I know there's lots around but I haven't found a good review on comparisons between Garmins and other touring style computers.
Basically I currently have a cateye for standard information (inc cadance) and Strava on my android phone to look at routes when I get home, including posting and viewing to friends through Strava. This does the job great but now looking to expand by being about to download or preset routes. Eg. Downloading an Evans cycle route from their website, or putting in a preset route/turn points each day on my LE2JOG (one day I will get round to it).
So everything for me: Mount, Cadence (although wouldn't use a HR), ability to Upload and Download routes, setting route or route turn points, replace need for my current computer (dst, ave, max, time etc).
Maps: Either installed or ability to download, currently only UK maybe oneday Europe or others (although don't think world trip will ever come off). Riding both road and trails.
If you can recommend a good review or other useful posts it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Good alround Garmin
Good alround Garmin
Newton's first law; Large body mass and weight equals fast going down hill but slow going up,
So blame Newton not me when you're bored waiting at the top of the hill.
So blame Newton not me when you're bored waiting at the top of the hill.
Re: Good alround Garmin
Do a search on the forum for "etrex 20" or google for reviews of it.
It does everything you're asking with the exception of cadence, the etrex 30 will cover you there.
Mounts for both units and the cadence kit for the 30 are optional extras you need to buy.
Both come with pre-installed "basic" maps which are terrible but Talkytoaster, Openfietsmap (which I personally use) Velomaps and a few others do downloadable maps for both the gps units and garmins basecamp.
Both units can take downloadable tracks which give a pinkish line to follow on the map (easiest way) or you can use a route which gives the pinkish line but with turn directions (it'll beep and show a white arrow at junctions and so on) but is more difficult to use and has quite severe limitations in its point capacity (50 at present).
I may have the definitions of track and route the wrong way around, I can never remember
It does everything you're asking with the exception of cadence, the etrex 30 will cover you there.
Mounts for both units and the cadence kit for the 30 are optional extras you need to buy.
Both come with pre-installed "basic" maps which are terrible but Talkytoaster, Openfietsmap (which I personally use) Velomaps and a few others do downloadable maps for both the gps units and garmins basecamp.
Both units can take downloadable tracks which give a pinkish line to follow on the map (easiest way) or you can use a route which gives the pinkish line but with turn directions (it'll beep and show a white arrow at junctions and so on) but is more difficult to use and has quite severe limitations in its point capacity (50 at present).
I may have the definitions of track and route the wrong way around, I can never remember
Bill
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” ~ Eddy Merckx
It's a rich man whos children run to him when his pockets are empty.
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” ~ Eddy Merckx
It's a rich man whos children run to him when his pockets are empty.
Re: Good alround Garmin
+1 for the etrex 20. Another advantage is AA batteries so you can take spare rechargeables or even put alkalines in. I get about 2 full days off a pair of batteries.
"Marriage is a wonderful invention; but then again so is the bicycle puncture repair kit." - Billy Connolly
Re: Good alround Garmin
My choice as well, although I went for the 30 I've never actually used any of the added features it has.
Adding the free maps is as simple as downloading them, attaching the device via USB and putting the file in the correct folder on the device (there may be a more 'Garminy' way of doing it but you don't need to).
Nope that's the right way around- almost caught me out when I first used it but fortunately I put both routes and tracks on the device.
Adding the free maps is as simple as downloading them, attaching the device via USB and putting the file in the correct folder on the device (there may be a more 'Garminy' way of doing it but you don't need to).
Vantage wrote:Both units can take downloadable tracks which give a pinkish line to follow on the map (easiest way) or you can use a route which gives the pinkish line but with turn directions (it'll beep and show a white arrow at junctions and so on) but is more difficult to use and has quite severe limitations in its point capacity (50 at present).
I may have the definitions of track and route the wrong way around, I can never remember
Nope that's the right way around- almost caught me out when I first used it but fortunately I put both routes and tracks on the device.
Re: Good alround Garmin
Vantage wrote:Do a search on the forum for "etrex 20" or google for reviews of it.
It does everything you're asking with the exception of cadence, the etrex 30 will cover you there.
Mounts for both units and the cadence kit for the 30 are optional extras you need to buy.
Both come with pre-installed "basic" maps which are terrible but Talkytoaster, Openfietsmap (which I personally use) Velomaps and a few others do downloadable maps for both the gps units and garmins basecamp.
Both units can take downloadable tracks which give a pinkish line to follow on the map (easiest way) or you can use a route which gives the pinkish line but with turn directions (it'll beep and show a white arrow at junctions and so on) but is more difficult to use and has quite severe limitations in its point capacity (50 at present).
I may have the definitions of track and route the wrong way around, I can never remember
These are now available with a usable map (Topo UK and Ireland) installed. Much much better than the normal basemap. Amazon have them for about £150 for the 20 This is the kind of map they should have been supplied with from the beginning, the basemap for practical purposes is useless.