GPS

NWLondoner

Does anyone here have/use a GPS device?

I am thinking about getting one.

Mainly for navigation :shock: as well as distance/speed.

Ideally I would like to be able to program in a predefined route.

Any recommended ones?

APIII

The Garmin Edge 305 is a good all round device. Does basic navigation, plus all the normal bike computer functions, speed, distance, etc. You can get it with a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor if you want to go the whole hog. I've got one and it's great. There's probably a few deals on at the moment as they are bringing out the 705 soon.
If you just want navigation, then something like the Garmin Gecko is better equipped and cheaper.

mercurykev

I use a garmin geko 201 with memory map software to map the route. It's a very basic system, no maps on the unit, just a nice big arrow that tells you when a turn is coming up. It uses AAA batteries, which last for about 12 hours and if the batteries run out the navigation continues where you left off. I use it for general weekend runs and audax rides (up to 200km so far) and it's great. When you plot the route, you only need to put a waypoint at turns. The unit tells you how far it is to the next waypoint, so you get a good idea of when the next turn is. It can show you your speed, elevation, distance travelled, average moving speed.

This website has a lot of info about using a gps for cycling:

http://www.aukweb.net/services/gps1.htm

NWLondoner

Those were some of the ones that i was looking at.

The memory mapping looks great. Just signed up and at least i know that my cycle computer gives the correct distance.

Stupid question time. Do any of the GPS pin point your location if you are lost?

andywgg

I use a Forerunner 305 as I use it for running too, but I may well splash out on an Edge 705 when they arrive - that gives full mapping, so you can certainly find out where you are!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Edge-Sat ... 985&sr=8-1

The thing I like best about my forerunner is having a record of what I did, speed/pace, heart rate, total climbing etc. I use Motionbased.

NWLondoner

I really like the idea of the mapmyride site.

However can i download the map data to the garmin using an iMac??

fearby

NWLondoner wrote:

I really like the idea of the mapmyride site.

However can i download the map data to the garmin using an iMac??

Try running parallels or vmware and Windows XP within. There is also "Garmin Training Center" for the Mac which you can upload and download courses with. Not as good as the Windows version though.

andywgg

I run training center for mac, and it's ok - motionbased is much better but costs about a fiver a month.

I also use Parallels Workstation to run XP in a separate window so I have Memory Map - which is a pain but MM (which I think's the best mapping software) is Windoze only. With that you can upload routes to your device and download it back so you can see where you went.

tarpaullynn

NWLondoner wrote:

Those were some of the ones that i was looking at.

The memory mapping looks great. Just signed up and at least i know that my cycle computer gives the correct distance.

Stupid question time. Do any of the GPS pin point your location if you are lost?

I've never used a gps on a cycle but have a bike mount for the one we use for geocaching and hill walking, with memory map you plan your route on the pc then downlaod it to the gps unit. The gps will pinpoint your location in whatever format you choose to use i.e. British Grid, latitude/longitude. It'll also direct you to your next waypoint (checkpoint if you like) or if the worst comes to the worst you can reverse your route and it'll lead you back the way you came.

The Garmin devices mentioned look good but there is a new one on the market called Satmap, this device has your route and position marked on an Ordnance Survey map, all on a screen mounted on your bars. Its quite pricey compared to Garmin devices and doesn't appear to work with Memory Map, you need own brand memory cards with maps on which are also expensive.

It can be viewed here.

http://www.satmap.com/

Monty Dog

I've got a Forerunner 305 - it's OK for recording rides, but would be pretty useless for navigation due to the tiny screen. The biggest disapointments are battery life - sometimes well below the quoted 9 hours, and the fact that if you do two different activities back-to-back, it saves them as a single file that cannot be split.

andywgg

just had a look at the satmap thing - no mention of recording speed/HR etc, so I think I'll wait for the garmin (February's been mentioned), although the OS maps are a nice touch - but hellish expensive when you think you can buy MM for about that price and that gets you aerial photos and you can print maps out on paper if you like that sort of thing (like for when your batteries go!).

Rob Sallnow

andywgg wrote:

just had a look at the satmap thing - no mention of recording speed/HR etc, so I think I'll wait for the garmin (February's been mentioned), although the OS maps are a nice touch - but hellish expensive when you think you can buy MM for about that price and that gets you aerial photos and you can print maps out on paper if you like that sort of thing (like for when your batteries go!).

It's not a nice touch, it's the whole point of the product.

andywgg

"It's not a nice touch, it's the whole point of the product."

Guess so, in which case it's probably not the best thing for cycling - more a walking product (and in any case it looks a bit chunky for use on a bike).

