Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
- Sensor can give you a little more accurate ride stats than gps
- Bike computer could be a few grams lighter than your phone
If you have unlimited time and money to throw into it, I those are the only 2 small drawbacks of a phone.
1. I am assuming that you mean a speed/cadence sensor (is there another?) which I do use on both bikes. And that speed sensor is definitely more accurate than GPS.
2. But if you ride with your phone and your bike computer.... I am saving the weight of the bike computer. I think if I was racing it would definitely be bike computer only but if you are going to have a phone in your pocket and a computer on your bike.... why not go to just one device?
Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
Basically, if you have these two things:
1. Plenty of money to throw into it, making sure you have a good case, good phone, etc.
2. You need more than barebones functionality, more than just time, speed, distance, etc.
Then a phone seems like the way to go sure.
But I would point out that:
1. You own a Samsung Galaxy Note the most expensive phone you can buy. $1,000 for the current model and $1,200 I think for the newly announced one.
2. It also has a top notch screen which most phones do not have. My phone cost $450 and the screen is visible in daylight but a bit dim even at max output.
3. It has a top notch size battery which most phones do not have. My google pixel 1 was not a cheap phone at all, but it's battery died between 6pm and 8pm every day. (Screen was also only ok in bright sunlight).
I think for you going the phone route definitely makes the most sense because you already own a top notch very expensive phone. But for some other people the cost is rather large.
You have made some good points but I have to disagree. And here is why -
If you type "Note 8" into google shopping, the average price is about $600.00 new (no contract, unlocked phone). If you type "Garmin 1030" into google shopping - Guess what? $600.00 new. So for top model phone or top model bike computer price is the same. If you need a phone anyway why not get a better phone and ditch the bike computer? Granted the new latest greatest Note Phones are listed at 1000.00 or 1200.00 but go with last years flagship model and save a few dollars.
I think if you are looking at a cheap bike computer or cell phone, lets say for 100$. You can still get a note 5 brand new unlocked with no contract. Cheaper than most bike computers with GPS.
When I bought my wife and I the note8 they were brand new listed for 1200.00 each. I got them on a buy one get one free special so they were 600 each and work pays for them. So in essence its a free phone and bike computer.