GPS tech (Garmin, Hammerhead, Wahoo, RWGPS, etc)

Are bike computers for navigation worth it?

Yes. They're more rugged than phones and batteries tend to last longer.

No. They can be almost as expensive as phones and if you're not doing long rides or rides in shit conditions, why not just use your smartphone?

I got an edge 800 last year as my edge 200 battery died. The mapping is nice to have and I prefer it to having a phone on my handle bars (just my choice). I got it second hand for £60 which might be a better choice than going for a new 840?

Picked up an Edge Explore secondhand recently, it was £100 as-new off FB marketplace. The screen and maps are nice, but trying to enter destinations on the device itself is shite. Entering a post code just doesn't work at all, it expects you to type in a full street address. Really doesn't compare to a phone in terms of usability. Maybe newer models are better in this regard but it was kind of shocking how limited it is. Still nice to have a separate device tbh.

Are bike computers for navigation worth it?

I'd say it's the best bicycle related purchase i've done and i've spent quite a lot on bicycle stuff.
It completely changed the way I ride and I've discovered a lot of new areas i've never been to.

Are bike computers for navigation worth it? ...
If people use phones, what apps do you use and how much do they cane your battery?

I went for about a year thinking that Garmin and Wahoo were the new Polaroid. I used a phone (a cheap ruggedised / waterproof one) for all my riding, including multi-day rides and wet rides.

But, eventually, I had a phone that got killed by a really wet ride in Wales and I had to go back to Garmin.

Answer to both questions depends.
Do you ride a lot in the rain? I've done wet rides with a phone and it's been fine, but it's suboptimal and you have to give the phone a bit more attention.
Phones use more power, but you can carry a powerbank or two and then it isn't a problem.

The apps available are better IMHO than Garmin / Wahoo because the map is much bigger and clearer and they let you have loads of data screens on show.

They are not quite as good in really strong sunlight, and don't leave them in the sun when you are stationary - I had a phone shut down from overheating once.

The apps I used (actually still use) were
BikeComputer (Pro version, costs about £5 one-off) for navigation and route logging.
CycleMeter (costs £10 per year for premium version) for intervals / training. The data screen it gives you is way better than Garmin.

If you don't want to use a power meter, then there are a lot more options.

If you subscribe to RWGPS their app is a good alternative to BikeComputer for the daytime but, for some reason I can't fathom, they don't have a dark screen, so it is crazy bright at night.

OSMAnd is good for on-bike navigation, no power, heart rate, etc. Google maps is ok at a pinch, but it uses data, OSM downloads the maps beforehand.

Leaving your screen on hits your battery; what the apps do other than that doesn't make much difference. Don't have the screen brighter than you need and put it into flight mode. I used to get about 4-5 hours without using a power bank.