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So my basic Cateye computer has died, was looking at a Strada wireless to replace it when a Garmin Edge 200 caught my eye.....and suddenly in my head I'm justifying the extra cost to myself.....
I'm looking to do my first 200km audax soon, and so now I'm wondering what GPS people have used for audax at that distance and longer. I can't afford/justify a full on Edge 800, but is the breadcrumb feature on the 200 or 500 good enough to get by on (backed up by route sheets and "proper" maps as and when)?
Read various threads on here and other on line reviews but hoping for some specific experience and feedback
Cheers
Have you considered the latest Etrex's? A bit bigger than an Edge but a lot of extra functionality.
[url= http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/5041/garmin-etrex-20?gclid=CNGB_abivK8CFSM0Qgod1F7jxQ ]Etrex 20[/url]
Excellent site with info GPS and cycling here [url= http://www.aukadia.net/gps/ ]Audax GPS[/url]
I have a Garmin Etrex 20 with a ram mount.
Colour maps and you can use [url= http://mobac.sourceforge.net/ ]Mobile Atlas Creator[/url] to create custom maps from Open Street Maps, Google etc. All legit.
If you can get an older version of the Mobile Atlas software you can access OS maps as well, although probably copyright issues.....
Till now I've used my eTrex Vista C for rides up to about 350km. I'm planning on selling it soon if you're interested (bought an Xperia Active to replace it) - would be a nice cheap option.
or 500 good enough
yes, used mine to navigate the whole of a off major routes Lejog route. Brilliant
The Edges have fairly limited battery life, which may be an issue on longer audaxes. You can charge them from external battery packs or a dynamo, but that's extra hassle.
The Etrex has better battery life, and it uses standard AAs, so easy to carry a couple of spares.
I think something like the Etrex 20 is probably best, and easier to use than the older models. Yes, you can load free OpenStreetMap maps on it. But it is much better idea to use proper vector maps in Garmin format, not horrible tile scrapers like Mobile Atlas Creator.
Or the Dakota or Oregon if you want a touch screen (but poorer battery life).
Not sure my Garmin would complete a long audax before running out of juice!!!
You dont really need a GPS for Audax the route instructions are pretty good - never got lost on an Audax following instructions - more likely to put the wrong route in the GPS from the instructions - unless they give you the gpx to download - I have only had 2 events give me these and those were this year.
Remember Audax are not sportives - they are designed to be slower.
Fantastic value events though - well organised, food at start and finish often bar and banana at the start, great routes and cheap £5-£8
compared with £25+ for sportive for a nearly out of date enegery bar and watered down energy drink half way.
Save £100 and stick to following instructions
If you get/create a GPX file of the route, then you don't need on-screen mapping and something like a 2nd hand Edge 305 would be perfect.