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GPS for cycling

1 to 34 of 34

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  1.  
    Hi,

    I am interested in getting a GPS receiver for bike travel. I have done a few searches and looked for some simple guides, but none so far
    have been satisfying.

    I am looking for a device that

    1) Provides the basic statistics of a cyclo-computer (velocity, odometer, etc.)

    2) Has a basic display/map that can be used instead of a cue sheet.

    3) Can store points that can be converted to GPX format and subsequently used to create maps on Bikely.com.

    4) Obviously, be used on a bike. Hopefully it will be durable.

    Is it the case that one purchases a device to record the points and diplay information, but when trying to create my own maps on Bikely.com, that I will need another piece of software to download the information and convert it to .GPX format? Does anyone do this now? Any recommendations and advice?

    Thanks.
    • CommentAuthorjeremy
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2006
     
    Don't know if these have all the features you want, though might be a start?

    http://www.garmin.com/fitness/products.html#cycling

    At the very least they have handlebar mounts, though you might be able to get this for other GPSes anyway. Then there's even something more like this:
    http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?tab=0&PRODID=1053&SEGID=356

    Though I would like something with an altimeter. Not sure if that one has an altimeter.
    • CommentAuthormurali
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2006
     
    I have a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx
    (http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegendcx/) which I use for hiking,
    biking, and car navigation. You can get handlebar mount for it. It has a color
    map display of your route.

    It comes with a USB interface, and proprietary software to transfer data. The
    software lets you save in either a proprietary data format (gdb) or in an open
    one (gpx). My only complaint is that the software is Windows-only, and I am
    primarily a Linux user.

    I uploaded a route to this site using the data recorded on my unit. I am pretty
    happy with it. I use it instead of a cyclo-computer on my road bike. It is nice
    to have elevation readings during the hills.
    • CommentAuthormadmole
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2006
     
    I have an Garmin Edge 305 on my MTB. Brilliant piece of kit and will do all you require
    • CommentAuthorjeremy
    • CommentTimeSep 28th 2006
     
    Hmm yeah that's my other problem, primarily a mac user, though secondarily a Linux user. Without any Windows computers in the house, I'm not overly inclined to fork out on something I can't use with any of my computers anyway.
  6.  
    you can upload to motionbased.com via perl script from mac. pretty nifty.

    don (edge 305)
    • CommentAuthorlarkus
    • CommentTimeOct 9th 2006
     
    Does the Garmin Edge 305 support uploading routes found on bikely? I found one site here (http://www.marengo-ltd.com/gps/) that describes some command line hacking that seems a bit out of my reach, technically.

    Does anyone know of a device that supports uploading, and will notify you of upcoming waypoint turns and all that? Does the edge 305 do that? Id buy one immediately if so. :-)

    many thanks for the advice.
    • CommentAuthorlarkus
    • CommentTimeOct 9th 2006
     
    Oops, as so often happens, I found the answer to my own question as soon as i ask it. "Downloading" external courses into the device seems to be a main feature of the edge 305. Something about motionbased and "courses" and their "trail network". Heres the reference: http://wiki.motionbased.com/mb/Courses
  9.  
    I have a Garmin eTrex Legend and use it on the bike. It gives a lot of useful info about speed, distance, averages, etc. I put some of the main waypoints of my trip in it so I can get an idea of how far I have left to go as well as where the next turn is. It figures out the altitude, but doesn't have an altimeter in it, so it's not the most accurate, especially when you can't see the horizon. I have had times when it's lost signal due to trees, but most of the time, even in wooded areas, this has not been the case.

    The thing I really wish that it had was routing capability, so that I could say I want to go to a place and it would give me a route there on roads. I know more recent, more expensive units do this. Don't be fooled into buying the specialty software from Garmin (CitySource I think it's called) that will supposedly allow you to search for points of interest in order to do the routing. It will find the points of interest, but only points you in the direction of that point, not how to get there.

