Any tips for a good bike GPS ?

mudcow007

Holux GPSport 245 is what i use

Garryboy

Dmak wrote:

Nokia 5800 or similar. OK it's not waterproof or designed for biking but I love mine. Free maps worldwide and turn by turn navigation. Free workout tracking with endomondo. And it's a phone too!

I'll be using this saturday to get me to a friends house in London.

Is that a self made stem mount for your smartphone? Have been looking at ways to attach my blackberry 9780 to the stem. Currently just have it in back pocket of jersey which isnt great for info during the ride!

Scrumple

I have a 205 for sale

Been absolutely fantastic... but the wife bought me an 800.

The 205 does just as much, but without the colour and maps!

Dmak

Garryboy wrote:

Is that a self made stem mount for your smartphone? Have been looking at ways to attach my blackberry 9780 to the stem. Currently just have it in back pocket of jersey which isnt great for info during the ride!

It is yeah. Quite simple really, although it took a while to sus. 2 silicone bands left over from fitting my cycle computer. They were fitted over the stem by removing it. Underneath is a bit of non-slip matting and jobs a goodun, the phone is snug and secure. 1500 miles so far and no problems but I do have the lanyard attached to the phone and wrapped around the computer should it fail.

If you give it a go just be sure to test it's durability whilst the bike is static on carpet by bashing the front wheel down a bit to simulate a rough road. It is a nice phone you have there afterall!

StillGoing

I have a 705 and see no need to change to an 800. Route planning works fine once you figure out which type of file you should be saving to the device. If you don't want route planning/navigation consider the Garmin 500.

The beauty of all three devices is they measure heart rate, wheel speed and cadence as well as all the GPS functions of navigation, elevation, and can be used on more than one bike. There are other functions too such as the trainer facilities, which also cover intervals, and virtual partner to help keep you going on solo rides.

mister_t

I've had a Garmin 205 for a few years now and have never had any problems with it. I am starting to wish I had bought the 305 for the cadence and barometric altimeter but it is not enough of an issue to buy a new one.

I am not convinced by the need for the likes of the 705/800 given the extra cost over the 205/305/500. Most of my routes are pre-planned so there is no need for anything more than the breadcrumb trail to follow, and this works really well. Maybe if you often take ad-hoc routes or need the unit to navigate you to a point, then the propper mapping would be justified.

Where the navigation by breadcrumb trail falls down is if you have to have to take a detour or a quick route home but this has been rare. It is also not great when you get accute forks in the road as it is difficult to tell which road the track is going down, though you only have to go a few meters past the junction to spot the error.

I always find it odd that Garmin don't promote the navigational abilities of the 205/305/500. Paired with sites like bikeroutetoaster you can plan and follow accurate routes quite easily, but the manuals don't tell you how to do this. I think this leaves a lot of people thinking an expensive 705/800 with mapping is the only option.

dirkdiggler69

the garmin 800 with city navigator is superb,
the garmin connect post ride breakdown is absolutely great and being able to download other peoples routes and then ride the route yourself is a great idea.
i always think that even if it stretches you a little to buy something thats really great then go for it, after a month or two you'll forget how hard the saving up was and you'll still have a great piece of kit to play with.

bugsrabbit

Is there a ghost rider option on the 800? If so does any body use it?

MaxwellBygraves

mister_t wrote:

I always find it odd that Garmin don't promote the navigational abilities of the 205/305/500.....I think this leaves a lot of people thinking an expensive 705/800 with mapping is the only option.

A company encouraging people to buy their more expensive goods even if they don't need it?

Surely not

mikeq

bugsrabbit wrote:

Is there a ghost rider option on the 800? If so does any body use it?

Yes there is. Not at the moment I dont