Clearly, backlights are useful for riding in the dark.

Cycling computers, like the Garmin Edge 800, have a display that works OK in sunlight without the backlight.

Tablets/phones have a display that requires the backlight and doesn't work very well, at all, in sunlight.

Just thinking like I'd hope the people using their cell phones (and driving over people , because they are not paying attention), Should..​

pullover and stop , first !

Back to the O.P.'s question, I doubt the Ortlieb GPS case would work. The map case might work if you could mount it in "landscape" position. It'd probably be necessary to lock the screen orientation. Ortliebs are easiest to mount tilting slightly downward. If the tablet auto-rotates, you'll be trying to read it upside down. Ask Wayne at thetouringstore.com about dimensions. Also be wary of how you'll operate the tablet; capacitive touch screens will NOT work through the Ortlieb waterproof plastic.

Generally true, but you are assuming that a given application requires a display at all, and also that all tablet displays are the backlight types. Maybe his tablet uses e-ink. Perhaps an app has an auditory interface, such as voice-cue navigation. Perhaps OP's objective is to have it conveniently located, whatever he uses it for. There are a lot of situations where it's not at all true that a phone doesn't work well, at all, in sunlight. OP deserves the benefit of the doubt on his question.

But even with a display-dependent app, the display on a phone can be usable in sunlight. For example, I downloaded a simple speedometer app that displayed a widget showing just a number in a very large, bright font, and it was not at all difficult to see. While I was testing that, I received a phone call, immediately swiped it to answer and pulled over for my conversation. Can't beat the convenience of that.

Personally I'd rather not carry any devices that are not waterproof and hardened for (ab)use. Most devices are not designed for outdoor living 24/7. I highly recommend enclosing any electronic device in a quality, aftermarket, shock, and waterproof case. I use the LifeProof for my iPhone

Well, he's mounting it on his handlebar. And I was replying to a commment that was talking about backlights. That strongly suggests that it's going to be looked at.

That's possible but not at all likely. He said he's using a "phablet". So the probability of it being e-ink is effectively zero. (But an e-ink display would not be a bad idea!)

That's possible, too. But, even if you are using an auditory interface, being able to see a map is useful.

I don't care/mind at all that the user wants to use a tablet/phablet/phone! (And I was replying to the "backlight" comment.) I'm just making the trade-offs clear (to him and other people).

Lots of people use phones while riding. More power to them (ignoring any "distracted driving" issues)!!

While you are certainly free to use your expensive phone to replace a cheap cycle speedometer (again, I don't mind!), the phone is a bit overkill for that purpose. My iPhone and Nexus 7 are hard to read in sunlight. My Edge 800 is much easier to read.

I'd give up video, games and quick screen response on my phone for one. I was imagining something like a Kindle though.

The cheap cycle speedometer works better - I was only using it as a proof of concept.

Nexus 7 I agree is all but unusable in direct sunlight.

E-ink isn't a bad idea at all.

https://www.meetearl.com/ (Though, it's been in "pre-order" status for a couple of years at least.)

I'm not sure if you can side-load apps to the e-ink Kindles (which means what you could use them for is very limited).

Yes, it sort-of works but there really isn't much of a value "proving" it.

The Garmin Edge displays are pretty good (especially the data black&white screens). The color map screen is OK but useable (and without a battery-draining backlight).

That's pretty intriguing.


When you're considering designing android apps for a phone, or evaluating them, it's helpful to know what the display looks like in real world conditions. A double-row size widget displays a large block number adequately in mid-afternoon light.

Through some testing the screen is almost impossible to see in the sunlight, which kind of kills the point of having it mounted.

Transflective screens are apparently not great for indoor viewing hence why they're only used on dedicated GPS's. The Nokia Lumia 920 has a special screen mode for sunlight readability but I have my doubts that it's much better than what I've already got.

Maybe I'll just use the smartphone to plan a route, then write up a cue sheet each night.

Dreaming of the ultimate solution to spend wads of dough on... Garmin Monterra?

I suppose. It's just not something many people would do. Though, I figure that the display choices made in the cue-sheet app are related to what you are talking about.

Computationally, the phones are more than up to the task of navigation (they are faster than the Edge 800). They apparently work well for tracking/recording rides (ala Strava).

They are devices that many people have. I'm actually interested in them working for people.

That's one reason some people stick with the Garmins.

What app are you using for navigation?

You should check-out the cue-sheet app. A friend used voice-prompts on the ridewithgps app on a long ride and was satisfied with it (the ridewithgps app requires a subscription for navigation).
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