Originally Posted by
dougmc
That's kind of dumb because it isn't an objective statistical sampling. It would not be too hard to come up with lots of photos of trashed Garmins. Keep in mind it's very likely that the number of people who have the iPhone 4/4S (the
one phone model your silly photos show) overwhelms the number of people with Garmins. And they might even drop them at a much higher rate (think about why).
Originally Posted by
dougmc
As for if it's a problem, that's harder to say. A handheld or bike specific GPS is more likely to survive a drop or crash without damage than a smart phone or tablet. As for damage from vibration or hitting bumps when it's in a mount, that's less certain.
Lumping tablets with phones doesn't make much sense.
It wouldn't suprise me that a "handheld or bike specific GPS" would survive better. It's not clear whether it matters much overall. Keep in mind that people are likely carrying the phone anyway (although, maybe, in a more secure manner).
Originally Posted by
dougmc
I've seen two phones fall out of mounts on bike rides. One was in an otter case and was undamaged. The other was either in no case at all or a minimal case and the screen shattered and there was much cursing.
So, maybe, this is an argument for using a good case for the phone (and a good mount). (Good cases are not as likely for tablets.)