Xmas for cycling gadgit geeks

SRP is "$379.15 U.S.D." and it doesn't even include mapping. Looks like
an overpriced foretrex. You can only get cadence or heart rate but not
both. It also has a crappy 12-hour battery life and you'll have to take
along a charger on a long trip. The 205 model is also overpriced.
Fortunately, they won't be out in time for Xmas.

Roger Zoul said:

http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/#

I want one, looks cool.

---
Bob Anderson*Bitwisebob
Eugene Oregon

I'm thinking about pre-ordering one, especaily if what they claim about
working under tree cover is true.

Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> I'm thinking about pre-ordering one, especaily if what they claim
:> about working under tree cover is true.

But someone said it won't do mapping....kinda like not having a GPS for
cycling, ain't it?

Roger Zoul said:

Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> I'm thinking about pre-ordering one, especaily if what they claim
:> about working under tree cover is true.

But someone said it won't do mapping....kinda like not having a GPS for
cycling, ain't it?

I saw that comment too and I'm a bit confused as the blurb in garmin's
site says...

"Courses-lets you "race" against a recorded course to try to match
previously set speeds at every point along the way "

It also mentions it has a map view built in. Maybe I'll wait until I
get to actualy see one in action before I purchase one. If it means I
can't save map points and it only stores way points and tracks, that
might be enough.

Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:>> Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:>> :> I'm thinking about pre-ordering one, especaily if what they claim
:>> :> about working under tree cover is true.
:>>
:>> But someone said it won't do mapping....kinda like not having a GPS
:>> for cycling, ain't it?
:>
:> I saw that comment too and I'm a bit confused as the blurb in
:> garmin's site says...
:>
:> "Courses-lets you "race" against a recorded course to try to match
:> previously set speeds at every point along the way "
:>
:> It also mentions it has a map view built in. Maybe I'll wait until I
:> get to actualy see one in action before I purchase one. If it means I
:> can't save map points and it only stores way points and tracks, that
:> might be enough.

I couldn't find how much memory the unit has for maps, so I'm kinda thinking
it won't let you download maps. It probably will store GPS position data
that you can later download to a PC and plot on screen with times. So, the
comparison feature you mention above probably works thought that mechanism.

Marz said:

I saw that comment too and I'm a bit confused as the blurb in garmin's
site says...

"Courses-lets you "race" against a recorded course to try to match
previously set speeds at every point along the way "

It also mentions it has a map view built in. Maybe I'll wait until I
get to actualy see one in action before I purchase one. If it means I
can't save map points and it only stores way points and tracks, that
might be enough.

it's more or less the same as the forerunner 301 (which i own). the killer app
here is the integration w/ the webapp @ (http://www.motionbased.com). there
is no map -- the map mode shows any way points, etc and probably also any
routes you have loaded (w/ no roads -- and no you can't load them). it's
useful enuf if you have a lot of way points loaded, tho. the edge allows you
to load routes and has some new functionality along those lines.

one feature new to the edge305 (and 205? not sure .. originally it
didn't) is a
real-time elevation profile. (before you had to wait 'til you got home
for that).
pretty cool for those in the mountains.

motionbased.com makes the forerunner (and the edge doubly so by
providing a route database). the free level service was good enuf or me.
sign up and poke around the trail network (do a quick filter, for activity
type of "Road Biking", location "Idaho" .. and look for my username of
"reuteler" to keep tabs on me). you can order by distance or elevation
gain, as well. if you're thinking of getting one i would highly encourage
you to check out that site.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]

Roger Zoul said:

Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:>> Marz <[email hidden]> wrote:
:>> :> I'm thinking about pre-ordering one, especaily if what they claim
:>> :> about working under tree cover is true.
:>>
:>> But someone said it won't do mapping....kinda like not having a GPS
:>> for cycling, ain't it?
:>
:> I saw that comment too and I'm a bit confused as the blurb in
:> garmin's site says...
:>
:> "Courses-lets you "race" against a recorded course to try to match
:> previously set speeds at every point along the way "
:>
:> It also mentions it has a map view built in. Maybe I'll wait until I
:> get to actualy see one in action before I purchase one. If it means I
:> can't save map points and it only stores way points and tracks, that
:> might be enough.

I couldn't find how much memory the unit has for maps, so I'm kinda thinking
it won't let you download maps. It probably will store GPS position data
that you can later download to a PC and plot on screen with times. So, the
comparison feature you mention above probably works thought that mechanism.

It also looks like the display is a "fixed" display which only shows a
few fields of data like a normal cyclocomputer. Without an active
display, there is no possibility of real-time mapping. I would think,
for that reason alone, the unit is way overpriced.

Garmin units have a history of providing products that show a position
without any kind of indication how accurate that position is. Maybe if
it showed whether differential correction data was being received or if
it displayed the number of "visible" satellites, I would trust it.
Otherwise, it is just telling me I am probably (with 68% precision)
within 100 meters of the place it claims I am.

Modify that unit so it flips between the standard information and a map
with your current position, add in some feedback on acuracy, add a good
backlight, and I might buy one.

-Buck

Buck said:

It also looks like the display is a "fixed" display which only shows a
few fields of data like a normal cyclocomputer. Without an active
display, there is no possibility of real-time mapping. I would think,
for that reason alone, the unit is way overpriced.

it has an active display.

http://www.garmin.com/manuals/Forerunner301_OwnersManual.pdf

(essentially the same thing w/ some added features and in a slightly
different form). check page 29.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]
http://www.visi.com/~reuteler

I like the GPS part. They should add mapping and dump the other stuff
that just about any bike comp can give in a smaller package, though.

