GPS for Audax's

Robbie1958

I have now started doing Audax's and after my first on on Sunday, i realised that i need help finding my way by GPS. So have been looking at the various threads, and would like some advice on what to buy. I cannot afford a new garmin at over £350. i can afford about £100 for a decent second hand one but have no idea what to buy. Obviously i need to be able to download the gps file from the Audax website straight on to the device.

Any ideas please?

amaferanga

Garmin Etrex Legend HCx plus a bike mount would be ideal (better than a 705 for long audaxes anyway since it runs of AAs).

mercurykev

The ubiquitous audax GPS is Etrex HCx in either the Legend or Vista flavour. The difference between the tow is that the Vista costs a bit more because it has an electronic compass and a barometric altimiter. I've got the Legend had have never missed the additional functionality.

As amaferanda said, the fact that these devices use AA batteries make them much better suited to audax. I can get through a 400km ride on one set of rechargeables which is over 20 hours.

You need to remember that you'll also have to get maps for the device; although, if you're buying second-hand you'll probably get maps too.

sub55

You dont need one ! :twisted:
They are just expensive toys and with a little practise , you`ll manage just fine.
You need to be able to read the route sheet whilst riding and remember the next 3 instructions. Seriously , it is`nt differcult and just requires alittle practise, although knowing your left from right does help. :?
Looked at GPS units on several occasions myself and always come to the conclusion that each and every model has a issue that stops me from buying it.

Chiggy

I have got an old eTrex Legend C.

Its only 24 meg internal memory. Large enough to hold the Metroguide maps for any Audax.
The rubber bumper band is stuck on with double sided carpet tape and the battery connections have broken, making it unable to run off batteries....

BUT...

It runs OK off a PowerChimp or Power Monkey.
I have the special rear panel for the handlebar mount and both size handlebar mounts.

Hardware you will need to purchase to get this thing operational is a PowerChimp. £13.50 from Amazon.

I use Mapsource mapping but someone else here will be able to tell you where to get freebie mapping.

It has been sat doing nothing for eighteen months. I have just taken it out on the street outside powered by my PowerMonkey and it works fine.


PM my an offer.



NOTE. You do not get the PowerChimp.
£10 will do.

mercurykev

sub55 wrote:

You dont need one ! :twisted:
They are just expensive toys and with a little practise , you`ll manage just fine.
You need to be able to read the route sheet whilst riding and remember the next 3 instructions. Seriously , it is`nt differcult and just requires alittle practise, although knowing your left from right does help. :?
Looked at GPS units on several occasions myself and always come to the conclusion that each and every model has a issue that stops me from buying it.

My GPS was been one of the best cycling accessories I've bought. I've been using one for the past 3 seasons, some 50 odd audaxes, and haven't got lost once. Trying riding through the night on unfamiliar roads, in the rain, 20 hours into a 600, with a route sheet and then try the same sort of thing with a GPS. So much less hassle.

sub55

mercurykev wrote:

sub55 wrote:

You dont need one ! :twisted:
They are just expensive toys and with a little practise , you`ll manage just fine.
You need to be able to read the route sheet whilst riding and remember the next 3 instructions. Seriously , it is`nt differcult and just requires alittle practise, although knowing your left from right does help. :?
Looked at GPS units on several occasions myself and always come to the conclusion that each and every model has a issue that stops me from buying it.

My GPS was been one of the best cycling accessories I've bought. I've been using one for the past 3 seasons, some 50 odd audaxes, and haven't got lost once. Trying riding through the night on unfamiliar roads, in the rain, 20 hours into a 600, with a route sheet and then try the same sort of thing with a GPS. So much less hassle.

I dont doubt for a second that a GPS system has the potential to make life easier . But it is not essential. Quite easily get round 600k events in the dark without one. Especially ,if you are only looking to spend £100 . I think you`d be better off learning how to read a route sheet and saving your money until you can afford the system , that meets your needs best.

sub55

try this
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=38137.msg723843#msg723843

red dragon

If you wish to go down the path of using a GPS I have recently bought a Memory Map Advventurer 2800. I have found it to be very good and accurate to within a metre. Have a look at http://www.gpstraining.co.uk/index.html
They do an on line free course and a course that costs about £10 which does go into more detail, both of which are aimed at using the Memory Map software on your PC. I have found it to be an excellant course. I daresay if you rang or sent an email they would assist.

vorsprung

I have been riding audax for several years and don't use a GPS

If you don't want to use a GPS and don't want to get lost then you have to do something like this

1) buy a couple of cheap road atlases
2) before the event follow the route as best you can on the map, using the route sheet
3) tear out the pages you need for the event

I will be buying a GPS at some point as there are already Audax routes you can only do with a GPS ("GPS DIY") and I don't see this trend going away

Pross

Surely it isn't exactly in the spirit of an Audax to use a GPS?

Garz

Well with modern gadgets in mind, participating in these events it's a bit technophobic to dismiss them Pross.

It's rather like saying in road racing that using cadence meters, HRM and power meters are 'not in the spirit' as it assists the rider in training/riding. :?:

Robbie1958

Thanks for the replies folks.

After considering all the replies, i think i'll ride a few more of the 100k events and then when i move up to the 200k once in the spring and i'm back on my proper road bike, i'll probably get a Etrex HCx as suggested. The reason being i don't mind getting lost a little on a shorter ride and having to find my way back on track, but i realise that on a 200k ride, i'll need every little drop of engery i have left just to get round in one piece

When i sai i had about £100 budget, i meant to buy i decent secondhand one.