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Many cyclists have a question what to choose: bike navigator or dedicated smartphone apps? To provide the most complete and detailed answer, you will have to understand many nuances. We recommend that you carefully read the material, the article will consider the advantages of navigators and smartphone applications.

Why is it necessary

Why might you need a navigator or smartphone app?

  • The main task is orientation in unfamiliar terrain.
  • Finding the best route to quickly reach your destination.
  • Distance traveled count.
  • Definition of minimum, maximum and average speed.
  • Formation of training programs.
  • Determining the effectiveness of classes, the number of calories burned.
  • Construction of graphs and analysis of the collected information.
  • Post-processing of data.
  • Formation of individual training programs based on current parameters and user anatomy.

Note that many of these features are only available in smartphone applications. But in practice, they are not necessary for everyone. Advanced features will be useful to advanced amateurs and professionals. If you just ride a bike and make tourist trips, then it is enough to determine the current location and build routes on the map.

But what to choose - a navigator or a smartphone? Do not look for an exact and unambiguous answer on the Internet, it simply cannot be. The choice between the two devices depends on how you use your bike and the features you need.

Therefore, each user will have to answer such an urgent question. Do you think that we deceived you, promised to provide a clear answer, but in fact it does not exist? This is not so, our material should help users decide on a suitable device. To do this, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Navigator

Navigators are produced not only for cars, but also for bicycles. Note that before buying such a device, it is important to understand why you need it. If you ride in your area, then the navigator will become an ordinary toy and it will not bring practical benefits.

Such equipment should be purchased in the following cases:

  • You often visit unfamiliar areas of the city.
  • You want to quickly find the best route.
  • Often you go on tourist trips by bike.

What are the benefits of a navigator?

  • This equipment is well protected from mechanical influences, moisture and dust. Modern navigators are produced in a durable and sealed case. This increases the reliability of the equipment.
  • Navigators are able to work autonomously for a long time. On average, they can be powered by a battery for a day. You won't need to frequently recharge and plug in an external battery during your trip.
  • Modern navigators are equipped with a barometer to track weather conditions and a compass to determine the cardinal points.
  • Maps are already loaded in this device, and GPS and GLONASS satellites cover the entire globe.
  • The navigator is independent of mobile networks. This fact will be especially important when riding in the forest and outside the city.
  • This unit can be controlled using buttons or a resistive screen. You do not have to take off your gloves to perform any manipulations with the equipment.
  • If necessary, you can easily find mounts for the navigator on sale. Many manufacturers include them in the kit so that the owner can immediately install on the bike.

The main disadvantage of the navigator is limited functionality. It is capable of performing only a certain list of tasks. Manufacturers are trying to gradually expand the capabilities of this equipment, but in any case it is inferior to applications for smartphones.

Advantages of a smartphone and specialized applications

Several reasons to choose a smartphone:

  • Great amount available applications in the official store.
  • Many programs are free for users.
  • You can find advanced software, but it is often provided for an additional fee.
  • The displays on smartphones are larger, and the image quality is much better.
  • Many modern phones are protected from water and dust, they are not afraid of being exposed to rain.
  • You can not only build routes, but also get access to many additional features.
  • The software is updated, improved and the number of available functions is expanded.
  • Almost everyone has a smartphone, no need to buy additional equipment.
  • Modern phones support various navigation systems.
  • You can use multiple applications at the same time.

Now let's list the disadvantages:

  • Fragility. The phone may break if dropped.
  • Smartphones with poor performance often slow down, and applications crash on them.
  • It is difficult to find a bike mount that would provide a secure fit for your device.
  • Phones are equipped with capacitive screens. You can interact with them only with your bare hands or with a stylus.
  • Some applications do not support downloading maps. They are loaded while driving and this fact must be taken into account when choosing software. If there is no mobile network signal in this area, then the maps simply will not be displayed on the screen.
  • Most gadgets run out quickly. In active mode, they can work for about 5-10 hours, depending on power consumption and battery capacity. Therefore, be sure to take a power bank with you.

The phone is suitable for cyclists who need wide functionality. If you need to collect as much information as possible, process it, create training programs, then it is better to give preference to a smartphone. In the official app store on your operating system, you can find the right software. Here are some popular programs among cyclists:

  • Velopal.
  • cyclemeter.
  • Map My Ride+.
  • Strava.
  • iBiker.

