New phone for cycling...advice please
Discussion
I'm due to get a new phone in the next few weeks and am after a bit advice from the PH tech gurus.
I'm a regular user of Strava which I've on my two previous phones (HTC Desire and HTC Desire HD) but my big gripe with the phones is that they are shocking on battery life. I'm lucky if it lasts more than 90 minutes if I'm out on a ride.
I'm also interested in possibly getting a Bluetooth HR monitor that can work in conjunction with Strava on the phone.
I'm aware I could get a swanky Garmin or similar, but don't want to splash out that amount of cash especially when I need to get a new phone anyway.
So... need a phone that can run Strava, has decent GPS, is compatible with a HR monitor, and has awesome battery life. Oh, and iPhone is out of the question.
Any recommendations?
I'm a regular user of Strava which I've on my two previous phones (HTC Desire and HTC Desire HD) but my big gripe with the phones is that they are shocking on battery life. I'm lucky if it lasts more than 90 minutes if I'm out on a ride.
I'm also interested in possibly getting a Bluetooth HR monitor that can work in conjunction with Strava on the phone.
I'm aware I could get a swanky Garmin or similar, but don't want to splash out that amount of cash especially when I need to get a new phone anyway.
So... need a phone that can run Strava, has decent GPS, is compatible with a HR monitor, and has awesome battery life. Oh, and iPhone is out of the question.
Any recommendations?
Get a cheaper phone on a £15 a month contract and spend the money you save (£360 in 24 months compared to a £30 pm contract) on.... a Garmin?
Or this? http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.i...
Phones are always going to be second-rate compared to a dedicated device.
Or this? http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.i...
Phones are always going to be second-rate compared to a dedicated device.
Why is an iPhone out of the question? Is that your choice or one that has been subjected on you by your phone provider?
For what it's worth, I have no problem with the iPhone battery using Cyclemeter. With data and wifi switched off, I've tracked an 8+ hour ride and finished with more than 20% battery remaining. It obviously had very little use on the way, no calls, maybe a couple of texts, but mainly it was locked and tucked in a pocket recording the ride, that was an iPhone 4S
For what it's worth, I have no problem with the iPhone battery using Cyclemeter. With data and wifi switched off, I've tracked an 8+ hour ride and finished with more than 20% battery remaining. It obviously had very little use on the way, no calls, maybe a couple of texts, but mainly it was locked and tucked in a pocket recording the ride, that was an iPhone 4S
I run my smartphone with a Pebble type battery charger when cycling. Adds a little weight but not much bigger than the phone and don't have to worry about the GPS running the phone battery down.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VCC-A007-PBP-5000mAH-...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VCC-A007-PBP-5000mAH-...
GPS use on my HTC Desire used to murder the battery too but recent phones have been much better - both a Galaxy S3 and Xperia Sola will last 6+ hours.
I'd suggest just picking the phone you want rather than choosing it specifically for Strava. If you are really paranoid then run it past us once you've chosen but most should be okay.
(I'd look at the Xperia Z. Great phone that also happens to be waterproof.)
I'd suggest just picking the phone you want rather than choosing it specifically for Strava. If you are really paranoid then run it past us once you've chosen but most should be okay.
(I'd look at the Xperia Z. Great phone that also happens to be waterproof.)
I ran SportyPal Pro on my SE Active. It's almost brilliant; waterproof, compact, shockproof, has a barometer, etc BUT the processor struggled with my zillion contacts and battery life got annoying. It also occasionally shut down the app mid workout! But when it worked, it was great.
I now use a watch style Garmin 910xt (I run and swim a fair bit too) which it utterly brilliant. £240 if you look around; I used Handtec.
I now use a watch style Garmin 910xt (I run and swim a fair bit too) which it utterly brilliant. £240 if you look around; I used Handtec.
I use my Nexus 4, has enough battery if fully charged at the start for 5-6 hours I reckon. After 3 1/2 hours it's still well over 50%. I tend to use endomondo to track the ride so the missus can check I am still moving as I ride on my own mostly.
Started using My Tracks on MTB rides though as the sample rate is higher - less straight lines!
Started using My Tracks on MTB rides though as the sample rate is higher - less straight lines!
ewenm said:
Separate the activities - keep the phone for phone stuff and get a Garmin for the HR/Speed/Distance/stuff.
Yup. I used cyclemeter for a while, but I wanted something with a display on the bike and and the Garmin was a logical choice. I just wasn't comfortable bolting an iphone to the handlebars no matter how strong/stable the mount was.The New Edge 510 should give the OP the functionality he wants
I've never used the Briton Rider50, but it recent won a multi test against the 800, so it must be worth a look. Bit cheaper than the 800/810 too.
I have a cheapo Cateye Cadence on the bars for everyday information and iPhone in my back pocket for strava, navigation and calling the missus if I crash. iPhone easily lasts long enough for big sportives running Strava (obviously turn off Wifi, 3G, data etc to help) but 6+ hours not an issue.
