Which GPS

kingrollo
kingrollo Posts: 3,198
edited February 2010 in Road buying advice
With Christmas paid for and next years holiday booked (but not paid for !) - I really want a gps - I have been riding the same routes for years - and although I go out with a club, I would like to record these rides - so I can ride the route at my conveinience.

I have come up with the following shortlist:-

Garmin Edge 205 - Cheap at just over £100 now - however I hear conflicting reports abouts its mapping ability.

Garmin Eltrex - now not a cheap as the edge - non cycling specific

Memory Map 2800 - looks the part - but has it got virtual pacer, etc

Ant thoughts guys\girls
«1

Comments

  • TornadoTom
    TornadoTom Posts: 129
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    TornadoTom wrote:
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions

    +1
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    GavH wrote:
    TornadoTom wrote:
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions

    +1

    +2
    I like bikes...

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  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    redddraggon wrote:
    GavH wrote:
    TornadoTom wrote:
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions

    +1

    +2

    +3
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    I have owned a Garmin 305 for a couple of years and been really pleased - I think you can pick them up for around £160-170 these days with a heart monitor, a little more if you want a cadence sensor as well.

    It seems to do everything you have asked for, and allows you to create a course using bikehike etc and then upload it to the unit. I have found this great as my fitness increased and I wanted to carefully mange how many miles I do.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Does the edge 605 come with its own maps ? - or are these extra ?
  • pontarlier_pete
    pontarlier_pete Posts: 195
    sampras38 wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    GavH wrote:
    TornadoTom wrote:
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions

    +1

    +2

    +3

    +4
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    kingrollo wrote:
    Does the edge 605 come with its own maps ? - or are these extra ?

    Maps are free.
    I like bikes...

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  • Solis
    Solis Posts: 166
    I use a basic 205 and download my routes for navigation, very good bit of kit. Steer clear of the etrex for the bike I have had two shake themselves to bits (fine for off bike duties) hence why I opted for the cheap 205 over the 605/705 but had no problems with the 205 so will upgrade at some point. Not yet had the chance to try the MM 2800 but the touch screen would concern me long term on the bike. If you were considering a GPS of the 2800 ilk would have a look at the Satmap, I use one on the hills and it is an excellent bit of kit albeit much bulkier than the Edge's.
  • Once_In_A_Blue_Moon
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon Posts: 269
    Has anybody had any experience with the 500 yet? Fairly new on the market, but seems to do everything the computers mentioned above do, just without the maps.
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    redddraggon wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    Does the edge 605 come with its own maps ? - or are these extra ?

    Maps are free.
    Maps are extra, generally.

    There are built in maps, but these are not very accurate M, A and B roads only

    There are free OpenStreetMap maps, but these are a wiki and are incomplete in many areas.

    Otherwise you have to pay for Garmin City Navigator or TopoGB maps. City Navigator is better if you don't go off road. GB & Ireland on SD card is cheapest. Europe on DVD allows you to use the maps on a PC for planning or review, and avoids possibility of the loss of data due to card corruption/cock up.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Solis wrote:
    I use a basic 205 and download my routes for navigation, very good bit of kit. Steer clear of the etrex for the bike I have had two shake themselves to bits (fine for off bike duties) hence why I opted for the cheap 205 over the 605/705 but had no problems with the 205 so will upgrade at some point. Not yet had the chance to try the MM 2800 but the touch screen would concern me long term on the bike. If you were considering a GPS of the 2800 ilk would have a look at the Satmap, I use one on the hills and it is an excellent bit of kit albeit much bulkier than the Edge's.

    I've had a basic Etrex and now have a Etrex Legend HCx and both have been fine for many thousands on miles. They do tend to rattle a bit in the mount, but a little bit of duct tape on the inside of the mount stops the rattling completely. I know several folk with Etrex's that have had no problems at all.

    The Etrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx are great for just navigating and beat the Edge range for touring since they take AA batteries. The Edge 205/305 are great for just recording rides (though you can navigate with them as well, but navigating with maps is significantly better). The 605/705 are great for navigating and have the cycling specific functions, but are pretty expensive compared to the others (proper maps ARE extra unless you acquire them illegally or use OSM mapping).
    More problems but still living....
  • JohnnyAllez
    JohnnyAllez Posts: 785
    Pontarlier Pete wrote:
    sampras38 wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    GavH wrote:
    TornadoTom wrote:
    Edge 605/705 is best for mapping and cycling functions

    +1

    +2

    +3

    +4

    +5
    Jens says "Shut up legs !! "

    Specialized S-Works SaxoBank SL4 Tarmac Di2
  • Brian1
    Brian1 Posts: 595
    +6
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    +7....another 705 user!

