what GPS?

[freeflow]

If you want replaceable batteries in a mobile phone take a look as the Samsung S5/Note 3. These devices also have Ant+ enabled and I believe the S5 is also waterproof or at least has a waterproof variant.

Also remember that the Garmin Edges series have sealed batteries as well so phones are not so different in that sense.

I'm very attached to my Xperia Z ultra but previously had a Galaxy Note.

My external battery now sits in a neat bartop bag and shares space with a small supply of jelly babies!!!

[bikes4two]

I'm very attached to my Xperia Z ultra but previously had a Galaxy Note.

My external battery now sits in a neat bartop bag and shares space with a small supply of jelly babies!!!

I presume that the external battery connects via the USB/micro USB charging port (I'm not familiar with this phone) - doesn't this breach the water-tightness of the phone thus meaning that on a wet/rainy day, prolonged use normally achieved through an external battery is going to leave the phone susceptible to water ingress?

[bikes4two]

Just checked for my HTC One S. Battery replacement looks dead simple with the right tools.

Al

Is that model water/splash resistant - I didn't think it was?

It's the water/splash resistant ones that would appeal to me (no bulky additional waterproof case cluttering up my bike's handlebars) but by their very nature I suspect getting into them for a battery change will be less than straight forward (ditto for GPS devices).

[freeflow]

I presume that the external battery connects via the USB/micro USB charging port (I'm not familiar with this phone) - doesn't this breach the water-tightness of the phone thus meaning that on a wet/rainy day, prolonged use normally achieved through an external battery is going to leave the phone susceptible to water ingress?

Yes. This is the weakness of mobiles at the moment - charging is done in a dry environment. I'm looking for an elegant solution. The bodges I've used so far have worked OK.

1. waterproof plaster around the connection to the phone and battery in a plastic bag (using docking port contacts rather than usb).
2. Self seal plastic bag of appropriate size cut along one face so that it goes over the phone holder (charging via usb)
3. As the battery charges the phone to 100% (based on my starting with a reasonably fully charged phone) there is always 3+ hours of use in the phone. I find I can get about 30% charge into the phone over a 30 minute stop which for me would be at about the 2-3 hour mark.

Using the docking port to charge rather than USB is where I'm focussing my attention at the moment. This port is always exposed (not behind a sealed flap) and just consists of two contacts. I have a cable that attaches to this port magnetically and is the best cable to use for the waterproof plaster approach. The magnet isn't strong enough to hold the cable whilst riding. I'm investigating the best plaster to use vs other waterproof tapes.

Thus far I haven't encountered adverse conditions bad enough that the above solutions couldn't cope. This could be resolved fairly easily by building the waterproof seal in to the phone holder and no doubt such tweaks will eventually appear on ebay or elsewhere.

An inductive (e.g. contactless) charging method could be a solution if the phone supports it and its built into the holder.

And finally, I also have a Bryton 50 and that can't be charged when mounted on the bike as the holder obscures the usb port. So the phone is at least 1 step ahead there!!

[[XAP]Bob]

I was about to suggest the various wireless charging standards might come in handy. I'm thinking that a tablet in a map case with the charger in the bar bag could work well...

[LittleGreyCat]

Not read all the thread, but this is one area where the new 'smart watches' (or a variant) might come in.

If the watch acts as a remote display for the phone/tablet then you can have the main stuff in a pannier or bar bag (complete with extra power packs) and just have a small display on the bars.

[al_yrpal]

Just checked for my HTC One S. Battery replacement looks dead simple with the right tools.

Al

Is that model water/splash resistant - I didn't think it was?

It's the water/splash resistant ones that would appeal to me (no bulky additional waterproof case cluttering up my bike's handlebars) but by their very nature I suspect getting into them for a battery change will be less than straight forward (ditto for GPS devices).

HTC One S isnt waterproof. I usually have it in the map case on top of my bar bag with the power lead through a hole I made.

Al

[freeflow]

Not read all the thread, but this is one area where the new 'smart watches' (or a variant) might come in.

If the watch acts as a remote display for the phone/tablet then you can have the main stuff in a pannier or bar bag (complete with extra power packs) and just have a small display on the bars.

The whole point of a smart phone is to have a bigger display for maps and data so that my aging eyes don't have to squint so much. For other folks this might be an OK solution.

[David_S]

I'm getting on quite well with my GPS enabled cycle adapted google glasses.

[bikes4two]

Another potential issue using phones for GPS rather than say, Garmin specific devices, is the touch screen action.

Phones use capacitive touch screens whereas the Garmins use resistive touch screens (except the new Garmin Edge 1000 which uses capacitive - see the product review by http://www.dcrainmaker.com - he doesn't rate the touch-screen in the rain AT ALL)

I don't have specific experience of capacitive touch screens and using them with gloves and/or when the screen is wet, but I suspect they don't work very well - what are your views?

[geocycle]

Another potential issue using phones for GPS rather than say, Garmin specific devices, is the touch screen action.

Phones use capacitive touch screens whereas the Garmins use resistive touch screens (except the new Garmin Edge 1000 which uses capacitive - see the product review by http://www.dcrainmaker.com - he doesn't rate the touch-screen in the rain AT ALL)

I don't have specific experience of capacitive touch screens and using them with gloves and/or when the screen is wet, but I suspect they don't work very well - what are your views?

I have a Motorola defy, one of the first waterproof phones which I used once on a tour mounted on the bars. I quickly discovered it can't be used in the rain. If the screen is wet it gets impossible to select icons. Even worse, if its raining really heavily it will select random apps. The good news is that it works perfectly well in the map case on the bar bag. The display is better than the garmin touring and it's possible to use OS/IGN maps depending on the software you've bought. On my garmin the detail on the maps overwhelms the resolution of the screen. Next week I'll be touring with the garmin and having the phone as a backup. If forced to choose between the two I'd take the phone with an extra battery.

[freeflow]

On the Xperia Z Ultra I can lock the screen so that rain doesn't cause a case of St Vitus Dance (Random App Selection). For my type of riding once I've started I rarely have a need to touch the screen whilst riding so the locked screen is not a problem. I've now learned that it's best to lock the screen before I set off.

On the few occasions I've needed to use the screen whilst riding when wearing gloves the result has been variable. I suspect if the glove has been damp this has been sufficient. I have licked the end of the glove finger to get it to work, but have also resorted to removing my glove. This was in the early days of my using ipbike when I hand't quite fully worked out my setup. Its unlikely that I'll need to poke around wearing gloves next winter .

If I need to do anything complicated on the phone then I'm stopped with gloves off in a spot that's sheltered from inclement weather if necessary.