What map and route ...
 

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What map and route smartphone app is everyone using?

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I'm using a smart phone attached to my handlebars. I've been using the OS mapp, but it's a bit unreliable and I'd like something that was a bit clearer to read when I glance down as I'm riding along. So, something that imports GPXs, has a nice clear display and also gives a nice, clear 'bleep' when a turning is coming up as well.

What's everyone using?


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 8:18 am
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OS. Don't get reliability issues with downloaded routes (and associated offline maps, which are a single 'click'). I'm not keen on pings though.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 8:28 am
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Garmin 530 on the bars, backed up by Backcountry Navigator on my phone for detail.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 8:55 am
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I'm not using anything...I follow my nose and use a map just to confirm I'm not a million miles away from where I think I am...I don't tend to follow a route as I find it tedious as I end up counting down the distance until it is finished.

However, trailforks can work if you have a decent data signal, os Maps seems to work well for me as well, but I suspect my use case is very different to your's. Paper map is also handy to have as well.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 9:08 am
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Was using the excellent Viewranger until it got merged. Using BCN for offline mapping but the version I've got isn't great for route planning. Backup is a Garmin GPS62s & paper maps. GPX Studio for route planning & GPX creation.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 9:47 am
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I use Plotaroute for route planning, it's £18 a year to see the OS mapping.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 11:51 am
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Plotaroute for planning, Fenix6x for following.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 11:56 am
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Maverick GPS Navigation on Android.

OS cyclemap, OS explorer and Microsoft hybrid being the most useful layers and cache on your phone as you scan through an area/route in advance. Easy to import gpx of routes, usually from Strava for me. Free version with limited way points, or paid for version which isn't much. Used it for maybe a decade now.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 12:02 pm
 poah
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use garmin connect and an 530. If I was using it more often I would get a bigger screen though.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 12:17 pm
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OsmAnd - for Android 👍🏻


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 12:36 pm
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Trailforks is good for finding stuff


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 12:37 pm
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Trailforks and Komoot. I bought both when they did cheap lifetime deals.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 1:12 pm
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Plotaroute for planning, Garmin 530 for riding, MapOut on phone for back up.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 1:35 pm
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Is Garmin 530 an app? I don't have a Garmin and no plans to buy one


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 6:32 pm
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Some good recommendations there, thanks! I'll check them out


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 6:34 pm
 DrJ
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Is Garmin 530 an app? I don’t have a Garmin and no plans to buy one

No, it's a piece of hardware. It interacts with the utterly appalling piece of garbage called Garmin Connect, which is a shame as it's quite a nice unit. The big advantage over a phone is battery life.


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 7:16 pm
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I use Komoot with my phone (Moto G9 Power - which has really good battery life. I find Komoot pretty good but it can get itself a bit confused on trails which sort of switchback and have sections that run close to each other in opposite directions. The actual mapping seems to handle it OK but the voice guidance (which I quite like) gets itself in a mess and sometimes tells you are riding in the wrong direction..  now I'm used to it I can recognise when to ignore the verbals..


 
Posted : 11/02/2023 7:35 pm

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