Smart phone instead of Garmin ?

snappygear

Hi All,

After a bit of advice, I currently have a Garmin 705 and was looking to upgrade over the winter period to a Garmin 1000.

However, I am due to also upgrade my smart phone and wondered if anybody else had been using a smartphone with Garmin cadence and HR sensors and Strava with any sort of sucess?

Interested to know what phones you use, with what apps and any issues seen?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

redvee

IIRC the only phone currently available with Ant+ is the Galaxy S5, there are Ant+ apps in the Google store but the reviews aren't too promising.

StillGoing

snappygear wrote:

Hi All,

After a bit of advice, I currently have a Garmin 705 and was looking to upgrade over the winter period to a Garmin 1000.

However, I am due to also upgrade my smart phone and wondered if anybody else had been using a smartphone with Garmin cadence and HR sensors and Strava with any sort of sucess?

Interested to know what phones you use, with what apps and any issues seen?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

Why on earth would you want to go from a dedicated device to a smart phone? There is no advantage whatsoever in using the latest smart phone rip off over a dedicated device, even your 705.

snappygear

That's a fair point, other than I am due to change my phone, so wondered if this could be an option...just putting it out there really!

Can I ask what phone you are currently using?

Zerotails99

The phone mounted on the bar is a very unpleasant sight. The Battery life is also a major issue.

wongataa

I don't think the Strava app supports ANT+ sensors on Android.
A phone is harder to attach to your bike.
A phone is likely to be less weatherproof.
A phone screen is hard to see in bright sunlight with the battery draining brightness at max.
A phone battery is likely to not last as long.
A phone is likely to be more fragile than your Garmin.

peat

keep the phone in your pocket, with minimal services running, so that you have some battery left to call for help in the event of a prang.

Stick with Garmin.

iPete

If you are doing something like 'upgrading' an iPhone 5S to a 6, get the Garmin. Actually, just get the Garmin...

I don't get this whole 'must' upgrade when the contract runs out mentality anymore. Maybe I'm getting old

StillGoing

snappygear wrote:

That's a fair point, other than I am due to change my phone, so wondered if this could be an option...just putting it out there really!

Can I ask what phone you are currently using?

Since you ask an iPhone 5 and it stays firmly in my pocket during rides. It's only functions are to be there should I need it in an emergency and to link to LiveTrack on my 810. Is it a rip off? Yes, but then everything from Apple is.

Tjgoodhew

iPete wrote:

If you are doing something like 'upgrading' an iPhone 5S to a 6, get the Garmin. Actually, just get the Garmin...

I don't get this whole 'must' upgrade when the contract runs out mentality anymore. Maybe I'm getting old

I wish i didnt have to. But every iphone i have ever owned has been on its last legs by the end of a two year period - the iphone 5 being the worst to date. I will be upgrading as soon as I can and finally ditching iphones hoping that in two years time i wont have to upgrade the day my contract runs out !!!

In regards to the OP - just get a new garmin. Surely the phone upgrade will be free anyway so in fact - just get both. Job done

iPete

Well I'm rocking a very battered iPhone 4S, I think the batteries tend to go around the time a new one comes out. Cost less than a tenner to change to a fresh battery. Its great being free of uber expensive contracts. Means I can spend more on shiny bike bits!

Then again, an iPhone that looks like its been run over (it was) isn't for everyone

In terms of tech, a Garmin 800 has been a great purchase, still works after years of abuse and I'd recommend a Garmin 1000 over a phone upgrade (if the current phone works).

southdownswolf

redvee wrote:

IIRC the only phone currently available with Ant+ is the Galaxy S5, there are Ant+ apps in the Google store but the reviews aren't too promising.

Most Sony phones have Ant+ and can connect to Garmin sensors. I also believe that iPhones can be made to work, but need an attachment made by Wahoo.
I sometimes use my Sony phone if I am on the turbo trainer, but would always use a Garmin unit when out on the road.

snappygear

Thanks for all the replies guys!


The only reason for a phone upgrade is that I fancy one and don't pay on contract, hence considering, would the phone be ok instead of the Garmin, but it looks like the general consensus is the Garmin would be better...I think I'll have a look at the Garmin and upgrade the phone later!!

Anonymous

snappygear wrote:

The only reason for a phone upgrade is that I fancy one and don't pay on contract, hence considering, would the phone be ok instead of the Garmin, but it looks like the general consensus is the Garmin would be better...I think I'll have a look at the Garmin and upgrade the phone later!!

Really, they give you the latest phone/iphone for free and your monthly commitment is no more that the cost of the calls/text/data tariff?

If you buy a Garmin, why not get a new phone as well if its free?

damocles10

I have a Garmin 800 ( ok, it's 1000 ) I used my smart phone once out on a ride with gps...it last less than three hours...the 800 can do about 8 hours with gps.

The point is, I would always go for a dedicated device over a jack of all trades.

wongataa

Carbonator wrote:

Really, they give you the latest phone/iphone for free and your monthly commitment is no more that the cost of the calls/text/data tariff?

No they don't. With phones acquired with a contract, the cost of the phone is factored into monthly contract price. When the minimum term finishes you have paid for the phone and you are now paying over the odds for the airtime as the price does not drop.

SIM only contracts are always cheaper as you don't pay for a phone with them.

Anonymous

You mean they are not actually free!!!

I am going straight down to phones4u to complain, they told me it was free!

snappygear

Carbonator wrote:

You mean they are not actually free!!!

I am going straight down to phones4u to complain, they told me it was free!

Haven't they just gone into receivership?

Bugg*r!!

Anonymous

Yes, they were shut, but as luck would have it I was doing my shopping in Tesco this afternoon and the guy I bought the contract from now works in their mobile dept.

He admitted that P4U were a bit dodgy and was really apologetic.
To make amends he gave me not only a free phone, but a free Xbox too!
All free with the new £45 3 year tariff he worked out I needed to be on.

My faith in the mobile phone industry is now restored.

snappygear

Carbonator wrote:

Yes, they were shut, but as luck would have it I was doing my shopping in Tesco this afternoon and the guy I bought the contract from now works in their mobile dept.

He admitted that P4U were a bit dodgy and was really apologetic.
To make amends he gave me not only a free phone, but a free Xbox too!
All free with the new £45 3 year tariff he worked out I needed to be on.

My faith in the mobile phone industry is now restored.

Brilliant!

dubbs2009

I considered this for about a year... always wanted a Garmin for navigation and directions. Tried every iOS app out there and mounted iPhone to bars... never worked for me and last week got myself an Edge 1000 - there is just no comparison... Get a Garmin

freebs

"I don't think the Strava app supports ANT+ sensors on Android.
A phone is harder to attach to your bike.
A phone is likely to be less weatherproof.
A phone screen is hard to see in bright sunlight with the battery draining brightness at max.
A phone battery is likely to not last as long.
A phone is likely to be more fragile than your Garmin."

* A phone may actually work though!!