smart phone ?
 

I have a Cat Eye trip computer on one of my bikes and like it. I would like to have more info about my rides though such as cadence, altitude changes , and mapping.

I understand you can get smart phone apps that will provide this and other input. Problem is I don't have a smart phone and don't want one. I really hate having to pay the monthly premium for technology I don't need or the many hundreds of dollars to buy one.(hint - I am 68 yrs old, retired, and substitute teach at a high school vocational school and think the smart phone is a tool of the devil put on this earth to rot the minds of my students who would rather look at car crashes on youtube than learn something that might keep them from having to sleep under a bridge )

With that all in mind, I have thought of buying a cheap used smart phone without the cell connection and just use it as a bike computer- mp3 player- camera etc.

Is this possible?

If so, which used smart phone would be a good choice? I really don't want to spend much on this.

Any suggestions?

There are still some iPhone 4s models floating around. That would be the oldest I would go since iPhone models prior to that don't support Bluetooth 4.0 (or BTLE as it's known by). You don't need the Bluetooth unless you decide to get sensors like a heart rate monitor and/or a speed-cadence senor. I'm not sure what Android phone would be the oldest model you can use for what you want, since I have only owned iPhones. As for cycling apps, there are a ton out there for both platforms. Almost all have a watered-down free version and a subscription version. The difference between apps is the features and functionality and whether or not it has a monthly or yearly subscription.

Since you don't already have a smartphone and might be considering sensors in the future, you may want to look into the Garmin line of GPS computers. They are certainly pricier but worth it if you don't already have a smartphone.

You can get a capable-for-your-purposes Android phone for less than $100, brand new. If you have grand children it won't be a phone that will impress them, but your needs don't require the newest and best technology. Look to pre-paid cell providers (like Boost Mobile) for the phone, just don't buy any service with it.

John V is right, though, in your circumstances a Garmin might be more appropriate.

No point in buying a cell phone you don't want. You could get a cheap GPS bike computer instead, e.g:

Amazon.com : Bryton Rider 310 GPS Cycling Computer (1.8" display, 310E - Base Model) : Sports & Outdoors

Benefits are that you get everything you want, along with much better battery life and no monthly fees.

Sure it's possible, if anything these guys are selling it short. Look at prepaid phones at Best Buy for example, $20-$50 will do much of what you want. Forget cell and data if you want to, just use wifi and download a GPS navigation app, music player, bike speedometer app and you're set.

You probably won't get altimeter and a way to see cadence, or magnetic compass, with a phone like that. Just count on GPS. GPS can track elevations, just not very well IME. The app can display how fast you're going, and how far. You can do Strava with it, or RideWithGPS. You do not need cell or data for GPS navigation.

If you do want inexpensive service though there are options. I use republic wireless which is unlimited talk, text, and the slight amount of data I use, costing me $13.50/month. Or Tracfone prepaid, which you can arrange for about $7/month. Or wifi only voice and text, which if you dig into it can be had for basically nothing.

Ditto, the iPhone 4s as a starter. Very affordable now, can be used with no-contract prepaid data services, still compatible with plenty of apps.

And the 4s is rugged, much more so than it appears. A friend gave me his old 4s, and said he accidentally dropped it four or five storeys (outdoor stairwell, I think?) -- no damage. I've dropped it from waist height onto the pavement a couple of times, no damage. I've only replaced the first aftermarket protective case after a corner was cracked -- and it wasn't even one of those rubberized heavily padded armored cases, just a reasonably tough rigid plastic case. Phone itself is good as new. I've seen similarly sized and priced Android phones owned by family members break under similar circumstances. (No idea about the iPhone 5 or 6, haven't tried 'em.)

Cyclemeter free is a good starter app for cycling just to track data. Very easy to use. But it won't track some data, so eventually I'll upgrade to the paid version. I tried Strava, MapMyRide, Ride with GPS, etc., and didn't like 'em well enough to use more than a couple of times.

I don't even have a data plan for it yet -- I'm still using a prepaid flip phone for calls. I rarely use the phone other than for emergencies so I haven't been motivated to activate the iPhone. But it's still very useful for snapshots while I'm out riding; the GPS handles recording my rides (and has missed only one ride in three months -- first time it's failed to connect GPS); and as a mini-tablet with WiFi.

However, it's getting a bit more difficult to find accessories for the iPhone 4s, such as handlebar mounts. They're still available is unsold new/old stock on Amazon and other outlet vendors.

And some newer apps and newer versions of old apps aren't compatible with the 4s -- but the only incompatible app I've been interested in was for video editing, not something I'd do routinely with an iPhone. There are still good compatible older video editing apps.

Sounds like the others have given you some good advise. Of course if you go with an older phone you still have to worry about compatibility with the wireless sensors you will need for speed or cadence. Then you have to find out which apps are going to work with those sensors and which aren't. Yeah, it can be done but it's a process. Not to mention that most older smart phones don't have a large battery so you have that to worry about that as well.

Others have recommended buying a Garmin although it cost more. In your case you might consider buying something like a refurbished 800 or 810 although there might be cheaper models that would work with the sensors you would need.

Now about what you said that I quoted; You sound very much like a guy a work with ( about the same age as him ) ( I'm 61 ). For years he's been telling me he didn't need a smart phone. Of course he has no problem paying for premium cable/internet services for his super big HD T.V. so really it isn't about what you need but more or less, "Do you want the convenience of internet access away from home bad enough". Forget that hogwash about what the kids do with a smart phone. Kids are kids. They're gonna do the stupid stuff that kids their age do. I've only owned a smart phone about 2.5 years. The convenience of having access to the internet while away from home is super sweet. It's kinda like sex. Once you've had it you would find it very difficult not to want to have it again. Bad analogy but it sounded better than saying it was like "crack". ;)

Anyway, cheap phone services for internet/phone access are available as others have said. If you go that route you will be hooked. Nothing like riding down the road and suddenly remembering something from years ago and you have a question about it. Before I had a smart phone I had to write all that stuff down and then wait till I got home to do a search on it. Now I have voice google search 24/7 at my beck and call to answer all those questions as well as questions that have to do with my job. No, I don't need a smart phone to enjoy my life but thankfully I can justify the expenditure because I do need a phone, I definitely need GPS access to do my job and having the internet on hand means I can do my job better. Now if I could just convince my company to pay for half of it. :rolleyes:

For inexpensive but really nice phones I've had good luck with Blu phones. Can be used with any GSM carrier, or just as a stand alone device with no carrier. Bought my son one for Christmas (Blu Energy X) with no phone plan and just put google voice on it so he could call/txt/mms like a regular phone when he has a wifi connection. There is an Energy X 2 now not sure what the difference is https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Energy-Ba...s=BLU+ENERGY+X
Also features a pretty huge battery (twice the size battery than is in my phone) and great camera too.

I pay $10 / mo for an airvoice plan (they use ATT) works great on that phone, but you don't need any plan at all.

I'm not crazy about the newer android versions though, seem to be a bit more fiddly to use compared to my older 4.2 version