Garmin GPS Device Discussion (for cycling).

[mattr]

One thing I have discovered both with cycling and with the SAR work I do, is that dedicated GPS units don't work as well as cellphone apps in dense tree cover. This is because phones gather secondary position data from the local cells, so while they're not as accurate as dedicate multi channel GPS kit they can be useful.

not forgetting that chucking a smart phone down a rocky decent will leave you with no GPS and no phone.
Chucking a dedicated GPS down will leave you with (probably) a scratched GPS.

(And FWIW, I live in, and do most of my riding in forests, not had any issues yet, even when combined with heavy rain/electrical storms)

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Been carry Cell phones since 1992 and have never broken one, dropped it down a toilet,.chucked it down a rocky descent etc, so this seems an unlikely scenario. Indeed, a fleshy, bony human body is far more delicate than a rubber encased GPS yet it doesn't stop riders taking them out riding.

 

[FluffyChicken]

One thing I have discovered both with cycling and with the SAR work I do, is that dedicated GPS units don't work as well as cellphone apps in dense tree cover. This is because phones gather secondary position data from the local cells, so while they're not as accurate as dedicate multi channel GPS kit they can be useful.

not forgetting that chucking a smart phone down a rocky decent will leave you with no GPS and no phone.
Chucking a dedicated GPS down will leave you with (probably) a scratched GPS.

(And FWIW, I live in, and do most of my riding in forests, not had any issues yet, even when combined with heavy rain/electrical storms)

Anything with a screen is likely to break like that.
You're lablling all smart phones the same with that. You buy a design as needed and there are rugged waterproof designs out there.
As mentioned earlier memory map are releasing there own for people to buy. But because they're bigger than just the device they also do recommend some Garmin and their own for cycle use.

Trebz wants it for offroad use. I would assume OS maps will be needed as standard, direction and a route follower. Attaching heart rate monitor, cadence, powermeters, how many times he blinks etc are not needed (they maybe in the future who knows but if you've ever seen trebz, say falling off in a carpark and thats as far in a national ride in the peaks he gets, I doubt it for quite some time )

I do not know as I've not personally tried them as I'm happy just remembering a route or looking at a map or map on phone and logging with Strava.

But memory maps new version http://shop.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/A ... S_TX3.html might be something to look at for off road use. If it had google or bing satellite map overlay as well it may be more useful as its easier to see terrain and routes and pubs or coffee shops.

I still use maverick on android as it free is maps, I have used memorymap on windows for plotting and printing maps though.


Iirc there is an android app, not sure if its the same as on their devices, you pay for maps like most though.
You could try before you buy a device.



Or go look at the Garmin with mapping capabilities, a lot of shop will have them or both or others.

 

[Salsprocket]

Re:

We both have the old Garmin 305. Andy already had his and used it for marathon training so when one came up on RB, he got it for me (sorry can't remember who he bought it off but it was a bargain). I have used it ever since and can easily swap it between bikes as I've put a kit on each bike. I also have a wrist strap so can wear it if not cycling (ok, walking - my legs are way too short for running). We use Sporttracks which the Garmin works well with.
The Garmins have been chucked down the road, down hills, into ditches and been out in minus 15 as well as lashing rain - Andy recently came off skinning knuckles, knees and breaking his elbow (arm currently in a sling and the size of a small angry zeppelin) but the Garmin survived intact. You just have to keep an eye on keeping the battery charged so that it doesn't die mid run/ride/race.
I don't think Garmin do the 305 anymore which is a great shame but when Andy's first one finally died, he was able to send it back to Garmin and buy a reconditioned replacement.

 

[mattr]

Been carry Cell phones since 1992 and have never broken one, dropped it down a toilet,.chucked it down a rocky descent etc, so this seems an unlikely scenario. Indeed, a fleshy, bony human body is far more delicate than a rubber encased GPS yet it doesn't stop riders taking them out riding.

lucky you, I know of at least a dozen breakages amongst my non mountain biking friends this year. Phones are fragile, and not designed to be chucked down the road. Falling off a bike, or knocking a phone off a bracket on your bars (which usually isn't actually very well designed, as it has to cater for many different phones) is a risk I'm not going to take with a £500+ smart phone.

And the human body is only fragile if you fancy taking the brain out and then lock all the joints rigid. Other than that, they are incredibly damage tolerant.

Unlike a telephone.

 

[mattr]

Anything with a screen is likely to break like that.
You're lablling all smart phones the same with that. You buy a design as needed and there are rugged waterproof designs out there.

not really, bike gps tend to use smaller less exposed screens, using a more robust technology, testing includes a lot of vibration and impact stuff. Smart phones, on the whole, live in your pocket and have big screens. And I'm not in the habit of buying another phone to do the job of a gps, when I already have a perfectly functional phone. Even if they are rugged, waterproof and drop able.
If you have a need for one, SAR, emergency services, ride leader, etc knock yourself out.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

I not saying buy another one and anyone spending 500 quid on a smart phone needs their head seeing too. 80quid will get you an overpowered smartphone for most jobs especially riding with.

But your lumping all smart phones the same again. Some ate built for the job of abuse.
Get rid of glass and switch to plastic screen is a start.

But this is about the Garmin and similar style purpose devices, not an everyday general purpose portable pocket computer.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Re:

I would imagine I am much harder on my smart phone than most, and don't really see an issue with survivability if you are sensible.

 

[Trebz]

Re: Re:

You might want to have a look here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=271563

Thanks fort that Neil, that will help me and others as I'm sure it has already, I failed to find any information about Garmin etc, hence my posting.

 

[Trebz]

And in general: So far great feedback. Ben has raised some good points as usual and the rest have added to this in a positive way.

My personal needs have been nailed by Ben in fact. I need a small, robust device that can log rides via GPS over O/S maps. I also need a device which can download .gpx and other formats. Giving me the ability to ride other peoples rides.

I have a HTC Desire and I have not had the best of luck when using Strava. IT crashes often, even after being rooted and having a new operating system installed. The battery life is also starting to reduce as it is a little old now, on rides over 30 miles it often runs out of battery life and or crashes. Both incidents result in a loss of ride data. I want my phone to be a phone, for emergency use only on rides. I, like Ben, refuse to spend big money on a smart phone as they can easily be dropped and are not designed for mountain bike use. Having said that my HTC desire, save for Strava, has been the best electronic gadget I have ever owned. I'd even rate it over my work and home laptops, tablets and desktop PC's as it does everything they do for me plus GPS. I can also order a takeaway on a Wednesday evening when we can't be ar*ed to cook.

Keep the feedback coming ladies and gents.