How to choose the right bike navigator

When choosing a navigator, pay attention to the following parameters:

  • Fastening reliability. The device must be perfectly fixed on the steering wheel. Usually, manufacturers attach mounts in the box so that the buyer does not have to purchase it separately.
  • Robust, shock-resistant body.
  • Protection against water and dust. Ideally, if the navigator complies with IP67 or IP68 standards.
  • Capacious battery. Although the navigator consumes less energy than a smartphone, it is still a rather gluttonous device. The minimum battery capacity is 2000 mAh.
  • The battery must be of the Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer type. On the this moment these battery manufacturing technologies are the most reliable. Such batteries are characterized by high energy density, lack the memory effect and tolerate operation well in difficult climatic conditions.
  • A slot for a flash card will allow you to load many maps and store information in the navigator.

It must be understood that this equipment is far from cheap. A really good navigator will cost at least 10 thousand rubles. Naturally, the higher the price, the better the performance and more additional functions for subsequent use.

When buying this equipment is not worth saving. Refuse to buy too cheap devices. They will drain quickly, freeze, have limited capabilities, and may fail completely.

How to choose a smartphone to use as a navigator on a bike

In addition, we list the basic requirements for a smartphone:

  • Optimal quantity random access memory for complete work. At the time of writing, the minimum recommended amount is 4 GB. But you can buy a device with 6 or 8 GB of RAM. Given the rapid development of operating systems and applications, the stock of RAM will never be superfluous.
  • Note: This recommendation is relevant only for Android devices. Features of this operating system increase memory consumption.
  • It is important to have the optimal amount of permanent memory for storing information from applications and downloading offline maps.
  • The smartphone must be protected from water and dust according to the IP68 standard. Then you can not be afraid to get with him in the rain.
  • Some sources recommend checking for a shockproof case. But only the authors forget that phones protected from mechanical stress do not differ in powerful hardware. Since the device will be used to the maximum, specifications far more important than impact resistance. Choose a secure mount and be careful when using your smartphone, then nothing threatens it.
  • An important parameter is the presence of a capacious battery. The minimum figure is 3000 mAh, but more is possible.

In practice, a high battery capacity does not guarantee a long battery life. The operating time of the phone without recharging depends on the power consumption. It is also affected by the components installed in the smartphone and the optimization of the operating system. Therefore, give preference to devices from trusted manufacturers who are working on their own shell and trying to reduce battery consumption.

Don't forget to choose the right app. Our article has already listed several programs for cyclists. But in the official store you can pick up other applications. It is better to test the programs yourself to see how easy they are to use and whether they can cover your needs.

Good afternoon friends. Today we will talk about navigators installed on Android and working without the Internet. Needless to say, navigators have made life much easier for drivers in different countries. Many people simply stopped taking with them various atlases and road maps of different parts of the Earth.

But, navigators are not always at hand, which cannot be said about a mobile phone. Also, on the road, the Internet often disappears. Therefore, a decent number of navigator applications for Android have been developed that function without the Internet. By installing such software on your phone, you can choose the shortest and safest way to the desired place, including in an unfamiliar city or country. I suggest you check out 10 of these Android navigators of 2019 and choose the one you like best.

Sygic

This offer is very popular in many countries. But, many drivers have found that if the program is used for a long time, the information given is not entirely reliable. Most likely, some places on Earth simply stopped supporting this software.

But, despite this, Sygic is still one of the main leaders among offline navigator programs for smartphones. This application has a good design that does not tire the eyes and fingers. In addition, the program can function using only GPS, which makes it possible to work efficiently without a permanent connection to the Internet. The software updates its topographic bases for free in most regions of the Earth.

All in all, this app is one of the best choices for people who spend a decent amount of time on the go. Even if, for a number of reasons, GPS and the Internet stop working, thanks to the downloaded maps, people will be able to navigate the terrain. To obtain additional features like voice guidance and detailed instructions, you need to install the PRO version.

Download Sygic.

Until recently, this navigation program did not shine in a number of navigator programs. But, the developers of MapFactor began to make endless updates and improvements to the application. In total, this software took the top three among similar applications of the Android system.

Its main advantage is that by installing the program on a gadget, you no longer need the Internet for excellent navigation on the ground. It is only necessary to update the application every month, to replenish information about changes in cartography.

MapFactor has navigation routing in many languages ​​of the world, and it is possible to design a route in advance. The program makes it possible to see the required route, both in 2D and 3D formats. That is, as a map with all the details, and in a simplified form.

