Hi all
I've been using my Garmin 500 for training and navigation on road rides for a few years and more than happy with the performance.
Recently I've started doing a lot of weekend touring/bikepacking and the bread crumb trail offered by the 500 just isn't enough on much longer rides in areas that I'm not familiar with.
Last week, in the middle of a 250km ride I was blind lost on tracks in the new forrest and I decided then and there I would try something else.
Not fussed by cadence/HRM/power ect I would just like something reliable that will give me directions on rides.
Most of the off road is byway/track or bridleway so does show on ordnance survey maps so something to give turns and show junctions and routes on this stuff is essential really, not secret hidden gnar single track.
I generally use Strava or BikeHike to plan routes for the weekend, load to Garmin and set off.
I don't bother with Garmin Connect.
Something with a good battery life and the ability to plan routes out and about if I change my mind about destination would be fab.
I'm cycling from Poland to Italy next month so something that will work in Europe will be ideal!
The current singletrack has a review of bike GPS devices, the garmin 1000 probaby is the closest to your requirements. My opinion is that routing on the device is a bit limited, you're better off planning first on a larger screen where you can see your trip in context. But any of the more recent 8x0 devices might do, but more limited in terms of memory capacity etc.
There a lots of openmaps that you can load that will give you an approximation of ordnance survey style mapping for free.
Battery life and big colour screens will always be a compromise though.
Edit: or use offline mapping on a smartphone when lost and the breadcrumb when its going well. Theres loads of apps that will download maps for offline use, mapping.me, back country navigator, orux, alpinequest etc
You'll struggle with planning routes on most garmin devices in my experience. Manageable on roads but tricky off. Screen is too small.
DC rainmaker has instructions for legal free maps on garmin devices which has worked well for me.
A version of the 800 touring would be my suggestions (800, 810 or one of the plus options).
If you can get access to a computer then you could replan routes and save to the memory card if you had a suitable adaptor usb thingy. I can't remember if you need software to access the garmin from different computers?
Battety life can be extended by using a portable battery. I have an Anker 3500mAh battery and it will get me to 24h of use on the mapping screen before it runs out. They are only about £15 so you could get a couple. Easy and quick to recharge. I just have min strapped to my top tube. Only problem is the wet as if you run the garmin on charge you have to have something plugged in which can lead to water ingress. I killed one that way!
Free viewranger on your phone and keep using the 500 to record the route?
Ride with gps app works well with a phone.
Or look at the Etrex and Oregon ranges which have replaceable AA batteries. (Oregon have a bigger screen, but are much more expensive.)
Both will take the 'Open Fietsmap' maps which I've found pretty good for cycling routes.
Garmin routing (in general) is a bit flakey, in that it will re-plan your chosen route for no apparent reason, so it ends up being necessary to produce a gpx track (easier on a bigger screen and transfer it to the device).
Great thanks for the advice!
Planning routes on the Garmin itself would only be a last resort, as I mentioned I plan through Strava and export the TCX file to the Garmin and go.
Looking into the Edge Touring rage or an older version with off road maps loaded.
I dislike having to stop and fumble round with my phone for directions.
I use an Oregon on mtb, with UK OS1:50 maps on an SD card. I create route on OS Maps online (used to be getamap), export as GPX to oregon. I also print map on on A4 and put in a plastic sleeve - folds up into back pocket. Oregon screen in big enough to scale in/out to check where next turn is. AA batteries are brilliant, easy to swap another set in. Unit is indestructible, mine sits on end of top tube so is covered in mud/sweat/rain - just replace screen cover occasionally and no probs.
dsb181, I'm in the process of needing very similar and was considering the new Garmin 820. Have you considered this?
Half decent smartphone is what you need for this. OS maps for off-road and Here Maps for road.
I just use the Garmin to record the trip.
The 500 is great on a day to day basis. But useless if you need to navigate anything remotely complex, especially off-road.
Personally I use an Etrex 20 for that stuff. Takes AA batteries (a good set will last up to 25 hours), so great for touring, multi-day rides, etc. Navigation is good. Isn't as slick as an Edge, but good for navigating.