Cycling UK Forum

Regarding plugging it in - all units will need a connection to "home base" at some point, that's how they get map updates. It's done through Garmin Express (a separate, but related, portal to Garmin Connect).

That isn't wholly true, my Etrex30 uses free mapping and I copy it direct to the MicroSD card as explained here... https://www.openfietsmap.nl/tips-tricks/installation

You don't have to install the map for a whole region, you can install only those map "tiles" that you need

...a speedo that's less accurate than a knotted rope...snip

That's the nature of GPS unfortunately. It's bound to be less accurate for a variety of reasons including the accuracy of the satellite signal being bounced around on its journey from orbit, loss of signal due to buildings and woodland, etc.

tim-b wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 7:12am

Regarding plugging it in - all units will need a connection to "home base" at some point, that's how they get map updates. It's done through Garmin Express (a separate, but related, portal to Garmin Connect).

That isn't wholly true, my Etrex30 uses free mapping and I copy it direct to the MicroSD card as explained here... https://www.openfietsmap.nl/tips-tricks/installation

You don't have to install the map for a whole region, you can install only those map "tiles" that you need

quite - and means I don't need any garmin software to do it.
I find the garmin express/connect a right old drag - have to get the old windows PC out of the wardrobe every now and again when I want to update the "Extras" on waypoints.

tim-b wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 7:19am

...a speedo that's less accurate than a knotted rope...snip

That's the nature of GPS unfortunately. It's bound to be less accurate for a variety of reasons including the accuracy of the satellite signal being bounced around on its journey from orbit, loss of signal due to buildings and woodland, etc.

The loss of accuracy is temporary - I've occasionally lost signal under those conditions - but it will be restored as far as location is concerned as soon as the signal returns - usually doesn't take long so it isn't bound to be inaccurate.
I have one one occasion had a bounced signal which caused my etrex 30 to show that I had travelled further than I had - that's all it still reverted to giving me my correct location - looking at the route plot it showed that I had travelled several miles off route and back instantaneously - I didn't notice at the time.
It's a very rare event and isn't a problem except that if I were using my etrex in a time trial ( not that I have time trialled for decades) it would be a nuisance (as one well known time triallist found to her chagrin. )
If I want a definite mileage record - something I like to do when touring - I have a basic wired cycle computer.
I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

Milfred Cubicle wrote: ↑28 Mar 2024, 4:55pm In theory, the Etrex works. There are just lots of little niggles that get on my nerves. Like a trip counter that seems to start/stop when you sneeze, a speedo that's less accurate than a knotted rope...

I think that's more down to how old your unit is. Previous generation GPS chips could only lock onto a limited number of satellites - even if there were more in view - so as soon as you get into gorges, city centre skyscrapers, heavily wooded areas etc, it'll lose lock.

Modern chips can see and use far more satellites so it's far less of an issue. I'll reiterate my earlier point that the software on those eTrex is not designed for the speed of cycling either, it's optimised for hiking. It'll work - to an extent - but it's not as good as a cycling-specific one.

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

Modern chips can see and use far more satellites so it's far less of an issue. I'll reiterate my earlier point that the software on those eTrex is not designed for the speed of cycling either, it's optimised for hiking. It'll work - to an extent - but it's not as good as a cycling-specific one.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

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I've used my Garmin for long distances in my car - " where to? " function set up to permit routing on main roads and motorways.
My partner held it and read out the instructions.The etrex may of course be optimised for hiking (whatever that may mean)
But it can and does easily cope with cycling speeds - how do you mean "to an extent" ?
As for batteries I use rechargeable AAs - about 22 hrs.for normal use and six will usually do for a tour of ten days - obviously in extremis I can buy disposibles.
I don't wish to carry a powerbank - but I do have a phone charger.
I don't use USB chargeable lights again I prefer to swatch out batteries.
What I have works which is all I want.

rareposter wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 12:13pm

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

I've highlighted what I think are the 4 key words in your post.

(My eTrex runs longer than 24h on rechargeables, and significantly longer on Lithium AAs (for when I fancy a planet-wrecking treat ).
And if you can recommend a mobile phone that takes AAs as backup, please let me know.

AAs are a "solved problem". Whilst the internet is constantly alive with debate about how to sourece/use powerbanks, waterproofing cables. etc ...)

rareposter wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 12:13pm

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

People do grumble about the costs involved with having a phone battery replaced when once this was a 20 second DIY job, as they do with laptops. Manufacturers suggest built-in batteries allow their products to be better packaged and improve water resistance, but I doubt they're too bothered this also stimulates new sales.

What I find most inconvenient is that a battery bank for a mobile device is many times the size and weight of a spare battery or two, it's not always possible to recharge from the Grid.

Biospace wrote: ↑2 Apr 2024, 12:44pm

rareposter wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 12:13pm

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

People do grumble about the costs involved with having a phone battery replaced when once this was a 20 second DIY job, as they do with laptops. Manufacturers suggest built-in batteries allow their products to be better packaged and improve water resistance, but I doubt they're too bothered this also stimulates new sales.

Exactly. We've lived with the issue so long that it's just sort of become a fact of life - like death and taxes - but that doesn't mean it couldn't be done better.

Biospace wrote: ↑2 Apr 2024, 12:44pm

rareposter wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 12:13pm

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

I struggle to see why this is an issue - no-one says this about mobile phones or laptops! Even most lights these days are USB chargeable rather than battery. A powerbank will charge everything on the move multiple times, battery life on phones, GPS etc is now easily up at 24+ hrs (which is far more than they'll last on AA batteries!) and it's a lot cheaper than buying loads of AAs as well.

People do grumble about the costs involved with having a phone battery replaced when once this was a 20 second DIY job, as they do with laptops. Manufacturers suggest built-in batteries allow their products to be better packaged and improve water resistance, but I doubt they're too bothered this also stimulates new sales.

What I find most inconvenient is that a battery bank for a mobile device is many times the size and weight of a spare battery or two, it's not always possible to recharge from the Grid.

ahh the days when you took the battery out to insert the sim and sd card

ANTONISH wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 10:26am I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.

Preference is the right way to describe it, It all works and it all has some issues. One of the most often reported problems with the Etrex is faulty battery connections, made worse by size variations when using rechargeables, I used to need bits of tinfoil with some batteries and not others. The weak spot on some internal battery models is the Micro USB port, thankfully the USB C port is more robust. I haven't had to think about battery consumption during a ride with either the Etrex or the Explore, only with the Touring that came between them, even then it was a minor inconvenience rather than a deal breaker.

For me it changed about 5 years ago when Wahoo came to market with a device that lasted 12 hours plus on a single charge. Following that Garmin brought out a new series of devices that matched an surpassed the wahoo. There are pros and cons of different approaches but the key point for me is the battery lasted more than a long day in the saddle. Before that I had a Garmin touring which didn’t have the battery life I needed. So, as always with bike stuff, what works best depends what you want to do with it.

A free alternative is using Osmand (free offline mapping app) on your smartphone to record your rides. It will save in GPX Format. But if you get the paid for version it will connect with your ANT or Bluetooth sensors so you get more data. Cheaper option than Garmin or Wahoo but not tried it though.

Before I blew money on a Wahoo Bolt I used the free Osmand app for recording rides. The Bolt uses FIT files as recording format so is better for training data, heart rate etc but for basic logging Osmand does fine. I still use Osmand as additional mapping as the Bolt map display is quite small compared with your average smartphone.

See https://osmand.net/