For example, when traveling on freeways between cities, it is preferable to use simple cards, due to the fact that you just need to carefully observe the movement. If you are in locality, it is better to use maps with all the nuances, such as gas stations, food outlets, recreation and other landmarks.

Download navigator without internet for Android MapFactor.

Summer is gathering momentum, and very soon the long-awaited vacation. It's time to lay out routes and take care of the accurate maps needed on a long journey. And the question arises: which is preferable to use - or professional navigation?

Photo caption: GPS navigation is the right hand of a professional driver

The times when it was necessary to make stops on the track from time to time to determine your location on a paper map are long gone. Today, driving hundreds and even thousands of kilometers by car has become much easier, provided that you have a device that can quickly and accurately route from point A to point B. It's about about the navigator.

Smartphone or GPS navigator?

The most important argument in favor of using professional GPS navigation is “have pity on your smartphone”. And your wallet, we add. Advanced mobile phones, which we can not part with, are not cheap at all. And frankly, it's a pity to use them for other than their intended purpose, that is, as many do, attaching a smartphone to the windshield as a universal device. In this case, a car navigator. Trust me, it's not made for that. Constant turning on quickly drains the battery. Light falls on the screen, causing the smartphone to heat up, which leads to a reduction in its service life.

On the contrary, professional autonavigators are not only adapted to work in this mode. You can easily select any screen size, it is specially made matte, which prevents light reflection and, accordingly, makes the visibility of the map optimal, regardless of the intensity and angle of illumination.

Or is it a smartphone?

The latter is supported by the fact that the mapping applications available in the AppStore are downloaded for free. It is enough to load them, and the whole route is in full view. All that is needed is a strong network signal reception, thanks to which you have at your disposal not only the latest and latest maps, but also "live" information about traffic, traffic jams and, if necessary, the ability to find an alternative route.

Transparent screen and interface

Let's say right away that it is the best choice for those who move mainly around the city, make several trips a day, for example, from home to work and back. For these rather local tasks, a smartphone is really the best choice, which will work no worse than professional equipment and will allow you to navigate the busy streets of a modern city without any problems.

The further the better

Returning to what we started with, that is, the holiday season and long voyages along the roads of Russia, neighboring countries or distant Europe, here the functionality of a smartphone may not be enough. Again, a matter of money: high-end navigators with built-in maps of the European continent can cost quite a lot. Therefore, before choosing a device, think about how often you travel abroad. It may turn out that it does not make sense to overpay if most of the time you will use only cards of the Russian Federation.

Once upon a time, GPS navigators replaced simple paper cards. And now, completely imperceptibly and somehow even on the sly, the ubiquitous smartphones began to conquer the market.

In 2014 alone, about 1.2 billion smartphones were sold worldwide. These are staggering numbers that should make GPS navigators' electronic hair stand on end. A logical question arises - is a smartphone preferred to other gadgets because it is better? Or is it just more widely used due to its rich functionality? So, let's figure it out. What is better to use as a car road sign - a traditional GPS tracker or a dear smartphone, without which a modern person feels naked?

What do you prefer - a smartphone or a GPS-navigator?

Photo extremetech.com

satellite signals

In the 1970s US Department of Defense ordered the development of what today we call a global positioning system, the constellation of which includes 24 satellites. Around the same time, Russia began to develop its own network, called GLONASS. By the way, in December 2006, negotiations were held at which the Russians and the Americans agreed that the systems GLONASS and GPS will complement each other.

To use the positioning system, until recently, motorists needed a special device that could skillfully process GPS signals. But today the situation has changed: almost all new smartphones can receive such signals, process them and track the location almost instantly with great accuracy. It would seem - what's the difference? She is. And the main trump card in the sleeve of smartphones is Assisted GPS. This technology allows you to accelerate the "cold start" of GPS receivers.

GPS and GLONASS systems make our life easier

Photo patriots.rf

This unique feature mobile phones allows the device to use real-time information provided by cell towers. So the person behind the wheel can determine their coordinates much faster. Help in this case and some mobile applications that use the phone's built-in accelerometer and digital compass for more accurate positioning.

Map data

The most important information any navigation tool are maps. It must be admitted that many GPS trackers, especially those that do not know how to access the Internet, are equipped with a very meager set of pre-installed maps. Updating such data is often associated with many technological difficulties. In addition, do not forget about the additional financial burden. When using a smartphone, this problem is not so acute, although there are some pitfalls here.

