FischerEllender901
Are there advantages of dedicated bike computer instead of smartphone apps?
I do a lot of road biking. I have a basic Catseye onboard computer for my speed and odometer. But I also use my iPhone to track and record my biking. I've tried a variety of iPhone apps, the best ones being iMapMyRide and Cyclemeter.
As I get more serious with biking though, I'm looking around at the dedicated biking computers like the Garmin Edge. I'm trying to figure out if they are worth buying or not. Rewind the clock back about 5 years and I'd say definitely yes. But these days, with really awesome GPS-capable smartphone apps, I'm not so sure...
Take for example iMapMyRide. You can buy a cheap ANT+ adapter for your iPhone and then use any ANT+ device with the software. Speedometer, cadence, heartbeat sensor, etc...
Also with these apps it does optional Live Tracking so that when you are out on your ride, your spouse (or anyone you want) can look at a webpage and see your progress on a map. You can do this with the Garmin Edge apparently but I think Garmin charges $25 a year or something for that service.
So if I already have an iPhone/Android and I already take it on rides anyways (for emergencies), then is it worth it at all to get a dedicated biking computer? Just about the only advantage I can think of is that the biking computers are smaller (less weight).
Are there any outstanding advantages to dedicated computers that I'm unaware of?
It seems like you have already answered your own question. If you are already carrying your iPhone/Android and it can do everything that a dedicated unit can (and more), then why also carry a dedicated unit? � Kevin Sep 8 '11 at 16:50
I have two iPhones, an Android, and 3 Nokia smart phones in my desk at work and scattered around on my home desk. What I carry with me is an old LG flip phone. On my bike is a relatively basic bike "computer". The only time I've needed a smart phone on a tour was when I had to find the words for a song the group wanted to sing, and then I borrowed a phone from someone else. � Daniel R Hicks Sep 9 '11 at 0:11
I recently thought that my smartphone would replace my bike computer, but have come to the conclusion that the bike computer is better.
Here are the reasons.
One is that the phone is much larger. Second is mounting. (Whether a suitable mount is available depends on the phone model.) Third, and this is important... is that smartphones are not designed to sit out exposed to hot sun, extreme temps, and rain; all of which commonly occur in serious cycling. Fourth is ease of use. My bike computer was specifically designed to sit on the handlebars with easy access to most all functions and in typical cycling conditions. The smartphone is not. Fifth, my smartphone is important to my professional life. So, having it destroyed in a bike crash would not be good at all. Sixth, definitely battery life; although I suppose this depends on the particular phone. (On a recent century+, my riding partner brought along 3 extra batteries and used them all, for his HTC Evo...and my bike computer was still humming along at the end of the day)
A few months back, I bought a smartphone handlebar mount and case which all looked fine in the comfort of my basement. Anyway, once on the bike and in real conditions, it was unusable. The worst thing was that in the glare of sun, I couldn't even see the screen. Also, changing functions was a pain because of the case. Anyway, I rapidly went back to my bike computer.
BTW...I do carry my phone with me and use Endomondo. However, the phone stays in my jersey pocket; but for typical ride data I use the bike specific computer. shareimprove this answer
+1, Although I do think that at least one smart phone out there is trying to make a dent as a viable bike computer. See DC Rainmaker's obsessively comprehensive review of the "Sony Ericsson experia active": bit.ly/pgs7yv I expect that there will be more smart phones targeted for this space soon. � Angelo Sep 12 '11 at 17:34
@Angelo -- Hmmm, I'll take a look at the Experia Active when my current phone contract runs out... � user313 Sep 15 '11 at 17:17 2
I've finally come to the same conclusion. Bike computers like a Garmin Edge 500 also have more accurate GPS I've found because they contain a built-in altimeter. Apparently with GPS, if one of the three parameters (long, lat, elevation) is already known (in this case, the elevation is known due to the altimeter) then the GPS is able to determine the long and lat very very quickly compared to a phone that has to determine the long, lat and elevation. So faster GPS lookups = more accurate GPS. � Jakobud Apr 8 '12 at 22:17
@Jakobud - Good point about the altimeter. I didn't think of that when I wrote the answer. � user313 Apr 9 '12 at 3:14 up vote 11 down vote
I too contemplated using a smartphone as a bike computer and eventually bought a Garmin Edge 800, which I've been very happy with. Here are the advantages it has:
GPS is better. Compare these two GPS traces from a ride my friend and I did yesterday evening (taken from Strava). This is a 2.5km climb, part wooded and part exposed. The first is my Edge 800 and the second is my friend's Nexus S:
If you like to use Strava (as I do), this can affect whether or not Strava detects that you've ridden over a segment. That all-out effort to beat your PB might not be recorded.
Touch screen works with gloves on. Very handy in winter! The screen is readable in bright sunlight. It weighs less. It's waterproof. When the rain is so heavy that you need 100% concentration on handling the bike on slippery roads, and you can't even see your bike computer because your glasses are misted up (or your eyes are stinging), at least you know your ride is still being recorded! If you're stranded and your bike computer battery has ran out, you can still use your phone to be rescued :)