And if the altimiter was hooked into the satellite thingie, would'nt it
be more accurate than barometric?

- -

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Sun, Nov 6, 2005, 5:33pm (EST-3) From:
[email hidden] (Marz)

Quoted message said:

I saw that comment too and I'm a bit
confused as the blurb in garmin's site
says...
"Courses-lets you "race" against a
recorded course to try to match
previously set speeds at every point
along the way "

Quoted message said:

It also mentions it has a map view built
in. Maybe I'll wait until I get to actualy
see one in action before I purchase one.
If it means I can't save map points and it
only stores way points and tracks, that
might be enough.

I have seen similar on my DeLorme mapping program, a GPS reciever that
tracks points of location at regular intervals that you can download
later into the program, and it will draw the path.

I think this would be very usefull for mountain biking. do the trail,
them draw the map. Get profiles, etc

- -

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

One question I do have though. How well does iit work in areas with
lotts of trees? I've heard it can be hard to get cell and satellite
phone reception in these areas. Would the same apply to this unit?

- -

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

I like the GPS part. They should add mapping and dump the other stuff
that just about any bike comp can give in a smaller package, though.

They have already done this with the eTrex Vista and the newer Vista C
mapping GPS units. They are small enough for bicycles and have truly
useful navigational features.

Quoted message said:

And if the altimiter was hooked into the satellite thingie, would'nt it
be more accurate than barometric?

The altimeters on the Garmin units do auto-calibrate from the GPS
derived altitude but I think you have to keep it in one place for 30
minutes to an hour to get the best results. This is useful if you're in
a location where you don't know your altitude. You can also look for
benchmarks in your area and calibrate off of them. Depending on the
weather, my Vista is usually off by +/-50 feet when I return home on a
loop ride. The auto-calibration can also be disabled if you want.

On 2005-11-16 07:42:01 -0700, [email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The

Wheelman') said:

One question I do have though. How well does iit work in areas with
lotts of trees? I've heard it can be hard to get cell and satellite
phone reception in these areas. Would the same apply to this unit?

well, i wouldn't really know .. tho i live in the not-so-aptly named city of
trees (boise) we don't actually have all that many (it's named i'm guessing
relative to the surrounding desert where there are none at all).

but the few times i've used it hiking it's worked well enuf but in heavy
tree cover it does what you'd expect and loses coverage all together.
it's pretty much the same in this regard as any gps i've used.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]
http://www.visi.com/~reuteler

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

One question I do have though. How well does iit work in areas with
lotts of trees? I've heard it can be hard to get cell and satellite
phone reception in these areas. Would the same apply to this unit?

- -

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

I already have a Garmin Legend which is clipped to my bike and works
great most of the time except under heavy tree cover. One of the
reasons I like the sound of the new Edge 305 is that it promises better
tracking under tree cover. But if it doesn't offer all the functions I
have alreay I'll stick with my Legend.

Laters,

Marz

PS I paid the $20 license fee to be able to download my GPS info into
Google Earth. Now after a ride I can download it and overlay it on
google earth's topo information. Plus if scanned some local maps and
now I can overlay gps tracks on trail maps on top of topography. Very
cool, if a bit geeky.

David said:

Buck said:

It also looks like the display is a "fixed" display which only shows a
few fields of data like a normal cyclocomputer. Without an active
display, there is no possibility of real-time mapping. I would think,
for that reason alone, the unit is way overpriced.

it has an active display.

http://www.garmin.com/manuals/Forerunner301_OwnersManual.pdf

(essentially the same thing w/ some added features and in a slightly
different form). check page 29.

If that is the case, then not including mapping capability is a
travesty. Really, how much more effort is it to include the capability
to upload a few maps!?!?

-Buck

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

One question I do have though. How well does iit work in areas with
lotts of trees? I've heard it can be hard to get cell and satellite
phone reception in these areas. Would the same apply to this unit?

Anything that blocks the view of the sky can kill GPS reception. That's
why GPS doesn't work well under tree cover, in deep valleys, or in
downtown areas. GPs signals are relatively weak. There was even some
discussion about whether the system would work at all when the sun hits
its 11 year solar flare cycle.

But it is better than nothing in most cases. Just don't expect it to
locate you EXACTLY. Just in the ballpark....

-Buck

Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Wed, Nov 16, 2005, 10:52am (EST-3) From:
[email hidden] (Marz)

Quoted message said:

I already have a Garmin Legend which is
clipped to my bike and works great most >of the time except under heavy

tree cover.

Quoted message said:

Marz

Hmm, guess that leaves the Carolina's out lol!

- -

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

I like the GPS part. They should add mapping and dump the other stuff
that just about any bike comp can give in a smaller package, though.

And if the altimiter was hooked into the satellite thingie, would'nt it
be more accurate than barometric?

GPS-derived elevations can only be accurate with long site occupation
times. Leave it in a single location for a couple of hours and it can
be pretty darn accurate. However, in general, GPS is not nearly
accurate enough for most elevation readings.

I ran a test on 14 mapping-grade GPS units (they cost about $5,000
apiece). The variance in elevation was over 30 meters between GPS units
over two days.

-Buck