Many cars are equipped with standard GPS systems that fully satisfy the needs of drivers.

Photo fastcompany.net

The main thing is the price of the issue. When it comes to additional spending, the smartphone inflicts GPS navigator blow below the belt. While the cost of software installed on GPS systems can be quite hefty, smartphone maps can be obtained absolutely free of charge. And if not free, then almost for a penny. There are tons of navigation apps that can be installed on your smartphone in seconds. And such maps are not only not inferior to the data provided by GPS navigators, but can also give them a head start. In addition, smartphones easily tie photos to geotags. Some GPS navigators are also taught this magic, but it costs the user a pretty penny.

A smartphone without special accessories can become a serious distraction

Photo pexels.com

Many mobile navigation applications allow you to share location information, waypoints, and routes in in social networks, or store this information in the "cloud", from where it can be "pulled" by other users. Try this with your GPS device.

Device cost

If we are already talking about the price, then it is worth noting that many users claim that a GPS navigator is much cheaper than a smartphone. However, the price of the gadget is a very, very conditional factor. Electronics manufacturers have long begun to fill different market niches, so today you can find both smartphones and GPS trackers playing in different price leagues. Motorists have the opportunity to buy a quite decent navigation system at a democratic price, or get a budget smartphone that will be an excellent guide to cities and villages.

Today, the cost of a gadget is not a factor

Photo phonearena.com

Internet access

The ability to connect to the World Wide Web is an important component of a comfortable ride in unfamiliar terrain. Many GPS navigators, but not all, today are equipped with such a function. However, they are usually not cheap. But for a smartphone, accessing the Internet is as natural as breathing is for us. This feature allows you to download new maps and updates in real time, get traffic and POI data, and much more.

Internet access is a huge advantage of a smartphone

Photo today.mts.com.ua

Filling advantage

No one will argue with the fact that the performance of smartphones is usually an order of magnitude higher than the capabilities provided by a GPS navigator. More modern software and high-performance stuffing again bring smartphones forward.

The smartphone has more impressive features

Photo gnsystems.net

Accessories

All navigators are equipped with such necessary necessary things, as a car charger and a special mount that allows you to place the device in the car in such a way that the driver is as comfortable as possible. If the motorist nevertheless decided to give preference to a smartphone, he will have to buy all the related accessories. And, as experience shows, finding a functional phone mount is not so easy.

Special mounts make it much easier to use your smartphone while driving

Photo discount-discs.co.uk

Functionality and battery

One gets the impression that the navigator loses dry to the smartphone, but this device has its own important advantages. For example, a phone can at any time interrupt navigation with a call and distract a person who is concentrating on turning the steering wheel. With a GPS tracker, this kind of surprise will not happen.

The smartphone can also be mounted on the steering wheel

Photo onfancy.com

It is also worth considering how long the device you have chosen will be able to work offline. If the battery of the navigator allows it to function without recharging for 2-3 hours, then the constantly on screen of a smartphone operating in navigation mode will “land” the gadget much earlier.

GPS navigator

Smartphone

pros

Minuses

pros

Minuses

Reliability of location tracking

The relatively high cost of such a monotask device

Easily accessible and cheap (often free) cards

Battery life (when you turn on navigation applications, the smartphone starts at breakneck speed to burn calories)

Structural strength

Low display resolution, which sometimes makes reading cards rather difficult

Size (many users consider the relatively small smartphone screen as a drawback)

Navigation can be interrupted by a call

Typically, navigator displays are equipped with an anti-reflective coating, which makes using the device more comfortable.

Even today, many navigators do not have the function of accessing the Internet.

Regular updates of the mapping software (there is no need to connect the gadget to a desktop computer to "upload" the updated data)

Dependence on cellular signal

Includes windshield mount and car charger

Always with you, so it doesn't matter whose car you're in

Good battery capacity

The ability to access the Internet at any time

Optimal display size for card reading

High performance

Summing up, it must be said that neither a smartphone nor a GPS navigator can be unambiguously called the winner of this discussion. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. And your decision will depend on many factors, including the state of the family budget, habits, preferences, and even mood. But there is one main question that every motorist must find the answer to. Or rather, two interpretations of this question. First, decide if you need a navigator if your phone already has the same features? Second, consider whether a narrowly targeted device is always more reliable and understandable. After all, a cupcake can be baked in the microwave, but a bread machine will cope with this task much better. We wish you a competent choice and error-free navigation!