Originally Posted by
B1KE
1. Buy an old Android smart phone for $50 to $90 on craiglist
2. Install tracking/gps/fitness app of choice
3. Delete all programs on the phone except the GPS program.
4. The phone has a built in GPS that doesn't need cell service or wifi to run from. Battery life in this scenario is 12-16 hours
5. Purchase phone mount of use these straps(make sure to buy 2) and use one on top of the other (
Bike Bicycle Holder Mount Silicone Rubber Elastic Tie Strap Bandage Black T1K | eBay)
6. Enjoy your new GPS with full bright screen and long battery life
7. When getting home connect to wifi and upload your data to your app/website of choice.
+1
Just make sure the Android phone has GPS hardware built in!
The only thing I don't like from this setup is that none of these phones are waterproof or use AA batteries. Otherwise, it's really a good plan and I can see the writing on the wall for companies like Garmin.
I left my Garmin GPS home and just used my Android phone only revewing my position every 2 or 3 miles. It worked! It would have been better to have instant access 100% of the time but I didn't get lost.