GPS for road bike

Yum said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I have two of the low-end eTrex and am constantly
entertained by them in breadcrumb-dropping display
(different scales).

I have two because a temporary repair of one with electrical
tape and a balled-up packing peanut is surprisingly
permanent, as a button replacement.

Breadcrumb-dropping makes its own local map, which changes
constantly, if you repeat a route.

One of them has waypoints dropped at intersections, and that
has to be the local scale display; the other has only major
waypoints like home and common destinations, on the large-
area display scale.

It's always amazing to come up on an unbreadcrumbed waypoint
in the middle of nowhere, crossing some route that has long
since disappeared.
--
Ron Hardin [email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I think it depends on how you tour. I tend to plan my tours
in advance fairly carefully using topo maps. For that I use
a small basic hiking type GPS without basemaps. I plan
waypoints and routes using OziExplorer and topo maps on the
PC, then use that package to send the routes and waypoints
to the GPS. If you want more flexibility enroute, then you
need to take a PDA loaded with maps with a GPS attached, or
take a GPS loaded with maps (I'm a bit out of date, but I'm
not aware of any GPS units with altitude data built in,
which I feel is almost essential for a cycle tour, hence the
suggestion of the PDA with topo maps and attached GPS. That
is my next project, a HP 2210 with OziExplorer CE for a
moving map topo display. I will attach my existing small
Garmin GPS so that I don't need to run the PDA all the time
- no power socket on the bike!)

Bruce Graham

"Yum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I use Magellan Meridian Platinum but many will do the job
just fine.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Yum
Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

Garmin 60C 0r 60CS are worth a look.
They have a handlebar mount available.
The level of detail and working with the available memory and how Garmin has you select the segments will determine if they will work for you.
If you have support, a PC traveling along, easy way to recharge batteries; then 60C/CS is great.

"Ron Hardin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yum said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I have two of the low-end eTrex and am constantly
entertained by them in breadcrumb-dropping display
(different scales).

I have two because a temporary repair of one with
electrical tape and a balled-up packing peanut is
surprisingly permanent, as a button replacement.

Breadcrumb-dropping makes its own local map, which changes
constantly, if you repeat a route.

One of them has waypoints dropped at intersections, and
that has to be the local scale display; the other has only
major waypoints like home and common destinations, on the
large-area display scale.

It's always amazing to come up on an unbreadcrumbed
waypoint in the middle of nowhere, crossing some route
that has long since disappeared.

I don't get it. Can you please explain "breadcrumb-
dropping"?

Thanks,

Kyle

Quoted message said:

I don't get it. Can you please explain "breadcrumb-
dropping"?

Thanks,

Kyle

It's a tracklog. The gps automatically records where you
been. You can also save tracklogs and use them to
navigate with.

--
Pete Rissler web1.greatbasin.net~risslerOpen ↗
tccycling.comtccycling.comOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Michael Pearlma
"Yum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I use Magellan Meridian Platinum but many will do the job
just fine.

I second the Magellan. I don't have a platinum tho, the standard meridian does just fine for me and I've loaded the topo maps and download the tracks to both mapsend topo and delorme topo 4 for post ride analysis of terrain. ( I use it to calculate the total climbing distance and total elevation climbed during my ride.)

Bruce Graham <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I think it depends on how you tour. I tend to plan my
tours in advance fairly carefully using topo maps. For
that I use a small basic hiking type GPS without
basemaps. I plan waypoints and routes using OziExplorer
and topo maps on the PC, then use that package to send
the routes and waypoints to the GPS. If you want more
flexibility enroute, then you need to take a PDA loaded
with maps with a GPS attached, or take a GPS loaded with
maps (I'm a bit out of date, but I'm not aware of any GPS
units with altitude data built in, which I feel is almost
essential for a cycle tour, hence the suggestion of the
PDA with topo maps and attached GPS. That is my next
project, a HP 2210 with OziExplorer CE for a moving map
topo display. I will attach my existing small Garmin GPS
so that I don't need to run the PDA all the time - no
power socket on the bike!)

Your experience/information is at least a few years out of
date. There have been small GPS units with built-in
compensating barometric altimeters for at least 3-4 years
now. And they can accept downloadable topographic maps. I
have a Garmin eTrex Vista and it has these features and that
model has been around for over 3 years. There are newer
models with more memory, larger displays, color displays,
etc. available with the same features. And they are much
more rugged and waterproof than your PDA. My Vista has been
through torrential downpours without even a hiccup. My
Legend, essentially the same but less memory and no
altimeter, survive a hit-and-run that left me with two
broken arms and much of the left side of my face and both
knees scraped off on the pavement. I used the Legend for
touring Italy two years ago, and for the Pacific coast last
fall. The Vista will be with me in the Dolomites, Alps, and
lakes of Lombardia starting next week; the map set for that
region and routes are already downloaded into the unit. BTW,
some balk at the cost of the downloadable Garmin mapsets,
but it is no more than the registration cost for the full-
feature version of OziExplorer so I do not buy the argument.

