Using an Iphone for cross country ride - charging and mounting

[rinconryder]

This is for a friend, not for myself but I figured someone would have a solution. Friend is going to do a cross country bicycle backpacking trip. He wants to use his Iphone to navigate and asked me about mounting and charging solutions. I told him mounting would be easy given all of the options out there - Although if anyone has a particular one that is good, please let me know.

Here is the real issue - charging while he is riding. Anyone have any solutions for that? I was thinking one of those large battery packs but he won't necessarily be able to recharge it. So it would have to be something like solar or using the energy created by the bike.

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

wes

[Louis]

Tons of stuff comes up if you Google "solar panel for iphone"

[sjbraun]

I think the new Schmidt dyno hubs offer charging while rolling.

Check Peter Jon White's web site.

[fogrider]

this might be better solution to solar
http://store.npowerpeg.com/nPower-Personal-Energy-Generator-devices/dp/B004T3OFQ4

[ceolwulf]

If he can charge it at night, a battery pack would work fine. I use an Anker Astro3E which can charge an iPhone at least four times (have never actually used it up to check mind you). I use RunKeeper to track rides and have used the battery pack sometimes on rides long enough that the phone would die before the end - just keep it plugged in. Longest ride was about seven hours and the battery pack was still about 3/4 full (and the phone at 100% of course, since it was charging the whole time). If he's tracking the ride with GPS a pack like that would probably last two days, for normal use with occasional map checking it'd probably hold out nearly a week I'd guess. The Astro3E is just a little bigger than my iPhone 4S.

[cat6]

use a map for navigation and and iPhone for orientation if needed. staring at an iPhone for turn by turn and having to worry/rely on a charge seems unnecessary. I have a goal zero solar charger which I've used touring and camping....works fine. there is also a dynamo powered USB charger by supernova should your pal need to always be charging.

[Veloo]

I have the Suntrica Solarstrap but recommend against it. Takes 8 hours to harvest fully and a very long time to chrage your phone. I had high hopes but it does not charge your phone while harvesting.
http://www.suntrica.com/move.php

I bought into this on Kickstarter but it has been delayed several times. Sounds promising and I have high hopes. Maybe keep an eye on it if timing works out.
http://sivacycle.com/

So far I've found a small backup battery pack has been my best solution. I had it when we went on vacation and I could get 2 full iPhone charges out of one battery pack. It also recharged very fast back at the hotel so I was set for the next day.

[Veloo]

ANd for mounting I think this is the best system.

http://www.quadlockcase.com/

[gdw]

Have your friend spend some time reading the forums at Bikepacking.net.
He might find this thread useful:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,5938.0.html
If he's riding gravel or trails an Iphone might not stand up to the abuse and a dedicated gps device would be a safer choice.

[Veloo]

Oh yeah, and this. I never tried it myself.

http://www.thinkbiologic.com/products/reecharge-power-pack

[ColonelJLloyd]

Dynamo hub and B&M Luxos U headlight (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m-hl.asp). That should be all you need.

[559Rando]

dynamo hub and b&m luxos u headlight (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m-hl.asp). That should be all you need.

+1

[Leoner]

I looked into the B&M route but found what I thought is a better solution. Exposure Revo light allow you to run a USB on the out port on the back of the light. Revo is a 800 lumen light and it's on sale right now at competitive cyclist for $165 and the USB cable is another $25. You can also use the out port for a tail light.

[oddsaabs]

I'd agree the Luxos U is an elegant solution to charging on the road. I've had one for over a year and it's worked perfectly both as a headlight and as a charging port for USB devices. The optics are first rate (high and low beams) and the USB port on the handlebar mounted switch is very convenient. I have my light mounted on the front rack. That saves space on the bar/stem for mounting a Garmin or other device.

Not cheap, but built well and of course great customer service from Peter White & Co.

[AJosiahK]

Supernova "the plug" . . . paired with any dynamo (as far as I know)

:beer::banana:

[cromo900]

This is a timely thread, as I've been hoping to expand my range with my 3 year old in the cargo bike. So does anyone know if these usb plugs tied to a dynamo (alfine) will charge an iPad? Do those require more juice than a typical phone? So far the boys are good for at least an hour, but I'm hoping that if I take just the older boy, I can go much longer if there's in-flight entertainment.

[handsomerob]

ANd for mounting I think this is the best system.

http://www.quadlockcase.com/

Big +1.. Great slim design with simple but very positive retention.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Same here. I received a Quad Lock over the holidays. Great design.