Winfried

Hello

I'm still looking for an Android application with the following features:

• Can import GPX routes drawn on a PC for offline use (without a data connection), and also import POIs: When touring, I need both a route and know about local sights along the way
• Can display current location while using an offline route, without simultaneously recording a trace while riding
• Can record a trace and either upload it to a web site, or make it available as a GPX file in the phone
• Displays a +/- button to zoom in/out with just the right thumb while holding the phone, so I don't have to stop, hold the phone with both hands and pinch the screen
• No need for bells and whistles like challenges: I'm just riding my bike to commute and see the country side. No Lance Armstrong for me

Is there an application that has those features?

FWIW, I tried MapsWithMePro, Strava, and Endomondo.

Thank you.

Looigi

Check this one: https://osmand.net/

I looked at it awhile ago and I think it might hit most of your bullets.

njkayaker

Almost any general mapping program that offers offline maps will do all of this (except POI, oddly). They are all pretty basic.

The apps that target bicycling usually have a strong focus on training (don't just look at them).

njkayaker

It does display routes but you can't change the color (which is useful if you have multiple routes). I don't believe it will display POIs either.

Winfried

Thanks for the infos. I forgot to say that I also tried OsmAnd, and didn't like it: It loses the route when I switch to another application (so need to reload it every time), and it's too slow to redraw when zooming in/out.

Indeed, it seems like a lot of apps for bikes are meant for jocks instead of commuters, hence the training-related features.

I'll try IpBike.

01 CAt Man Do

I just did a quick look-see over on Google play to see what IpBike is offering. To put it mildly, this app is totally techno-jock related. It is very much dialed into the training aspect of cycling. It does sound like it will work with the mapping sites and is ANT+ compatible with BTLE in beta testing. Will likely cover most of the bases once you figure out how to import the maps. I saw no mention of tracking but more than likely it is in there somewhere. If you like complicated, this is your app.

TheBoiler

Mapmyride?

I downloaded all the ones that seemed interesting.

Runtastic I like because it has map on one side and data on the other.

Annoying that many have features that are specific to them and I would like..

Winfried

I tried and removed IpBike: The interface is too busy.

Tried MapMyRide: For some reason, the mobile app shows no routes although I drew one through their web site. This app is also very workout-oriented, not for Joe Commute.

TheBoiler

I have been trying them out walking the dog through snow an ice.

If it is just Commute I guess you do not need the map, just the data?

01 CAt Man Do

Cool...thanks for the feedback. Being able to track a ride and then upload it to a map site would be nice. If you can save POI's while doing that even better. If I ever decide to add a BTLE device for speed and IpBike makes BTLE doable I might decide to giver her a run.

When using IpBike for planned routes can the app provide turn for turn audible ( or voice ) prompts?

choa

Another fan of IpBike, I've been using it as a poor man's Garmin Edge for a long time. It takes a while to get familiar with it, but once you go through all the options it's quite easy. If you wish for a new feature there is a good chance the author will implement it, if it is a reasonable one. Now try doing that with other apps.

irrelevantapple

check out locus for the best solution on mapping

01 CAt Man Do

Sweet! I just took a look at the app over on Google play and the Locus app really appeals to me. Not that I'm into geocaching but if I was this would be the app to have.

All kind of great options with this app: a whole slew of map options which I've never seen offered with other apps. Some on line others off-line ( and downloadable ). Looks like a very useable UI. What I really like is the "Locus-Knowledge base" website that explains all the options before you buy. More than likely I'll be trying this app out as soon as I can escape the winter doldrums. One of more expensive apps but worth every penny if it works as good as it looks.

irrel-apple, are there any other fees or subscriptions associated with this app that I need to know about? I know that some downloading of some maps is not free but other than that anything that I need to know. Will I need any special upgraded SD card or anything? ( my android phone is only one year old )

wapiti

Why not download the tom Tom app? Actual GPS functionality, with routes and mapping.

Up North

The upgraded $5.00 Cyclemeter does alot for $5.00

irrelevantapple

@cat man

I don't even know what geocaching is lol. Give the free version a go to get an idea of Locus. I actually use ipbike with locus overlayed using halo mod. So recording and stats on ipbike while navigating on locus. Or actually Google cycling directions if a straight forward destination.

