GPS for the Bike and Walking
Discussion
I’ve been contemplating getting a GPS system that I can use on the MTB and when walking, anyone got any recommendations?
Saw the Garmin Dakota 20, and this seems to fit the bill, small enough to be mounted on my stem, but a good size for using when on foot, and they seem to come in at a decent price £200 ish.
Being new to any outdoors GPS system, can anyone explain the maps?
I take it the basic maps that are pre-loaded are just that, very basic.
Do you have to buy the Garmin Maps, or can you use other maps
I’d like maps for the areas I ride in Scotland, but also for a forthcoming Holiday in the South of France, from what I have seen are you looking at £100 for the full Uk maps and another £100 for France?
Seems allot when I am only interested in small areas of each?
Thanks for any pointers.
Saw the Garmin Dakota 20, and this seems to fit the bill, small enough to be mounted on my stem, but a good size for using when on foot, and they seem to come in at a decent price £200 ish.
Being new to any outdoors GPS system, can anyone explain the maps?
I take it the basic maps that are pre-loaded are just that, very basic.
Do you have to buy the Garmin Maps, or can you use other maps
I’d like maps for the areas I ride in Scotland, but also for a forthcoming Holiday in the South of France, from what I have seen are you looking at £100 for the full Uk maps and another £100 for France?
Seems allot when I am only interested in small areas of each?
Thanks for any pointers.
I've been looking at one of these, to use with OS maps in 1:25,000
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/adventurer/
You can download sections of maps so you get the exact coverage you want without having to buy maps you don't need
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/adventurer/
You can download sections of maps so you get the exact coverage you want without having to buy maps you don't need
Depends a lot on what you want really. Any of the basic GPS systems will tell you where you are, where you've been and will take a pre-prepared route. Digital mapping software on your PC (for which the maps are a lot cheaper) can be used to prepare that route and you follow along the line. Even if you've got a mapping GPS then this planning is much easier on a big screen and with keyboard/mouse. The basic GPS mono screens work a lot better in sunlight than the colour-screened mapping ones - generally better battery life too.
I'd always take a map and compass anyway, especially if I was thinking of exploring away from the route, but more generally in case the battery dies or something else renders it inoperable. If you've got a paper map, then having pricey digital maps on the device too seems superfluous.
I'd always take a map and compass anyway, especially if I was thinking of exploring away from the route, but more generally in case the battery dies or something else renders it inoperable. If you've got a paper map, then having pricey digital maps on the device too seems superfluous.
Sarkmeister said:
It might also be worth looking at just getting a GPS enabled mobile phone next time you get an upgrade.
I've got a HTC Tattoo with really good GPS software and full google maps. I assume its not as accurate as a dedicated GPS unit, but it works perfectly well for mountain biking etc.
What do you do when it rains?I've got a HTC Tattoo with really good GPS software and full google maps. I assume its not as accurate as a dedicated GPS unit, but it works perfectly well for mountain biking etc.
The best value all round GPS is still the Garmin 60CSX.
You cam bike mount them, use them for off-road nav and they even offer road based turn by turn nav for road cycling. It also has a pressure sensor and compass, and has a rudimentary map display.
IMO the memory map stuff looks better than it really is. There have been a couple of lad in the mountain rescue team I'm a member off that have bought them and quickly sold them on - the display is just too small to be useful. You're much better with a map holder (or a lam-fold tucked down your shirt) TBH.
You cam bike mount them, use them for off-road nav and they even offer road based turn by turn nav for road cycling. It also has a pressure sensor and compass, and has a rudimentary map display.
IMO the memory map stuff looks better than it really is. There have been a couple of lad in the mountain rescue team I'm a member off that have bought them and quickly sold them on - the display is just too small to be useful. You're much better with a map holder (or a lam-fold tucked down your shirt) TBH.
I guess on the bike, it would really for a glorified trip computer, since I know most of the areas where I ride pretty well, hence the Garmin was appealing with its small size.
The idea of the maps was for when I was heading out somewhere 'new', and had that saftey feature of get you home, in that case I would most likely have a map, unless I was with someone who knew where they were. And I did like the idea of plotting a route at home on my PC(well Mac).
I'll have a look into the memory map adventurer, that looks pretty similar to the Garmin.
I did think about the phone option, but as pointed out, I don't fancy having my phone mounted to my bars, it would be too tricky when texting
The idea of the maps was for when I was heading out somewhere 'new', and had that saftey feature of get you home, in that case I would most likely have a map, unless I was with someone who knew where they were. And I did like the idea of plotting a route at home on my PC(well Mac).
I'll have a look into the memory map adventurer, that looks pretty similar to the Garmin.
I did think about the phone option, but as pointed out, I don't fancy having my phone mounted to my bars, it would be too tricky when texting
itsnotarace said:
I've been looking at one of these, to use with OS maps in 1:25,000
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/adventurer/
You can download sections of maps so you get the exact coverage you want without having to buy maps you don't need
Looked exactly like what I was after, then a brief read of the specs and it doesn't work on Mac's, sadly rules it out for mehttp://www.memory-map.co.uk/adventurer/
You can download sections of maps so you get the exact coverage you want without having to buy maps you don't need
son of a vette said:
I guess on the bike, it would really for a glorified trip computer, since I know most of the areas where I ride pretty well, hence the Garmin was appealing with its small size.
The idea of the maps was for when I was heading out somewhere 'new', and had that saftey feature of get you home, in that case I would most likely have a map, unless I was with someone who knew where they were. And I did like the idea of plotting a route at home on my PC(well Mac).
I'll have a look into the memory map adventurer, that looks pretty similar to the Garmin.
I did think about the phone option, but as pointed out, I don't fancy having my phone mounted to my bars, it would be too tricky when texting
I use an old Garmin forerunner 301 that Ive had for years for running and biking. No good if you want directions but great as a trip computer and as a route tracker for uploading to the training software, can also view your routes on google earth. The idea of the maps was for when I was heading out somewhere 'new', and had that saftey feature of get you home, in that case I would most likely have a map, unless I was with someone who knew where they were. And I did like the idea of plotting a route at home on my PC(well Mac).
I'll have a look into the memory map adventurer, that looks pretty similar to the Garmin.
I did think about the phone option, but as pointed out, I don't fancy having my phone mounted to my bars, it would be too tricky when texting
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARMIN-FORERUNNER-301-GPS-RU...
Ahh right try the Satmap instead, the Gadget Show rated it pretty well
http://www.satmap.com/about.php
http://www.satmap.com/about.php
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