I am thinking of obtaining a GPS device for rides in rural areas where conventional maps do not have all the local roads and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these devices. Are they reliable, do they show unmapped roads, do trees interfere on roads and are there any models clearly superior to others? Thanks.
gps devices
Sat, 03/04/2006 - 4:43pm
Sun, 03/05/2006 - 4:23am
#1
GPS on the bike is awesome!
I've had a Garmin eTrex strapped to my bike for a year and love it. Links below. It strikes an ideal balance for a bike GPS:
1) Relatively inexpensive so if it gets damaged on the road, no need to mourn. That said, this device is tough.
2) Waterproof
3) Basic mapping capabilities. It comes with a basic map of the U.S. which includes major roads (only) and most importantly the location of every significant place (city, town, villages, etc.) in the US.
4) Has a bike mount.
Inputing rides is cumbersome but so rewarding. I can recommend software to use.
Once, without ever having seen the route or bringing a map I did a century without getting lost. I simply entered in the coordinates and the GPS led me. Very cool
Feel free to email/post with any further questions.
eTrex
http://www.shopping.com/xPF-Garmin_Etrex_Legend
bike mount:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?s...
Sun, 03/05/2006 - 5:29am
#2
GPS
Do an nycc.org archive search on GPS. I did a review of the Garmin 60. It works great. Got me from NYC to Montauk and Stamford, CT to Mount Pocono, PA without any maps.
Bob
Sun, 03/05/2006 - 8:22am
#3
wait for the garmin edge 305 (url)
"i checked paragon sports - they're expecting it in a few weeks:
http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/"
Mon, 03/06/2006 - 11:01am
#4
But does it talk to you?
The unit a friend has in their car announces the turns and lets you know if you missed one, verbally. That's what I want– forget the altimiter.
Sat, 03/11/2006 - 12:15pm
#5
taken from rec.bicycles.tech:
The unit SEEMS nice, and I have been a Garmin consumer for years for
car, boat and aircraft, but I'm wondering about this unit for other
reasons, beyond the current problem...
1. It is smaller than you see in the ads. Still nice, but for
$400.00...
2. Garmin needs to actually spend time in engineering rubber port
flaps. All their products have CRAPPY port covers- the Edge 305 is no
exception.
3. The battery for the Edge itself is NOT user replacable. Only the
battery for the heart monitor strap is. The Edge 305 itself has a
built in lithium ion that will someday need replacing/render the use of
it impossible. THAT is a BAD design in the year 2006.
Sun, 03/12/2006 - 12:42am
#6
ipod
is the unit chargeable? if so, it's just like the ipod - another product with a built in lithium ion battery that is not user replaceable. just like the ipod, someone will offer a service to replace the battery (third party vendors charge $50).
this doesn't sound like a deal breaker to me...especially since the garmin won't drain the battery nearly as fast as the ipod would.
don
> 3. The battery for the Edge itself is NOT user replacable.
> Only the battery for the heart monitor strap is. The Edge
> 305 itself has a built in lithium ion that will someday need
> replacing/render the use of it impossible. THAT is a BAD
> design in the year 2006.
Sun, 03/12/2006 - 8:21am
#7
> 3. The battery for the Edge itself is NOT user replacable.
> Only the battery for the heart monitor strap is. The Edge
> 305 itself has a built in lithium ion that will someday need
> replacing/render the use of it impossible. THAT is a BAD
> design in the year 2006.
Answer from rec.bike.tech
Agreed, and to me this is a disqualifying part of the design all by
itself. I normally keep electronic gadgets far longer than most
batteries last. And the nominal 12 hour life/charge isn't even
adequate for a long day ride, much less an extended tour. I'd also
expect the life/charge to deteriorate later in the lithium cells life.
To me it lacks the main feature that I like about using a GPS on my
bike rides - the ability to see exactly where I am on a map, alternate
routes I could take, places nearby, etc
Sun, 03/12/2006 - 8:41am
#8
and there are some ipod users...
...and are happy with the $50 battery replacement cost, i wouldn't worry too much about the garmin edge 305's 12 hour battery life. chances are, if someone's going to be out there riding their bike for more than 12 hours, they'll bring along their charger. well, maybe not the ram folks. :) i know i carry my ipod charger with me on trips (usb). the folks posting on the newsgroup need to step back and look at the big picture - it's a sweet device. if fred expects more, he can get a bigger, mo' bettah gps and carry it in a backpack.
don
Mon, 03/06/2006 - 7:32am
#9
thanks for all the input
Thanks for the input, it will help me make a decision. This is one of the great things about the Board
Mon, 03/06/2006 - 2:20pm
#10
Garmin Vista Cx
and the bad thing is it can make you spend....
I am looking at newer models and the Garmin Vista Cx looks really tempting. It doesn't talk but does make an audible beep when a turn is approaching. It has more featues than the 305 but is not an all-in-one. If you don't need a built-in altimeter, Amazon sells the eTrex Legend Cx for $250.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSSHG4/ref=pd_kar_gw_2/102-2508464-...
Mon, 03/06/2006 - 2:56pm
#11
the Garmin Vista Cx is not a...
....ciclometer or an hrm, etc. :)
don
