GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

andylo
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GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:38 am

Hi all,

I am doing research on GPS unit/iPhone app, and I gather the following:

1) In Australia, there is NO turn by turn GPS unit/iPhone app like your driving GPS. You need to load maps/make route yourself and load into the app.
2) Most of the GPS unit/app are more like a cycling computer, rather than a navigation type GPS?

Am I correct with above?

What I want is like a "BikeHub", you enter where you want to go and it tells you the best way to get there with bike, utilizing all the bike paths etc. But as far as I concern BikeHub is a UK only thing but Australia don't have anyway thing similar.

While at this point what I am after is really for road riding, if there is any app/unit does have cross country trail build in, that would be great :) (So I won't get lost in Daisy Hills :p)

Please let me know if you have any suggestion :)
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andylo
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:29 pm

HA! It seems searching on a actual computer is more successful than searching on an iPhone!

I have found RideTheCity (iPhone app) and it support Brisbane :)

Any thought on this? (Or any other app?)

** Also forget to mention that I have downloaded the MapMyRide paid version.... it's not doing any good :(
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andylo
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:41 pm

I was wrong :(

$1.99 later, I realise RideThisCity doesn't work the way I wanted :(

I am laying my eye on the B.iCycle.... before I put another $10.49 to waste can someone please give me some recommendation? Thanks in advance.
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andylo
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:39 pm

I guess I will just accept the fate and buy myself a Garmin Edge 800 this Thursday when doing night shopping :)
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Summernight
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby Summernight » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:56 pm

Not a GPS with bike paths, but I have an app on my iPhone called MetroView that my partner bought me - I've used it in the car - it is an offline map of the whole of Australia so I don't need to use 3G or have internet to have it running. I put in the place I want to go and it navigates me (with voice) to my destination. It was surprisingly good, although I already knew the general direction I wanted to go.

If you're riding on the roads it might help you. It isn't cheap though at $15 if I remember correctly. And will chew through phone battery.
It does tell you street by street.

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby BrisVegas » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:01 pm

Hey Andy, been a while since I had an iphone, but wasn't there a mapping and turn-by-turn app for it? On my android phone, I just use google maps to find stuff and then use the Navigation app if i want turn by turn. It lets you choose drive/public transport/ride/walk.

You could use that setup on on an iphone mount for your bike?

Failing that, you could spend $500 and get a Garmin 810! :lol:
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andylo
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:03 pm

My problem is I know where exactly I want to go, but I don't know how to get there by utilizing as much bike path/way as possible.

I am still being very skeptical riding on road with traffics, I have done it and still doing it every morning basis but if there would be ways I can avoid cars, I will take that route.
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andylo
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:07 pm

Dion :)

Yeah I got myself a BioLogical iPhone mount already, and have spent 2 days so far just to looking at apps that works (and spend a few $$ too)

I had a look at the Edge 810, but I have found a 2nd hand Edge 800 at good price and I think I will just go for it. I don't need super fancy stuff, I just need a satnav that can help riders to get from A->B by utilizing maximum bath path/way + avoid traffic road as much as possible + obvious turn by turn instruction for direction retard like myself :)
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby BrisVegas » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:29 pm

Fair enough. Bit surprised that iphone don't have a decent app with maps and navigation though. The android stuff is very easy to use. I use it in the car all the time, but haven't bothered on the bike. I've been using strava on the phone for logging rides etc. Just this week I grabbed a cheap second hand Garmin 500 so I can monitor speed, cadence and heartrate while on the go. Should be plenty of good deals around on used 500 & 800 Garmins.
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sogood
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby sogood » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:37 pm

BrisVegas wrote:Fair enough. Bit surprised that iphone don't have a decent app with maps and navigation though.
iPhone actually have lots of navigation app options.

With iOS 6, there's built-in Maps app. Apple's native mapping service is relatively new but improving all the time. As a matter of fact, I really like its implementation of turn-by-turn service.

If you don't like that, then there's Google Maps (free) or TomTom's. Motion-X also has a turn by turn app and is significantly more economical than TomTom's.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby DaveOZ » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:37 pm

I seriously doubt the Garmin will make navigation any easier than an iPhone. I find the navigation side of it very hit and miss. The interface is a pain to use and the maps are no better, if not worse than what you can access on your phone.

