Simple GPS solution advice

aileron

Apologies if this is not the right board for this. I'd appreciate any advice on a simple solution for a GPS device that will give me...

a) turn by turn routing (a beep-to-look is fine - don't need fancy audio voice)
b) the ability to import a pre-planned route (eg in gpx or kml format etc etc)

I don't need...
mapping/advanced sports functions etc.... but I recognize I might end up having to get a device with these.

I'm not averse to using my android phone but...
a) I don't think I can easily import a route into my Navigon or Google navigation apps.
b) battery life issues...not keen on wires and power packs etc.
c) Bike Hub and CycleStreets apps don't seem to have route import functions.

In essence looking for a cheap, simple routing solution that I can import club routes into.

Any suggestions appreciated. I know I'm a cheapskate and probably should get an Edge but hey, times is hard!

Thanks!

rstabler11

I'd be interested to hear an answer for this as well

freezing77

aileron wrote:

Apologies if this is not the right board for this. I'd appreciate any advice on a simple solution for a GPS device that will give me...

a) turn by turn routing (a beep-to-look is fine - don't need fancy audio voice)
b) the ability to import a pre-planned route (eg in gpx or kml format etc etc)

I don't need...
mapping/advanced sports functions etc.... but I recognize I might end up having to get a device with these.

I'm not averse to using my android phone but...
a) I don't think I can easily import a route into my Navigon or Google navigation apps.
b) battery life issues...not keen on wires and power packs etc.
c) Bike Hub and CycleStreets apps don't seem to have route import functions.

In essence looking for a cheap, simple routing solution that I can import club routes into.

Any suggestions appreciated. I know I'm a cheapskate and probably should get an Edge but hey, times is hard!

Thanks!

Look at the etrex series, or the oregon from garmin.
The etrex 10 does not have mapping and it cannot be added.
I used the older version where an arrow points you in the direction to follow.

ooermissus

Could turn by turn routing on an etrex really be described as simple?

freezing77

ooermissus wrote:

Could turn by turn routing on an etrex really be described as simple?

Er yes, why not.
I have had the etrex h, the etrex legend hcx and find that the legend is simpler and better for navigation than the edge 800.

Why do you question the simplicity?

wheezee

The Edge 200 allows you to input routes that you follow as a "breadcrumb" trail. It's just a line on the small screen, but I've used it successfully to get around new areas.

Still £100, mind.

freezing77

As the etrex series such as the legend and vista have been superceded by the touch screen etrex 10,20 and 30 there are some good deals on the older versions.

Pickled Pig

Also recommend basic etrex h. I have a colour touch gps with mapping but prefer the etrex on the bike. Load the route and simply follow the black line on the screen without the distraction of max speeds, averages etc. - all of which are available in different views.I find the 300m scale the best balance between resolution and anticipating turns. Uses 2 AA batts which last about 12 hours or 6 with the backlight on. You (almost) can't go wrong. Uses GPX files so no problem with compataility. The only downside is there's no audible output so you need to monitor the screen to spot changes in direction. If you buy second hand avoid models with a picture of a globe above the screen - the receiver is much slower. Look for "High Sensitivity " in red above the display.

stephenlinden

Does google maps on the phone not do turn by turn navigation? I know you can get (sometime inaccurate) bike routes and it does turn by turn navigation but I'm not sure if both work together.

You can also download maps prior to use to avoid data costs. I've not tried this myself because I have unlimited data

So, if you've got a smartphone (android, ithingy) this might work for no additional cost.

rich164h

It you don't need mapping, then pretty much any Garmin cycling or running device will do this, including the watches which can themselves be mounted on the handlebars. I used my forerunner for 18 month like this before I bought an edge800. For those without mapping you either end up with a breadcrumb trail (as described above) or at the very least ("turn left") type directions.

One word of warning though, you will need to spend a bit more time making sure that every turn is in the uploaded routes if you don't have mapping, as not all route creation websites insert a turn point for 100% of the junctions that you will come across on the road. Also, complex junctions can be a bit tricky to work out which way to go somewhere. A simple left/right decision is of course obvious but staggered junction or places where a couple of junctions are close together can be a bit confusing. This is never a problem if you are on your own as you will soon get an "off course" warning (10-20m down the road) and you can turn round and find the right route, but if you are leading a huge group then that could become a real headache.

A website like bikeroutetoaster is all you need for creating the routes themselves.

TheBiggles

I quite fancied having heart-rate and cadence, but the price jump is hard to justify it when you can get heart rate monitors for reasonable prices now.

How easy is the mapping to configure and follow in the 200? It gets good reviews, but not seen many screenshots.

freezing77

TheBiggles wrote:

I quite fancied having heart-rate and cadence, but the price jump is hard to justify it when you can get heart rate monitors for reasonable prices now.

How easy is the mapping to configure and follow in the 200? It gets good reviews, but not seen many screenshots.

Look here for an in depth review including numerous screenshots

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/08/garmin-edge-200-in-depth-review.html

The 200 does not have and cannot have maps.

TheBiggles

Much appreciated. That is in depth!

aileron

Yes all the advice is really useful and just seen the CTC magazine with some useful stuff too - so thanks all.

awallace

I use a Garmin Forerunner 305 and in the courses option i can load routes from Bikehike (converted from *.tcx to *.crs files via http://www.gpsies.com/convert.do?language=en). As above its literally a line that turns in the direction of the road, so if coming to a t-junction the watch shows an upside down L if that makes sense?! I find this useful as i run off road so can plot footpaths in the countryside through feilds etc. If i need more detail like a staggered junction, the i can zoom in which shows the route much closer, therefore if going off route it is more obvious.