App for Navigation with audio prompts
Discussion
I've been trying to use Google maps to do directions for my occasional rides in areas i don't know. In theory it would be ideal, but in practice it falls badly short. What i want to do is to plot a route, set it going and put my phone in my pocket so that i get audio directions when i get to a junction.
The problems i've experienced are (not in order of annoyance):
If I carefully plot out a circular route of, say, 30 miles starting and ending at the same place on my computer and then "send to phone" it just replots the shortest route between the start and end points (normally about 20 feet apart)
So i tried using adding in multiple waypoints, but when i get to the first one the nav stops and i have to manually tell it to continue to the next one.
If i plot a route on my phone to a particular place, but then go slightly wrong along the way, Google maps recalculates my route and puts me on the shortest/quickest route rather than back on the route i had selected earlier.
Is it me using Google Maps wrong or is it just a PITA for cycling with? What alternative is there which i can plot a route and get audio directions? I don't really want to be staring at a screen all the time while i'm riding.
The problems i've experienced are (not in order of annoyance):
If I carefully plot out a circular route of, say, 30 miles starting and ending at the same place on my computer and then "send to phone" it just replots the shortest route between the start and end points (normally about 20 feet apart)
So i tried using adding in multiple waypoints, but when i get to the first one the nav stops and i have to manually tell it to continue to the next one.
If i plot a route on my phone to a particular place, but then go slightly wrong along the way, Google maps recalculates my route and puts me on the shortest/quickest route rather than back on the route i had selected earlier.
Is it me using Google Maps wrong or is it just a PITA for cycling with? What alternative is there which i can plot a route and get audio directions? I don't really want to be staring at a screen all the time while i'm riding.
I've been using Komoot all this year and find it excellent. Plus, AFAIK, it's the only one you can plan on a PC and use for free.
However I've been bitten a couple of times in planning my route and not looking at some routes it takes me. Occasional bridle ways and farmers tracks have resulted in tortuous rides/walks carrying my bike with shoes on
. However it has a feature where it shows you the track surface and you can highlight these "dodgy" areas to check on google maps (satellite).
However I've been bitten a couple of times in planning my route and not looking at some routes it takes me. Occasional bridle ways and farmers tracks have resulted in tortuous rides/walks carrying my bike with shoes on
. However it has a feature where it shows you the track surface and you can highlight these "dodgy" areas to check on google maps (satellite). TheDrownedApe said:
I've been using Komoot all this year and find it excellent. Plus, AFAIK, it's the only one you can plan on a PC and use for free.
However I've been bitten a couple of times in planning my route and not looking at some routes it takes me. Occasional bridle ways and farmers tracks have resulted in tortuous rides/walks carrying my bike with shoes on. However it has a feature where it shows you the track surface and you can highlight these "dodgy" areas to check on google maps (satellite).
Were you sent down that on a road bike? Bit challenging!However I've been bitten a couple of times in planning my route and not looking at some routes it takes me. Occasional bridle ways and farmers tracks have resulted in tortuous rides/walks carrying my bike with shoes on
. However it has a feature where it shows you the track surface and you can highlight these "dodgy" areas to check on google maps (satellite). 
Audio prompts can be difficult to hear if it's windy, if you're going at speed etc.
Have you thought about just attaching your phone to your bars/stem? I recently got one of these - not cheap but lovely quality and it holds the phone really securely. Plus it's really easy to unclip and put it back if you want to take a photo or something.
https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-ri...
Have you thought about just attaching your phone to your bars/stem? I recently got one of these - not cheap but lovely quality and it holds the phone really securely. Plus it's really easy to unclip and put it back if you want to take a photo or something.
https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-ri...
blueovercream said:
Audio prompts can be difficult to hear if it's windy, if you're going at speed etc.
Have you thought about just attaching your phone to your bars/stem? I recently got one of these - not cheap but lovely quality and it holds the phone really securely. Plus it's really easy to unclip and put it back if you want to take a photo or something.
https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-ri...
Yes, I have got a (admittedly cheapish) mount for my phone, but I don't really like it on the bars – i'm worried it might fly out of the holder (I suspect i'd still worry however expensive the mount was) and i find it distracting to have to look down at the map all the time. I don't have much trouble hearing the audio prompts unless i am going down a steep hill (maybe I don't ride fast enough the rest of the time Have you thought about just attaching your phone to your bars/stem? I recently got one of these - not cheap but lovely quality and it holds the phone really securely. Plus it's really easy to unclip and put it back if you want to take a photo or something.
https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-ri...
).What you want is a Garmin Edge for plotting routes and following them.
Google maps really isnt the solution for what you want. You are trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
I used to use an Edge 520 the new models may well have audio guidance.
But for plotting routes, they are hard to beat.
Google maps really isnt the solution for what you want. You are trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
I used to use an Edge 520 the new models may well have audio guidance.
But for plotting routes, they are hard to beat.
I asked the very same question a few weeks ago for routes on a motorbike, Google maps and waypoints, but they're called stops on Google Maps and thats what you do, worse still on a motorcycle you need to stop, take off your glove to press continue at each stop.
Not tried Komoot but will have a look at that for my needs.
I ues ridewithgps to plot my routes, there's a mobile app... not sure if you could use that, might be worth a shout?
Not tried Komoot but will have a look at that for my needs.
I ues ridewithgps to plot my routes, there's a mobile app... not sure if you could use that, might be worth a shout?
Garmin Edge on the bars, with Komoot app installed. Linked to phone (and thus the internet).
Komoot account. Plot route on desktop using Komoot app and mapping, choosing route type to suit (road, off road etc) and the excellent user-added notes and conditions etc. Or import GPX files etc and modify to suit if you want.
Ensure right box is ticked on the Komoot app to save route.
Get on bike - start Garmin and Komoot app - route is there, turn by turn, with maps, and audio alerts.
Works great.
Komoot account. Plot route on desktop using Komoot app and mapping, choosing route type to suit (road, off road etc) and the excellent user-added notes and conditions etc. Or import GPX files etc and modify to suit if you want.
Ensure right box is ticked on the Komoot app to save route.
Get on bike - start Garmin and Komoot app - route is there, turn by turn, with maps, and audio alerts.
Works great.
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