iPhone as Bike Computer

[Lucky Luke.]

Anyone out there using their iPhone as a bike computer?

 

Personally I'm keen for these two devices to converge, although I suspect the technology may still be a little half-baked as compared to the dedicated devices that have benefitted from years of refinement.

 

Issues for me:

 

(major) crashes - don't want to be claiming for a new phone every time I hit the deck.

(medium) battery life - when I'm out riding I like to know I can still make a call if I have to.

(minor) weight weenie problems - phones are a little heavier than your average bike computer.

 

I see Buycycle has a bunch of accessories for use with your iPhone - including

 

HR Monitor strap

Cadence Sensor

Protective case

 

http://www.buycycle.co.za/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=2133

 

Anybody out there using this stuff? Seems early days yet.. probably best to wait a bit.

 

It would be cool to have some kind of Ant+ Power app as well. Maybe one exists already.

[Tuxstir]

do a search for endomondo on the hub.. all your answer will be found..

[rouxtjie]

It's defnitely heading that way but you nailed it with the battery life issue. Long rides of 4 hours + will chomp your battery. The biggest issue really is that the iphone is a fragile little thing. If you mount it on a bracket and take a tumble somewhere on VG's daggapad is goodbye maraai, suppose you can chuck it in your camelbak but then you have no info until you have finished the ride. Also the touch screen + mud....eish.

 

I have MapMyRide+ installed and it works great but my dedicated device is still better(edge 500). If you don't have anything else, I suppose it's ok.

[TheDuke]

Being in the states at the moment these things all seem so cheap. I also considered this option but as mentioned above battery life and possible damage to the phone put me off. And it's pointless having all this info available and not being able to read it as your phone is in your hydration pack.

 

I have therefore ordered a Suunto M5 and eagerly await its arrival this afternoon (it's on 00h38am here).

Edited February 16, 2012 by TheDuke

[(Deon)]

LL, Apple filed a patent for a bike computer in 2010. The concept might not be groundbreaking, although a few ideas hold excitement value, but the true value comes from Apple doing all those common things better through tighter integration.

 

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/08/apple-introduces-us-to-the-smart-bike.html

 

That said Apple also showed the roadmap for kitchen integration.. I think that is when Steve finally stepped in! Fortunately the bike computer was dreamt up during his reign!!

[dirtrider]

Don't need to see my IPhone to know what is going on . I can hear that lady speak very clearly when my phone is in my back pack . With Power Monkey attached my IPhone will go for 10 hours .

[Red Zone]

I have been thinking along the same lines with my old Nokia, it has good battery life, not too heavy and I get the benefit of GPS. My only problem is a bike mount.

 

I think that the Samsung Galaxy could be a good shout, it is far lighter than the iphone and probably a bit more robust.

 

The solution for the battery life is to fit a dynamo to your bike, pass the current through a transformer, you may need an inverter and charge your phone as you ride.

[kennyg]

I keep mine in my back pocket, in a waterproof case.

 

The apps work well, and are quite cool for a little running too. I have noticed a reduced battery life but your battery life is more dependant on the use of your screen and GPS function. Than the other connections.

 

I still wont put it on my bars.

[Dirtracker]

I used my iPhone 4 for about 8 months utilising Sports Tracker and Endomondo which are both brilliant. the average battery life was about 3 hours which is not great for the longer rides. Now use the Bryton 35 which gives me on average about 28 hours.

[Rob22]

Some of tthe points have been mentioned here but my view

 

What I like

It is stable (even more than my Garmin which from many threds on The Hub sometimes switches off)

Large colour discplay

As accurate as a dedicated device

 

 

Not so nice

It is fragile

Battery life (althought the iPhone 4 will run with screen on for four hours)

[Just Keep Pedaling]

"I still wont put it on my bars."

 

My friend puts it on his MTB bars with a homemade piece of sponge and elastic bands. It has fallen off a few times and no damage so far. Of course there can be no guarantees...

[Jeepdude]

another option is the i-bike mount for i-pod and phone. you have a choice with power or with out. it is a bit pricey with power.. but you also get the heart rate strap and cadence sensor in the deal.. the holder is VERY sturdy and waterproof and has an additional battery to supplement your i-device , it screws in place of your stem top cap. http://ibikesports.com/idashpower.html

[_C50_]

Wahoo Fitness Blue HR

[The Ouzo]

I've been using the cyclemeter app for a few years now.

 

I put my phone in my back pocket and have a earphone in my left ear (right ear open to hear traffic). With a click of the clicker on the earphones you can stop and start the app, or even get it to read you your stats. I've also set it up to read me my stats every 10 minutes or 5km.

 

A fully charged battery will leave me with about 40% power after 4hours.

Not bad considering the following

GPS usage for cyclemeter

Cyclemeter is also setup to download the google earth map as I ride, so data usage

ipod is playing the entire time

push email is active

[cruiser]

Being in the states at the moment these things all seem so cheap. I also considered this option but as mentioned above battery life and possible damage to the phone put me off. And it's pointless having all this info available and not being able to read it as your phone is in your hydration pack.

 

I have therefore ordered a Suunto M5 and eagerly await its arrival this afternoon (it's on 00h38am here).

 

i have the m5, would be great to hear how that works for you.

[Minion]

It would be cool to have some kind of Ant+ Power app as well. Maybe one exists already.

The Wahoo app works with ANT+ power meters already.

http://www.dcrainmak...DC+Rainmaker%29

Edited February 16, 2012 by Edman