Apologies if it’s been done before, but I’m about to enter the Strava nation and looking at getting a GPS thing. Don’t really need an all singing/dancing thing. Just want to be able to record my rides, and follow others rides when I’m out and looking for new routes.
Any recommendations or ones to avoid?

Just use the app if you have a smart phone

Sorry,i missed the requirement for following routes. Ignore me

If your phone isn’t great in terms of battery life, a Bluetooth GPS can be ideal; GPS tends to hammer the battery but with BT it’s not so bad. Can get a decent one for not too much either.

Wanted to move away from using the phone, just looking for an easy to use alternative?

The Garmin touring ones are quite good for following routes and can be picked up quite cheap. They come with OpenStreetmap maps, but can also use Garmins OS maps too.

You can also download GPX files from other peoples rides, or make them on Strava / BikeHike etc.

Do you want the performance training stuff like heart rate?

If not, the Edge Touring will show directions on a map and generate a better GPS trail of your ride than a mobile phone.

Thanks Chakaping, I’ll have a look at the Touring ones. Any other makes? Or are Garmin the best? This will be used for mtb purposes, if it makes a difference..

Touring plus can do HRM but not cadence and has a handy “random ride generator” that creates rides for you to a set distance loop. The touring models also have full uk OSM maps installed.

I’d still suggest going for an 810 or similar as OSM maps can be easily had for free from the web http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ and having the garmin sync’d via your phone is a lot less faff than having to plug it into your pc everytime you finish a ride.

Buying second hand can be good value 😉

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/garmin-520-mio-fuse-hrm