- rick

In article
<[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Bruce Graham <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I think it depends on how you tour. I tend to plan my
tours in advance fairly carefully using topo maps. For
that I use a small basic hiking type GPS without
basemaps. I plan waypoints and routes using OziExplorer
and topo maps on the PC, then use that package to send
the routes and waypoints to the GPS. If you want more
flexibility enroute, then you need to take a PDA loaded
with maps with a GPS attached, or take a GPS loaded with
maps (I'm a bit out of date, but I'm not aware of any
GPS units with altitude data built in, which I feel is
almost essential for a cycle tour, hence the suggestion
of the PDA with topo maps and attached GPS. That is my
next project, a HP 2210 with OziExplorer CE for a moving
map topo display. I will attach my existing small Garmin
GPS so that I don't need to run the PDA all the time -
no power socket on the bike!)

Your experience/information is at least a few years out of
date. There have been small GPS units with built-in
compensating barometric altimeters for at least 3-4 years
now. And they can accept downloadable topographic maps. I
have a Garmin eTrex Vista and it has these features and
that model has been around for over 3 years. There are
newer models with more memory, larger displays, color
displays, etc. available with the same features. And they
are much more rugged and waterproof than your PDA. My
Vista has been through torrential downpours without even a
hiccup. My Legend, essentially the same but less memory
and no altimeter, survive a hit-and-run that left me with
two broken arms and much of the left side of my face and
both knees scraped off on the pavement. I used the Legend
for touring Italy two years ago, and for the Pacific coast
last fall. The Vista will be with me in the Dolomites,
Alps, and lakes of Lombardia starting next week; the map
set for that region and routes are already downloaded into
the unit. BTW, some balk at the cost of the downloadable
Garmin mapsets, but it is no more than the registration
cost for the full-feature version of OziExplorer so I do
not buy the argument.

- rick

I should have mentioned that I'm in Australia and the last
time I looked I could not get topo maps for a Garmin (such
as your Vista) for this area. When they are available I will
go that way (and I had forgotten they have been available
for the US for a long time).

My current set up is about five years old. A Garmin GPS12
(heavy and limited by today's standards) and an early
version of OziExplorer with free upgrades and the Auslig or
other raster topo maps.

Sounds like you have a great trip coming up. Only time I
had a French tour (2001) I had to use scanned Michelin
maps. The only topo information was little chevrons showing
the steep grades.

Bruce

I use a Garmin ETrex, buttttttt I just put a wireless bike
computer on my bike and if I turn on my GPS the bike
computer will show 0 and does not work. As soon as I turn
the GPS off the bike computer starts to work again. Does
anyone else have this problem?

I had that problem if I placed the bike computer right
next to the Garmin Etrex Venture. But when I placed them
on opposite sides of the stem it went away. BTW, I love
my GPS. Gary

Mark said:

I use a Garmin ETrex, buttttttt I just put a wireless bike
computer on my bike and if I turn on my GPS the bike
computer will show 0 and does not work. As soon as I turn
the GPS off the bike computer starts to work again. Does
anyone else have this problem?

Yum said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I started a thread on this awhile back in rec.bicycles.misc.
This URL should have it:

tinyurl.comywayfOpen ↗

Is GPS without map still useful for the purpose of
navigation ? Can it replace cue sheet ? Yes, I realize the
map feature is very attractive, but a GPS unit, map
software, handle bar mount add up to almost $400. I just
wonder how useful are GPS units like Foretrex or Geko that
don't support map. Another questions is how detail are those
maps you can use on handheld unit ? Are the comparable to MS
S&T ? I am new to GPS and never owned myself.

"Yum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I've used GPS on significant bike tours for many years.
Mainly for fun and technical interest, but there are some
real advantages to using one.

Started with a Garmin 12CX, went to an ETrex when the 12CX
got lost, now I'm using an ETrex Legend. I don't think
there's a better model for cycling than one of the
versions of ETrex.

I think having the base map is a useful feature, but
they're never at a scale that has been really useful for
finding roads.

Knowing which direction you're heading is very useful, but
you can get the same effect with a good compass.

Having an accurate speedometer is a nice feature. Not
dependent on wheel size or tyre wear. Something you can't
set wrongly.

Being able to make a waypoint and collect them is like
mentally marking our your territory, but you can also
do that with a map and some coloured pins if you
really want to.

Personally, I collect tracks and fragment them so that I can
stitch a ride together out of the fragments and know how far
and its profile exactly.

Together with an accurate map, knowing where you are, and
really knowing where you are, makes it all worthwhile for
the comfort factor on a long and possibly remote ride. When
the day's ride distance is near your comfort maximum, taking
an unexpected detour can be the different between arriving
in good time, or struggling in late and tired.

