[Closed] which GPS for the bike?

If you want OS mapping capability, then you're REALLY limiting your choice and the only ones I know of that can do that are more outdoor ones than bike specific ones.

The SatMap Active 10 and MemoryMap Adventurer 2800 are the only two I can think of off the top of my head with full OS mapping capability.

There's loads of other options from Garmin etc. that offer mapping capability, but it's not OS mapping, it's TOPO mapping or something similar.

There's loads of other options from Garmin etc. that offer mapping capability, but it's not OS mapping, it's TOPO mapping or something similar.

Nah ..

The Garmin Dakota, Oregon & others have proper OS mapping with Discoverer GB

I have a Dakota 20 & it's ace

so whats the gen with topo maps? OS maps are self explanitary..

Damnit... I read the subject and was going to try to sell you my Edge, Mick. It's good for training and following pre-planned routes, but doesn't have a detailed map on the unit itself. And (crucially for me) has an internal battery so I can't use it for multi-day trips.

I've got a Dakota 20, not had it long, but so far its excellent.

i've got a Dakota 20 too, ok not really keen on Garmin products but it is good! the OS maps are from their "Discover" map range ive got the north of England loaded at the mo, works well in the lakes...lots of detail...

Aidan - Member

Damnit... I read the subject and was going to try to sell you my Edge, Mick. It's good for training and following pre-planned routes, but doesn't have a detailed map on the unit itself. And (crucially for me) has an internal battery so I can't use it for multi-day trips.

quick hijack, which Edge is it?
looking for a GPS, but not bothered about mapping, just want the ability to record routes. These new [url= http://www.o-synce.com/en/product-navi2move-descr.html ]O-synce Navi2move[/url] looks interesting. 45gram in weight and takes GPX, KML, CSV or TXT files for route guidance.

I've got an eTrex Vista, which isn't one of the bike-specific ones but does have the advantage of taking AAs. It shows maps and has an altimeter. I got the open source maps so while they're not the same or necessarily as detailed as the OS ones (I was riding up a road that wasn't on the map at the weekend) they're probably good enough depending on what you want it for.

You can get a bracket for the handlebars (not stem for the eTrex ones, although there are bodges) or if you leave it in the top of your camlebak it'll record where you've been.

So the navigation stuff is the same as the bike ones, but with those you get a stem mount and all the training/HRM stuff.

EDIT: also more useful if you do any hillwalking.

Does anyone know if there is much difference in GPS performance between the older units (Gecko etc) and newer (Edge, Oregon)?

As far as I remember, my Gecko took absolutely ages to find satellites and was easily confused.

I'm just wondering from the point of view of getting a bargain old one or having to get a new one with lots of bells + whistles.

...the Dakota is quick well alot quicker than my old etrex...even gets a signal in the house, well as long as your near'ish a window ....not had any probs out on a ride

+1 on the adventurer 2800 from memorymap - I got mine for £200 from www.tredz.co.uk and it comes with memory map software, maps of the national parks in 1:50k pre-loaded 10,000km sq of further mapping available. Great value! In use it runs for 6+hours and I really like it. Not as slick as some others in the market, but seriously cost effective. Very quick refresh rates on screen and following the route arrow is okay - still getting used to that!

I treated myself to a Garmin Oregon 450t for my 40th birthday earlier this month and I'm very impressed with it. The unit comes with a Topo basemap, which is essentially like an OS map, but without grid references and a lot of extra detail, but you can still navigate by it. In fact, when the unit is showing the Topo map in 3D, I can easily pick out local features. The touchscreen is very easy to use, even with winter gloves on. It picks up satellites very quickly, even in the house. I can happily flick between the map view and 'bike computer' view on the hoof. A feature that I'm really impressed with is one where you can get it to search for, and then point to, the nearest pub!!!!! 😆

I also got all the National Parks at OS 1:50,000 on a micro SD card with the package I bought. This plugs into the unit, under the AA batteries (+18hrs battery life), like in a mobile phone. The beauty of this is that yesterday, after admiring Simon Barnes' (I think) photos of his Skiddaw loop, I went to his webpage, downloaded the GPS info onto my Mac, then transferred it over to my Oregon. Within seconds I was looking at the entire route displayed on screen, on top of the OS Discoverer map. Superb.

The GPS unit, plus Discoverer National Parks cost me £320, plus a further £10 for a mount that fits the unit really securely to the stem of my bike.

B.

The only -ve things I've read have been complaints about the screen being difficult to read in strong sunlight. However, I quickly ignored this as (a) I would generally be stopped before I tried to read it and (b) Strong Sunlight? In Scotland? Hello? 😀

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I am also looking for a GPS unit (my first) any recommendations? I am mostly a road cyclist so I would need one that can navigate me through streets etc.

Any advice will be great