    I, too, have Macs - recently got rid of the last Windows machine with a serial port. However, I have Intel-based Macs now and have just tested the use of a USB-to-serial converter with the MapSource software on my Windows installation using Parallels (http://www.parallels.com). It works perfectly!
    • CommentAuthorJayHandy
    • CommentTimeJan 16th 2007
     
    OK, I really have learned a lot here, but need just a bit more clarification. If I buy a Garmin Legend or Edge will I be able to download a map from Bikely and it will tell me to "turn left or right" while I follow a map? I know this is a simple question, but I am REALLY new to this GPS stuff...
    • CommentAuthorslate37
    • CommentTimeJan 25th 2007 edited
     
    Hi geoffreygee and JayHandy

    Almost every GPS unit that I'm aware of offers the ability to use "Routes" for navigation. You can send a path to the unit or manually program it then as you travel along it it tells you how far to the next way point, which direction it is and various other info. That is not the same as automatic route-finding - you have to give it a route. Don't expect a GPS to totally replace your cycle computer though or you will be dissapointed. They are nowhere near as accurate for distance covered, don't work in all conditions and chew through battery power pretty damn quickly, especially if you go with colour and hi-performance.

    I've done about 5000ks now with a Garmin etrex (cheapo model) on my bike and it has served me well, except for always reporting a shorter distance travelled than the cycle computer. This is because it cuts off the corners to keep the number of trackpoints down. I don't think I'd want full-blown map features for city use because it would be too distracting. That said I've never tried it. As it is if I want to try out a new route I just draw it out and upload it then all i have to do is follow the arrow. If I'm in a new place I take a paper map with me. It might be nice to do away with it, but not for the $$.

    Be careful not to buy loads more than you need. Chances are a cheap model will do pretty much everything you want.
    • CommentAuthorCarlton
    • CommentTimeJan 28th 2007
     
    The Edge 305 can give course instruction. There is a pretty good discussion on the subject at www.MotionBased.com:
    Navigating a course: How do I make directions pop up for turns automatically

    Hope this helps.

    Carlton
  13.  
    Has anyone ever used a TomTom Navigator, with a Treo 650? ..
    Will this hardware and software allow me to upload the points and search for points out of my address book?

    Thanks
    Sam
  14.  
    And if you don't need cadence or baro. elevation, then you can save a couple bucks and buy the Garmin Edge _205_. I'm quite pleased with it and will eventually get around to posting a detailed report here on how I use it.

    The Edges are nice because of their smaller size.

    -Kevin
    • CommentAuthorsswallow
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007
     
    Garmin Edge 305-- I want to upload the courses that I ride to the bikely route maps and I can't figure out how to get a GPX file out of my 305. I get *.hst and *.crs files for History and Course files but they will not work as gpx files. Please help me with converting these files to GPX.
  16.  
    Easiest is to use a program called "Gpx2Crs", available here:
    http://www.niniu.com/Garmin/Gpx2Crs.zip

    The only drawback is that you will be uploading a GPX file with hundreds of extra points, making any online editing more difficult. You may want to first edit the course with a local program such as the free program SportsTracks, which (I think) will let you select multiple points for deletion.

    I also sometimes just redraw a good route that I want to post here and use my own course from the Edge as a reference (not everyone wants to start their ride from my garage).

    Hope this helps and ask if you have questions,

    -K
    • CommentAuthortwisted86
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2007
     
    You can also import Edge 305 data directly into Google Earth via USB (at least in the Plus version you can...). GE can then be used to save a KML file and you can use KMLtoGPX (www.fish-track.com) to convert it to GPX for Bikely.

    A little clunky, but I've started saving my actual tracks into GE so it's just one extra step. Kinda cool.

    -Mike
    • CommentAuthorncherry
    • CommentTimeMar 27th 2007
     
    Can anyone recommend a GPS that doesn't replace the bike computer. I'd like one that can basically keep up with the ride and let me know where I am in the case of an emergency. It also might be nice to download the information later but that's not a requirement.

    Thank

    --
    Neil Cherry
    Linux Home Automation
    • CommentAuthorfozzybear
    • CommentTimeApr 13th 2007
     
    Guys given the edge 305 can only store 100 points on a trail how do you deal with a trail loop that's over 1000 points?
  20.  
    > Guys given the edge 305 can only store 100 points

    Those are waypoints, under navigation. The training mode ("courses") will provide you with more than enough storage space. Then you can use the waypoints (which are normally always visible on any map) for landmarks (water stops, start points, train stations, etc.).

