Satnav help please

getting_on_a_bit

Been looking at some MBR pull-out off road routes and then going on google maps to see the satellite views and I have come to the conclusion that there is no way I will be able to navigate the bridle paths and tracks on the ride,for example the Hayfield and Ladybower routes.
So a satnav seemed the answer and I've spent a few hours trawling the internet for a suitable off road package.
Now my mobile is an old 10 years ago cast off so no chance of using any whizz bang apps on that .
I've looked at the new Garmin 800 but I'm somewhat confused about reviewers comments about the associated maps having or not having sufficient detail to include bridleways and this lead me onto the Bikehut website which seemed the business and said that maps could be uploaded directly to Garmins.
I've got the feeling now that I could spend days looking further into this so any advice would be welcome thanks.

rhialto

Loads of people around here use devices in the Garmin range, particularly the 705. I haven't touched or read much about the 800 so can't help you there.

However, if I were to purchase another GPS device I would look at the Satmap Active 10 or the Memory-Map Adventurer 2800. The Adventurer has a higher resolution screen than most devices and integrates with its namesake PC mapping software, which supports OS maps.

alfablue

Have a look at the Garmin Dakota 20

Unlike the Garmin Edge series, It can run OS maps (GB Discoverer UK available for around £100 in eBay). There are also plenty of free open street maps (including mtb ones) that I have found to be great.

You can use a whole range of free websites for planning routes, however they all download routes, not the actual mapping, they overlay maps you have installed on your satnav.

The Dakota 20 is aound £180 at Handtec. Bike mount is £11 ish.

Briggo

The 800 (edge series) can run OS maps, the MTB pack comes with the whole of the UK with 1:50,000 discovery maps.

It'll be the next thing I buy once I saved enough pennies.

alfablue

A worthwhile improvement on the 800 then.

contango

What I've been using for a while is a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx with the free maps compiled from OpenStreetMap data.

The OSM data is managed like a Wiki so if you do find a trail that's not on it, you can mark it on the map yourself using your GPS track log. I've only just joined here so I'm not sure what I'm allowed to do regarding posting links to free map data.

The 60CSx has been around for years (I bought mine back in about 2006) but still works well. If you are going to buy one make sure you get a model ending with the x, as it gives you a MicroSD slot - the regular CS has very limited internal memory.

The bike mount for it is solid, I've dropped my bike over on its side and the GPS stayed in the mount. The GPS itself is robust - I've dropped mine from waist height onto concrete more times than I care to count and it still works just fine.

slowslowslow

If its the LadyBower route I am thinking of then it is ok to navigate.

if you do get a GPS then make sure you have a map with you as well. Then you can use then both and get some practice of map reading at the same time.

Don't forget if it goes down you will need to navigate back off.....

delta5

The Bryton Rider 30 and Rider 50 are the latest lower-priced competition to the Garmin 705 and 500. There was a recent preview on BR.
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bryton-rider-50-and-rider-30-gps-units-first-look-28318
http://corp.brytonsport.com/news/?p=95

getting_on_a_bit

Thankyou everybody so far..I'm researching your advice.

equinefunk

Garmin with Opencycle map, it's the cheapest option at £15 for the whole of the UK & can be used with the Garmin EDGE 605/705 & the eTrex range. Which you can get for £100 new. Do all your routing online, maps aren't the most detailed but I've used mine to navigate the NY Moors well over the last year.

Satmap Active 10 is far & away the best for Navigation & routing combined (used one last week) you can get these second hand on eBay for £155, but the maps are expensive.

Other option use Memory Map or Tracklogs & a WinMo phone. Although Battery life will be an issue for longer rides.

finlayson99

I have used GPS a lot for walking, biking and geocaching.
I have used Garmin in the past.
IMHO there is only ONE GPS worth buying and that's the Satmap.

It is head and shoulders over the rest of them.
It does exactly what it says on the tin and does it well.

I wouldn't go anywhere without mine.

Good luck and enjoy.

camerauk

only thing with the Satmap is the size its a big unit to have on the bars

finlayson99

The advantage of it's size is that the screen is a useable size, as well as being very clear.
I take your point camerauk but the bar mount is nice and secure and I have never had any probs.
As I say, I use it for other apps too so I guess it will be a bit of a compromise.

camerauk

yeah know what your saying but when I was looking I thought it was too big for my usage

I went for the Dakota 20 its been a great unit I use it for walking and mtb use works very well for me I use the free maps that you can get with custom maps that I make again free

I have found the screen is ok for navigating on and does everything I need

finlayson99

Yeah I agree that is a nice compact useable unit and the Garmin screens are a lot better than when they started to put the OS maps on them.
I loved my Garmin GPSmap 60 CSX, really rugged and user friendly, just no OS which for me is essential for the stuff I do.

camerauk

can you use custom maps on the GPSmap 60?
if so use this program works a treat
http://mobac.dnsalias.org/

camerauk

and what about the maps from here
http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Radioactiveman

I use sendmap20 to transfer the maps I d/l from talkytoaster to my Garmin 60csx. I always take the OS map and a compass with me for the area I ride.

Offroad GPs devices are not satnavs and will not provide you with the same experience of a car sat nav.

If you want to go for simplicity take a look at the satmap active and the memory map adventurer - not cheap but more user friendly than a 60csx,not seen the 800 but they look nice also.

finlayson99

camerauk wrote:

can you use custom maps on the GPSmap 60?
if so use this program works a treat
http://mobac.dnsalias.org/

I don't know as I haven't used the Garmin for the last 3 years. Just use my Satmap now.

Radioactiveman re Satmap, as I said it does exactly as it says on the tin, and does it very well. I love mine and use it all the time for hill walking, biking and geocaching. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.
The new Memory Map units look good too though but I believe the battery life is quite short.