Cycling UK Forum

Hi,

Am giving serious consideration to getting a bike GPS, mainly because when I go out on a new route, I am fed up of having to pull my phone out every x miles to check where the hell I am and if I am on the right route. I don't really care about heart rate monitoring or whether or not it can connect to cadence sensors etc as I have a Garmin Forerunner watch which can do that for me. The most important consideration is that the device needs to display a map, have enough memory to hold a map of a large area - e.g. central london down to the south coast of kent, be able to tell me when I have gone off route and be able to allow me to upload a route to it.

Looking forward to hearing people's opinions

If you have a phone that does the job except that it needs "pulling out", you could save some money by getting a waterproof mounting for the phone on your bike. Depending on the bike there are several around, most for handle bars (and some generic ones).

Ian

I could recommend the Garmin eTrex20. There's an updated version now but I've no experience of it. As far as I know the only differences are a nicer screen and resulting shorter battery life.
I have about 6 different UK maps on mine so no issues there with space. I can upload gpx routes to it. It's simple and uses buy anywhere AA batteries.
It can (I think) warn when you go off course and will 'bleep' when a change in course is upcoming but only when the unit is doing the navigating.
If using the bog standard gpx route (follow the pinky/purply line method) then you'll need to keep an eye on it from time to time. It'll keep quiet and tell you diddly squat.
They're pretty bomb proof though.

This is as simple... or as complicated as you want it to be

They vary from a simple system that has a series of lines you follow to full mapping
They vary from a system that you download via a cable, to automatically downloading via Bluetooth
Some will simply record the route, others will be able to record everything form your heart rate, speed, pace and how fast you pedal
Some will give a beep when you turn, others will beep and give you instructions

Make a list of the features that are essential, you would like and would be nice to have, then look at a main manafcturer such as Garmin to see what they have that fulfils your list, then revise to what you can afford

It is also worth looling at independent site such as DC Rainkmaker for independent reviews and comparisons

I'v kept it simple - I use a Garmin Etrex legend HCx, mainly for walking, for exactly the reason you describe - to check where I am if I'm not sure, and to record our walks. I don't tend to go to the trouble of putting in maps, routes etc. though I'm just beginning to experiment with routes, using open street map to plan them out on the PC. But I can't be bothered with the cost of downloading digital maps, the paper OS ones that I've collected do the job thankyou.

I did try mounting an etrex on the bike once, it all worked very well but I found I was watching the Etrex instead of the road, scenery etc.!

So the Garmin (if I have it with me) sits in my pocket or clips onto my belt, and I just pull it out and check the grid ref if I need to and plan my own route in my head once I know where I am. I get the double benefit of keeping my (now aging!) mind active as well

EDIT - its one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-eTrex-Le ... B000UNFLNS

Since you have a phone - a bar mount and battery pack will probably be the cheapest option.

Or maybe navigation software and an earpiece (leaving the screen off does wonders for battery life)

+1 for the etrex20.

I don't know how much battery life the etrex20x loses in comparison though isn't it fair to assume that the small (i assume) downside can be handled by improvements in rechargeable battery capacity and technology?

I have an Etrex and a Touring Plus and until recently an Edge 500. I've never used a phone for navigation so can't compare.
The Edge 500 or the cheaper 200 don't have any mapping, you can download a track which will just show as a line on the screen and an arrow showing you where you are on it. I didn't get on with this, IMO takes a lot of care at junctions, though you see within a few meters when you've gone wrong. I know some get on better with it than I did and it records where you've been fine.
The Etrex 20 is good for what you want. it's been around a while and there's plenty of advise. it's got quite a lot of none GPS add ons with make it a useful touring tool, alarm, calculator... It'll hold as much mapping as you want, either internally or on a SD card, you can even have multiple maps of the same area and change between them. It doesn't come with any usable mapping, you can either buy Garmin City Navigator or download the free OSM (Open Street Mapping?) Big advantage for touring are the AA batteries with a long run time, though it does make it bit clunky.
The Touring Plus and Touring (The plus bit adds HR capability and Barometric Altimeter) are simplified versions of the cycling specific Garmin 800, basically they don't cater for the training needs. A lot sleeker than an Etrex, USB charged enclosed battery with a claimed 17 hours run time with is likely to be overoptimistic. Comes with Europe OSM mapping preinstalled on an SD card. Touch screen which is easy to swipe between map and data. Took me a little while and a few goes to get it set up as I wanted, now it is I like it, very simple to use, not a lot of features just clearly shows a pre planned route and records your ride.
With all these devices it's probably best not to let them plan a route for you unless you have to, they can do it, but the choices are probably not those you'd make. I plan my routes on the excellent cycle.travel download them as a GPX Track for the Etrex or a TCX Course for the Touring and away you go.
I bought the Touring Plus to have a single unit replacing the Etrex and Edge 500, although I like it for day to day riding I'm undecided if I'll prefer it to the Etrex for multi day tours.
it's worth shopping around for good prices, I've bought all three of mine from handtec who always seem competitive.
http://www.handtec.co.uk/

My Motorola Moto E with Osmand on board does all that. £75 for the phone, £5 for Osmand+ and a couple of quid for the bike mount. If you enter a route it will give you voice directions and the battery lasts a day with the screen on. Osmand maps are on the phone so you dont need a phone signal. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=102016&hilit=Moto+e .Routes can be figured out on cycle.travel etc when the phone is connected to WiFi and imported to Osmand.

Al