gps

angus34golf

I am thinking of buying a bike GPS trainer.It looks like the Gamin 705 is the most popular but it seems the basic map included is very limited.
Is it easy to download maps and would members recommend this GPS or suggest alternatives.
Doing the c2c in july for the first time
Steve

rickwiggans

You are correct in that the base map is very limited - so limited as to be almost useless. You will need additional mapping, as you are aware. The OSM mapping is fairly straightforward to download. It can be a little longwinded, but you'll get there eventually. There a quite a few 705's going second hand with the advent of the 800. You might pick one up at a reasonable price. An good alternative to the 705 is the Oregon or Dakota series. These don't have the HRM or Cadence capability, but do have other stuff, such as electronic compass. Depends what your primary requirements are. The Oregons and Dakotas area bit bigger than the Edges, but take replaceable batteries, which can be a consideration if you are touring.. They also take OS mapping, if that is a consideration (for example could be useful if you are also a walker), whereas the 705 doesn't. However purely for road work, the City Navigator or OSM is what you need

angus34golf

Thanks for advice.
I have just been looking at the satmap active 10 as it got a good review on the Gadget show.Will do a bit of researching before shelling out money.
Thanks again

datpat64

I love the 705 ! The maooing is pretty useless as stated in the one of your responses, but the computer performs faultlessly and the efficiency of my training has improved tremendously sine buying one.

The 705 is easy to use and covers everything you'd need from computer point of view (I got Cadence and HRM and once again these have performed faulltlessly).

If you're going to be using this as a Sat Nav you need a detail smart card, but for an organised sign posted Sportiv or if you're on regualr roads and local, these can't be beat in their basic format

And they're a lot cheaper now with the advent of the 800 version

Dave

rickwiggans

I have a Satmap, as well as Garmins and use it for walking. It is significanly bigger and heavier than the equivalent Garmin (for example, the Oregon) and therefore bigger and heavier than the Edges. But if you are particularly interested in the training functions, then it doesn't do any of that. On the upside, the screen is bigger than the Garmin. However - they are not as waterproof as the Garmins. Yes, I know they claim waterproofness, but in heavy driving rain, they let in water. Satmaps explanation is that you must not have closed the rubber covers over the ports properly - but I assure you that's not the case. However - they are really good at what they do - but in my experience the Garmins are a better bike package.

springtide9

I looked into this before finding a s'hand Garmin 705 with UK maps... but in my Web travels I came across:

Road Maps:
http://www.velomap.org

Off-Road Maps:
http://openmtbmap.org

Like I said, I haven't used either so not sure how well they work..... but I would be interested to know if they did!

alfablue

springtide9 wrote:

I looked into this before finding a s'hand Garmin 705 with UK maps... but in my Web travels I came across:

Road Maps:
http://www.velomap.org

Off-Road Maps:
http://openmtbmap.org

Like I said, I haven't used either so not sure how well they work..... but I would be interested to know if they did!

I use the UK Contours map here http://www.talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm on my Garmin Dakota. Works very well.

Velomaps is less detailed, but I did use a Netherlands Velomap (Openfietsmap) on a 2 week tour with 100% success.

This Wiki page has links to a wide range of maps for Garmin GPS's http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_ ... n/Download

springtide9

@alfablue : Cool. Excuse my ignorance with the formats etc - but I guess you just have to download the map in an img file format (compatible with the 705) and put it into the (micro-sd) Garmin directory, called "GMAPSUPP.IMG" ?

alfablue

springtide9 wrote:

@alfablue : Cool. Excuse my ignorance with the formats etc - but I guess you just have to download the map in an img file format (compatible with the 705) and put it into the (micro-sd) Garmin directory, called "GMAPSUPP.IMG" ?

I think the best way is to use Garmin Mapsource, and then simply select the maps you want to load on to the Garmin you have connected. It also means you can view the various maps on the pc and see which ones are best. Your way is probably right but I just can't remember (at the moment) how.

On the Dakota I have many maps loaded, you just enable the ones you want to use at any given time, presume the 705 is the same.

(I think you can only get Mapsource if you have a Garmin training device, the 705 may count but the Dakota didn't, but I got round this by installing Garmin Training Centre, and then I could access Mapsource).

chill123

I use a garmin 800 & the garmin city navigator maps and am very happy with it.

here's my review incase it is of interest:
http://www.bicyclecenturytraining.com/b ... 00-review/

walkingbootweather

Some of the Garmin units are well suited to training, but for navigation I do like my Satmap. Not cheap once you have factored in the pretty much essential rechargeable battery and large scale mapping, but great for touring and long distance routes.

optimisticbiker

+1 for the Edge800 and the OSM maps from http://www.talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm
One of the advantages of the OSM mapping is when you find a mistake (even Garmins maps have errors) you can go fix it on the OSM website and pick up an updated copy of the maps from talkytoaster about a week or so later (tho I've now figured out how to create the map file myself so I dont need to download them from there anymore if i need a faster update)