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Hi
I'm looking at using my galaxy s8 for navigation on the bike anyone use there phone and what's the best way to attach it to your bars
Cheers
Plenty of those massive locking case things, probably want some extra juice there too for when it starts to go flat.
Or one of these
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bike-accessories/the-best-gps-cycling-computers-with-navigation
Sorry link thingy is broken on the Chrome mobile browser. Just Google Decathon 500 SMARTPHONE HOLDER
There are simpler, free apps but I use Viewranger. It's fantastic.
+1 for Viewranger. I use it on iPhone with the Quad Lock system, the case that my phone stays in most of the time and attaches to the bike mount which is great.
What kind of navigation are you looking for? Apart from being able to read a map to make sure I can work out where I am when I get properly lost, I've never personally understood the concept of the likes of turn-by-turn navigation on a bike - it seems completely bizarre to me as part of riding a bike is letting your nose take you on an adventure...the thought of turn-by-turn seems to kill that for me.
I realise I'll be in a minority with that view, but I've always assumed having a phone (with some kind of signal) would allow me to check a satellite image of where I was rather than have something tell me where to actually go.
Also not trying to knock your requirements, I guess I'm trying to work it out (rather poorly) in my head by typing out loud...sorry.
I’ve never personally understood the concept of the likes of turn-by-turn navigation on a bike – it seems completely bizarre to me as part of riding a bike is letting your nose take you on an adventure…the thought of turn-by-turn seems to kill that for me.
On a road bike it means not stopping to check for directions every time you hit a junction. Like any technology feel free to turn it off.
I would never use mine for turn by turn sat nav style navigation. However, what it does come in useful for is when exploring a new place and having a recommended route loaded onto the map you can quickly see if you are on the correct track, without slowing down your flow by stopping and getting a map out.
I do also agree with letting your nose take you on an adventure too but in some places, such as wild Scotland and the Pyrenees having a pre-loaded route makes sense (for me, anyway). Yes, you can venture off the route but you have the security of knowing you can get back if you need to. (obviously carrying a map too as backup if completely out in the wilds)
Off-road I just use it like a map, check it every so often and memorize the next few decisions before putting it back in my pocket. Added bonus you don't lose the map reading skills you learn using a paper map.
That said, having them on the bar would be nice sometimes when the junctions are more frequent. I'm of the opposite opinion to gra above, out in the wild is where I'd find it least useful as there're relatively few places to turn off a track halfway up a Lakeland pass (and most of the time you can see landmarks 5+ miles away that you're aiming for, relative to a road ride in the Chilterns where there's a turning every 500ft and frequently one small woodland or field looks just like the next.
I use one of these Topeak drybags to mount to the handlebar or stem.
https://www.evanscycles.com/topeak-drybag-for-iphone-6-6s-7-EV232358
You can use the touchscreen through it, sometimes.
I use it with an android phone running locus maps pro. Not perfect, but stops me taking too many unintended diversions on long rides.
If you take advantage of its waterproofness to ride in the rain, then take the phone out to do something and put it back again, it steams up, making it virtually un-useable.
I'm going to hack a hole in it so I can plug in my external USB battery for an all-dayer.
I'm a massive fan of Viewranger, they've just launched a subscription service for OS maps for £25 a year as well.
Never mounted it to the bike, I'm in the 'get it out and check' camp, but secretly I quite like it when I miss a turning and get to explore a little bit. Even if it does usually mean bog.