The only time a GPS saved me was on the '99 PBP. I marked
the 200km during the night on the way out of Paris. On the
way back in I was so dead and disorientated, that I lost my
way along with a number of other people. Because of the GPS
trackback feature, I could see quickly I'd diverged from the
track and could get back on my way with little incident.
Without it, I might still be riding around lost in rural
France, not that that's a bad thing in itself.

Phillip

This is a good info. Is here any unique feature you like
about eTrex ? I was inclined to get one of Magellan Meridian
models, because I felt Gamn's map CD is overpriced. Thanks.

"Phillip Stevens" <Phillip_Stevens(NOSPAM)@BTOpenworld.com>
wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Yum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:iZOdndnSGOpsYlrdRVn-
[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I've used GPS on significant bike tours for many years.
Mainly for fun and technical interest, but there are some
real advantages to using one.

Started with a Garmin 12CX, went to an ETrex when the 12CX
got lost, now

I'm

Quoted message said:

using an ETrex Legend. I don't think there's a better
model for cycling

than

Quoted message said:

one of the versions of ETrex.

I think having the base map is a useful feature, but
they're never at a scale that has been really useful for
finding roads.

Knowing which direction you're heading is very useful, but
you can get the same effect with a good compass.

Having an accurate speedometer is a nice feature. Not
dependent on wheel size or tyre wear. Something you can't
set wrongly.

Being able to make a waypoint and collect them is like
mentally marking

our

Quoted message said:

your territory, but you can also do that with a map and
some coloured pins if you really want to.

Personally, I collect tracks and fragment them so that I
can stitch a ride together out of the fragments and know
how far and its profile exactly.

Together with an accurate map, knowing where you are, and
really knowing where you are, makes it all worthwhile for
the comfort factor on a long

and

Quoted message said:

possibly remote ride. When the day's ride distance is near
your comfort maximum, taking an unexpected detour can be
the different between arriving in good time, or struggling
in late and tired.

The only time a GPS saved me was on the '99 PBP. I marked
the 200km during the night on the way out of Paris. On the
way back in I was so dead and disorientated, that I lost
my way along with a number of other people. Because of the
GPS trackback feature, I could see quickly I'd diverged

from

Quoted message said:

the track and could get back on my way with little
incident. Without it, I might still be riding around lost
in rural France, not that that's a bad thing in itself.

Phillip

I've used eTrex for years, daily; it stands up very well.
The failure mode (on one, resulting in getting the other; so
now I have two on the handlebars) is that the page button
falls off from wearing out.

A temporary repair - that turns out to be permanent and
works great - is ball up a packing peanut and secure it in
the hole with high quality (very important - use 3M)
electrical tape. A fake button magically appears and works
perfectly.

The trouble with this advice is that there are various kinds
of packing peanuts and they don't all work. You need to use
one that is springy and doesn't break when balled up. Keep
checking those incoming mail-order boxes until you get one
that works. About half a peanut fills the hole.
--
Ron Hardin [email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

In article <[email hidden]>, Ron Hardin

Quoted message said:

I've used eTrex for years, daily; it stands up very well.
The failure mode (on one, resulting in getting the other;
so now I have two on the handlebars) is that the page
button falls off from wearing out.

_ I've tried using an eTrex summit on my bike as an
replacement cyclocomputer and I find that it doesn't fair
well in heavy forest cover or steep ravines. On flat or open
ground it does fairly well, but on any ride that involves a
lot of climbing it often tracks less than 50% of the ride.

_ Booker C. Bense

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Phillip Stevens said:

I don't think there's a better model for cycling than one
of the versions of ETrex.

Before you say that, you should take a look at the Garmin
GPSMAP 60CS. If you install the right maps (City Select USA,
in my case), it does auto-routing. Just give it a
destination and it figures out the whole route for you from
your present location, including telling you the distance.
It gives you turn-by-turn instructions as you ride (beeps as
you approach a junction and tells you which way to turn). It
recalculates the route automatically if you miss a turn.
It'll even tell you where convenience stores and restaurants
are along the way! In addition to bike and hiking use, it's
a very decent car navigation device.

The 60CS has a better antenna/receiver than the eTrex models
and much more memory for maps (55MB!). The large colour
display is pretty nice, also.

Battery life is exemplary (way over 20 hours out of 2 AAs).

The only weakness of the 60CS is that the battery contacts
are poorly designed, but you can fix that with a couple of
bits of foam. Oh, and the cumulative elevation gain seems to
be screwy.

--
Peter Headland

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Yum
Which GPS do you recommend for bike touring ?

I recently bought a Garmin Geko 301 with handlebar attachment, and used it on a tour of the Czech Republic, from Prague to Vienna.
I was delighted with it's compact size, the fact that it works all day continuously on 2 AAA batteries (with compass off - the compass drains power significantly), and has masses of information available, uploadable to a PC.
With the direction of travel display, it made getting out of major towns easy - we always find this the hardest part of navigation on touring holidays!
Ok, it doesn't show maps, but I prefer to use maps in holders on the bars any way. They are much easier to interpret compared with on screen displays
John Fontana