MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Ideally cheap and easy to use.
Needs to come from Amazon as I have some vouchers.
Evening bump.
Starter for 10:
[url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Outdoor-Handheld-TopoActive-Western/dp/B00XLVF3BG ]Etrex 20x[/url]
If I downloaded this ....... http://www.mbr.co.uk/routes/south-east-england/surrey-hills-gps-route-download-316432 ....would this device tell me where to go or does it just confirm where I am?
I hate doing a downhill and when I check my map at the bottom I realise I was meant to turn off half way down.
If I downloaded this... [...] ...would this device tell me where to go or does it just confirm where I am?
The relevant download options from that link only contain 'breadcrumb' type trails as far as I can tell (gpx or tcx *trails*). As such, I don't think any device could tell you when to turn *based on those files*.
The Etrex 20 and similar devices can show your position on a map with the track overlayed. You can set it so that you are always heading 'up' the screen (the map rotates as needed) which makes it easier and more intuitive to check you're on the correct path. Something like this:
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If you're on the right path, the red line is straight in front of the triangle. (When you get to the edge of the woods, the map will have turned anticlockwise, so that when you reach the junction with the white road in the picture above there will be a road heading down and left with a fork straight ahead - the route takes the right fork. This will mimic the view you have from the saddle.)
One point with the Etrex 20 (and similar devices without a built in compass) is that it only knows your heading while you're moving.
One can create *routes* on this type of device (i.e. point A to point B to point C...) and let it fill in the gaps. This will give you turn instructions, but the GPS will only use roads or paths that are on its internal map - it won't tell you to (say) "..turn left into the woods through the broken wall and follow the singletrack to the road at the bottom." Likely it will send you to the same place via the road. So for mountainbiking routes, I think you need to be resigned to following the red worm on the map.
Thanks that makes sense.