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This is an ad. Bike computers are just really expensive single purpose smartphones.

• eesmith 9y ago
  And smart phones are really just hand-held computers. I don't think "just" is appropriate. How many smart phones can handle rain or snow? How many support both GPS and GLONASS? How many have the UI (both screen and buttons) which fit with the needs of what many cyclists want?
  • plorkyeran 9y ago
    I've used both dedicated bike computers and an iphone mounted on my handlebars in a waterproof case, and the only upside I noticed to the dedicated device was that it didn't drain my phone's battery. The UI wasn't any better and both were fine in the rain.
    • eesmith 9y ago
      You are right. I researched this now and the details that were important when I last bought a GPS are now no longer relevant. Other than battery life, some of the reasons people prefer a dedicated unit are: better aerodynamics than a smartphone+case, support for ANT+ sensors, more rugged in the face of falls (even for a smartphone in case), more easily controlled by hands in a bicycle glove, and the ability to still have phone service even if the GPS battery is exhausted.