Iphone apps

kopite1979
kopite1979 Posts: 443
edited July 2009 in MTB general
right.. i`m ordering the new iphone 3gs next week, im an iphone virgin and wondered if theres any apps that i can download that will help me with routes etc?
It`s changed a bit since...
2010 Zesty 314

Comments

  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    There are a number of GPS apps for the iPhone. The main drawback (apart from having a £400 quid phone strapped to your bars) is battery life. The phone will go dead in around two hours when it is using the GPS functionnality from a full charge. Not great if you are navigating using it.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • magga321
    magga321 Posts: 18
    As stumpyjon said batterylife is the killer. I use my iphone just logging shorter routes I do. It stays in sealed bag in my backup to avoid water damage. I get between 2 and 2.5 hours out of it. The problem is that Apple will not let application run in the background so you have to have the phone unlocked which means the screen is always on.

    I use MotionX GPS. It is not free but is very good. Allows you take photos any uses geo caching so you can see where the phote was taken. It is fully integrated into google maps. I use the GPX output file to plot route onto interactive OS maps.

    But if you want to use it to navigate with it is no good. Maps are downloaded using data network. Most of the trails I go on don't have phone reception never mind a good data connection.
  • kopite1979
    kopite1979 Posts: 443
    i believe the newer iphone has double the battery life, oh well, i`ll give that app you mentioned a go just for the geekiness of it :lol:
    It`s changed a bit since...
    2010 Zesty 314
  • M1llh0use
    M1llh0use Posts: 863
    i use "trails" on my iphone, worked fine tracking at afan for 8 hours (from a full charge to almost flat)

    although it does freakout occasionally and not track.

    just need to turn off push-mail, bluetooth and wi-fi when you're tracking and it'll be fine.

    example here: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/DR ... -Adventure

    and here: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/purbs-14-6-09
    {insert smartarse comment here}
  • M1llh0use
    if your tracking doesn't pick up the signal, try reducing the accuracy (in options on the trail app) and it will keep the signal for longer, and you don't really notice any difference in accuracy on the maps :)
  • M1llh0use
    M1llh0use Posts: 863
    bigbenj_08 wrote:
    M1llh0use
    if your tracking doesn't pick up the signal, try reducing the accuracy (in options on the trail app) and it will keep the signal for longer, and you don't really notice any difference in accuracy on the maps :)

    makes sense as i've recently increased the accuracy and the reliability seems to have dropped off.

    also changing the default waymarker distance seems to make a BIG differance in accuracy, more points = better accuracy...
    {insert smartarse comment here}
  • magga321
    magga321 Posts: 18
    I will give trails a go tonight on my ride at Gisburn.. Perhaps the MotionX GPS is just power hungry.
  • Zeroman_IR
    Zeroman_IR Posts: 290
    +1 for Trails. Been using it for a while now and it's pretty good on battery life. Turn off the Live Map in settings if you're carrying it in your Camelbak. Had about 50% battery left after nearly 4 hours around Ballyhoura. And that was the older 3G, haven't been back there to try that route with the 3GS yet.
  • no one suggested 'Grinder' ala Stephen fry on Top Gear???? :wink::wink::wink:
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Skonk
    Skonk Posts: 364
    no one suggested 'Grinder' ala Stephen fry on Top Gear???? :wink::wink::wink:

    Is it just me or did Jezza seem a little TOO excited about Grinder when he found out about it?
    Canyon Spectral AL 9.0 EX
    Planet X RT90 Ultegra Di2
  • no he definately got Excited about it lol!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Milkie
    Milkie Posts: 377
    edited July 2009
    http://ruedatropical.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/iphone-cycling-applications/

    I bought myself an external battery pack for out on the trail, takes AA batteries. Although I haven't need the pack yet, battery life is a lot better with the 3GS.
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    why not buy the...."save your £400 quid....get a phone that actually works as a phone....and buy yourself some new wheels" application tm

    :wink:
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • kopite1979
    kopite1979 Posts: 443
    nice one.. trails it is.. next question, what do you use to attach it to your stem?
    It`s changed a bit since...
    2010 Zesty 314
  • VWsurfbum
    VWsurfbum Posts: 7,881
    kopite1979 wrote:
    nice one.. trails it is.. next question, what do you use to attach it to your stem?
    Do not attach to stem! asking for trouble. put in your camel pack or in out the way pocket. use trails is great, used it on all sorts of rides, long, short, wet, dry, fast and slow.
    Kazza the Tranny
    Now for sale Fatty
  • M1llh0use
    M1llh0use Posts: 863
    VWSurfbum wrote:
    kopite1979 wrote:
    nice one.. trails it is.. next question, what do you use to attach it to your stem?
    Do not attach to stem! asking for trouble. put in your camel pack or in out the way pocket. use trails is great, used it on all sorts of rides, long, short, wet, dry, fast and slow.

    agreed.

    stick it in a sealed plastic bag to keep it dry and forget about it until you finish your ride...
    {insert smartarse comment here}
  • Zeroman_IR
    Zeroman_IR Posts: 290
    +1

    The iPod pocket on the Camelbak does the job perfectly.
  • scottyjohn
    scottyjohn Posts: 143
    I use Motion X and its great, then export the .gpx file by mailing it to myself, you can then open it in www.bikely.com. Its cool as it shows you the gradient profile and total ascent and descent stats.

    Also, the latest version of the app has a map cache on it, so just open it when your in a good signal area or wifi zone, and then zoom in on the map in the area and it caches the maps so you dont need a signal. Go into settings and set the map cache to maximum which I think is 100mb.

    Totally agree with popping in your pocket or rucksack. I use freezer bags and tie it up so no rain gets in.
  • Skonk
    Skonk Posts: 364
    I recently bought both MotionX and Trails.

    Had I known about Trails before i got the other app I would have only got Trails though, seems much better.

    Just got back from a quick run around Wharncliffe woods near Sheffield (in the pooring rain, we got soaked to the skin and covered in mud) and tried the app for the first time.

    Uploaded the route here if anyone is interested:
    http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=284394

    I like how it counts up how much you have gone vertically up and down.

    Just need to remember to charge my phone fully before the ride cos the 3 hour-ish run almost wiped out the battery.

    James.
    Canyon Spectral AL 9.0 EX
    Planet X RT90 Ultegra Di2
  • if you stick it in you pack, i think you can tell the screen to go to sleep, turn off the active map and do something else (cant remember what) to save battery life.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    My SE C905 has a GPS feature - it kills battery life, can't pick up satellites very well and is unfortunately cack. A real shame as I thought it might be a useful SatNav device.