route uploading to Garmin Edge 500

daffyavfc

I'm looking at buying the above named GPS unit,funds cannot stretch to an 800. What websites do folk use to upload routes to their device?

I've read some use strava, bike toast and Ride GPS and wondered what peoples choices were and why.

thanks

alex222

I tried Ride GPS so as to get turn by turn directions. But for whatever reason it kept going wrong. So reverted to using Garmin's own course design. Although now I know most the routes in my area I no longer use the map function.

duckson

If you want turn by turn with it warning you to turn before you get to the turning (ridewithGPS will prompt to turn but only when you are on top of the turn or slightly past it) then http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php will let you set a warning distance (bikeroutetoaster is down at the moment but also allows the same).

After you have done the route its usually best to zoom into turnings (1st person view on the map) to make sure they are 100% correct and also some turnings might be a bit spurious (road goes round a 90 degree righthand bend and it has set a right turn prompt when its obviously not needed).

Have a play and set a local very short route up to test it.

This info might be some help:- http://ridewithgps.com/help/garmin-edge-500

Jules Winnfield

I use Garmin Connect to plan my routes and then upload them to my 510.....

http://connect.garmin.com/

Obviously you will need to register first but once you do that, its easy to use. I find that the routes devised on Garmin Connect are more accurate than on Strava.

dabber

I've been trying to use Garmin Connect to create a route but think I must be doing something wrong. I have it set to follow roads but on one route I've tried to create I want it to follow a main(ish) road and it just diverts to a dead end cul de sac just off of the main road.

alex222

Dabber I find you just need to set the direction points closer together when it does that.

dabber

Alex222 wrote:

Dabber I find you just need to set the direction points closer together when it does that.

I managed to pass the "sticking point" after a lot of effort. Trying to make very small steps never worked and it actually went back on itself to find the cul de sac. Eventually I got it to go the way I wanted by making the next click point a lot further down the road. Weird... Mapmy ride doesn't give me the problems, or Ridewithgps or GPSies. Something strange with the Garmin modelling.

daffyavfc

I've created the same routes with Strava and GC so far and will compare and contrast them with Biketoaster and GPS Ride as time goes on to see which I prefer best. Thanks for your advice.

daniel_b

I would use gpsies as when you save there is an option to 'save trackpoints evenly' and for me this seems to get over the problem of the breadcrumb trail dissapearing randomly.

A google or look on the garmin forum will bring up many threads on the subject.

I have given up on turn reminders, just never seem to work.
I ride a route now on map view until I know it.

daffyavfc

Daniel B wrote:

I would use gpsies as when you save there is an option to 'save trackpoints evenly' and for me this seems to get over the problem of the breadcrumb trail dissapearing randomly.

A google or look on the garmin forum will bring up many threads on the subject.

I have given up on turn reminders, just never seem to work.
I ride a route now on map view until I know it.

Gpsies? Which one is that Daniel B please?

maddog 2

I use Garmin Connect for the (mainly road) routes I design. There's a tickbox on the right that enables you to 'stay on roads' or not, which usually sorts out the niggly bits.

If someone sends me a GPX file then I use Gpsies to convert it to a file that my Edge500 will accept. The conversion is a tad convoluted but once you've mastered it then it's pretty easy (and I've written it down...)

daffyavfc

maddog 2 wrote:

If someone sends me a GPX file then I use Gpsies to convert it to a file that my Edge500 will accept. The conversion is a tad convoluted but once you've mastered it then it's pretty easy (and I've written it down...)

maddog2, I'm not fully up with the edge 500 yet. What files do the garmins accept to work properly? I've seen the tcx and gpx but was under the impression the 500 took tcx only as it doesn't have a fully working Map option.

Is Gypsies the name if the website?

daniel_b

daffyavfc wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

I would use gpsies as when you save there is an option to 'save trackpoints evenly' and for me this seems to get over the problem of the breadcrumb trail dissapearing randomly.

A google or look on the garmin forum will bring up many threads on the subject.

I have given up on turn reminders, just never seem to work.
I ride a route now on map view until I know it.

Gpsies? Which one is that Daniel B please?

Hi Daffy, sorry for delay - here you go: http://www.gpsies.com