[Zanger offline]

So I am considering a gps unit for my bike, or picking up a smart phone with a gps app in the fall. I am curious to feedback on both -- accuracy, longevity, consistency, etc... What is the best system? Is the idea of using a smart phone for your gps tracking practical? Thanks!

[mtbgreg1 offline]

Well this could be a really long answer... but to keep it short, for the price of a dedicated GPS unit you can basically buy an iphone (if you have an upgrade on your account) and an iphone is passable as a gps unit and can do A LOT more than just GPS your trails.

Downsides of using a smartphone for your gps: limited battery life (my iphone won't last much more than 6 or 7 hours on the trail, but some people will never ride that much at one time) and lack of detail. The detail recorded by an iphone is OK, but it's not as good as a dedicated GPS unit.

[grandlakejames offline]

I use an iphone for my gps tracks and it seems to do a good job. As Greg stated above, the accuracy is not perfect mostly because of the refresh rate (it's faster on a gps unit) but it is good for what I want. I use the application "mapmyride" and it seems to be the best out there. As for battery life, I have had my iphone for one and half years and I am still getting about six hours of gps time before the battery dies.

[mtbgreg1 offline]

Definitely check out the Runtastic Mountain Bike app... best one I've used yet!

[schwim offline]

I started carrying one of these in my pack and now get 11-12 hours on my phone during gps recording.

[Zanger offline]

Thanks for the helpful info!!!

[mtbgreg1 offline]

I started carrying one of these in my pack and now get 11-12 hours on my phone during gps recording.

I need one of these!

[maddslacker offline]

I need one of these!

Or one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA- ... B001RMBHMK

[schwim offline]

I need one of these!

Or one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA- ... B001RMBHMK

I like mine because I can plug it up and continue riding while it takes a charge. I looked into the solar panels but their lack of portability, delicate construction, slow charge as well as their dependency on good weather caused me to choose the battery.

[mtbgreg1 offline]

Check this out, this is the best of both worlds (but the price tag reflects it):

http://www.goalzero.com/

I saw this setup in person at a festival up in Richmond. It's a solar panel that connects into a set of rechargeable batteries. Basically, you can charge the batteries off the panel OR off of a computer/the wall, and then take it with you out on the trail. When you need the juice, plug the batter pack into your phone and presto! If you wanted (or if your rechargeables ran out), you could also load regular batteries into the charger pack for more energy.

They sell several different versions of their product, including a massive solar panel array and a large battery pack big enough to power laptops or small appliances.

[Jared13 offline]

Is it either a GPS or a smart phone? If you'll be getting the phone anyway, I'd wait until the fall and just get the app when you get the smart phone. You'll only be out a few extra bucks (unless the app if free.)

If it's either/or, which do you want more? A dedicated GPS unit or a phone that can give you the main function of a GPS unit?


I don't have a smart phone and I wanted more information (HR and cadence mostly) so I went with a mountain biking GPS unit (Edge 800, I already had the FR60 running/biking watch.) It cost just as much as a smart phone (without a contract) but it provides the information I want. I don't want a phone that could access the internet or play games. I'd never get anything done!

[StreakMTB offline]

Smartphones work great for creating traces of where you've ridden (nice for backtracking) but are generally not as accurate as a dedicated device.

The GPS system is set for a big upgrade in 2014 when it will have access to a much stronger signal. It should be 1-meter accurate with quicker lock on times vs the 5-meter accuracy of current devices.

If I were you, I'd probably go for the smartphone now to get started, then buy a nice unit that can make use of the signal. Or just buy a cheap dedicated unit now (~200).

[nvrenf offline]

I too am considering a dedicated GPS - I currently use an iPhone 3gs & MotionX GPS app... am lucky to get a three hour ride before it kills the battery... & there are a few places I've ridden w/no signal.... a dedicated unit is the answer for me. Have been looking at the Garmin 705 or Oregon 400t/450t...

[paganimal_dmp offline]

go the smartphone route with a gps app. your gonna have a phone with you anyway, so having a separate gps unit just adds more stuff to your pack.

get an android phone like verizons droid razor maxx (maxx model has the bigger battery and it will last for your ride). i use the my tracks app from the google play store. the my tracks app is created by google employees on their spare time and its easy to use. i love the app. after you record your ride you can send it to your google maps online and check out your ride and stats. i use the my tracks app when i hike, road bike, mt bike, kayak and atv...works every time. i keep my phone on the top pocket of my camelbak or clipped to my side when i road bike with my music playing from the phone too.

worst case scenario with the smartphone battery life is to get a small portable charger if you see the phone is getting low on battery. i know its adding more stuff to your pack but they have portable chargers that weigh a couple ounces and are compact.

i also use the all trails app to find hiking trails close to me using the gps. i wonder if anyone knows if there is a mountain bike app that offers this.

[puckcoach3 offline]

I have been using a Garmin Dakota 10 for a few years and would highly recommend it. I always carry my Smartphone with me but having the Dakota mounted on my handle bars is invaluable. Along with map features including topo maps, it provides tracks including an arrow that allows you to easily backtrack your route. Although you could probably do the same with a smartphone, I sure wouldn't want to mount my iPhone to my handlebars. Pulling it in and out of my pocket/pack wouldn't be all that handy either.

The Dakota also tracks all of your stats -- Distance, Speed, Time, Avg Speed, Altitude, etc. Having this on your handle bars is also invaluable for me. For $160 (plus $10 for bike mount kit), it's well worth the piece of mind and dedicated functionality ...