I have ATT but I have the inspire which is very similar to the thunderbolt. I put it in an otterbox commuter case, and then I just put that in a ziplock sandwich baggy in my back pack when I ride. I use endomondo, and mytracks, and they work great! I don't think anything makes the battery run down fast - it does that by itself. It's brand new and I have to charge it every day anyway. I just went on a three hour ride and everything was fine.