versions and have a browse through the Android market - make a note of the version required for each app.
You can get a version of Gingerbread on the Wildfire if you're willing to play :evilgrin:

 

[amaferanga]

Why not just buy a proper GPS that's waterproof and will do everything you need instead of buying a phone that's a poor cycling computer/logger? Garmin Etrex Legend HCx will be not much more than £100 (less if you're patient and wait for a used one to come up), maps are free (OSM), its waterproof, takes AA batteries that last for about 15 hours per set (best to use rechargeable, but Duracell's can be used in an emergency), etc. Why would you choose a smart phone with pathetic battery life (some last only a few hours with GPS on) that's neither waterproof nor robust?

I get why some people use their smart phone as a bike computer since they have the phone anyway and may as well, but you're talking about buying a phone and not using it as a phone.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Why not just buy a proper GPS that's waterproof and will do everything you need instead of buying a phone that's a poor cycling computer/logger? Garmin Etrex Legend HCx will be not much more than £100 (less if you're patient and wait for a used one to come up), maps are free (OSM), its waterproof, takes AA batteries that last for about 15 hours per set (best to use rechargeable, but Duracell's can be used in an emergency), etc. Why would you choose a smart phone with pathetic battery life (some last only a few hours with GPS on) that's neither waterproof nor robust?

I get why some people use their smart phone as a bike computer since they have the phone anyway and may as well, but you're talking about buying a phone and not using it as a phone.

Thats a fair point and I'm open to suggestions, I don't have an definate answer either way I am literally weighing up the options.

Phone - Can use it as a phone, camera etc (plus my phone is on the way out), it is not going to be my main source of direction just used as a backup
GPS - Convince me lol

My feelings is I dont want to spend £100+ on 'just' a mapping device, but if it is so much better is it worth it?

Does it have the same functionality e.g. I can upload an OS map to it, track my location and view a route for example?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Any of them recommended? I can do a comparision/read reviews for a feel of them but from what I've read so far some 'budget' smarthphones are terrible and to be avoided.

I like the wildfire (now superseded by the Wildfire S) the only reason I am upgrading to the Desire S is that I am a heavy apps user and I want a bigger screen and more speed but for a light user the Wildfire S is an excellent phone.

HTC Wildfire - Best so far but 'only' Android 2.1

My Wildfire has 2.2.1 as standard to update goto into Settings -> About Phone - Sytem Software Updates - Check now and you should get an update unless you are on t-mobile in which case you might not as they seem to be havind problems with Android updates for some people.

 

[MrJamie]

Between the screen being 1/100th of the size of a real map, waiting for gps/data, eating battery, touchscreen not liking gloves and preferring not to play with a smartphone while riding one-handed, its not ideal for me at least. If i think im likely to get particularly lost/confused on a route, i print out a few pages of satelite map from google earth and keep them in my pocket. I do still use google maps/earth apps as a backup and locations is awesome for showing where the nearest pub/cashpoint etc is.

I think ill try that MM map app linked on the first page though

 

[wiggydiggy]

Oh PS the reason I'm looking at the phone first and not a GPS is I won't (as Jamie) points out want to have it on the go constantly. But just having a device with me that I can check map/location and (if a phone) do some other stuff appeals to me.

 

[marinyork]

Why not just buy a proper GPS that's waterproof and will do everything you need instead of buying a phone that's a poor cycling computer/logger? Garmin Etrex Legend HCx will be not much more than £100 (less if you're patient and wait for a used one to come up), maps are free (OSM), its waterproof, takes AA batteries that last for about 15 hours per set (best to use rechargeable, but Duracell's can be used in an emergency), etc. Why would you choose a smart phone with pathetic battery life (some last only a few hours with GPS on) that's neither waterproof nor robust?

I get why some people use their smart phone as a bike computer since they have the phone anyway and may as well, but you're talking about buying a phone and not using it as a phone.

The Dakota 10 and etrex 10 are going for about £90-100 now. There are differences between the 10/20/30 etrex and the Dakota 10/20 (see garmin website and click on specs). The dakota 10 among other things can't take an SD card but has a much more generous memory (than the old eTrex units) of 850mb which even with the growth of OSM mapping is enough to fit things on.

I have a dakota 20 and a eTrex Vista HCx. The Dakota is the better unit. The time has come recently with prices to stop buying those old units really. The only one of the new units which is perhaps questionable is the etrex 10 which is quite significantly cut down (monochrome etc).

 

[wiggydiggy]

Here's the thing, the more I think about it the more I want/need.... both dammit!

I like the idea of having a Smartphone that I can use to browse maps etc whilst I'm doing 'normal' stuff like on the train etc so I can plan more routes when I want, and then have the GPS for when I'm actually out and about. Also thinking about it when (if?) I eventually get my act together to tour this summer the GPS battery life will win hands down.

Assuming I will go for a 'budget' but good Smartphone like the Wildfire, what am I looking for in a GPS?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Here's the thing, the more I think about it the more I want/need.... both dammit!

I like the idea of having a Smartphone that I can use to browse maps etc whilst I'm doing 'normal' stuff like on the train etc so I can plan more routes when I want, and then have the GPS for when I'm actually out and about. Also thinking about it when (if?) I eventually get my act together to tour this summer the GPS battery life will win hands down.

Assuming I will go for a 'budget' but good Smartphone like the Wildfire, what am I looking for in a GPS?

Must admit I never felt the need for a bike GPS and if I need it then the phone has GPS in it anyway.

If you do decide on a Wildfire I will be selling mine once I get the Desire up and running, it is the old model not the Wildfire S but it is in excellent nick and it is unlocked so it can be used on any network and has the proper HTC leather slip case.

If you are interested let me know.

 

[Jmenorton]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Y, and use Osmand, uses offline maps on the SD card, can load premade gpx routes. More often than not you will have general idea of your route, so i just load up osmand whenever i feel like i should be making a turn. No problems with battery life yet albeit only used on 1.5-2 hour rides so far. Guess you could also buy a cheap used smartphone from ebay and run it without a sim card, heard good things about the motorola defy, apparently waterproof aswell.