Handheld / Personal GPS

[101110101101]

So I had the chance to test my GPS app on my new phone (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/a-route-tracker-jog-bike-ski-or-drive/9wzdncrfhxwb) and it was exactly what I hoped. I got to Cataract Creek staging area and hit "record" then put my phone in my pocket. It recorded my entire route until I got back to the staging area and hit "stop". It then offers to save my route, which I did. I can replay the route, zoom in or out, check stats, and so forth.

Here are some screenshots of the app... it might take more than one post.



The first screenshot shows the path we took, while completely zoomed out. It looks rather lacking in detail..... but if you see the little yellow circle I made, the second picture is zoomed in to that area where we played around for a bit. I can even see one spot where I went in to the bush, but then decided to reverse out lol. This thing tracked in far better detail than I hoped. (set to 5m accuracy in the options)

After the ride you can hit "play" and it shows a little icon that follows the exact path (in actual time) that you took on your trip.

This picture shows the split screen which shows the map and satellite view....


...and here are some other app sceenshots that show some of it's other functions:

 

[101110101101]

I would rate the app 5 of 5....

The good:

- ran for 2.5 hours and barely used any battery.... I guesstimate I could have recorded for 10+ hours
- GPS signal was fine, even out at Cataract Creek.
- My phone (640 XL) has replaceable batteries, so if 10 hours of record time isn't enough, it's trivial to pack an extra battery (sorry iPhone)
- It ran under the lock screen so I could put my phone in my pocket and forget about it.
- When I wanted to take a picture using my phone, it allowed me to change to my camera without stopping the recording
- It can record many routes and save them directly to the phone. So if you go back to an area, you don't have to record again, you will have your own "map" of sorts made already
- It was a free app... and I needed a new phone anyway... so this $339 device is many devices in one, and now a GPS tracker too.
- It CAN sync to OneDrive (but I haven't) as I didn't have cell signal anyway.

The "bad":

- the only thing I'd mention is that initially I had my phone in the outer chest pocket of my onesie... at one time when I took it out to take a picture, I noticed it was starting to freeze (although was still working). I moved my phone to an inside pocket.

I'd recommend this to anyone..... although I do not know if it exists on iOS or Android.

 

[Ricki Bobby]

That is pretty cool. I am going to try it out myself.

 

[skegpro]

I would rate the app 5 of 5....

The good:

- ran for 2.5 hours and barely used any battery.... I guesstimate I could have recorded for 10+ hours
- GPS signal was fine, even out at Cataract Creek.
- My phone (640 XL) has replaceable batteries, so if 10 hours of record time isn't enough, it's trivial to pack an extra battery (sorry iPhone)
- It ran under the lock screen so I could put my phone in my pocket and forget about it.
- When I wanted to take a picture using my phone, it allowed me to change to my camera without stopping the recording
- It can record many routes and save them directly to the phone. So if you go back to an area, you don't have to record again, you will have your own "map" of sorts made already
- It was a free app... and I needed a new phone anyway... so this $339 device is many devices in one, and now a GPS tracker too.
- It CAN sync to OneDrive (but I haven't) as I didn't have cell signal anyway.

The "bad":

- the only thing I'd mention is that initially I had my phone in the outer chest pocket of my onesie... at one time when I took it out to take a picture, I noticed it was starting to freeze (although was still working). I moved my phone to an inside pocket.

I'd recommend this to anyone..... although I do not know if it exists on iOS or Android.

Looks really cool!
I would keep it in your riser bag so it doesn't mess with your beacon in a worst case senerio.

 

[101110101101]

Looks really cool!
I would keep it in your riser bag so it doesn't mess with your beacon in a worst case senerio.

I'll keep that in mind...... for when I buy a beacon. Good tip though.

 

[X-it]

Was that app using cell phone coverage or offline map with a gps? In BC we have virtually no cell phone coverage

 

[X-it]

 

[101110101101]

Was that using app using cell phone coverage or offline map with a gps? In BC we have virtually no cell phone coverage

Purely offline with GPS.... I had no cell coverage there.