Best smart watch for GPS MTB trial navigation?

[carlbiker]

Ok so April fools day came and I bought a Nike Apple Watch 6 that even it’s basic Apple maps doesn’t provide routes for cyclists so that swiftly got disposed of!

So does this actually exist yet? An app that has all the trails that gives turn by turn, I’m not fussed about it telling me if my hearts beating at speed, I’ll already know that!

 

[highpeakrider]

So on an Apple Watch you could use ViewRanger -

ViewRanger is now Outdooractive!

www.viewranger.com

Although it does not yet do turn by turn you could look at WorkOutDoors

http://www.workoutdoors.net

Ok for short rides but I would not use watch only to navigate on longer rides, in winter you would also have to keep
uncovering the watch to look at the route,

 

[RickBullotta]

In short, they all suck for MTB trail navigation. You need two hands on the bars and two eyes on the trail, and the display is just too small and at a poor position to do the job. I've tried Apple Watch (with a dozen or so different apps), Garmin Fenix, Garmin Edge, and overall just a complete disappointment. The phone apps are decent, but you put your phone in harms way. I'd considered a Garmin 830, but I may just put an older iPhone in a protective case and use that. Nice part about a phone is that you have a ton of apps, and can use a generic external battery to recharge it on the fly for epic days.

 

[Mteam]

I use a garmin fenix 6 pro on the bike, used it for navigating my way round the lake district at the weekend.

I created the route I wanted to follow in the garmin connect website as a GPX file, uploaded it to the watch and told it to navigate me round. It shows a map on the screen , with your route highlighted, tells you when the next turn is, bleep at you as you approach the turns and bleeps if you go off course. It has all the UK off road tracks on it, bridleways, footpaths etc, it seems to use openstreetmap as the source for the mapping.

I think a bar mounted GPS with a bigger screen would be much better, but to be fair to the watch, it did the job fairly well.

 

[highpeakrider]

I tend to map the route on view ranger and download to my old Mio for turn by turn on the bars.

Cyclo™ 605 HC(Legacy)

Cyclo™ 605 HC　Taking your cycling to the next level - Mio

www.mio.com

I back this up by having my iPhone with me stored in my tool bag on my back.

 

[carlbiker]

Okay here’s the winner surely?


The iPhone could be charged by the display too I think, just need to get the adapter

 

[highpeakrider]

I guess that depends on the mapping, off-road it may be no better than apple maps. and its still £290.

 

[carlbiker]

I guess that depends on the mapping, off-road it may be no better than apple maps. and its still £290.

Less the cost of the previous display, mines a Kiox...then it’s hardwired so no battery concerns, just might be out on the map system but looked good to me from the few pictures available.....not sure where to buy though

 

[highpeakrider]

I also have an old iPhone 4s which I use a gif gaff pay as you go sim, also works well and the wife can use ‘find my friend’ to make sure your moving and not in trouble.

 

[highpeakrider]

Less the cost of the previous display, mines a Kiox...then it’s hardwired so no battery concerns, just might be out on the map system but looked good to me from the few pictures available.....not sure where to buy though

Is this the same one?

Bosch Nyon E-Bike Display Unit

<p>The Nyon is a comprehensive package with full colour display, GPS navigation, ride information and full compatibility with all Bosch e-bikes from 2014 onward

winstanleysbikes.co.uk

 

[carlbiker]

Is this the same one?

Bosch Nyon E-Bike Display Unit

<p>The Nyon is a comprehensive package with full colour display, GPS navigation, ride information and full compatibility with all Bosch e-bikes from 2014 onward

winstanleysbikes.co.uk

Its not no, its the older version, if you click the link with the video you can see the updated one.

That said, how about this? Good offer atm, do the job?

 

[carlbiker]

the 820 here is £199 hmmm which is better?

 

[mak]

I have the 830, cracking bit of kit, the watch is to small to be functional. I need to confess about buying a fenix 6 pro though, there is a wealth of information on the watch, far to much for me to make use of, that and the fact without my glasses on i can bearly see the time lol. The joys of old age ?
Between a dedicated Garmin sat nav computer and a watch its just over kill. You can navigate via the watch but its a little painful. Get both and make sure your eye sights good.

 

[wepn]

In short, they all suck for MTB trail navigation. You need two hands on the bars and two eyes on the trail, and the display is just too small and at a poor position to do the job

Yes that is my experience. Not recommending these cos I haven't tried them and unnecessary for where I ride so unlikely I will, but:

solos HUD smart glasses

Features widescreen WQVGA 16:9 microdisplay

• Weighs 65g
• IP54 dust and water resistant rating
• Internal speaker and microphone
• Works with Strava, MapMyFitness and TrainingPeaks
• Up to five hours battery life

Solos cycling smartglasses review

The Solos are smartglasses built for cyclists that will also appeal to runners too. After a successful Kickstarter campaign way back in 2017, the smart specs that display workout metrics in front of you, has rolled out to backers and are now available for anyone that wants a pair. Looking like a...

www.wareable.com

 

[carlbiker]

Yes that is my experience. Not recommending these cos I haven't tried them and unnecessary for where I ride so unlikely I will, but:

solos HUD smart glasses

Features widescreen WQVGA 16:9 microdisplay

• Weighs 65g
• IP54 dust and water resistant rating
• Internal speaker and microphone
• Works with Strava, MapMyFitness and TrainingPeaks
• Up to five hours battery life

Solos cycling smartglasses review

The Solos are smartglasses built for cyclists that will also appeal to runners too. After a successful Kickstarter campaign way back in 2017, the smart specs that display workout metrics in front of you, has rolled out to backers and are now available for anyone that wants a pair. Looking like a...

www.wareable.com

Interesting will check that out thanks! I've ordered the Garmin computer thats on offer, I'll pair it with my phone and if that goes to sleep at least the garmin will serve as a nice gps backup

 

[wepn]

Interesting will check that out thanks! I've ordered the Garmin computer thats on offer, I'll pair it with my phone and if that goes to sleep at least the garmin will serve as a nice gps backup

Or,

Now you can View and control your favorites DJI drones with your Blade or M300/M300XL.

Connect your Vuzix smart glasses to your DJI controller and use your blade as a new viewing interface for your DJI drone

- while flying your e-mtb downhill. Surely we're approaching device apocalypse or the singularity or whatever. For me, less is more but it still looks pretty interesting.

Vuzix | View The Future

Vuzix

www.vuzix.com

 

[RickBullotta]

Or,


- while flying your e-mtb downhill. Surely we're approaching device apocalypse or the singularity or whatever. For me, less is more but it still looks pretty interesting.

Vuzix | View The Future

Vuzix

www.vuzix.com

I have a pair of M300 wearables and there's likely no way I'd use them on an MTB. It's a great device for in an office or a factory - but it would not fare well on a mountain bike ride.

 

[Beezerk]

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus is great, I've used mine loads for navigating on my bike.
Fenix 6 if you can afford it

 

[carlbiker]

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus is great, I've used mine loads for navigating on my bike.
Fenix 6 if you can afford it

£356 on an offer atm but surely you need the pro version with maps? Then some bone conducting headphones so you can hear step by step as you don’t want to be looking at the watch all the time do you?

 

[Beezerk]

£356 on an offer atm but surely you need the pro version with maps? Then some bone conducting headphones so you can hear step by step as you don’t want to be looking at the watch all the time do you?

I'm not sure mate, I've got the 5 plus.