Tuesday 12 December 2017

Keep On Komooting On.

First up, I have to say how impressed I am with this App. It does everything you need it to do, to get you anywhere you want to go. I did have a couple of issues, well, one really. But I think it was more user error than an App error.

I started out with a simple trial around town before I departed on my trip. I probably didn't use it enough to get overly familiar with it, but it was relatively easy to use.

You can route a map from your phone/smart device or your computer. I founded it easier from my computer, but that was me.

Accuracy is good, with the only wayward directions I had from it were ones that I put into it. On my second day I was travelling out of Wongi State Forest, northwest of Maryborough. Needless to say I got a little lost. This wasn't the App's fault, it was mine. I decided to change the route around to make it shorter. The road that I chose no longer existed when I went to ride down it, a familiar thing with forestry roads. But it wasn't long before I was able to find the correct way out.

The downloadable maps for off line use were great. This made it so much easier to navigate in an area where there was no service, which was a fair chunk of my travels.

The warnings that indicate when you are off course are a good thing as well. Not only do they tell you that you have deviated, but they tell you where your route is in conjunction to your position.

Voice directions, even for the off-line maps were OK. This again was not an issue with the App, but I had my phone stored in a top tube bag which muffled the voice. In most cases it was audible, it's just when I was travelling through Brisbane with a lot of traffic it was difficult to hear. Under normal circumstances, it would be more than adequate.

I did find that when using it for an extended period of time that it did drain the battery rather rapidly. Using a Samsung S7 I have never really had an issue with battery drain before. Again, this was over an extended period of time and I used it pretty much for one hundred and fifteen kilometers. I did have to top up my phone when stopped for lunch. I've never really used apps on my phone for navigation before so I can't compare it to others, or if this is normal. I assume that it is, as I have noticed on my Garmin Edge 810 that when using navigation, battery drain is significantly more. I can only assume that a phone would be similar.

I know that there are many apps out there but I am sticking with Komoot. I have gotten more accustomed to it now and have many more miles to travel. I like the ease, the reliability and the function of this App. I am no expert on these fandangled thingymajigs, but I have to say that I like it.

It is as simple as pulling it out and playing with it, the App that is. Like all things new it is just a case of practice makes perfect. My one big suggestion would be let the App choose the route. Only if you know other roads are out there would I alter it again. Although, that said, 99% of the time I did alter the route it did work. maybe just be careful in Sate Forests...lol

So from me Komoot has a massive "Thumbs Up". I love it and will keep using it as a navigational tool, even when I plan to start doing some hiking next year.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.


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