I have been looking for the best GPS app to Mountain bike with. And there is none. Each has there strengths and weaknesses. I am starting to use everytrail for its many strengths, but still miss many features from other apps. I have bought a dedicated iphone mount for my bike. Use it as my bike computer and to help navigate new trails. I think this market will explode as it works great!
What I like about everytrail
1.** Huge database of trails to search/ download strait to your iphone. Use this regularly to find new trails and to guide me while riding. This is why I use everytrail, while I can load gpx data into most other apps. With you its so much simpler.
2. Share with other friends who have everytrail - love seeing there rides
3. Downloadable high resolution topo maps that have most major trails already marked. (Others do this as well but not better)
4. Easy to select which stored tracks show up on the map at any given time.
5. Works in background and with screen off.
6. Accurate
Whats Missing and available elsewhere
1. Auto start stop - I want to be able to see my total trip time and my moving time
2. When posting to Facebook let me add a comment to my wall at the same time (motion x does that). You could even just post the "story" on the wall. but people who don't want to go to your link can see your comments
3.Broadcast your position - awesome feature that motion x has. Everyone with the app on the same channel can see where you are on their screen (updates every 5min or so). Your ride partners can see how far ahead you are. Also others can follow you in real time - this is also a huge safety feature for those of us ride alone. The wife back home can see exactly where you if you don't show up an can tell all where to look for your mangled body. This could also be used to allow others to follow.
4 - Make a one tap way to switch from Map to Stats page. If you are riding with this on your bike this makes the most sense. Ideally you could configure the map page to show the map and just the millage/ speed traveled.
5 - Cumulative stats - 2 years ago I used an app called trailguru. What was awsome about that is that the website kept a running tally of your stats, millage etc. It even sent you a monthly summary of millage biked, millage hiked, elevation biked etc. That was great.
6 - Pace setting - if you have a previous trail loaded and you are doing the sam trail let there be say a green dot representing you previous ride so you can try to stay ahead/ keep up with it.
What sets you apart is your online community/ database of trails. Your app is adequate but not the best. I am writing you because I think its alot easier to program some features then to develop an onlie community. And you seem to have a set of dedicated responsive programmers. By all means make all of these features only in the "pro" version. You should get compensated for your hard work.
I think you have a small window of opportunity to catch up on features, which combined with your community would easily catapult you to the top of the trail GPS apps. However if one of the higher volume/ fuller feature apps gets wise and makes an online community you may loose your unique spot.
I'm pulling for you hope to see some new features soon




