GPX files and Phone Sat Nav?

[SidG]

Morning all. Been riding 5 months and I'm now keen to get some more miles in and go on longer rides around the UK setting off from the West Midlands. So far have just been using google maps on my Android phone to get about. Apologies but I'm not very tech savvy. Can't afford to shell out on a Tom Tom or Garmin bike sat nav just yet. However I've come across a website that suggests some great routes around the UK and provides them as GPX files. Any way to use them on my Android phone? Grateful for any advice. Cheers everyone.

[bogie]

You can convert the files. However the software to do so is not cheap, so you either pay online to do one off file conversions (to someone who has invested in the software) buy the software or buy a dedicated sat nav unit. Keep an eye on ebay for last years model etc that still work great.

Ive been using maps on my phone for 5 or 6 years now, its great for ad hoc use, or occasional holiday, but for regular use you cant beat a dedicated unit

[Alex@POD]

You can download GPX Viewer apps, which will display your chosen route and may have a navigation option. I've used a free one in the past but didn't need the navigation.

[mickymellon1]

If you're near Herts, you can have my old TomTom Rider that won't switch off (just replaced it with a Garmin, could be fixed I suspect if you are prepared to bugger around soldering it etc) - needs a charger and mount but lasts ages and you can see if it works for you

it will just be sitting in a random drawer for years otherwise

[SidG]

Cheers Mickeymellon1. Appreciate the offer but unfortunately a fair bit away from me. Thanks for the advice guys. Will have a try with GPX viewer or see if I can pick up a cheaper used dedicated Sat Nav unit.

[Bikesalot]

mickymellon1 said:

If you're near Herts, you can have my old TomTom Rider that won't switch off (just replaced it with a Garmin, could be fixed I suspect if you are prepared to bugger around soldering it etc) - needs a charger and mount but lasts ages and you can see if it works for you

it will just be sitting in a random drawer for years otherwise

Oh! I'm currently browsing ebay for reasons mentioned in the OP.

I'll drop you a message if the offer stands.

[black-k1]

I suggest downloading ITNconv It's free and readily available. It will convert routing files from pretty much any format to pretty much any format. Definitely handles GPX files. Find out what format your app wants and convert the GPX files to that format. Simples!

[mister_ee]

This looks interesting - connects to your phone, is fairly cheap and can take GPX files

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ridebeeline/b...

[walamai]

You can import GPX files in to Google Maps. Some fairly simple instructions here,

Once you've done that you'll find it under 'Your Places' in the Google Maps app on your phones. Probably the easiest option if you don't what to muck about with other apps or hardware.

ETA: I've found even without a bike mount I can listen to the Google Maps spoken turn-by-turn directions with a set of headphones inside my helmet. It can be a bit tricky getting them to stay comfortably in your ears, but it works.

Edited by walamai on Friday 20th July 12:55

[Berz]

If you've got the GPX file you can import it into https://kurviger.de which will create a route from the waypoints. From there you can export to a .trp file to use in the full version of CoPilot app on your phone, or there is a now a Kurviger app which is slightly cheaper.