GPS on the bike...

OH NO Dan
OH NO Dan Posts: 186
edited December 2009 in Routes
So who uses GPS on there bikes? Im getting very interested in them, mainly because I like exploring but cant allways find my way back to the car. I understand most of them do the usual stuff like speed, distance etc etc...Can maps be downloaded onto them for free or at a cost?

Cheers in advance

Comments

  • ACDCwmb
    ACDCwmb Posts: 225
    I have a Garmin GPS60, pretty basic, very tough, easy and simple to use, great battery life and it does the job very well. No on screen mapping but I don't need that as I always have a paper map with me anyway.
    [url]uttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3644058624_66a72402ee.jpg/]Hardtail[/url]
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    Have a squiz at my reply in this thread:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12644275
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Kafkaesque wrote:
    Have a squiz at my reply in this thread:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12644275

    That looks like just what im after. How did you attach it to your bike? Does it come with clamps etc..
    Thanks for the advice.

    Also are the free maps basically OS maps?
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    Bike mount is an extra £12 and sits nicely on my stem.

    The maps are an ongoing work in progress, around where I ride they're about as detailed as the 1:50,000 OS maps, I haven't compared them to the Garmin topo maps but from what I hear there isn't that much difference. Not for my purposes anyway (and not to mention the £125 difference in price). If your keen you can even help by adding trails etc to the maps as they're open source. Check out the links on talky toaster UK's site.
  • camerauk
    camerauk Posts: 1,000
    I use a Garmin Edge 205 plots where I have been and you could use it to get back although I have not tried
    Specialized Camber Expert
    Specialized Allez Sport
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Just bought myself an Oregon 200. The free maps really appeal to me after looking at the price of those topo maps :shock: Cant wait till it arrives now, i just love gadgets !
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    Glad to be of help. :)

    Don't forget to get a good set of rechargeable AA batteries, and please let us know how you get on with it.
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Hi mate. Ive got my oregon and im very confued. Ive downloaded the full uk map from talkytoaster. How can i plan some routes on my computer then get them onto the garmin?
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Also, on bikehike.co.uk, it says i can use sync my garmin onto the website and directly save my routes. Have you done this?
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    I plan routes on bikehike then download them to the GPS. You will need to install Garmin Communicator which is a plugin for your browser so it can communicate with your GPS:

    http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/

    Now plan your route then click download route. I use 'GPX Route' as type and 'download to GPS unit' (Obviously have your GPS connected to your PC.)

    To upload routes it's the reverse process.
    Here's a link to a route I uploaded from my GPS:

    http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=14879

    And here's one I planned out on bikehike to download to the GPS:

    http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=15940

    It's definitely worth having a read of the help page on bikehike.
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    Kafkaesque
    Thats pretty sweet.... do you have a link to the bike mount that you used?
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Bike-Mou ... 848&sr=8-2

    To be honest it's expensive for a little bit of plastic... but it does the job. :)
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    ahhh excellent!!

    thankyouu!
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Kafkaesque: Thanks for your advice. Ive got the idea now. Bikehike is great for planning routes. I like the fact youve got an OS map to look at as well.

    Slightly worried about one thing though. sometimes when i turn it on, it will show the garmin black load screen thing, then the screen goes distorted and it does nothing. :? Any ideas?

    Edit: Ive reset the unit to the factory settings and all is well.

    Does anyone have any links to routes in the peak district?
  • Kafkaesque
    Kafkaesque Posts: 45
    Glad you got it sorted!

    Edit:

    For routes try searching on bikehike, here on bikeradar or

    http://www.gpsies.com

    http://www.mapsntrails.com/en
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Took it out for the first time, and the whole 26 miles it didnt put a foot wrong. The route i did was abit complicated but its so easy to use.

    Why would anyone want to pay £120 for a map? Theres just no need...
  • johnyrider
    johnyrider Posts: 24
    For planning the route and then downloading them to your device i have this suggestion www.gpsies.com ;
    And if you want to edit the route after being created, upload the file to www.sportypal.com and then it will give you the option to edit.

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