GPS - planning route. Which is the best?

tatters
tatters Posts: 5
edited October 2009 in Road buying advice
Im looking to buy a GPS for road riding and one of the main things I want from it is the ability to plan a route beforehand. Im fed up with having my rides punctuated with having to dig a sweaty map out of my pocket to make sure in heading in the right direction. I've read a bit about the Garmin Edge range but reports are mixed about their ability to do this. Any recommendations?

Comments

  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    Not sure where you are getting the mixed reports about the Edge range? Plenty of threads on here saying nothing but good things.

    I have one and plan routes using Bikeroutetoaster.com, save the route as a .tcx and then upload it to the 705. Then go out and ride somewhere you've never even been before. Perfect. If you don't want HR data and a few other bits and bobs, opt for a 605 over the 705, it'll still do all the same GPS stuff.
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    I have the basic yellow Etrex. It meets your requirements just fine. It's not sophisticated by any means, but it will point you in a direction and cut down on the map reading. It's tough, has a long battery life and is cheap enough not to worry about.

    (It's also useful for walking)
  • Solis
    Solis Posts: 166
    edeverett wrote:
    I have the basic yellow Etrex. It's tough, has a long battery life and is cheap enough not to worry about.

    (It's also useful for walking)



    Not too sure about the "tough" I've managed to kill off two on the road bike ( a basic and a summit) after not many miles on either unit, both suffered frequent power off when hitting any bumps in the road. Both still fine when out walking and not getting knocked around.
    Now using an Edge which touch wood has been fine to date.
  • monkeyjo
    monkeyjo Posts: 54
    GavH wrote:
    Not sure where you are getting the mixed reports about the Edge range? Plenty of threads on here saying nothing but good things.

    I have one and plan routes using Bikeroutetoaster.com, save the route as a .tcx and then upload it to the 705. Then go out and ride somewhere you've never even been before. Perfect. If you don't want HR data and a few other bits and bobs, opt for a 605 over the 705, it'll still do all the same GPS stuff.

    I use Bikeroutetoaster.com with my 705 and have never had a problem with the route while I've been out. Check out bikehike.co.uk as an alternative (shows you a little OS map as well as googlemaps).

    Also this guy seems to have a good bit of knowledge about the Garmin Edge and mapping routes... http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    I use Tracklogs. I ride both road and off road. It just works.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Solis wrote:
    edeverett wrote:
    I have the basic yellow Etrex. It's tough, has a long battery life and is cheap enough not to worry about.

    (It's also useful for walking)



    Not too sure about the "tough" I've managed to kill off two on the road bike ( a basic and a summit) after not many miles on either unit, both suffered frequent power off when hitting any bumps in the road. Both still fine when out walking and not getting knocked around.
    Now using an Edge which touch wood has been fine to date.

    I believe that the reason for the switching off is due to the GPS rattling in the mount. Its easily fixed by putting a little bit of tape on the inside of the mount (where the GPS clips in) so that its a snug fit.
    More problems but still living....
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    amaferanga wrote:
    I believe that the reason for the switching off is due to the GPS rattling in the mount. ...

    That could explain why mine doesn't have problems, my mount is made from a broken light bracket, some old inner tube and a zip tie.
  • tony_hutchings@btconnect.
    tony_hutchings@btconnect. Posts: 19
    I have a Garmin edge 305, a little old but still does teh job. I use bikehike.co.uk as i like the OS cycle map and teh fact that you can add and remove course points where you want to. I have never had any real problems and have never got lost using this method. If you take a wrong turn the garmin tells you that you are off course very quickly. Easy to set up and download to your Garmin or PC if you want to build up a number of routes you rid eregularly. You can also have a bit of fun by setting an average speed and competing against an virtual partner.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Bit left field but I use my Tom Tom IQ Routes for pure direction finding with a RAM handlebar mount and its great. 3hr battery life, good bright screen and bicycle route option.

    I couldn't give a monkeys about training info, and when I wanted to bum around SE France with confidence it was ideal.

    I supect it may not be waterproof though :shock:
    ___________________

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