Can be nice to have a proper sized screen for navigation when you decide to take a shortcut home and get lost :-)
Also useful to have "send my location" to the wife the one time I did break down as was on unregistered road with no name and no signs nearby, she'd never have founbd me otherwise!
But for whatever reason the OP can't have an iphone so guess you're stuff with some Android thing?
Can be nice to have a proper sized screen for navigation when you decide to take a shortcut home and get lost :-)
Also useful to have "send my location" to the wife the one time I did break down as was on unregistered road with no name and no signs nearby, she'd never have founbd me otherwise!
But for whatever reason the OP can't have an iphone so guess you're stuff with some Android thing?
I had two Android HTCs, a Magic and a Sensation (I hate the way they give them such ghey names), I didn’t know about Strava then so used google’s My Tracks.
I found both of them used to absolutely cane the battery and were really inaccurate especially when data signal was lost.
I got an Edge 200 for less than £90 and it’s by far the better solution. Now if I’m out I still take my phone in case I get lost or need to make a call but it just stays in the back pocket. In fact a 3rd world Nokia with a PAYG SIM would be even better if I was sure I didn’t need the maps.
Current phone is a HTC One X which I’ve used now and then and it’s much much better on the battery than the old phones used to be but still not as good as the Garmin.
Maybe it was me but I found the endless updates to the various apps on Android would significantly alter the readings the phone would produce. On a constant route, like my commute. it could vary by 20-25%
I found both of them used to absolutely cane the battery and were really inaccurate especially when data signal was lost.
I got an Edge 200 for less than £90 and it’s by far the better solution. Now if I’m out I still take my phone in case I get lost or need to make a call but it just stays in the back pocket. In fact a 3rd world Nokia with a PAYG SIM would be even better if I was sure I didn’t need the maps.
Current phone is a HTC One X which I’ve used now and then and it’s much much better on the battery than the old phones used to be but still not as good as the Garmin.
Maybe it was me but I found the endless updates to the various apps on Android would significantly alter the readings the phone would produce. On a constant route, like my commute. it could vary by 20-25%
I had an HTC desire that was fine on batteries provided you put it in airplane mode for a ride. The ability to change to a spare battery is also useful. Although come to think of it with the bluetooth hrm as well I never rode for more than say 2 hours.
Now use an HTC one x which lasts much longer but you can't change the battery.
Now use an HTC one x which lasts much longer but you can't change the battery.
I have an ancient iPhone 3GS and Strava kills a 100% battery completely dead after about 1 3/4 hours of riding.
I also find that the iPhone doesn't always work very accurately with the GPS location. Riding the same commuting route every day and some sections are recognised on one day and not another... very strange.
Also gives some odd readings sometimes. Think it clocked me at 88mph once...going uphill... and no, I wasn't in my DeLorian at the time... Great Scott!
A dedicated device (Garmin etc) will be much better in my opinion, and you'll still have your phone to make emergency phone calls if necessary, after a mechanical / puncture etc.
I also find that the iPhone doesn't always work very accurately with the GPS location. Riding the same commuting route every day and some sections are recognised on one day and not another... very strange.
Also gives some odd readings sometimes. Think it clocked me at 88mph once...going uphill... and no, I wasn't in my DeLorian at the time... Great Scott!
A dedicated device (Garmin etc) will be much better in my opinion, and you'll still have your phone to make emergency phone calls if necessary, after a mechanical / puncture etc.
Thanks all for the replies.
Garmin/other dedicated GPS wasn't in my original plan but clearly going to suit me better than a new phone. Have done lots of research on available phones but none of them will really do what I want without massively compromising on something.
Now in the hunt for a decent GPS system that won't cost a kidney.
Garmin/other dedicated GPS wasn't in my original plan but clearly going to suit me better than a new phone. Have done lots of research on available phones but none of them will really do what I want without massively compromising on something.
Now in the hunt for a decent GPS system that won't cost a kidney.
Sparta VAG said:
Thanks all for the replies.
Garmin/other dedicated GPS wasn't in my original plan but clearly going to suit me better than a new phone. Have done lots of research on available phones but none of them will really do what I want without massively compromising on something.
Now in the hunt for a decent GPS system that won't cost a kidney.
Check Handtec - very good for Garmin kit. My £399 RRP 910XT was £240 from them.Garmin/other dedicated GPS wasn't in my original plan but clearly going to suit me better than a new phone. Have done lots of research on available phones but none of them will really do what I want without massively compromising on something.
Now in the hunt for a decent GPS system that won't cost a kidney.
The app you use to track the route makes a difference, I have been getting frustrated with endomondo cutting corners on my off roads, tried My Tracks last night with the Sample Frequency set to the shortest and it's come out bang on the route.
http://app.strava.com/activities/49306322
http://app.strava.com/activities/49306322
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