mgb

I use MotionX-GPS on my iPhone 4. The battery lasts 4 hours but it doesn't last 8. I had a Garmin GPS before it died on a flash update. Garmin's do that.

gear

I use my iPhone in a ibike setup, to keep track of and analyze my rides. It records where I go (has a moving map), speed, cadence, heart rate (I did not get the power option). I can send the data via an email to my computer for collection of data and analysis, I can then bring the ride up on Google earth. The box the iPhone sits in is waterproof (I have used it in the rain) and I can see it in direct sunlight. The is a battery in the box so my phone isn't drained by a ride. Everything is just so easy with the ibike setup. I'm carrying the phone on rides anyway so using it for ride data and gps as well eliminates the need to carry two devices. The best thing is that you can customize screens to give you just the data you want. It's nice.

dguest

Well as far as the baterry on my Motorola I1, I took the phone off the charger this morning at 0800, checked my work emails, went on a 2 hour ride where I used My tracks, came home uploaded the data to Google maps, checked email 3 more times thru the day, made 2 phone calles and direct connect for 2 convesations and the meter on my phone still shows a full charge.

TacomaSailor

MotionX-GPS
iPhone 3GS

works great - I use it daily on my mountain bike and street bike. I ride a lot where there is no cell phone service and the GPS records perfectly. The APP allows me to use a variety of maps while riding including GoogleEarth images. It has a nice AutoPause that stops/starts recording automatically. It is quite precise in tracking when put in Automatic mode or Bicycle mode. I overlay the recorded track onto Google Earth and it follows tight windy trails and paths very nicely.

IF I want to have detailed maps of the area with no cell service - I download the maps, at whatever level of detail I want, before I go out to ride.

I also download Google Earth images before I go ride and can then display them in place of the map.

on my iPhone3GS the MotionX-GPS & location services uses about 25% - 30% of the battery PER HOUR. I carry a Duracell LiIon battery model PPS2 (about 3 oz weight) and connect it to my iPhone with the USB cable. The Duracell gives me another 3 - 5 hours of tracking.

MotionX-GPS records .kmz files that can be e-mailed, saved, and viewed in Google Earth.

The APP interfaces with the camera in the phone and will make geotagged photos that can be linked to the track it produces.

I've been looking at Garmin stuff but don't see what more I would get for my simple needs - track, pace, altitude, gain/loss in elevation.

I have a 2GB/month data plan and have never used more than 750 - 900MB even when downloading many maps.

cranky old dude

Um, 'cause the OP asked?

jdon

Nope. I ride all weather and they haven't made a smart phone yet that survives a good soaking. As a previous poster mentioned, they are lousy in bright sunlight. 300 and change for a Garmin Edge 500. Money well spent.

dguest

The view of the screen in sunlight seems to be more of a model specific problem. I have never had a problem reading mine. Second, true nothing electronc is truly water proof, some are more water resistant than others, but got caught today in the strorms moving out of the gulf and got drenched, no problems from the phone.

SPlKE 

I use a ziplock snack-size bag in wet or dusty conditions.

Works like a charm.

UberGeek

+100

You can even still use the touch screen through the ziplock baggy.

jdon

Just curious how that mounts to the stem or bars?

UberGeek

I do it like this:
https://lifehacker.com/5747897/how-to...ffice-supplies

It works for the handlebars too. Stem is to big around.

gforeman 

I use Cyclemeter iPhone App, and I love it. Get great battery life with the display off. Also tracks walks and Runs. When you are done, it emails the stats to you, and will even post it on Twitter or Facebook. Here is the map you get: https://maps.google.com/?q=https://sha...10904-1633.kml

Best $4.99 I've spent. More accurate calorie burn, and it will announce over speaker at intervals you set.

jdon

That is where I am going with my questions. I carry a phone as well but in a ziploc in my jersey pocket. It sounds like most people are using them as recorders rather than real time info use. I like to know heart rate zones and trends as well as cadence, watts, grade and speed but I want it in front of me, not jammed in a pocket.

We all have different applications for the information so need different equipment. Right tool for the job I guess.

willb1046

Personally, I can not afford a Garmin at the moment. I do however own a Blackberry. Coupled with a GPS puck I track all my rides. I do not use it as a mapping device on the bike, rather as a record keeping tool. The app I use on the BlackBerry is GPSed. It uploads to GPSed.com automatically, then I simply download the gpx file then distribute it to any tracking site I wish to such as MapMyRide, Ridewithgps.com or Strava.com. Like I said, I use this simply for keeping my tracks (where I've ridden). As far as battery life, it does eat battery. I do hope I can get enough battery to track my MS City to shore ride in a few weeks. :-)

M_Wales

I use map my ride on my iPhone for short 20-30 mile rides since the battery life does not last much past that...

I use a Topeak dry bag mounted on my stem.... Works great and keeps it dry and comphy...
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1105935_-1___

SPlKE 

Cadence is about the only thing I watch on a regular basis, sometimes speed and average, but I can generally "feel" where they are if my cadence is within a certain range on a certain type of terrain. Ditto my heart rate.

All that other detail stuff is recorded on my google My Tracks.

I just can't see myself looking at a moving map when I'm in traffic doing 20+ mph.

jfk22

I use Endomondo because it gives me an audio update every mile, I keep the phone in my pocket. Before I used My Tracks. The nice thing about My Tracks is if you don't have a data signal it track you on a blank map and fills it in when you get a data signal. At least it did on my EVO.

jfk22

Does anyone know how to post your rides from an app to the "Where'd you ride today" threads in most of the forums? I know I can export to .gpx but I don't know what to do with it from there.

bigbadwullf

MY smart phone does it all. No need for a separate GPS, camera, video camera, computer(real one), radio, mp3 player, flashlight, etc, etc, etc. I use it to track my ride but use a cheap cyclocomputer because I don't want the phone vulnerable to a fall or the elements. I like a multi-tasker. I hate numerous individual items, each with their own power supply/cord/batteries, etc.
Droid X does!

sarals 

Agreed! One thing - on a day long ride, it WILL run the battery down. Mine lasted from full charge to DOA six hours. I do really like the features of Cyclometer, though, and for short rides and runs it's great.

I use my Garmin edge 305 as my primary computer for rides now.

gbiker

I used a Garmin eTrex and bought bike mounts for it, but ditched it for Endomondo on my Android phone. Much more compact, love auto-uploads, plus has much better maps. My phone's battery doesn't last much longer than 5 hours, but I can get an extended battery.

alexaschwanden

I use my iphone with some cycling apps a few times, not very accurate but ok.

chasm54

Zombie thread alert!

Retro Grouch 

Me too.

My phone doesn't have any apps that don't start with me saying "Hello." I don't have a smart phone, I have a dumb a** phone and I neither know nor care it that describes the hardware or the user..

Surfmonkey

Map My Tracks for IPhone....works well and is free