    -Kevin
    • CommentAuthorctyndall
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2007
     
    FYI, if you subscribe to Garmin's MotionBased service (about $100/year for the advanced version, free for a basic subscription that will store 5 or 10 activities), you can export any activity as a GPX, HST or CRS file. Then you can upload the GPX to Bikely. I have an Edge 305 and do this regularly.
  22.  
    However, Garmin's MB is slow, sloow, slooow! And IMO about $50/year too expensive for what they offer. However the free account, as CT mentions, will let you do all the mentioned conversions.
    • CommentAuthormatt.young
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2007
     
    Anyone used the Garmin 60CSx? Looks like it does routing too.
    • CommentAuthorpolygnwnd
    • CommentTimeMay 20th 2007
     
    I use a Garmin 60CSx on my road bike for longer rides. It does most of what you ask. Only missing features compared with Edge/Forerunner are cadence and HRM. Unlike the sport-oriented GPS receivers it uses 2xAA batteries and lasts 16+ hours (with cheap NiMH cells from Wal Mart).

    It can load GPX files from this site and follow routes complete with car-like turn directions, and re-route you if you take a side trip. This requires CityNavigator (I use North America NT) and an appropriately sized micro SD card, both at extra cost.

    It does enable you to find your way back to home/car from anywhere, which makes it easier to ride anywhere.

    At over 1in thick it looks bulky on the bars. The bike mount seems a bit less sturdy than the receiver, so it's not a bad idea to cinch it down with a zip tie to be sure it doesn't fall.
  25.  
    Yes, they're just so damn big, which is why I ended up with an Edge. From a purely navigational point of view the Edges are not ideal, but with respect to size, absolutely. With a little luck we'll someday have the best of both devices.
    •  
      CommentAuthorredfox
    • CommentTimeMay 22nd 2007
     
    Been using a 60CS for three years now and I wouldn't want to use anything else for touring (except maybe a 60CSx).

    I don't think it is that bulky, particularly as the trade-off is that will happily survive being bounced down the road at 30mph after hitting a rather large pothole.
    • CommentAuthorpolygnwnd
    • CommentTimeMay 23rd 2007
     
    Seems like mapping (i.e. microSD card) and battery life would be popular features for the next Garmin Edge product... I'd buy it.
    • CommentAuthormatt.young
    • CommentTimeJun 13th 2007
     
    For people in the UK, this forthcoming Satmap product looks interesting: http://www.satmap.com/eshot/index_1.php. If I hadn't just bought a 60CSx, I'd have been tempted to wait to see what the reviews of the Satmap are like when it comes out next month. Definitely looks less chunky than the Garmin, which is a bit like having a fat-but-rugged mobile phone on your handlebars.
    • CommentAuthorstephenlo
    • CommentTimeMay 10th 2008
     
    Hi Guys,
    Can anyone of you give me some idea where I can the mapping for the elevation? The route is simple to follow. But I am more interested to know (on a new route) the ascend and descend over a distance. If I do then I can compare with other similar routes that I have been to get a good idea of the difficulty of the route.
    Stephen
    • CommentAuthorhexmode
    • CommentTimeMay 12th 2008
     
    stephenlo, tried bikely.com maps? They have elevation info
    • CommentAuthornick_c
    • CommentTimeJun 4th 2008
     
    I use a Garmin eTrex Venture with handlebar mount on my road bike and my MTB. I tend to create routes using
    Fugawi UK and load into the unit. The map display shows current position and heading relative to the preset
    route / points of interest, but has no other mapping data; but it is fine for my needs.

    I can read the track data from the unit and convert to GPX using Gartrip (www.gartrip.de), which I also use for
    uploading GPX tracks from Bikely to the unit. I bought the eTrex for 75 UKP on eBay about 3 years ago ....
    Very cost effective
    • CommentAuthorRaymondVG
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2008
     
    I have never ever been able to get the cadence feature on my Garmin Edge 305 to work. Anyone had any problems with it? And if so, what is the solutions?
    • CommentAuthorALEXMONTY
    • CommentTimeJun 24th 2008
     
    I use Viewranger . I can download from Bikely and up it to my Nokia N95 fone. Then i can follow the gps arrows and see the map in frony of me. Its good. I can now navigate 150 miles in one hit safely.
    Only issue is waterprofin the fone with a plastic sleeve. And carrying spare fone batteries.
    Software and map cost me 30 uk quids.
  34.  
    Other nice software that I found for this is http://www.sportypal.com , I have it on my HTC Touch Pro 2, also record the track as GPX with all the stats and plot the map on Google maps. Besides this after finishing there is the possibility to upload the GPX and share it.

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