Garmin GPS watch

ugo.santalucia
ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
edited April 2016 in Commuting chat
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/outdoor ... 60512.html

it says it has memory for 50 routes, but does it mean routes can be uploaded or only recorded? I need/want a device that I can upload a route on and a watch would be better than a big tablet in front of the handlebar...

Why technology is so unfriendly to the elderly... :roll: :mrgreen:
left the forum March 2023

Comments

  • dadofsam
    dadofsam Posts: 7
    Afraid I can't be 100% sure for the Fenix3 but I have a Forerunner 235 and something I didn't consider before buying was just how much functionality can be added through apps, eg. dwMap https://apps.garmin.com/en-GB/apps/2750 ... acc7ce4870 - it's also available for the Fenix 3, whilst not the most detailed it may be enough?
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    You'll be able to upload routes but assuming they're the same as the Forerunner 920XT then they're not great. I.e. not real turn by turn (which I have on my Edge 1000, and had on the Edge 800 before that)

    DCRainmaker does the better write ups
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garm ... eview.html
    The Fenix3 includes virtually all of the cycling functions and features found in any previous Garmin Edge device – including the Edge 1000. The only features it lacks are turn-by-turn navigation with mapping (i.e.: Turn Left on Maple Street), Auto-Lap by position, and the Edge Remote Control support.

    Read that bit of his review
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    I actually prefer them not being great, I want it to replace a map, as the latter is not very practical to carry around, not to be a sort of dictator telling me to go left and right... I hate those!
    left the forum March 2023
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    Then I'd guess you definitely don't want the Fenix. The Forerunner doesn't show the maps but does tell you off for going the wrong way - almost the opposite of what you're after.

    I reckon it's the Garmin 520 you want. Should show maps but doesn't bark instructions.
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  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Edge 800 touring.
    I had the Fenix and never got on with it cycling.

    If it`s proper satnav, hiking maps etc,, get a Montana and mount, it`s big,ish, but not massive.
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I actually prefer them not being great, I want it to replace a map, as the latter is not very practical to carry around, not to be a sort of dictator telling me to go left and right... I hate those!

    You can turn turn by directions off, and auto calculate. I have the 520 and the touring, the Touring has Europe wide mapping and the screen is just about big enough for mapping to be useful.

    I leave the turn by turn but turn off all the alerts and various nagging bits off.

    The 520 screen isn't really that big nor it's storage to make mapping that useful.
  • pangolin
    pangolin Posts: 6,660
    I use a Garmin etrex, never managed to get turn by turn directions from it - not sure if it can. But great for showing a small colour map. Run's on 2 AA's as well if that is useful, depends what you're doing.
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    Is it just my impression or last year these Garmins could be had for a lot less than the 200 quid plus they ask now?
    left the forum March 2023
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Is it just my impression or last year these Garmins could be had for a lot less than the 200 quid plus they ask now?

    which Garmins? the touring is £160 though the 520 is £180ish.

    the edge stuff has gone from £100-£350ish for quite a few years now.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    Periodically I convince myself I need one of these, then I lose momentum when I realise all the hassle involved in having to fix this thing to the bike, making sure I don't lose the charging cable, making sure I remember where I put it...

    I think I am getting old and intolerant... the watch did seem a neat idea, as I wear one anyway... no mounts, less hassle, but maybe it's not suited to cycling and it's not cheap either
    left the forum March 2023
  • FoldingJoe
    FoldingJoe Posts: 1,327
    I've got the Fenix 3, and yes, you can download routes to it, but never used it for that so can't say how that works (I don't think it does turn by turn).

    If you want a watch with maps then the newer Epix has that.
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    Thanks, people at Garmin say no...

    on balance I won't bother and keep sticking paper notes of key turns and junctions in my rear pocket. Got me round OK so far...
    left the forum March 2023
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Thanks, people at Garmin say no...

    on balance I won't bother and keep sticking paper notes of key turns and junctions in my rear pocket. Got me round OK so far...
    Careful when upgrading to 12 speed though, it'll not be backward compatible with paper
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo

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