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this is a long thread with a lot of long posts (and a lot of long quotes) so I didn't read it all. I think what you are looking for is usb otg (on the go) which allows your tablet to act as a usb host. I am not sure exactly how to go into the file system on an android tablet, and you would need a cable. I feel like most tablets have usb otg nowadays, but yours might not. A GPS normally looks like a disk to a usb host.
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Originally Posted by sierrabob
(Post 20560341)
This is a very cool thread because it has really made me think about the ways to create and transfer files while off line. I came up with a glossary of terms that helps me sort through this stuff: 1) mobile hotspot--allows sharing an internet connection using wifi; 2) travel router--uses usb connection to a flash drive to allow file sharing on a local wireless network 3) bluetooth--allows limited file sharing between certain devices.
You can't use a mobile hotspot for file sharing. It's only for sharing internet. But if you have a travel router (e.g., HooToo Nano) available, you can share gpx, tcx, and fit files from an android phone or tablet to a bike computer. John has suggested using Bluetooth for file sharing. John, you're right! It is possible! Bluetooth can be used for more than connecting keyboards and headphones; however, in my testing, the file types one can transfer are limited to jpg, mp3, and pdf. While workarounds exist for transferring other file types, these require rooting or renaming files on a target android device. These tricks probably won't work with a bike computer. Bottom line: with no online connection whatsoever, I think you're stuck with using the Osmand app for route design and a travel router to transfer the gpx file to a bike computer. While I hope I'm wrong, I just don't see any other easy way to do this. |
Originally Posted by JohnJ80
(Post 20561126)
another alternative - I have a Hammerhead Karoo bike computer. While it has crappy navigation, it is android based and I run both Osmand and Komoot on it after sideloading them with the android developer tools. Because of the android ecosystem there is probably some android app that allows file transfer over Bluetooth or some other app to make this work. |
Originally Posted by sierrabob
(Post 20561479)
Sure sounds worth looking into, John. Karoo has mixed reviews, but it may be getting better with updates. I'd try to see if it can be recognized as a Bluetooth device or if the adb connection method works.
Karoo has a great screen, terrible nav software, and the computer software is like a buggy Edge 520 but improving fairly quickly. Osmand and Komoot for navigation just kill any nav software out there including Garmin for map quality. So for touring, that’s my choice but only because of ability to sideload. I bought in this spring and spring 2019 is a better bet presuming the startup makes it. |
Originally Posted by unterhausen
(Post 20560945)
this is a long thread with a lot of long posts (and a lot of long quotes) so I didn't read it all. I think what you are looking for is usb otg (on the go) which allows your tablet to act as a usb host. I am not sure exactly how to go into the file system on an android tablet, and you would need a cable. I feel like most tablets have usb otg nowadays, but yours might not. A GPS normally looks like a disk to a usb host.
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Originally Posted by sierrabob
(Post 20568141)
Has anyone successfully made OTG connection to a bike computer?
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 20568630)
I've used the otg with Garmin computer on a rooted Nexus 7/2013 using "stickmount" app.
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Example of moving a TCX file from android phone to Garmin Edge device using OTG cable and EZ File Explorer app. No root, no wifi, no data, no Bluetooth:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d796fab9f4.jpg |
sierrabob, thanks for trying this, it looks really useful. I wonder if I can get a cable for my Garmin 800.
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Assuming we're talking android here, you just use the mini-USB cable from your Garmin and connect with a USB-A female to micro-USB OTG cable. Widely available for under $6.
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I got a cable, going to try it in a bit.
ETA: did you mean ES file manager? |
ES File Explorer File Manager is the correct name in Play store. If not working check with zip drive. Good luck.
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Once you have the correct settings established, this is what you should see. With this old Garmin Edge 500 it takes 30 seconds for the drive to show in ES File Explorer. Also, you may need to uninstall file cleaning apps such as Power Clean and reinstall File Explorer for the app to work correctly.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bcf997092a.jpg OTG cable from Android device to mini-USB cable. This allows connection and transfer of files to/from Garmin Edge 500 with ES File Explorer app. |
thanks, it worked. I installed a file manager, but I'm pretty sure I just used the native android storage manager. When I plugged in my garmin, I got a notification and I just went from there. Not sure how often I'll use this, but I have been in the situation where I needed to d/l a route while traveling
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Nice. I use the feature more for uploading rides to Garmin Connect and Strava when no PC is available. Good for USB only devices like Garmin 500 and 800.
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Originally Posted by sierrabob
(Post 20591051)
Once you have the correct settings established, this is what you should see. With this old Garmin Edge 500 it takes 30 seconds for the drive to show in ES File Explorer. Also, you may need to uninstall file cleaning apps such as Power Clean and reinstall File Explorer for the app to work correctly.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bcf997092a.jpg OTG cable from Android device to mini-USB cable. This allows connection and transfer of files to/from Garmin Edge 500 with ES File Explorer app. I'm back after 3 wonderful weeks on the road. I see you've made great progress! Well done! I've ordered a HooToo to work with my tablet. My tablet is old and has no OTG compatability, but one thing this trip reinforced is the difference in plotting a route on the tablet vs a smartphone. I'll come back with an update once it arrives. I appreciate everyone's efforts. Thanks all! |
Well, the HooToo nano arrived.
