GPS - Garmin Geko 201 vs Edge 205. A big mistake or not?

Jim Newmark

I had the Geko for ages and it was brilliant along with Anquet digital mapping for long Audax routes and it never let me down. I just planned the route, downloaded it to the Geko, and followed the arrow. It worked every time, and was immensely reassuring at night on remote country roads. Then I didn't clip it back on properly after a battery change and it dropped off on a busy road when I wasn't watching - and I lost it. So I thought I would replace it with the more expensive, cycle specific Edge, thinking that it would operate in the same sort of way. But it doesn't seem to download routes from Anquet Maps - software not compatible or something. Is there any way round this or have I wasted my money? I am not really interested in the other training features of the Edge but want the navigation.

newbie_cyclist

my understanding of the edge is that its not really for navigation -more for training (what is your heart doing on that hill etc)

roger645

I have downloaded routes to mine using the advice from here;

http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/?page_id=410

Cunobelin

Use one of the Edge programs such as Training Center or Motion BAsed, SPortTracks is an independent program.
http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/

You can then download into these and use "GPX" (GPS Exchange format) to speak to the mapping software.

Unfortunately the Edge uses Courses (*.crs) and other incompatible formats causing problems with Memory-map and Anquet.

Personally I use my Edge 305 for training and commuting, and my Etrex for touring or where navigation is required more than a record.

I must admit I think there is a lot of "mis-selling" of the Edge as a bike GPS system. It is a Training Aid with basic GPS facilities and NOT a GPS navigational tool

Anderl

I use 'mapmyride' to plan my routes. It then allows you to convert the file to .crs which you can transfer to Training Centre and then download to the Edge. Works very well. Just done it again for todays ride in the gloriously autumnal Yorkshire Dales.

Anderl

Forgot to add that i tried Marengo too and this was way too cumbersome for my liking. Mapmyride is easy and free.

spasypaddy

i use http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/ to plan my routes, then i convert them to a .crs and away i go!

bike route toaster is good as it does some auto routing

richa

Tracklogs every time...

Sanyi

I have played around with the Edge alot with various mapping programs, unless your mapping program speaks directly with the Edge or understands .crs (Tracklogs only I believe) files then you have to convert them first.

Try this free utility, required .net framework for PC, not aware of mac version yet
http://www.niniu.com/Garmin/Gpx2Crs.zip

You can upload your new .crs files through Training Center.... then follow that black line.

magliaceleste

With Tracklogs you can download and upload courses with ease. I believe the same is also true of the latest Memory Map.

Although not a true navigation device, I frequently ride 90km+ rides with mine using it for navigation. Just remember to download your plotted routes as courses and not routes. Then you'll get a very basic course map laid out to follow and not just a bunch of waypoints.

Sorry I know that doesn't help much.

Jim Newmark

Yes, thanks for all these replies. I think the description of it being a "Training Aid with basic GPS facilities and NOT a GPS navigational tool" (thanks Cunobelin) seems to hit the nail on the head. As a long-distance slogger, my little Geko in combination with Anquet maps was so good at what I wanted that I have ordered and picked up a new one (less than £60!). Unless someone can persuade me otherwise, the Edge is destined for Ebay. Pity I threw away the packaging in my excitement at having a new toy. Anybody want first pick at a brand-new Edge (sans packaging)

spasypaddy

what you need is one of the new models, they have maps on them with all the functionality of the training ones

Jim Newmark

Which new ones in particular? Can they really match the Geko in size and weight, price, battery life and ability to replace easily without recharging? Yes, I can understand that the maps could be useful, but surely any detailed display, especially in colour, really drains the battery? I always print out the appropriate map if I need it and can choose the detail according to how well I know the area.

spasypaddy

i dont know to be honest mate, ive got a 205... which i find is more than adequate for my purposes! Went out on a 30mile loop on sunday on roads id never ridden before and didnt get lost.

have a look here its the 605
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10884

ive neer used the geko so i cant compare to that either sorry.

il_principe

I'd at least wait for the 605/705 as it's out in December. I have a 305 and it is a great training tool but really not ideal for navigation at all. I used mine to cycle from London to Sussex over the summer and it got us there but we went wrong a few times as all you have in an arrow and a line on a blanks screen. Garmin certainly know their stuff and the 605/705 looks like the perfect solution, I'd imagine the battery life will be decent, but defo wait and see. I will be upgrading come December!

Jim Newmark

Delayed until first quarter of 2008 I think. I would probably go for it to, but there is no chance that my funding body would approve and still allow me to live peacefully in the house. I need to use my brownie points to earn the time to get out and ride.

aracer

Ignore all these people telling you to go for the latest flashy gadget. It seems you've found something almost perfect for your needs, and I'd suggest your decision to get another Geko and sell the Edge on Ebay is the right one.

Rob Sallnow

How about looking at Satmap Active 10 if you want decent navigaion.

http://www.satmap.com/

Jim Newmark

I have looked. And lusted. But too much for my needs. My little replacement Geko, at less than £60, took me over the hills and back to an all-day conference in Burnley yesterday. A round-trip of 70miles and it never indicated a wrong turning. The difference is that the trip has to be planned at home and downloaded - it would be no good for sports that demand navigational decisions on the spot.

harrywolper

I used the Edge 305 to ride all through France and I only looked at the map 5 times in 740miles. I used bikeroutetoaster to generate the courses and I found this combination to be quick and ideal.

zzpza

i use the edge 305 for navigation and have no problems with it at all. it doesn't have a base map, but it can provide turn by turn navigation by following a route. i use a mac, so don't use any of the garmin software except the training center, but i don't use that for creating the routes or adding them to the gps. i use marengo to create the gpx file, check it in google earth to make sure it's ok, then i use gpsbable to copy it to the edge.

one limitation of the edge to be aware of, it can only store 100 waypoints. so you can't have a route bigger then that. but unless you're into really long journeys it shouldn't be a problem. i've done a 64km route before and didn't once have to check the way on a (paper) map.

Jim Newmark

Horses for courses. The Geko has the ability to store 500 waypoints, and this is an essential feature for the sort of long distance riding I do. This along with the use of ordinary or rechargeable AAA batteries rather than a specific recharging unit and the very low price make it currently unbeatable.

caw35slr

What a great thread.

I've just served myself up a reality check and bought a Geko 201 from ebay for £60. The Geko 201 combined with MapMyRide (http://www.mapmyride.com) and GPS Utility (http://www.gpsu.co.uk) is a very cheap way to get into GPS nav.

Check out here for more: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php ... a_Geko_201

Jim Newmark

Yes, bought from the Leeds shop I should think where I found my replacement. One of those coincidences - of all the places in the world where they could have stocked these thiings, this is one where I happen to pass the door on the way to work. Actually buried in a nice family-run up-market carpet shop where I called in, saved myself the postage, all taking about five minutes in total. You still need the cable though (which I had anyway), so it is not QUITE so cheap for anyone starting from scratch. And the handle-bar mount. And a couple of rechargeable AAAs with some spares to take with you on the ride. But that is it - a lot less than £100 for all you need. And it is also possible to do fancy things like plotting your real-time course on an attached PDA, but in the end I think you begin to realise that the technology is getting in the way of the actual riding.