DiabloScott

I can testify that such GPS records are standard discovery items in legal cases involving traffic accidents. The limitations and integrity of the data are well-understood and part of the review process, and they do get challenged.

It's the same kind of evidence as phone records and black boxes in trucks... all part of the big picture.

mstateglfr 

Yeah the head unit wont track well under a canopy, but once the ride ends and uploads, avg speed matches reality.
The head unit could say 8-15mph for an hour, but if I ride 19mph it will show that once the ride is done because it takes the actual time and distance into account.

In addition to speed being slightly delayed, so is climb for the same reason.

VicBC_Biker

I had a quick look online a few weeks ago and wired units aren't very common (if available at all) so 'wireless' is the way to go now. More batteries, more digital handshaking, etc etc...

davester

Maybe you're running an obsolete phone. All iPhones and many other brands have been waterproof for years. Also, you can get them for much less than $1,000. Battery life can be an issue, though I find that setting the phone on low power mode will get me through an 8 hour ride no problem. Also, a cheap lipstick battery can make it last for days. I agree that they're not rugged without a case, but most of us use cases. For comparison, my buddy's Garmin has a smashed screen from a very minor mishap. Also, consider that most folks already have their phone with them when they go riding, so it is no big deal to just turn on an app like Strava to have it record your location and speeds.

fettsvenska 

If you get one of these units, I would be interested in your experience. Also, I think that one of the advantages of using an inexpensive GPS over a bike computer is that it is much easier to use the GPS with different bikes if you have more than one bike. While there are some bike computers that can accommodate multiple bikes, they have to be configured for the different wheel sizes and if you forget to make that switch on your bike computer, it will display incorrect information.

To concur with previous posts in this thread, one of the disadvantages of GPS is that you can occasionally lose signal. A couple of weeks ago I rode through the Snoqualmie tunnel near Seattle, which is 2.3 miles long, and I lost GPS coverage through the entire tunnel. However, I consider this to be a minor inconvenience.

VicBC_Biker

Off-topic,so I won't argue this further than to say:
Water resistant and waterproof are different things.
When Apple warranties phones against water damage, I will believe that they are waterproof....and Apple hasn't done that yet.

merziac

Agreed, but I know of three instances where the data was successful in helping win the day, I didn't save the sources but one was a $4k damage claim, 1 serious injury and 1 death. Paired with video evidence and anything else like forensics and witness reports, it can be the final nail, sometimes on its own as it was in the damage claim.

One of the other big things can be helmet and lights even if the law where you are does not require them, they can help with them and hurt without them.

If you have them the insurance company won't be able to victim blame you by saying "you SHOULD have been using them anyway, cycling is dangerous", which they often do.

Some medical insurance companies won't or will try not to cover you without a helmet also even if not required by law so same thing there, you need all the defense and leverage you can have when it goes horribly wrong or otherwise.

merziac

Wrong on both counts,

I know of three instances where the data was successful in helping win the day, I didn't save the sources but one was a $4k damage claim, 1 serious injury and 1 death. Paired with video evidence and anything else like forensics and witness reports, it can be the final nail, sometimes on its own as it was in the damage claim.

We/I am not defenseless, vulnerable, yes, defenseless, no.

Defensive driving is the same no matter what you are driving/riding. If you pay attention, many problems on the road can be avoided by being vigilant, skilled and astute.

Helmet, GPS, cameras and multiple lights, front and rear, 24/7, period.

merziac

Same here, mine still has the total mileage in it so I haven't tried anything else since I got the 520 for riding. Its funny with eyes going slowly bad that the 130 was easier to see than the 520, not that big of a deal since I don't watch it that much.

davester

Why would they do that? You're asking for the absurd. I don't think that there are any electronic devices out that have "waterproof" ratings. They all have various water resistance ratings, with the iPhones typically rated IP67, which I think means no water entry at 1 meter depth for 30 minutes. They won't warranty them because they can get water ingress if you go deeper (with no way to evaluate that) or if they are subject to a high pressure jet, or if you disassemble then reassemble the phone (i.e. to change the screen).

robertj298 

I ended up getting the XOSS G+ Amazon had a $13 coupon so it cost me $39 plus change. I figured I couldn’t go wrong for that price

merziac

I assume you have seen it make the case both ways as well?

rhm

My latest phone has proved more water resistant than previous ones, but perhaps I'm being more careful. That said, the touch screen is totally useless in the rain. I had a catastrophic mechanical failure about 50 miles into a brevet a couple years ago, and I had to call for a ride. Well, I couldn't call for a ride until I got out of the rain! Pain in the *****.

To GPS, I have a Bryton 530, already mentioned in this thread. It's a bit wonky but once I got to know it it's been pretty reliable. I've used it in a lot of terrible weather and it has proven, so far, as close to waterproof as I needed it to be. Battery life is also excellent; good enough for 380 km or so... which is great, right until the last 20 km of a 400k, that is. You can charge it while it's navigating. I was on one ride where my riding partner had a Garmin of some sort and I had my Bryton, and both were losing GPS signal occasionally, but not at the same time; so between the two different platforms, we were able to stay on route. There came a point, however, where our route was blocked and we had to reroute; my Bryton is totally useless for that. His Garmin told us exactly where to go, and we were back on our route in a few miles. I have no regrets about the Bryton, but when the time comes to replace it, brand loyalty will not be on my mind.

canklecat

The XOSS G+ can use GPS by default to estimate speed. Or it can use a speed sensor mounted on the wheel if one is available. I've done both and there's very little difference between the two.

A wheel sensor may be somewhat more accurate for short segments and might be preferable for KOM/PR attempts, sprint workouts, short loops, interval sessions, etc.

The most accurate speed sensor is a wired version with wheel size calibration, but I don't know of any GPS computer that offers this option.

canklecat

You really don't need a speed sensor to start out with. It's an interesting option but I don't see much difference in speed or distance calculations whether I'm using GPS or a speed sensor on the wheel.

I do use cadence sensors for some workouts. But the only sensor I consider a must is a heart rate sensor to help guide my workout intensity. Especially this time of year when I'm struggling to regain heat adaptation for Texas summers. My recent workouts show uncharacteristic heart rate spikes and high average HR, so I'm taking it much easier on my rides and running sessions for now.

Chuck M 

I'm glad I'm not the only one doing that. For my newer bike, I like my Garmin Edge and the connectivity it has with speed and cadence sensors as well as my lights and it looks good with the Blendr mount on my stem. But on my older bikes, I like to log my miles with Strava too so my Forerunner does that well without cluttering up my handlebars. When I look down at my stem and handlebars, It looks like what I saw in 1981 except some old man's hands are where mine should be.