    If you can stretch to it you won't be disappointed......Virtual partner is a great training aid if you like competing with yourself over a set route to check your fitness or speed etc.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • pete54
    pete54 Posts: 488
    I got an Edge 205 for £49 at Halfords last week.

    It's my first GPS and I've only done one ride with it, but it seems excellent for the money. I've got a couple of my favourite routes saved here:

    http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/index.php

    You can use the Marengo site to map out new routes and upload them to your Garmin. It costs £4.99 a year to use.

    I use a Mac and GPSBabel (free) handles route uploads to the Edge. You can plug it into the computer after a ride, upload to Garmin training centre and then view your route in Google Earth. I've also set up an account with Garmin Connect to record data.
  • Solis
    Solis Posts: 166
    [
    I've had a basic Etrex and now have a Etrex Legend HCx and both have been fine for many thousands on miles. They do tend to rattle a bit in the mount, but a little bit of duct tape on the inside of the mount stops the rattling completely. I know several folk with Etrex's that have had no problems at all.

    I must be unlucky then! Basic etrex lasted around 2000 miles, replaced it with a Summit that lasted less than 500 miles and which Garmin kindly replaced and upgraded to a Summit HC which lasted 1500 miles....
  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon wrote:
    Has anybody had any experience with the 500 yet? Fairly new on the market, but seems to do everything the computers mentioned above do, just without the maps.

    Just got one (Wednesday)

    Quick impressions

    1) Does the same job as the forerunner 305 and edge 305 with regard functionality/maps.
    2) Does have virtual pacer which the manual and other forum reviewers says it doesn't :?:
    3) Superb if you've got a power a power meter, even better if you've got more than one power meter :shock:
    4) No workout function like the others, but who cares, I never used that.
    5) The usual garmin early relelease bugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've got one where it wont download to training centre but luckily I've got a work around! But Garmin always do this!
    6) It's blue! Everyone knows that red is faster. Wtf does blue match with. If you can't do red then do black!
  • Once_In_A_Blue_Moon
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon Posts: 269
    Ha ha thanks for that, I must admit though, I do quite like the blue! I am looking at something which is power meter compatible, hopefully save my moneys next year.

    I get the impression you aren't too happy with it? I'll wait until the bugs are fixed, nothing more frustrating than buying something new (especially at £200) and it plays up. Why they don't test the stuff before selling it God only knows.
  • dag_on_a_bike
    dag_on_a_bike Posts: 581
    +8 (705)

    Maps can be free or paid for
    There's no such thing as too old.
  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon wrote:
    Ha ha thanks for that, I must admit though, I do quite like the blue! I am looking at something which is power meter compatible, hopefully save my moneys next year.

    I get the impression you aren't too happy with it? I'll wait until the bugs are fixed, nothing more frustrating than buying something new (especially at £200) and it plays up. Why they don't test the stuff before selling it God only knows.


    No, no, well happy with it.

    I've gone through a few Garmin devices pretty much as they've come out and there's always bugs in them which the upgrades fix. In fairness the bug I seem to have is more related to the new file format they use (.fit) and the fact that training centre is prehistoric. I don't think sporttracks is supporting .fit yet, but I think they'll have to.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    If you can do without maps and don`t mind following a black line instead get the edge 305.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    +9 705
  • Hudster
    Hudster Posts: 142
    chrisw12 wrote:
    1) Does the same job as the forerunner 305 and edge 305 with regard functionality/maps.

    So can you plot a route on a computer and download it to the 500 and it'll give you directions?
    I cannot see this in the literature, but to me that's something I'd really want. Not bothered about the full maps of the 605/705.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    No.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Hudster wrote:
    chrisw12 wrote:
    1) Does the same job as the forerunner 305 and edge 305 with regard functionality/maps.

    So can you plot a route on a computer and download it to the 500 and it'll give you directions?
    I cannot see this in the literature, but to me that's something I'd really want. Not bothered about the full maps of the 605/705.

    They have 'Courses' so yes it looks very much like you can upload and follow a route you plot on your computer (as with the Edge 205/305), but if you mean 'turn left in 100m' type directions then the answer is no. You'll only get a line on the screen to follow.
    More problems but still living....
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    The 500 has a small screen, so route following is most likely using an arrow like the the compass screen on other GPSs.
    Come to a junction, look to see which way the arrow is pointing.
    It may beep to alert you to a sudden change of direction - some do.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    It will do courses but not routes. You could plan a route and convert it to a course if you`re pc literate enough but there won`t be any arrows or bleeps or waypoints.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Ouch, sorry, I should have been more careful to how I put point 1. Tbh I only ever used the forerunner routes to race myself, I never used them for navigation. The new edge 500 has that same functionality. I don't know if it gives directions because living in the same place for 38 years I rarely need directions. :wink:
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Thinking about getting either the Garmin 500 or Garmin 305.

    Can someone please explain the diference between a "course" and a "route" :oops:

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