Garmin GPS question

[e-rider]

I'm considering a GPS system for the bike. Before I search the web for suitable kit, I thought I'd ask a few basic questions here as I know very little at the moment.

Basically, I want something similar to a car tomtom or garmin in that I want to see the full mapped area where I'm cycling and if I programme a route, a nice little arrow indicating which way to turn at next junction would be nice too. From what I know many of the cheaper ones don't do this - is that correct?

What other useful functions should I look out for?

As cheap as possible but with all the good functions!

 

[musa]

Cadence, HRM, memory

 

[e-rider]

Garmin Edge 800 looks like it does the job?

 

[musa]

Depends on your budget, I heard/read 705 is top dollar too

 

[e-rider]

Depends on your budget, I heard/read 705 is top dollar too

well, the 800 is very expensive, I was hoping that this thread would teach me a few things about GPS for bikes, but I've just been on Wiggle and taught myself in the last 15 minutes - looks like 'mapping' is high on my list - not too worried about other functions as I have a normal cycle computer too.

 

[musa]

aye then something like Dakota will do the one I recently the 10 version as I managed to get it cheaper but the 20 comes with mem card

 

[berty bassett]

705 is spot on and maybe coming down in price now the 800 is out . ive got one and if you can get g b contours free mapping on it then you are sorted saves you buying garmin map . the unit is pricey ( may have to be smuggled by the missus ) but i have had it 3-4 years and its never let me down , its helped me on some touring and if you download mapsource as well then you can plan rides in advance - i really think its worth the outlay

 

[Gary E]

I've got the 705 and the 800. The 705 has a clearer display (much easier to read) and the 800 is less glitchy (the 705 has let me down a couple of times mid-ride). 705 is controlled by a small joystick (which can be a bit fiddly when riding) whereas the 800 has a touch screen.

Both give you the turn by turn arrow as well as a count down of distance and time to go to the turn. You can load a route that you've made on a routing website (I use bikeroutetoaster.com) or you can input an address or postcode just like a Tomtom.

They both come with base maps built in but they'll need upgrading unless you want to ride everywhere on A roads (so factor this into the cost) although I believe if you shop around you can download a free version.

Another consideration may be that Garmin have discontinued the 705.

I love both units and would recommend them.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pedram]

I suggest installing a GPS software on your mobile and/or using Google maps. It has been really useful to me. I you do not like to use your data plan, you can preload the maps while in home/office and then use it on the way.

 

[zoxed]

Bike GPS are always more expensive than car GPS: to the car type functionality you need to also add: long battery life, waterproof, light weight, more shockproof. All these up the cost :-(

 

[fossyant]

I wouldn't recommend the phone GPS, unless you plan releatively short rides. Anything over 3 hours the phone will be dead. The Garmins run all day. Very happy with my 705.

 

[Glover Fan]

You can get a brand new Garmin 705 with a years warranty on eBay for £188. Bargain.

 

[marinyork]

I would look at the dakota 10/20 and edge 705 and 800. If you strip out the very serious training functions that the 800 has, the dakota specs are actually a lot more similar than people on this forum make out. The screen is a similar size, same res

Dakota vs 800
Screen size 1.43" x 2.15" vs 1.4" x 2.2"
Same res 120x240
Both touchscreen
both garmin connect

because the dakota is a new unit and effectively replaces half the etrex range, no one seems to consider it and instead you get an endless barrage of questions about the edge 800 on here instead. I'm always puzzled by this as I'm not convinced everyone who looks at an edge 800 wants all the training functions.

 

[400bhp]

I would look at the dakota 10/20 and edge 705 and 800. If you strip out the very serious training functions that the 800 has, the dakota specs are actually a lot more similar than people on this forum make out. The screen is a similar size, same res

Dakota vs 800
Screen size 1.43" x 2.15" vs 1.4" x 2.2"
Same res 120x240
Both touchscreen
both garmin connect

because the dakota is a new unit and effectively replaces half the etrex range, no one seems to consider it and instead you get an endless barrage of questions about the edge 800 on here instead. I'm always puzzled by this as I'm not convinced everyone who looks at an edge 800 wants all the training functions.

It's a familiarity thing and safety in numbers I guess.

I haven't looked at the Dakota in any detail but if it's easy to upload routes and the maps are of equivalent standard to the Garmin detailed maps, then it sounds OK for all but the serious cyclist. I have a 705 and TBH I rarely use the training functions. I prefer to upload routes as gpx files rather than tcx files (tcx are the training files) as the tcx doesn't give turn by turn directions (although this might have been corrected on the 800).

In time I do plan to use the training functions more.

 

[marinyork]

It's a familiarity thing and safety in numbers I guess.

I haven't looked at the Dakota in any detail but if it's easy to upload routes and the maps are of equivalent standard to the Garmin detailed maps, then it sounds OK for all but the serious cyclist. I have a 705 and TBH I rarely use the training functions. I prefer to upload routes as gpx files rather than tcx files (tcx are the training files) as the tcx doesn't give turn by turn directions (although this might have been corrected on the 800).

In time I do plan to use the training functions more.

It is a familiarity thing, the old etrex range was too successful. I've got a dakota now and it is actually a fair upgrade. Having got used to the joystick, I was surprised that touchscreen is actually fine. The way the dakota renders the maps is a lot better than the old etrex and very similar to the edges. The dakota 10 (without microSD slot but with 850Mb internal memory) goes for a pretty good price I'd say, just above the price many newbies seem willing to pay.

I do have to say I could get the HRM and use it with the dakota, but I've never got round to it.