Rob Sallnow

andywgg wrote:

"It's not a nice touch, it's the whole point of the product."

Guess so, in which case it's probably not the best thing for cycling - more a walking product (and in any case it looks a bit chunky for use on a bike).

Not sure why it's not the best thing on a bike...I find it's great on a bike....it's pretty much revolutionised the routes I'm creating for when the weather picks up with far more use of short cuts using minor roads....it's also the best thing for spur of the moment explorations mid-ride.

andywgg

I was just thinking that if you're using it as a roadmap then I'd rather have the other "bikey" bits like heart rate, cadence etc available (that you'll get when the Edge 705 arrives) as the advantage of OS maps is mainly when you're off road. Not that I wouldn't love to have OS maps as well!

Rob Sallnow

I'd have to see what the Garmin mapping looks like beyond the photos on their site but I can't see it being that good for navigating country lanes orSustran cycle paths or showing where the nearby National Trust property or pub is.

Looks more useful for the person training that wants a rough idea of where he/she is than a true navigation device

NWLondoner

fearby wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I really like the idea of the mapmyride site.

However can i download the map data to the garmin using an iMac??

Try running parallels or vmware and Windows XP within. There is also "Garmin Training Center" for the Mac which you can upload and download courses with. Not as good as the Windows version though.

Just dusted off my old PC that i thought was next to useless and found it is working great.

Oh well PC world has the 205 for £90.

Looks like i will have to make a purchase

andywgg

Just found this on the Garmin site:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1359&pvID=2646

Looks like it's got contours and a fair bit of detail, but obviously not as good as OS. detail provided by OS but not OS! However it does say that it's equivalent to 1:50 and 1:25, so as an existing Garmin/Memory Map user I'll probably go that way.

il_principe

If you're using the GPS for road riding then wait for the 705. I have a 305 but will be upgrading as it is useless if you get lost and not really that great for navigating. I've used mine on long rides (70 miles+) on unfamiliar roads and it has always got me to my destination, but usually with a few wrong turns along the way as it is not all that easy to read. The 705 looks like the real deal with full maps etc as oppose to the 305 which just gives you a line on a blank screen with turn warnings and an arrow. Also programming routes can be a pain on the 305, I use BikeRouteToaster (google it).

On the plus side having your speed, cadence, height climbed, gradient info, HR etc is brilliant. I use motionbased to log all my data and it is a great training aid.

I will be selling my 305 in the next month or so if anyone is interested. It's 1 year old and in great nick so make me an offer!

spivvy

Been using a Vista C with City Select for a few years now and have been patiently waiting (since August) for the 705 - shouldn't be too long now though. .

APIII

I'd love to hear people's opinions on the 705 when it eventually arrives. I can't say I'm convinced of the need to upgrade from the (considerably cheaper) 305, but then it's a new gadget, so 'need' doesn't really come into it

andywgg

but then it's a new gadget, so 'need' doesn't really come into it

Well put - my thoughts exactly.

NWLondoner

Well i do like the look of the 705 but cannot justify the cost at present

The 205 at it's cheap price will do me for know. I will mainly be riding around Central London so should not get too lost.

I really want it so i can upload my riding data to my PC so i can monitor what i have done

andywgg

Depending on the price difference I think the 305's worth a few extra quid - you may not use it immediately but the HR data and cadence are very useful.

APIII

andywgg wrote:

Depending on the price difference I think the 305's worth a few extra quid - you may not use it immediately but the HR data and cadence are very useful.

I'd second that. It's well worth the extra.

sufferingpete

I have a Garmin Etrex Base model.

Its limitations are the 50 waypoint limit for a route.- I should have got the next model.

The tracks are a good alternative and I can store enough for a weekend ride. Friday, Saturday Sunday.

The track memory for a weekend away is limited I loose data since it rolls over.
The average speed is the time from the start to the finish including stops not the average riding speed.

I use the screen with an arrow on it and find this ok. Sometimes it indicates a few hundred yards after a turn. I rode from Chesterfield to Kirbymoor Side in North Yorks (90 odd miles) on manly country lanes at night and didn’t look at the map. This is superb since on lanes at night I would otherwise have to stop to look at a map.

I don’t use the in built back light but wear a head torch.

I use it in conjunction with Memory Map. The data transfer works without problems plug it in and press transfer.

I didn’t go for a Edge due to the built in battery life is limited. The Etrex use AA’ s I use rechargeable and carry a spare set.

The GPS interferes with my Polar HRM doesn’t indicate the correct distance travelled.

I got this one to try it - was a cheep second hand for navigation it is superb. The data log is not useful for me.