Emtb and gps computer thingy mabobs

[paulmitchell1984]

So iv had the emtb a while now, and it had its use to start with on local areas I know but now wanting to go further without getting lost so I can't decide between wahoo or garmin.

Any suggestions?

I'd also like to monitor my heart rate since I have high BP now so if I can add something to do this and link the 2 it would be good...I do have a decent bra size though so not sure a chest strap would work..(they didn't when I was alot younger) so again open to suggestions.


And yes I know I can have my phone showing my maps etc, but I'd like to keep the phone for just that, incase anything happens etc.

 

[gaz1]

So iv had the emtb a while now, and it had its use to start with on local areas I know but now wanting to go further without getting lost so I can't decide between wahoo or garmin.

Any suggestions?

I'd also like to monitor my heart rate since I have high BP now so if I can add something to do this and link the 2 it would be good...I do have a decent bra size though so not sure a chest strap would work..(they didn't when I was alot younger) so again open to suggestions.


And yes I know I can have my phone showing my maps etc, but I'd like to keep the phone for just that, incase anything happens etc.

bra size ?

always knew you as female

 

[carbonarc]

bra size ?

always knew you as female

Good response. This made me titter.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Strava on your phone mounted on the handlebars and whatever HRM, the former should pair with the latter.

Absolutely no need for the expense of a separate unit, in my opinion.

 

[pint]

I just use my phone for local rides, all dayers i use my old phone cos it cost nothing and i'm tight.

I use outdoor active, it's ****e but i got whole uk OS mapping for basically free so yeah, tight

 

[chrismac]

I have a few garmins.......... I am not impressed with how the battery life becomes short after a short time, maybe I am just unlucky as a mate who rarely cycles, his garmin 820 is fine. mine wont last a 3 hour ride now, nor will my 520, I was seriously considering the wahoo, I bought a gravel bike it came with an old garmin 1000, its battery is tremendous, thats my pic of the bunch now and its old skool now. I also like the rear radar but think it also works with the wahoo head unit. The solar garmins are very expensive but have better battery obviously.

 

[m_c]

Out of Wahoo or Garmin, I'd probably pick Garmin.

However, as has been said, there are a few phone navigation options depending on what you actually want it do.
OS have their own phone app, which gives access to the full OS mapping (both on your phone and any PC) for a fairly reasonable annual fee - https://explore.osmaps.com/ (just checked and my renewal was £29 a few months ago)
Strava functionality is pretty basic unless you pay for their premium, but if you're not using the premium fitness features or segment leader boards, I don't think the premium is worth it for the route planning alone, although the Beacon feature might be of interest (allows you to let people track your location via the app, although there are other options).
Komoot is probably a good option, but they have recently been bought out by a company who's laid of most of their staff, and hasn't got a good history of improving things, so how well they remain as a good option is unknown.

The big drawback with phones though, is bar mounted they're pretty cumbersome and risk being damaged, plus they're not really waterproof, and most won't last very long if you have the screen permanently on in daylight.

Personally I use a mix of OS, Strava and Trailforks to come up with a general route, then just have a brief look at the phone when I'm unsure, but then I'm not averse to just heading into the wilderness and seeing where I end up.

 

[chrismac]

Out of Wahoo or Garmin, I'd probably pick Garmin.

Strava functionality is pretty basic unless you pay for their premium, but if you're not using the premium fitness features or segment leader boards, I don't think the premium is worth it for the route planning alone, although the Beacon feature might be of interest (allows you to let people track your location via the app, although there are other options).

Yes Garmin has that feature for free.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Im definately more of a moob man than a pec man

bra size ?

always knew you as female

 

[gaz1]

i couldnt care less if your

male / female or other your just a person asking for advice i might tease though just couldnt resist since you posted the comment in the first place

 

[carbon]

I have a wahoo roam. Happy with it so far you can pair multiple ant+ devices with it. Heart rate can be monitored with watch, arm strap or chest strap.
Quite a few apps are compatible with Wahoo for downloading maps etc

 

[jmp49]

I have a Ticwatch Atlas that runs WearOs has a gps and can run offline trail and maps that monitors heartbeat etc. It can pair with my phone for 4g coverage and to answer the phone on your wrist etc but it doesnt need it to work and it can connect to wifi independant of the phone also, so out and about it can be used standalone keeping the phone battery for emergency use.
Also 3 day battery life, at which point it sleeps the smart side and continues to function as a lcd watch...
Besides the usual mapping programs, there's a good trails app for it that you can follow common hiking and cycling tracks around public right of way's etc if someones already done it as a route.