Garmins 595 on sale and a new app question

[VStarRider]

FYI: The Garmin 595 and 396 are on sale on RevZilla...both $100 off. Great deal.

I was just about to pull the trigger when I opened up the newest Roadrunner mag and read a note from the editor about a new subscription app they have called Roadrunner Rides. According to the editor, for $60/year, you can tap into their 500 pre-planned routes that have been featured in their magazine, track your ride, and plan your route with turn by turn directions, plus some other stuff ... and its interface is supposedly much easier to use on your phone rather than a GPS unit.

I downloaded the app and want to try it out to see if it can legitimately replace the Garmin 595 I want to buy.

Has anyone used it to date, and if so, thoughts?

[Bighutch14]

This sounds interesting. Please let us know how it goes. Is there a lite version of the app to try first?

[VStarRider]

This sounds interesting. Please let us know how it goes. Is there a lite version of the app to try first?

The yearly subscription comes with a two-week free trial. I will try it out and report back to see if it is worth it. I will be using it my car, however ... salt and sand still interfering with the second ride of the new year.

[F6Dave]

I see that Wingstuff now has the same units on sale for the same prices. It must be a promotion of some kind by Garmin.

[STRaider]

The places and roads I prefer to ride, phone gps' and signals get lost. A satellite based gps works much better than a phone gps, imo. I would think the app needs your gps on, I just wonder how well that would work on remote rides?

[VStarRider]

The places and roads I prefer to ride, phone gps' and signals get lost. A satellite based gps works much better than a phone gps, imo. I would think the app needs your gps on, I just wonder how well that would work on remote rides?

Phone based GPS uses the same signal as a stand-alone GPS unit. I know I am able to use GPS-based only apps on my iPhone when no data or voice signal is available.

This app claims to not need a data signal, only GPS.

[STRaider]

Phone based GPS uses the same signal as a stand-alone GPS unit. I know I am able to use GPS-based only apps on my iPhone when no data or voice signal is available.

This app claims to not need a data signal, only GPS.
My android phone gps loses signal quite frequently, even in the middle of Dallas/Ft Worth.

[53driver]

WRT android phone location and Google Maps, my experience is that the phone GPS does use the same satellite signals as a dedicated GPS unit (plus some other BT & WiFi known marks), BUT...the phone needs to have its "over the wavelengths data access" available as well to get the mapping information whereas a dedicated GPS stores all its maps internally.

Solution: downloading maps of an area to your android phone takes memory space, but will not leave you stranded if your provider doesn't have coverage.

STRaider - I experience the same thing when I visit my folks in Addison, but since I started downloading maps of the DFW area, I've had no issues.

Cheers,
Steve

[WingStuff]

You are correct, sir!

[53driver]

You are correct, sir!

I like being correct!
Especially when a business validates it!!!
Thank you!

[STRaider]

WRT android phone location and Google Maps, my experience is that the phone GPS does use the same satellite signals as a dedicated GPS unit (plus some other BT & WiFi known marks), BUT...the phone needs to have its "over the wavelengths data access" available as well to get the mapping information whereas a dedicated GPS stores all its maps internally.

Solution: downloading maps of an area to your android phone takes memory space, but will not leave you stranded if your provider doesn't have coverage.

STRaider - I experience the same thing when I visit my folks in Addison, but since I started downloading maps of the DFW area, I've had no issues.

Cheers,
Steve
Ahhhh, good info. Thank you for sharing. I will give that a try.

[WingStuff]

:icon_laugh:
I like being correct!
Especially when a business validates it!!!
Thank you!

[VStarRider]

So, I have toyed around with the Roadrunner App (Rides). Perhaps I am doing something wrong, but it allows the user to select multiple waypoints, and the app will then connect the waypoints by creating a route for you.

This is NOT what I want.

What I want is to be to pre-select the roads on my route, road by road. For example, Rt 31 to Harris Rd to Welch Rd to Rt 36 ... etc.

That pre-selected route may be a loop, or may be a destination. Depends on what I feel like doing.

I then want my GPS or phone to give me turn-by-turn directions on my route.

Does the Garmin allow this???

[TerryDavid]

The places and roads I prefer to ride, phone gps' and signals get lost. A satellite based gps works much better than a phone gps, imo. I would think the app needs your gps on, I just wonder how well that would work on remote rides?
Your phone I am pretty sure is satellite based
Well according to this crowd it is?
Link: https://traveltips.usatoday.com/gps-work-cell-phones-21574.html

[2wheelsforme]

So, I have toyed around with the Roadrunner App (Rides). Perhaps I am doing something wrong, but it allows the user to select multiple waypoints, and the app will then connect the waypoints by creating a route for you.

This is NOT what I want.

What I want is to be to pre-select the roads on my route, road by road. For example, Rt 31 to Harris Rd to Welch Rd to Rt 36 ... etc.




That pre-selected route may be a loop, or may be a destination. Depends on what I feel like doing.

I then want my GPS or phone to give me turn-by-turn directions on my route.

Does the Garmin allow this???

Yes!

[VStarRider]

Yes!

Awesome, thanks. As others have said, you go to a website, select the roads you want to take, and upload that route to the GPS?

[2wheelsforme]

Awesome, thanks. As others have said, you go to a website, select the roads you want to take, and upload that route to the GPS?

No web site for routes, all of mine are custom built. I use Google Maps (earth) and Microsoft Streets and Trips to choose/build the precise route/road I want. All but the smallest of roads have street view possible on Google Maps. Then I manually move that info over to Base Camp then load it to the Zumo. Base Camp is complicated at first but is really good once you learn a few basics. This will give you turn by turn instructions on the roads you chose with all the time info that goes along with it. Very helpful if timing your arrival. Working with the route you are building familiarizes you so you know where you are going. Yes it makes mistakes sometimes but you kinda know your route and can correct. Important when it says you are off route do you want to recaulate, you say "NO", the line will stay and you can work back to your route. I lead a lot of group rides and like to arrive at a known time. Having choices to add or subtract a small loop in your route makes that possible. I use the GPS to assist me to go where I want not choose for me.