I have been wondering about using a phone instead of my current Garmin device when on the bike - mobile phones benefit from much higher investment in the devices and general infrastructure, so they should progress much more quickly (and I'm reasonably convinced that Garmin is always at least two generations behind a current mobile phone in underlying technology).
To this end I experimented when out riding today, using each of RideWithGPS, Strava and an Apple Watch instead of my Garmin Edge 1030. I'm using an Apple iPhone 13 mini mounted on my bike using a Quadlock adapter (with which I have no problems).
In trying out this test I realised that it's important to determine why you are using the Garmin. For me there are three typical use cases:
1) recording a ride over a route that I know well, or where someone else is responsible for route finding,
2) recording a ride and following a route in an area that I know, but I'm responsible for ensuring that we go a particular way,
3) recording a ride and following a route that I don't know (Audax generally falls into this category for me.
All three require recording the route, and in my case I don't need feedback about that process during the ride. To that end, recording using an Apple Watch that I don't look at works just fine - no need for any other device.
If following a route, my preference is to have the route always visible on the device. I don't generally have turn indications or any spoken instructions - I'm happy to glance at the device occasionally. I do like to be told when I've gone wrong (usually sped past a turn).
In that vein, and "as best I can figure":
- RideWithGPS will help me follow the route using spoken prompts and noises, but will not keep the screen on showing the route,
- Strava will help me follow the route by keeping the screen on (by default it dims), but will not tell me when to turn or that I have gone off route,
- the Apple Watch will record the ride, but not show me a route at all, even when paired with the phone as an extended display.
Essentially, none of them would let me achieve what I have with the Garmin when it comes to following a route.
Is there any other software that I should try?