I find locus pro almost perfect for cycling mapping. Using openandromaps which are prepackaged opencyclemaps you get an ideal interface. You can use the obvious online cycling route calculation from a few service providers or use a specific offline plugin called brouter. I use a separate phone as my bike computer so I actually create entire routes on locus and cross check for differences with Google cycling maps data, satellite and street view on my other phone. There's offline voice navigation of route files which is very useful in my opinion. Other impressive features is online and offline elevation data, live tracking and detailed location weather. Also route elevation profile and other statistics.

The downsides are I'm using osmand for it's POI database, offline searching and also reverse offline voice navigation as locus doesnt have that one yet.

free maps depends on what you get. All I'm using is the free openandromaps. You may need extra storage space depending on how much you need to store.

also relevant to cycling but not for me as I record with ipbike. Is it supports ant sensors and now bt4.0 heart rate monitors apparently. Strava upload to top it off

njkayaker

I need to look at it more but it looks like map downloading isn't by selecting geographical regions (by state, for example), which makes it a bit of a pain.

irrelevantapple

openandromaps from here
https://www.openandromaps.org/en/downloads

i guess setting it up and learning exactly locus's use takes a little more effort. But it pays off and is easy to use after. Kind of like ipbike I guess.

Rich Gibson 

I'm almost 72 and don't find the interface busy at all. Ive been using it since July and find it very powerful. It's easy to remove any parameter you want from the screen and make your own.

Rich

irrelevantapple

impressive. You make most people look simply lazy to not take time to set up tech. Though granted playing with these things requires a little spare time

01 CAt Man Do

...and that describes me almost perfectly. Reading what Rich has to say has put me to shame.

Just finished downloading the Locus free version. So far it looks good. Need more time to play with it and to try different maps. If it doesn't snow ( again ) in the morning I might be able to go out and give it a test spin.

01 CAt Man Do

Continued from last post; The Locus app is not very intuitive. The real issue though is figuring out what all the settings do. I'm still trying to figure out how to track and how to delete your last input. Looks like I need to read a bit more on the website. The scary thing is I might figure it all out and then forget what I learned by the next time I use it. Damn if this this app doesn't just suck battery power! Hopefully it won't do this once I ( if I ) get everything figured out and start using it on a ride. ( edit; looks like "live tracking" is a pro-version only function. ...hmmm, a lot of the good stuff is "pro-only". Sheesh. )

Oddly my GPS locator on my Android has been acting strange the past three days. Some days the GPS won't show my actual location ( on Google navigator ) or can't link up the satellite signal for some reason. ( )
I reboot then all is well. Why this is I haven't a clue. Never had a problem before. Three days in a row now I've had to do this and it's ticking me off because I hate messing with this stuff while driving down the road. I only downloaded Locus a couple days ago so that can't be the reason.

irrelevantapple

the only maps i need for navigating is openandromaps

yeah there is a bit of customising and learning to do. I go through the settings and try to figure out how to work things and I mostly get it. If I'm really stuck then Google for help sorts me out.

For getting the most out of gps if you're rooted the app TopNTP can set you up. The app gps status doesn't need root can demonstrate how your gps is behaving.

njkayaker

This appears only to be useful for the initial GPS lock. Unless your device is taking a long time to lock, this shouldn't be necessary (or very useful). Some of the benefits will work only if you have wifi (irrelevan when riding) or cell tower access (irrelevent for non-cell devices). And any benefits might be only for older devices.

cullenking

I own/develop https://ridewithgps.com and we finally released an Android app this week. It's pretty solid, and I think you'll find it fits your bill pretty well, though a couple features are not be available yet. It has rock solid logging, with full bluetooth and bluetooth smart support. Navigation is available for basic/premium subscribers, as well as live logging. We will be adding in support for offline maps shortly, so you can download map tiles locally and still get maps without signal. Zoom in/out can be done with one hand via doubletap+slide, or via an onscreen button like normal google maps.

We are pretty responsive so any issues or suggestions will get handled quickly. Give it a try!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridewithgps.mobile