GPS plotted routes (garmin 705)

itrubes

Im thinking of getting one the Garmin 705 cycling sat navs, and the UK topo maps to go with.

But i want to be able to make good use of it, and that to me if downloaded a nice pretty route off t'internet, and then going about my ride hassel free, without needed to use a map, just follow the arrow in front of me.

Where's the best place to get plotted routes from?

pdid

http://www.mtbsharp.co.uk/

http://www.mtbtrailfinder.co.uk/

http://www.bikely.com/

antfly

If you are just following an arrow all you need is the edge 305 and you can plot your own routes easier from your pc if you get the maps on DVD.

ricardo666

Ive got the 705 and dont use half the stuff on it

but its excellent for gps and guiding

use bikely and googles the area with gpx and i usually manage to find a route of sorts

ric

flowpro

My 2p worth. Garmin TOPO maps are rubbish. You need OS maps but they don't work on the 705. Pants

gonga

flowpro wrote:

My 2p worth. Garmin TOPO maps are rubbish. You need OS maps but they don't work on the 705. Pants

while i agree the topos are shite there is no need for os mapping if you have already plotted your route and are just following.
I would personally hate navigating on route using any of the gps devices on sale.
The screens are just too small to get a proper idea of where you are and where you would like to end up.


When i first got my 605 i was well cheesed off at the maps(although you can obtain them without the scandalous price 8) )
But now i realise i never needed anything different to what i have!

Briggo

gonga wrote:

flowpro wrote:

My 2p worth. Garmin TOPO maps are rubbish. You need OS maps but they don't work on the 705. Pants

while i agree the topos are shite there is no need for os mapping if you have already plotted your route and are just following.
I would personally hate navigating on route using any of the gps devices on sale.
The screens are just too small to get a proper idea of where you are and where you would like to end up.


When i first got my 605 i was well cheesed off at the maps(although you can obtain them without the scandalous price 8) )
But now i realise i never needed anything different to what i have!

Exactly, same here. I thought at first the TOPO maps were a joke and put in complaints to Garmin which fell on deaf ears, however over time I realised that due to me already plotting the courses I dont need full OS features and I just follow the purple line.

Once you get used to it you'll find the maps are actually quite good, although not a patch on an actual OS map if you get lost but you can still with a certain amount of ease retrace steps etc and theres a fair amount of detail on the TOPO maps that you dont notice until you're out riding, they do include all bridleways at least from what Ive seen so far.

ricardo666

oh have a look at this site called raven family


they have some wiki type open souce maps

I have used them instead of the garmin ones on my 705

free as opposed to garmin's over priced shite

http://www.ravenfamily.org/andyg/maps/

JustGoRide

Have a look here

http://www.justgoride.co.uk/Content/Routes/RouteSearch.aspx

We have around 170 routes that you download straight to any Garmin GPS by just connecting it via usb. the routes will save on your Edge as a course file which you can then just follow.

Most of them are in the Peaks and Lakes but new routes are getting added all the time.

As for maps, they are useful but if you just want to follow a line you don't need them. In fact a 205 or 305 would work just as well if you aren't bothered about map detail.

I use a 705 though and can highly recommend it!

hoochylala

/Off topic

JustGoRide

I must say what a fantastic site you have created - I have recommended it on here before after finding it through a link on Singletrackworld forums.

/On topic

JustGoRide

hoochylala wrote:

/Off topic

JustGoRide

I must say what a fantastic site you have created - I have recommended it on here before after finding it through a link on Singletrackworld forums.

/On topic

Thanks hoochylala. Its great that people are finding it useful!