[Closed] gps

Secondhand smartphone (with no sim-card): £50
Waterproof bar-mount case from ebay: £20
Large capacity battery: £10
MMtracker android app: £5
Memory Map QCT files: free if you ask the right person

Sorted 🙂

Yep, the 605 is very good. Use the free Open Street Maps (despite the name, it includes offroad trails too) that are available online and you're laughing

http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

The mobile phone solution above can work but IME isn't as reliable, useable or robust and the battery life isn't great (or if you get a big extra battery, it's not as neat)

I have an iPhone. Used strava last week at Cannock for a few hours and boom naff all battery left. I will pass ta.

The mobile phone solution above can work but IME isn't as reliable, useable or robust and the battery life isn't great

I've had no problems so far. I only use the smartphone for navigating so don't have to worry about it doing other stuff, used approx half the battery capacity on a 6 1/2 hour ride the other day with the display turned on when required. Had no problems with it staying on the bars on rocky descents, I've just adapted the clamp so I can fit it on my stem.

And its a lot cheaper. Horsse for courses...

Soooo, I am going around in circles (maybe why I need a gps 😀 )
I can't decide between the edge 705 or the etrex 20. They both have their pros and cons i.e replaceable batteries on the etrex, mounting solution already in place with the edge.
Can folk with real world experience help??

Make sure whatever you get has OS mapping. I personally use a old windows ce pda with a cf card gps and pocket Memory map which is even cheaper than a smart phone. I've got mm tracker installed on my phone (San Francisco) as a backup and it's pretty clunky in comparison.

I have an Edge 705 and a Dakota 20 (to further confuse you).

I've had the Edge for 2/3 years and it works great. I have the UK roadmaps on it which suites my "roadie" use of it. I also have the HR monitor and cadence sensor. It is definitely a cycling computer rather than a multi-function GPS and I'd not actually recommend it for off-road use as it comes out of the box.

I recently bought a Dakota 20 for MTB/walking use. I opted to get the OS 1;50k mapping on it too. It'll also pick up my HR. It uses AA batteries which I think is a really good option if you are doing multi-day routes. I've managed to charge up the Edge with a solar charger, but it's a bit more faff. The Dakota also works as a car-type SatNav. The screen is too small to be really useful in that application but it works OK if you are careful with placement. I hadn't even realised it would do that when I bought it!

Of the two, I reckon the Dakota is better.

As for using a phone - that's OK if it's not the one you are relying on for making an emergency call. [i]That[/i] phone should be kept somewhere warm and safe and unused so that there is battery life if you need it.

I also use a dakota 20, as above I like it because it is more of a GPS unit - not bothered about cadence monitors and stuff like that. Also the touch screen makes it easy to clean (no buttons) and you can use it with Garmin connect. New rechargeable batteries last about 6 hours from full charge. Nice big screen is good if you are following tracks/using the compass.

I get a lot more than 6 hours from a set of AAs. You might find yours improve after a few recharge cycles.

I use a Satmap Active 10 on the bike, full OS map with standard AA batts. It can also import GPX/MMO files so you can plot routes and then follow a line on the screen. Its mounted on the top tube, so apart from looking down every now and again it's well out the way.

Druid - Never run them flat to be honest so what you say is probably true. I normally swap them after about 6 hours when the power indicator drops past half way.. Purely for safety reasons.

I had a fully working Dakota 20 until it parted company with the bike the other day! Just bought a Garmin Edge 200 as a replacement as it was fairly cheap from Merlin, it's basic and does not have the functionality of the Dakota, but for normal riding works well when combined with Garmin Connect. Tried my iPhone running the Garmin Fit, sucked the battery and lost sat coverage, even managed to tell me my max speed was 183mph, can't rember going that fast. Debating now about sending the Dakota to Garmin to see if it can be fixed, I liked it, especially the touch screen and configurability of what was displayed, we also used it as a family for geocaching.

Debating now about sending the Dakota to Garmin to see if it can be fixed,

I tie mine to the bars in case it drops off the bracket. Never have it mounted up there on single track in case of it getting smashed in a stack.

allmountainventure - it'll beep at you when it gets to low battery. Incessantly. For over an hour....... 🙄

I was gonna rig up a wee lanyard from the loop on the bottom - round the bars - so that if it ever fell off the bracket (and it has taken some abuse without doing so) it wouldn't go far.