sat nav for cyclists

[richard walshaw]

can anyone recommend a good sat nav app for cycling, i have an i phone and would like something akin to my tom tom which i use in the car

 

[steve.c]

Hi Richad. I use an app called Nav-free uk- roi it's pretty good and free look for it on your iphone on the App Store.
Regards Steve.c

 

[richard walshaw]

Hi Richad. I use an app called Nav-free uk- roi it's pretty good and free look for it on your iphone on the App Store.
Regards Steve.c

Thanks Steve, I,ll give it a look

 

[tillson]

Google Maps. I'm sure that I've seen a cycling mode option within the app.

 

[sunny_jay_jay]

Google Maps works really well. In addition I'd recommend OruxMaps and WikiLoc. All free of course.

 

[flapajack]

another recommendation for google map, if you have sufficient data allowance. it does have bicycle mode and I find it pretty accurate.

 

[jackhandy]

Problem with Google maps, down here in the sticks, is that it needs you to be online & data coverage is patchy, to say the least.

You have a "bicycle" setting in Co-pilot's vehicle choice which works quite well - Just don't forget to change it when you use it in the car, or you'll have an interesting trip.

I've used Cyclestreets a few times:
Although you need to be online to plan a route, it's then downloaded to your phone & Liveride gives you spoken directions.
It's a tad excentric at times, but worth a try.

 

[richard walshaw]

Thanks Steve, I,ll give it a look

good call steve excellent app was looking for something more bike related i.e. which incorporates cycle paths in the route but will certainly use this for the car

many thanks

 

[Gubbins]

Problem with Google maps, down here in the sticks, is that it needs you to be online & data coverage is patchy, to say the least.

You have a "bicycle" setting in Co-pilot's vehicle choice which works quite well - Just don't forget to change it when you use it in the car, or you'll have an interesting trip.

I've used Cyclestreets a few times:
Although you need to be online to plan a route, it's then downloaded to your phone & Liveride gives you spoken directions.
It's a tad excentric at times, but worth a try.

Doesn't Google maps allow you to download and pre cache a map? I am sure I have done that at some point in the past

 

[sunny_jay_jay]

A bit more techy, but with a completely offline mode and track recording for cyclists, OruxMaps will do the trick.

 

[tillson]

Doesn't Google maps allow you to download and pre cache a map? I am sure I have done that at some point in the past

You select the required area of mapping and then in the search bar type, "OK Maps". That section will then download for off line use.

 

[ChrisCM]

Hi,

I use a SatMap gps system. It has a 3.5 inch screen and is loaded with a complete 1:50000 os map of the UK, I also have a 1:25000 of Southern Spain, where I am now!
It does not have a go-to facility but the routing facilities are great and files can be downloaded to Google Earth so you can see where you've been it also has a graphical readout of distance gradients etc.
It is a very rugged bit of kit and is also ideal for hiking, I have the cycle mount for it which is very secure and easy to use.

Chris

 

[axolotl]

I've got Google Maps and Co-Pilot live on my phone and I find them both pretty poor for cycling navigation because neither include all the local cycle routes. Their idea of cycle route planning appears to be to put you on minor roads, taking twice as long for the same journey with no obvious increase in safety.

 

[Twangman]

My iPhone 4s model gives you turn by turn voice navigation in apple maps.
You just set the starting and end point and you will see a list icon at the bottom of your screen just tap on it and you see full directions

 

[axolotl]

It's to be hoped that Apple Maps has improved since it's launch...

 

[flash]

I use one called Ordnance Survey, been using it for about 50 years very accurate, batteries never go flat. It also has the added benefit of keeping the old brain cells exercise!

 

[Gringo]

I use one called Ordnance Survey, been using it for about 50 years very accurate, batteries never go flat. It also has the added benefit of keeping the old brain cells exercise!

I also have one of those, the only trouble is all the new housing that's going up doesn't show on my old OS.
Some of my regular dirt trails now seam to be tarmac, the trees are now made of bricks and some of the wildlife is armed, a regular concrete jungle

 

[newboater]

I would like to use my phone on the bike, but can anyone recommend a decent mount for the handle bars, that does not shake the innards out of the phone ,and that's just on the roads !

 

[danielrlee]

I'm an android user, but i highly recommend you try Cyclestreets. I've found nothing comes close to its routing and although you have to be online to create a route, you can store the mapping data locally.

My goto solution for offline routing is called OSMAnd, but alas is not available for iDevices.

 

[axolotl]

I would like to use my phone on the bike, but can anyone recommend a decent mount for the handle bars, that does not shake the innards out of the phone ,and that's just on the roads !

I wouldn't worry to much about vibration: modern handsets are designed to take a fair bit of abuse and have no moving parts apart from the vibrator and the speaker. Bigger issues are watertightness and being able to see the handset's screen in bright daylight. Most of the "waterproof" holders I've seen have a clear PVC window in front of the phone's screen, rendering it practically unusable during the day. Oh, and the one I bought wasn't actually waterproof anyway.

In fact, I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the way to go is to swap my phone for one of the new waterproof models, then just buy a simple, decent quality holder for it and make my own bracket to attach it to the handlebars. A project for the winter, I reckon.