For longer touring and casual sport cycling I want to finally get my hands on a bike computer. Have used my phone so far, but I don’t like

  • battery life
  • water situation when it’s rainy
  • arguably not too good for the camera stabilizer

My requirements are not too high I would say, but I would like

  • connectivity to some peripherals (ANT+ I guess)
  • ability to add GPX files and also extract them
  • not buy myself into some cloud (or otherwise fenced) solution

What it boils down to: What would be the least restrictive brand out there?

I am aware of https://github.com/hishizuka/pizero_bikecomputer but currently I don’t see myself tinkering that much – since I do longer tours I need some kind of decent case, a way to take it off and be a little tough.

(Sorry if this is not he perfect place, I could not think of another community that would fit well)

  • Shimitar@downonthestreet.euEnglish
    5·
    18 hours ago

    Garmin bike computers connected via USB cables let you download any activity…

    Honestly in the sport tracking world, Garmin devices can be used 100% offline, don’t need online activation and all data is accessible (raw) with an USB cable.

    Its still proprietary software on very expensive hardware.

    • luftruessel@feddit.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      17 hours ago

      Thanks for your answer! Since you go explicitly “by USB” I assume everything else goes via their app only, right?

      • DigitalDilemma@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        14 hours ago

        The Garmin stuff (I’ve used Oregon a lot - various models since 2011) auto-saves tracks as GPX and is very reliable about that.

        The newer stuff also saves as .FIT with extra info.

        When you plug these into a computer by USB they appear as a normal extra drive, with the files available natively. As /u/Shimitar says, they don’t need the cloud, or an account (unless they have changed that)

        They’re also pretty robust and weather proof.

        Downsides - expensive. Sometimes limited features. The cameras on the Oregons are useless, and you mention a camera is needed - so it depends what features you want, your budget, and the range.