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Talk to me about ,…the garmin edge 800
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hilton83Free Member
Currently i use guidebooks to discover new routes (mainly in the peaks) then i copy the map from the guidebook to a 1:25000 map in viewranger on my iphone and also to a paper map just incase. Then i go and ride, with my iphone bouncing around in my shorts, when i come to a fork in the trail or whatever i reach for my iphone unlock it with my nose because it doesnt work through gloves see where to go then put it back in my pocket and hope it doesnt rain as that would ruin my phone. Viewranger is a brilliant app but i wish i had something more fit for purpose.
Whats the garmin like in terms of getting trails onto and showing you where to go? How rugged is it? Whats the minmum bundle cost wise i can use? Are the base maps or even 1:50000 maps on it detailed enough?
Is there something beside the garmin i could consider?glen815Free MemberThe Edge 800 was one of my better ‘investments’ as far as cycling upgrades go. Although relatively expensive, the unit is purpose built for the job and fairly rugid and weather resistant especially with the rubber case. Maps can be expensive but the time saved by not having to stop every few minutes is a bonus.. The unit can give audio and visual direction advice depending on settings and when you get lost will point you in the right direction. Also, if and when you have a big mechanical or an accident, the unit will give you an accurate lat-long for your would be rescuers or the emergency services.
hilton83Free MemberDo you create you own routes to follow or download other peoples? Id like to be able to find more trails.
glen815Free MemberBoth. Garmin’s Base Camp application lets you plan your own routes and search for other Garmin users routes world wide. There are also loads of sites on the net with downloadable routes.
I have recently moved to Israel and the Garmin has given me the ability and confidence to explore areas I would not have been able to do with out it.FlaperonFull MemberThough bear in mind that it’s been around for a couple of years now so is due an update soon…
dknwhyFull MemberA cheaper option is to look at the Etrex series. I have an older model (Legend HCX) with free OSM mapping. You don’t get all the “training” data such as heart rate but for navigation it’s excellent. Runs on AA batteries too so good for multi day trips rather than relying on recharging a lithium battery.
I use rechargeables and they last around 24 hours.Not sure how the newer Etrex models are. I heard some issues with people using free OSM mapping on them to begin with but not sure if that’s been resolved yet.
I use it for hiking too with a nifty harness that clips onto my rucksack.
Never used the “proper” OS maps but I map routes on Viewranger on their online OSM and OS maps and then copy the gpx file to the Etrex.
wallycobblesFree MemberI have the Garmin 800 with the trail bundle, which if I remember rightly cost approx £300 last Christmas.
At first I found it difficult to do anything much with it except record all of the ride data (which was quite interesting in itself).
I found the Garmin site completely unusable, and was unable to create my own rides without actually getting out there and riding them first.
I have recently found this fantastic site http://www.justgoride.co.uk/
It has OS maps and plenty of uploadable GPX files for lots of different countries, including different regions. You can also share your own rides with other users.
It’s so easy that even I can manage it, and has opened up many more rides that I would have got completely lost on before.
As for the Garmin itself, I’ve found it very rugged. I have the plastic film over the screen, which I have to change once in a while as it scratches but that’s no great hardship.
Also, I find that the 1:50,000 plenty detailed enough to navigate my way around. One problem I sometimes have though is that when I get to a fork in the trail, it can be a bit difficult to see which way to go initially, as the direction arrow is quite big and covers the junction up completely.
Hope this helps. I’d definitely have another, it’s been a great bit of kit this year.
jonbaFree MemberThe garmin was on offer in a few places. Do a search on here as someone put it up £270 with maps.
My advice would be to get the one with maps since to get them alone is very expensive. The HRM can be got realtively cheaply afterwards from ebay or someone on here who has two (if they have a watch or similar).
I think that mine is one of the best “upgrades” I’ve ever bought.
Not much use for navigating on the fly since the screen is small. I have used it to find somewhere but only when I was vaguely familiar with my surroundings anyway.
I tend to plan my routes and then follow them on the screen while out which is very easy. On the road you can get sat nav style navigation but off road you get a line over the map and a warning if you are off course.
To plan routes I do a mixture.
Download (as gpx) or put them together myself. For the former I use Strava, google, garmin and all the usual sites.
To plan routes I find the garmin stuff to be poor. My three favourite programs are
“where’s the path” which lets you run two maps side by side. Has OS maps, google maps and others. Seems to be broken at the minute.
“bike route toaster” is the best to actually put rides together in my experiences. Does road by auto following which is quick and has reasonable range of other maps to use offroad.
“walk the highlands” is a gem. You can plan routes but I generally don’t use it. What it does have is full uk 25k scale mapping. It also has some really good walking routes in Scotland…
I upload most of my rides to Strava and occasionally to base camp but I find it tedious to use and slow. There are other sites that make strava better – I tend to use one than let’s you look at all your rides on one map.
I haven’t found the whole experience to be trouble free and simple but it is not difficult. The computer software for the garmin isn’t the best which is why I use a variety of sites.
If you are of a more stingy disposition and have a liberal view of copyright there are ways to get free maps for a garmin. Use google, there is a guide out there.
nutsnvolksFree MemberThey have them here and come with maps, but says basemaps so not sure if that’s full maps or what?
http://www.evomtb.co.uk/garmin-edge-800-touchscreen-gps-bike-computer
HazeFull MemberNope, you’ll need maps with that.
Base maps are practically useless by themselves from what I can gather (looking into one of these myself).
nutsnvolksFree Memberah thought so, same as memory map (which i use on the iphone) has basemaps with it, but they are rubbish, so bought the region 3 wales to load onto it and its great, but also like the idea of having a bar mounted device so i can keep my phone wrapped up and protected in my camelbak for emergancies
hilton83Free MemberSome good help there, cheers.
Looking at the etrex model now as im not interested in the training stuff i just want a gps for pure navigation, also the fact that it takes AA batteries is a bonus as they will be easily available, and the rucksack tether looks a neat touch if i dont want the clutter on my bars, i can just reach for it when need be.
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