Galaxy S3 mount?

chrisaonabike

Lots of Android mapping and GPS apps available, but really only any use at the end of a ride if the phone itself is in a pocket. WIBNI it was constantly to hand?

Just wondering, has anyone used anything like this on a road bike?

I can see several obvious drawbacks...

- vibration damage (phones aren't really designed for this sort of thing)
- if it falls off, it's probably curtains for something much more expensive to replace than a Garmin Edge 200
- safety (distraction)
- screen brightness inadequate in sunlight

I guess I may be answering my own question here as to actual practicality, but I'm just interested if anyone has used a mount (shock-absorbing? Secure?) for a smartphone.

Mikey41

Mounting a phone on the bars is a non-starter for me, mostly because of your last reason. If it's a sunny day, you'll never be able to read the screen on the move. You'd have to stop and shade the screen, then it might just as well be in a pocket.

RandG

I have these on both mountain and road bike, and to date have only found one app that keeps the back light on so can be viewed at any time, use my fone all the timewhile on bike, safe and secure on the road bike, maybe not as secure on mtb. but I only xc on my mtb.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230833701966? ... 1497.l2649

Buckie2k5

i have my phone mounted, mainly so i can flip tracks, answer phone etc. However if you were to keep the screen on at all times along with gps etc running the battery would last about 10mins. It is very easy to press the button and activate the screen though for a quick glane at route info.

For a bit of extra security i stick a cable tie round the phone and holder on long rides, never been needed though.

RandG

I've done a three hours ride and still had over 50% left of battery with mine ?

alihisgreat

The S3 is too big.. you'll just look like a tit.

Buckie2k5

oops double post

Buckie2k5

RandG wrote:

I've done a three hours ride and still had over 50% left of battery with mine ?

[/quote]


with the screen always on and gps runing?

RandG

Yep

Buckie2k5

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

The S3 is too big.. you'll just look like a tit.

if i worried what i looked like i wouldnt be out in lycra, phone is least of my worries lol

chrisaonabike

Buckie2k5 wrote:

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

The S3 is too big.. you'll just look like a tit.

if i worried what i looked like i wouldnt be out in lycra, phone is least of my worries lol

+1

I'm pretty sure I already look like a tit

However, if I mount the S3, I do want it to be secure, and for the vibration not to damage it. Cos then I'd probably be a tit, not just look like one :oops:

Peddle Up!

I faffed about with ways of using my S2 on the bike, but a combination of battery life, fragility, visability, weather-proofing, using it at this time of the year with gloves on etc., steered me down the Garmin route. No regrets at all.

charliew87

Since getting an S3 I've got a cheap bike computer from Halfords and chuck phone in back pocket with Strava on.

Battery last about 3x as long on the S3 than iPhone with Strava on which is pretty handy.

Silverbull

I'd get a second hand htc desire or such like then it wouldn't be such a disaster if it broke. Plus you can get extension batteries with extra fat backplate (I doubt you'd want that on your gs3?) upload via wifi when you're home, no sim card required. There's an app which forces the screen on, allows heart rate and speed sensors to be connected then exports to strava afterwards...

Silverbull

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... oid.ipbike

alihisgreat

charliew87 wrote:

Since getting an S3 I've got a cheap bike computer from Halfords and chuck phone in back pocket with Strava on.

Battery last about 3x as long on the S3 than iPhone with Strava on which is pretty handy.

My Samsung Galaxy nexus should run up to 9-10 hours with strava easily. Managed 5 hours 13 mins elapsed time for a sportive in sept.. only down to 52% battery!