abstractform20

need: good battery time for talking and apps

good gps

quick internet

...and all the other jazz

znomit

You internet while riding?

I'm thinking practical

• waterproof
• shockproof
• camera for snapping numberplates
• flashlight

Samsung b2100

abstractform20

this phone is for daily use and im looking for something that would be great for cycling.

i would having gps and a battery that does not drain quickly when used together.

i already having cycling computers, but nothing w/cadence (dont really care), heart rate (dont really care), etc.

the garmin edge 705 and 605 are both expensive and my phone contract needs to be renewed. just looking for something that would fit

Cyclist0383

What exactly does a telephone have to due with cycling? I'm lost.....actually I did see I guy crash right next to me that other day who was talking on the phone.....then he got up and started riding and talking again, almost crashing into a woman. Urgh.

ItsJustMe

I actually only own a phone because of the cycling - the wife wants me to be able to call if I flat and am going to be late. So the best phone for me is a $15 prepaid phone, charged and turned off, in a ziplock bag. I take it out once in a while and make sure the battery is charged, and turn it on to see if there are any voice mails that have been sitting there for a week.

I can't imagine why the hell I'd be using a phone while moving, either on a car or on a bike.

abstractform20

route mapping, speed, distance, etc.

all of this can be discovered by using its gps.

using the apps available on the phone that work with cycling.

ItsJustMe

I don't actually go to a lot of places that I don't know how to get to on my bike. As for speed and distance, I get there when I arrive. Shrug.

funbob

The phone that has a signal for when I'm bleeding or have a non fixable mechanical issue 30 miles from nowhere is the best phone for cycling

CCrew

I carry a Blackberry Storm. It's the only phone that Verizon offers that has the GPS unlocked. Keep that in mind. Mines just for internet access and phone and SMS. I run a Garmin 305 with HR/Cadence for the rest of the stats.

Other than that, I'd say iPhone, but 12 other people in my department have them and all complain about battery life and ATT's internet service speeds/availability. There are some cool cycling/route racking apps for them though.

rmac

Verizon has other phones that are unlocked now. I sometimes use RunGPS on my XV6800. It's a nice app if you don't have a bike specific GPS.

nwmtnbkr

Depends on where you are and which carrier has the most towers and best signal. With respect to true GPS units, you might check out GPS forums because there are hacks for less expensive Windows CE based GPS units. I have a Mio C320 on which I have installed Mio Pocket. That gets me a true GPS unit capable of playing multi-media files, using CE-based office apps, using other GPS applications like Ozi Explorer CE (best off road GPS app for CE devices) and, using my Ambeon SD WIFI card, the Internet (Opera, Internet Explorer, Skyfire). I always have my GPS unit with me when I ride because I'm riding unimproved forest roads. The best data on them is from the USGS topo maps, which you are still able to download for free. I imported the topo maps for the forest I live in into Ozi Explorer so I don't get disoriented. Believe me, when all you see is thick forest canopy and you've traveled for a while deep into the forest, it starts looking the same and you can lose your bearings. With true GPS, I just need to find a clearing where the unit can get satellite signals, which is good because there aren't many cell towers here so phone-based GPS would be of no help.

quester

iphone has several turn-by-turn nav apps: these all have their own maps and don't need cell connectivity to work. There are also a bunch of gps logging apps. I expect that android phones either have, or will soon have, similar functionality.

Of course, the battery life would be way too short in most cases. You could get an external battery.