Garmin or similar navigation device?

ilovedirt

So I'm living here in north wales and haven't really taken advantage of all the natural riding, and I'm getting quite into the long XC stuff, but it's such a pain having to pull a map out of your bag every five minutes, so I'd quite fancy a garmin or something.
I have literally no idea where to look here, what is any good, what is a bit rubbish or anything like that, so could anyone point me in the right direction of where to start? Obviously it needs to be bar mounted and fairly rugged, and I'd quite like to come in at less than £200. Significantly less if possible.
Cheers

ilovedirt

So I just read the bikeradar buyers guide on GPS systems, was pretty rubbish if i'm honest, didn't really tell me anything. Anyone got any suggestions?

Dave_P1

The Garmin Edge 800 seems very popular and easy to use according to some of my friends that have it.

ilovedirt

Cool, cheers for the info. Looking at map packs, do you think a 1:50k map is sufficient for cycling with? I usually use a 1:25k map

camerauk

A vote for the Garmin Dakota with the maps a lot cheaper around £230 not got all the bike features but does heart rate and cadence if you get the monitors
still get speed average speed distance etc just not split times and virtual partner etc
I have been using one for over 2 years now and worked faultless

camerauk

ilovedirt wrote:

Cool, cheers for the info. Looking at map packs, do you think a 1:50k map is sufficient for cycling with? I usually use a 1:25k map

I have the 1:50k map and it's been all that I have needed around Dartmoor
I plan routes on Bikehike and load them onto the dakota

ilovedirt

Ah nice cheers for that, is that £230 for the actual unit and the map packs as well? If so, that sounds pretty ideal!

camerauk

No seems they are around £330 with maps have gone up a bit since I got mine I paid £230 with the maps
can get unit for around £200 without maps but there was a program on the internet somewhere that you could download map tiles in 1:50k or even 1:25k that would work on the Dakota for free but it's limited to 100 tiles so the area is not massive but easily bit enough for a 60 mile ride

ilovedirt

Cool, cheers for the info!

camerauk

No problem I will try and remember the name of the website for the map tiles

ilovedirt

To be honest, i'll probably end up getting the full UK map pack, just for the convenience really, they amount they charge for map packs for certain areas is daft!

How well does it work by the way? I'm chatting to a friend about getting one and he said you have to use it in conjunction with a map or something. Can you not just figure out a route on the computer, load it into the garmin and then have it point you where to go? That's essentially what I'm after, as I'm fed up of having to get a map out of my bag every 5 minutes. Also, is it fairly accurate most of the time?

ColinJ

1:50,000 maps are ideal for road cycling , but 1:25,000 maps are better for off-road.

If you just want to follow a pre-determined route then the Garmin Etrex H is all you need. It's extremely rugged and is available for under £60 but you'd have to add about £25 for NiMH batteries, bar mount and cable.

It doesn't have any mapping capability but if you plot the routes at home and upload them to the device, that doesn't matter. It will show you a 'breadcrumb trail' on the screen and you just follow that. It should keep you within about 8 metres of where you want to be so you should be able to spot which turns to take.

ilovedirt

Hmm, only thing is, i'd quite like to have the map on screen, so i can see exactly where i am and remember what trails to take next time and what to avoid etc...

ilovedirt

I'm liking the look of this actually. It has a larger screen than the garmin dakota 20 i was looking at, looks as if the screen is clearer, comes with the full uk 1:50k mapping that the garmin does, but also comes with a free 1:25k map download (would be ideal for most of snowdonia i reckon, where i ride mostly) and is a fiver cheaper! Reckon I might see how far i can push my luck for my 21st birthday

camerauk

Unit has worked faultless for the last 2 years
you don't need to use a map at all when using the Dakota (as long as you have the maps)
I do carry a map with me incase it breaks/stops working or batteries run flat(although I do carry spare batteries)
I use a set of Uniross HYBRIO rechargeable AA batteries which last all day (well at least 9 hours longest I been out)

Yes you can just figure out a route on the computer, load it into the garmin and then have it point you where to go

pilch

Got a Satmap Active 10 & a Garmin 705

Depending on what your priorities are:-

The satmap is excellent for route finding & exploring as it has a big screen and you can get a good overview of routes & features 1:50 is spot on, I find 1:25 overkill as you don't get a good 'overview' of the surrounding area, really handy to check headings etc.

I use the 705 for training and simpler routes where i've got a rough idea of where i'm going, you can still follow a route but its just a line to show you direction.

You can easily plan, transfer & share routes for either device via memory map or tracklogs, garmin, or satmap websites