The first issue was that the tablet is incompatible with the app (old tablet), so I switched to my telephone (Samsung Moto G Play running Android 7.1.1) Installed the app, set up the HooToo, but it: Failed to recognise the Elemnt (Disk 1 not installed) Failed to recognise camera (Fuji) (Disk 1 not installed) Did recognise an external Hard Disk, so I'm presuming that means that the HooToo is working as it should. Tried another phone, a cheapy Chinese Cubot. Same as the Samsung Went back to the tablet and could connect with the Hootoo without the app, but the outcome was the same - disk was not installed. I also plugged a card reader into the HooToo unit and I could read from that. Interestingly, the interface ran better on the Cubot rather than the Samsung. Logging in through the app was more often unsuccessful than not and the browser interface was slow and the screen was all but impossible to navigate around. Since neither phone is OTG compatible I'm back to square 1. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be grateful! |
Sorry that you're having trouble with this. The Moto play is made by Motorola, not Samsung, correct? Also, are you able to move files using the local WiFi between a drive that does connect to Hootoo and your phone? Try using different cables and restart your phone. Go into apps settings and make sure you have not given permission to other file transfer apps to write over this app.
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Just one more tip: make sure you wait at least 30 seconds after making connection for drive to show up. A good friend had an Elemnt Bolt on the ride this morning. If I'd had my OTG cable with me I could have tested file transfer from my Moto G5+ without using internet. She actually could have really used it as her GPX file didn't load properly. Next time.
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Hi folks, just wanted to update this thread with some good news!
A few weeks ago I lost my darn phone, so had to get a new one, a Redmi 6. I've been sick the last few days, so I've had a chance to play around and I've been able to make it work as described above! So now, I can create a route, totally offline in OSMand, and using an OTG cable (and adapter) transfer it to the Elemnt device and away I go. Now, OSMand is far from the best route planner, and adjusting/altering/customising the route on a phone is not the most relaxing of tasks, but for anyone on a long, long distance tour where advance planning of every day is not viable, and/or for those who are venturing places where internet connectivity is an issue this functionality is a Godsend, in my opinion. Many thanks to all the the contributors for advice and suggestions! |
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 20697122)
What is the folder name on the Wahoo where you copy files?
Is it just gpx files? Or does the Wahoo support other file types? Just to digress for a moment, this will contain the routes that have been manually (ie cable) transferred as I understand that the routes done the normal way, ie through the app) actually reside in the app/phone. I just tried a gpx file, as this is what I normally use and OSMand only gives the option to save as a gpx file. Wahoo does support other file types, such as TCX (gives turn by turn) but these files need to be created or edited in specific apps/websites such as ridewithgps. In that case, you're online already, so no need for the cable. I've had no need for turn by turn directions, but I have tested the idea of inserting my own cues for example "Campsite ahead, next one 20 km" so I can think about if I want to stop or go on. But I'd only be doing that level of planning at home, not on the road. |
Originally Posted by HobbesOnTour
(Post 20697145)
The folder is "Routes".
Just to digress for a moment, this will contain the routes that have been manually (ie cable) transferred as I understand that the routes done the normal way, ie through the app) actually reside in the app/phone. I just tried a gpx file, as this is what I normally use and OSMand only gives the option to save as a gpx file. Wahoo does support other file types, such as TCX (gives turn by turn) but these files need to be created or edited in specific apps/websites such as ridewithgps. In that case, you're online already, so no need for the cable. I've had no need for turn by turn directions, but I have tested the idea of inserting my own cues for example "Campsite ahead, next one 20 km" so I can think about if I want to stop or go on. But I'd only be doing that level of planning at home, not on the road. I have a process that lets people install routes on Garmin devices. I'd like that process to support the Wahoo units too. It appears the Wahoo units don't look like normal USB drives (like the Garmin units do). It looks like I need to play with an actual Wahoo unit. I understood what you were trying to do (I've done similar things with Garmins). I'm doing something different. Rwgps lets you add custom cuesheet items but the amount of text might much shorter than your example (the Garmins only support very short labels). |
[MENTION=443116]HobbesOnTour[/MENTION]: I'm glad that file transfer from phone to Elemnt Bolt using otg cable works. Wahoo rocks! It mates with OSMAND route planning with no internet required. That's a very nice feature that no one is talking about.
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Originally Posted by sierrabob
(Post 20699563)
[MENTION=443116]HobbesOnTour[/MENTION]: I'm glad that file transfer from phone to Elemnt Bolt using otg cable works. Wahoo rocks! It mates with OSMAND route planning with no internet required. That's a very nice feature that no one is talking about.
I popped off a note to Wahoo to let them know it can be done, but I got the distinct impression they weren't that interested. In any case, I'm a happy camper now. Thanks for your patience and your pictures. They were very helpful! |
Originally Posted by HobbesOnTour
(Post 20699811)
It's a niche feature, but incredibly important for a subset of users out there (both Garmin & Wahoo).
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Holy thread resurrection!
Today, I noticed for the first time, that Wahoo have done away with the need to "ping" (their expression) the cloud to process a new route. They said they would look into it and (a few years later!) they have! This means that it is now possible to create a route totally offline (Osmand) and transfer that route to a Wahoo gps device with absolutely zero need for data or internet connectivity or cables/adapters. Can't comment on Garmins, but this is a great boon for tourers in remote places. |
Originally Posted by HobbesOnTour
(Post 22018570)
Can't comment on Garmins, but this is a great boon for tourers in remote places.
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