Smartwatch for navigation?

Ajish

Ajish

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Hello,

I have never used a smartwatch so this may be an absolute noob question.

Anyway, so I commute via bike and would like to use Google Maps for navigation.

But I don't want to mount the phone to the handlebar because apparently the vibrations cause issues with the camera lens? So I thought of mounting a cheap smartwatch and connecting it to the phone for maps/navigation functionality. That way the phone can be safely in my bag/pocket while only the watch is exposed to the elements.

I saw some boAt watch offering something similar but it has its own app and doesn't use Google Maps. I would much prefer the Google Maps layout because it's familiar.

So my first question is, is that possible? And if yes, which cheap smartwatch would you guys recommend for this specific function? Since it's gonna be mounted on a bike it should have a decent level of dust and rain ingress protection.

Thanks for your time.
 
Ajish said:
But I don't want to mount the phone to the handlebar because apparently the vibrations cause issues with the camera lens? So I thought of mounting a cheap smartwatch and connecting it to the phone for maps/navigation functionality. That way the phone can be safely in my bag/pocket while only the watch is exposed to the elements.
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Wouldn't a bigger screen be better for navigation? Some cheap or second hand phone perhaps
 
blr_p said:
Wouldn't a bigger screen be better for navigation? Some cheap or second hand phone perhaps
Click to expand...
Perhaps. But cheap smartwatches are like 3K at most whereas even a cheap second-hand phone for this purpose would probably start at 6-7K?
 
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It will work but different smartwatches have different UIs, make sure you are happy with the UI. Wear OS and Apple watch will show proper mini maps while cheaper watches will most likely just show you basic direction arrows and "800m ahead" style directions.
 
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not a good idea. Instead, get a good phone holder with gimbal stabilizer. A cheap watch is worse than cheap smartphone. GPS connection is scratchy. I used to have this Amazfit smartwatch and I do cycling every weekend. It would lose connection the moment there is obstruction and takes some time to latch on to GPS signal. Worst case, get a super cheat phone and use it for navigation on bike.
 
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