Can you use Google maps on the iPhone now? Do they have the bicycle option? That's what I would do.

I'm on my second Garmin. I sold my first one and started using my iPhone as a cycle computer. Then I thought I'd try the Garmin 800. I've had lots of problems with elevation anomalies. This really annoys me for a premium product from a company that specialises in GPS equipment. I've read the forums and see lots of issues with Garmin products.

I now have a waterproof Sony android phone (Xperia V) and I am experimenting with using it as a cycling computer using the IPBike app. This is an amazing app and very customisable. It uses OSM maps and has a navigation option. Because my phone is waterproof I can keep it on my bars without worrying. I've made a nice mount for it from some bits I had in the shed.

http://www.iforpowell.com/cms/index.php?page=ipbike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby sogood » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:47 pm

Coming back to the core issue of turn-by-turn navigation for cycling, I really don't like it.

I find riding a bike is quite different to driving a car. With a car navigation unit mounted on or around the dash, one can both keep an eye on the road and scan enough screen information to follow the instruction. On a bike, with a constantly vibrating small display screen, taking eyes off the road is quite dangerous for those pot holes and other road irregularities. It's far safer to stop, map read and then ride on... Until Google perfects its Google Glass.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby DaveOZ » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:50 pm

I agree SoGood. I'd rather study a map the night before riding in an unfamiliar area and plan a rough route in my head. Then I just follow in nose. If I get lost I stop and consult my phone. 99.99% of the time I'm riding around the Southern Highlands on roads I know well.

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby marty_one » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:52 pm

I think that you might be better off with the garmin 800 with maps. If using iPhone/Andriod(with GPS) device for maps you will encounter gps reception issues regularly (I use both phone and a garmin 500 and there can be up to a 1km difference, with the garmin being more accurate).

As for mapping using garmins website to generate a route, their mapping utility is pretty good now as it takes into account pedestrian paths, bike paths, shared paths, etc... as well as roads. However if you try map a hugh distance between points its not necessarily going to take the most bike friendly path but the elevation data is pretty spot on.
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sogood
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby sogood » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:07 pm

marty_one wrote:I think that you might be better off with the garmin 800 with maps. If using iPhone/Andriod(with GPS) device for maps you will encounter gps reception issues regularly (I use both phone and a garmin 500 and there can be up to a 1km difference, with the garmin being more accurate).
I don't think it's fair to generalise with "iPhone/Android". The technology moves so quickly these days that their GPS/Assisted GPS performances jump big time from model to model. As for claiming 1km difference, well, that can certainly happy with old models and in poor signal reception areas (both GPS and mobile signals).
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il padrone
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby il padrone » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:12 pm

sogood wrote:On a bike, with a constantly vibrating small display screen, taking eyes off the road is quite dangerous for those pot holes and other road irregularities. It's far safer to stop, map read and then ride on... Until Google perfects its Google Glass.
Funny but I don't really have any problems with that. I have the eTrex 30 and find that most of the time I can read map details really well and use the controls to zoom in/out quite readily. Vibration is not really a problem, except maybe when I try to use the joystick control to scroll through menus. It must be the difference between skinny high pressure road tyres and my 1.75" 60psi tyres.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby sogood » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:28 pm

il padrone wrote:Funny but I don't really have any problems with that. I have the eTrex 30 and find that most of the time I can read map details really well and use the controls to zoom in/out quite readily. Vibration is not really a problem, except maybe when I try to use the joystick control to scroll through menus. It must be the difference between skinny high pressure road tyres and my 1.75" 60psi tyres.
Could be. Other possibilities include,
- Your multi-decades of cycling experience. Probably good enough to ride hands free and eyes closed. ;)
- Road quality.
- Speed.
- Traffic volume.
- Solid mount.
At the end of the day, I think it's a question of one's set of circumstance. But just have to remember, one crash could completely ruin a 3 figure priced electronic gadget, not worth the tiny bit of convenience in my book. Stop and map read, 100% road concentration when riding.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby HappyHumber » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:34 pm

il padrone wrote:...I have the eTrex 30 ...
I <3 my etrex 30 as well. Simple, durable, versatile, non bike specific... I've had mine (my first personal GPS) less than a month and starting to really like it. I have made a point of getting to know the features on familar walking routes, and little errand bike routes just so I am not fumbling with it (distracted) when I am likely to need it.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby scirocco » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:45 pm

To the OP - if you are happy to just ride normally on the road, there are lots of apps that will do a perfectly good job for you. Most have been mentioned already. Metroview and Google Maps both do turn by turn with voice, which is a lot safer than peering at a screen when you are riding.

