GPS question(s)

skut

How much would I need to spend if I wanted a GPS system on my handlebars which would guide me around pre-programmed training routes?

Does something like the Garmin edge 205 do this, or do I need something better than that?

Sorry for the ignorance - I know nothing about GPS...

gkerr4

the 205 / 305 will do that yes - as long as you stick to 'pre-programmed' routes as the system is non-mapping - so ad hoc exploring won't do yuo any favours.

You would programme the route using something like bikely, convert it to a .crs file and upload it to the device using the training centre software supplied with it (or downloaded from garmin website) - it then keeps you on the route by allowing you to either follow a line on the screen or follow an arrow which points to the next point on the route. It quickly tells you if you go "off course" - i.e. you have made a wrong turn.

imo - the 305 is worth the extra to have HR info and more accurate elevation / gradient info

skut

Thanks.

Does it put the line/arrow over a map background, so you can see the names of roads etc, or is that asking too much?

Greenbank

I use a Garmin eTrex for exactly that. No mapping functionality at all, but you can plot a route on gmap-pedometer/toporoute/bikely and import it (with a bit of fiddling) into the GPS.

Got it from http://www.blokesstuff.com/ for £60 (inc vat) plus a handlebar mount for £11. Delivered next day (by Royal Mail thankfully). USB Data cable from eBay for £20 (from Hong Kong) as Garmin charge the earth for theirs.

Leave the rest of the bike related statto info gathering to the cycle computer.

spasypaddy

have a look on ebay there are brand new 205s for buy it now price of £75

skut

Tempted by the EBay ones - are they legit, d'ya think :?: :!:

il_principe

I recently bought an Edge 305 and it is fantastic. I draw routes using bikeroutetoaster with the "follow road" option enabled, this automatically adds waypoints at junctions - 100 allowed per course which is (I've used it to programme a 90 mile course). I then upload it to the Garmin via the train centre software and hey presto! The device then beeps just prior to junctions and says "turn right" etc on screen. It's revolutionised my riding as I can now get out of London under my own steam without having to fanny about with maps. Bear in mind that the garmin will just show a line and direction arrow, no roads or road names but I've not found this to be a problem. One of the best bits of cycling eqipment I have ever bought.

spasypaddy

when i get my insurance payout ill probably get the 205 for longer training rides into the country as i have no idea where im going and im extremely happy with my cycle computer!

The ones on ebay are probably fine and you are covered by ebay aren't you? I shall be buying mine from ebay

piedwagtail91

i'm using a vista c (now cx) with garmin city select mapping in it as a base map. i plan rides on tracklogs digital mapping on the pc. i've built it up over several years and it wasn't cheap.
upside of it is i can pre plan tours or rides anywhere in tha country and know i won't get lost. tracklogs will give me a route profile on the pc and a rough idea of riding time.

rohloff-rich

jashburnham wrote:

I recently bought an Edge 305 and it is fantastic. I draw routes using bikeroutetoaster with the "follow road" option enabled, this automatically adds waypoints at junctions - 100 allowed per course which is (I've used it to programme a 90 mile course). I then upload it to the Garmin via the train centre software and hey presto! The device then beeps just prior to junctions and says "turn right" etc on screen.

Really?? Can I get my 305 to do that from a route uploaded via Memory Map?? Not familiar with the local B roads and country lanes and keep missing turnings with routes - the beep and instruction option would solve that no end!

il_principe

Yep, but use bikeroutetoaster, I've tried memorymap before and cannot get the waypoints to work on the Edge, bikeroutetoaster works perfectly.

rohloff-rich

jashburnham wrote:

Yep, but use bikeroutetoaster, I've tried memorymap before and cannot get the waypoints to work on the Edge, bikeroutetoaster works perfectly.

What do you mean by 'cannot get the waypoints to work on the Edge'? I can get the waypoints to work as in I can plot a route and it will show me where to go - just didn't realise you could get it to beep and tell you to turn! Or does that only work with bikeroutetoaster??

il_principe

rohloff-rich wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

Yep, but use bikeroutetoaster, I've tried memorymap before and cannot get the waypoints to work on the Edge, bikeroutetoaster works perfectly.

What do you mean by 'cannot get the waypoints to work on the Edge'? I can get the waypoints to work as in I can plot a route and it will show me where to go - just didn't realise you could get it to beep and tell you to turn! Or does that only work with bikeroutetoaster??

So you can upload a memorymap route to Training Centre complete with all the waypoints? I never managed that. There is an option on bikeroutetoaster that lets you decide how far before the junction your edge warns you. bikeroutetoaster was built with the Edge series in mind and IME it's the easiest to use.

rohloff-rich

jashburnham wrote:

So you can upload a memorymap route to Training Centre complete with all the waypoints? I never managed that. There is an option on bikeroutetoaster that lets you decide how far before the junction your edge warns you. bikeroutetoaster was built with the Edge series in mind and IME it's the easiest to use.

Ooh, this is getting confusing! :?

I don't upload to Training Centre, just direct to the Edge unit from Memory Map. So are you saying that it's only possible to set the alarms from bikeroutetoaster?

Don't suppose you know if brt works on a Mac too? I would guess so, being web-based?

Thanks by the way - useful info!

Rob Sallnow

Id recommend looking at Satmap if you want scrolling Ordnance Survey maps that you can also plot a route on....it's rather delayed though

Jonathan Mcp

A PDA with memory Map OS mapping? Mine came with a handlebar mount, not used it yet, and would probably put it in a jersey pocket TBH.

nmcgann

piedwagtail91 wrote:

i'm using a vista c (now cx) with garmin city select mapping in it as a base map. i plan rides on tracklogs digital mapping on the pc. i've built it up over several years and it wasn't cheap.
upside of it is i can pre plan tours or rides anywhere in tha country and know i won't get lost. tracklogs will give me a route profile on the pc and a rough idea of riding time.

How good is the city select mapping? I have just upgraded to a Etrex Legend Cx (previously a gps60) which I am using with tracklogs for pre-programmed routes.

It would be useful to have a general road map for less planned rides. Something that goes down to the same level of lane detail as OS mapping, but without the other stuff that isn't as important for on-road cycling.

Neil

andrew_s

City Navigator (was City select) has all roads plus a few tracks. It also rivers, railway lines, and if you zoom right in there are also a lot of "points of interest" that can be turned on (hotels, garages, shops etc).

The road network is as good as OS in the country, and better in town where the 1:50,000 scale doesn't work too well. However due to the lack of other detail, you do have to be able to recognise the shapes of the roads. This is much easier if you get in the habit of working in a "north up" mode, both on the map and the GPS.

As well as City Navigator, there is Metroguide. This has the same maps, is cheaper, but doesn't (officially**) do any route finding on the GPS like City Navigator does. Personally. I like having the routefinding as it allows me to make a route from half a dozen waypoints created on the GPS without any PC involvement.
** Metroguide does do routefinding on the PC, but the necessary data doesn't download into the GPS. There are methods of getting round this, but before spending money I'd suggest checking carefully as it strikes me that it's the sort of thing Garmin would stop on a new version of Metroguide.