I've been using my iphone a while now for this (gb outdoors) and it's proving great for searching out new routes via the likes of 'mtbtrails.info' etc. While I'll no doubt continue to carry the iphone loaded up with gps as a back up I'm inclined to put a gps dedicated unit on the mountain bike - full time OS display on the bars, better battery life, track speed etc on the go plus protect the iphone for emergency calls Etc etc...
Seems that the Edge 800 is the latest recommendation for this but does anybody recommend anything else? I note specifically that the likes of the eTrex is half the price and not sure I really see a huge difference for the above use.
Welcome some advice please.
Cheers
Any budget e.g. £500 garmin?
I've an old Garmin Edge 605. It's done everything I've needed it to. Maybe you could pick one up secondhand?
I'd rather have it over the eTrex too, as it's bike specific.
Edit - the older Edge's don't have an OS type map, but that shouldn't be a problem if you're following routes that have been saved to it.
Thanks. No budget really - end of the day I see that the 800 is only just over £200 so I suppose cheaper options are not really worth the small saving plus the OS maps on there is always a nice to have than just following a trail - general overview on the bars without having to pull out the phone is always helpful.
Question then is am I missing other options or is the 800 fine really (I don't need the BT connectivity of the 810)
Etrex 20 or 30 for something cheaper. Very good for navigation. But won't have the countless training functions, and endless data that the Edge 800 has, if they're important to you.
Also takes AA batteries, which may be useful for multi-day rides, or touring.
There's the new Garmin Touring too, which I don't know a whole lot about.
Thanks Butcher. I think that's probably a fair summary.
Have an 810, battery life is good and easily does a day out.
No comments on the OS maps as I'm using the Aus/NZ ones.
The profiles and info for bikes stuff on the 810 are great if your after that stuff. Turn by Turn nav on the road is good for exploring road rides.
If ou want to the OS maps get them as a bundle, they are locked to the Micro SD card they supply so don't drop it.
Happy enough with mine, not used some of the others.
If nothing on the 810 tempts you then the 800 is a very good buy at the moment.
The only thing I'd say against the Garmin is that the screen isn't very high res by modern standards. e.g. nowhere near as good as an iPhone, but the 810 is no better on that front. The flip side is that it'll sit there all day long with the screen on on a single charge.
The OS 1:50k maps are good, but not great, as they lack resolution one you get zoomed right in, and for on road navigation, the non-configurable purple line of your course is irritatingly similar to the colour of main roads on an OS map.
For on road stuff, I much prefer free open street maps, which are very easy to put onto a second SD card. For off road, the accurate RoW info and contours on the OS maps are pretty handy.
I have the MIO 505 & very happy with it - gets a thumbs up review over on road.cc
http://road.cc/content/review/116620-mio-cyclo-505-hc-gps-computer
The HC variant simply means it comes with a heart rate strap & cadence system & loaded with European as well as UK/Ireland maps. The basic 505 (that i have)comes without the HR/cadence stuff & just UK/Ireland maps.
Cheaper than the equivalent Garmin 810, has WiFi capability, a more stable OS (according to the review) & very easy to use.
The review states that the 505 has a far better screen resolution than the Garmin as well.
I got a s/h eTrex 20 with the OS maps loaded, and it's pretty good.
Can mount on the bars, or just chuck in my backpack.
Good VFM, general outdoors GPS unit.