Where it gets harder is if you want to use bike paths and minor tracks and cuts, because it's hard for the apps to know about them all. However, Google Maps for Android introduced biking specific guidance but if you don't have an Android you're out of luck.

Accuracy wise my iPhone never differs from my old fashioned computer by more than about 1% and the track is so accurate that I can see which side of the road I was riding on. Elevation data is pretty dodgy though as with any GPS-only device.

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby il padrone » Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:12 pm

sogood wrote:Could be. Other possibilities include,
- Your multi-decades of cycling experience. Probably good enough to ride hands free and eyes closed. ;)
Ohh, I wouldn't rate it that highly, especially in view of my current state :oops:

sogood wrote:- Road quality.
- Speed.
- Traffic volume.
- Solid mount.
I frequently ride quite rough gravel forest roads, often at reasonable speeds (but I would tend to look at the GPS when only doing 15-25kmh). Traffic is somehing I like to get away from, and usually it's on those backroads that I find the GPS may be consuted. The eTrex bike mount is quite secure.
sogood wrote:At the end of the day, I think it's a question of one's set of circumstance. But just have to remember, one crash could completely ruin a 3 figure priced electronic gadget, not worth the tiny bit of convenience in my book. Stop and map read, 100% road concentration when riding.
The crash did no harm to the eTrex at all. Can't say the same for my collar-bone :cry:
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby sogood » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:23 pm

il padrone wrote:The crash did no harm to the eTrex at all. Can't say the same for my collar-bone :cry:
Crash Goddess had the choice of eTrex or your collarbone. She chose wisely! ;)

Heal well Pete!
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby fatdudeonabike » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:25 pm

andylo wrote:My problem is I know where exactly I want to go, but I don't know how to get there by utilizing as much bike path/way as possible.

I am still being very skeptical riding on road with traffics, I have done it and still doing it every morning basis but if there would be ways I can avoid cars, I will take that route.
How far are you riding? I have to assume you aren't looking at 100km long rides, because I think most people who can do that just ride on roads dont they?

So if you know the direction and are just looking for bike paths, why not just use google maps on your computer the night before? Cycling routes is still in beta, but it goes pretty well in my experience.

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby il padrone » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:48 pm

There is a really good map of the trails around Melbourne shown here - trails in green, bike lanes shown in blue. You can use the drop-down bar at the bottom left to search for other cities.

If you do happen to be in Melbourne there is also this readily available map guidebook of Melbourne's bike trails. Many newsagents stock it.
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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby Xplora » Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:02 am

OP, I think you're expecting Way Too Much from a cycling app for Oz. It is borderline impossible to get a decent idea of bike paths in your area without riding for quite a while and exploring. If you are disappearing off the known paths, you will have to accept that you cannot rely on bike paths to get you home. I can't think of anywhere in my area that I could rely on such things, and I've got TRUCKLOADS of them nearby.

GoogleMaps on a phone is going to help the best. You need to read harder - turn by turn just isn't necessary on a bike, and couldn't be reliable anyway - the margin for error means you might end up 25m away from your intended turn which means almost nothing in a car because roads are easy to see, but you could cause yourself or another person an accident if you were charging along and changed your mind at the last minute. Leave the babysitting for the car drivers. Garmins track performance more often than babysit riders.

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Re: GPS - smartphone or Garmin unit

Postby andylo » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:18 pm

I am in Brisbane, I have a impression that Melbourne and possibly Sydney has a very well established map for bikers system, and I don't think Brisbane has one yet.

Xplora I don't think my expectation is too high. In reality majority of the major cities around the world are quite well mapped and documented before GPS/SatNav had become affordable and popular. IMO expectation on technologies would have covered mapping for bikers is quite reasonable. I guess it's not really making a lot of $$ is the reason behind why such thing is not more available than currently is.
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