Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Bryton and Lezyne are other mainstream GPS manufacturers
Recommend a garmin type gizmo for touring
- Thread starter roubaixtuesday
- Start date
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Bryton and Lezyne are other mainstream GPS manufacturers
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Lezyne was the one I was racking my brains for. But yeah, Bryton too.
Debade
Über Member
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Sorry I did not read the entire thread. Have years of bike touring and hiking experience in mostly in N America and some in Europe. The Garmin Etrex 30x has been our go to device. RidewGPS the routing system. Uses AA batteries so replacement is easy.
For getting through cities, I make sure my 800 series Garmin is on for easier turn by turn directions. A paid subscription on RidewGPS provides audible messages that a turn is soon. This really helps in cities.
For getting through cities, I make sure my 800 series Garmin is on for easier turn by turn directions. A paid subscription on RidewGPS provides audible messages that a turn is soon. This really helps in cities.
Similar offer at a lot of suppliers. The Bolt being 99p less at many, subject to whatever P&P applies if any.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I'd echo this. With the OP's requirements it's worth thinking beyond pure cycling GPS units like Garmin Edge and Wahoos.
The physical robustness of the Etrex (NB or other make like Magellan maybe) and the AA batteries add a new dimension relevant to touring.
Mind you it's ages since I used an Etrex and transferring files to them was really difficult - because it always was 15-20 years ago. I don't know how much they've changed and how they'd stand up to say, a Wahoo, in the usability stakes these days.
roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
Our touring will be under roofs rather than canvas, so AA batteries would be a big downside, much easier just to recharge via USB.
Other than that, why would etrex be better?
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Well, that was the main thing actually. Some tourists can be without power for a while, and you can easily carry/buy spare AAs. Aside from that they are simpler, so you're not buying a load of ant+ sensors and stuff, nice big buttons so easy to use, super robust. But none of these are really game changers.
But the main thing is not to forget about them as an option, even if you discount it. It doesn't have to be Garmin Edge XYZ vs Wahoo ABC.
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
I have an old Garmin 820, the battery was/is the only problem.
A few questions:
Has the battery life improved in the newer Garmin?
Is the newer Garmin designed to replace the battery easily?
A few questions:
Has the battery life improved in the newer Garmin?
Is the newer Garmin designed to replace the battery easily?
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
ExBrit
Über Member
- Location
- Southern California
I agree with you that the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 is a great navigation device. But I think it helps avoid and fix wrong turns. You get flashing red lights and an electric raspberry when you stray off course. It will route you back to the course if you deviate from the course, say to visit a bike shop. It will also allow you to change your route on the fly although with the small screen that's a bit tricky.
Depending on your needs, the ridewithgps app on your phone is excellent but sucks power like crazy.
BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
I cannot make comparisons, since I have only used (two) Garmin products.
I typically use Cycle.travel to make routes.
I am not interested in heart rate recording etc, distance ridden is the only metric I use.
I originally had a Garmin Edge Touring. Routes can be sent directly to Garmin, using Connect. Battery would last for 8-10 hours in my experience, recharge via USB. Ride data was easily transferred to Strava and/or Runkeeper using the Connect software. Navigation was fine, unless you went off route, in which case recalculating was so slow as to be useless. I had the Edge for 6 years, it still works, but, after being dropped (even although it was in a Garmin protective cover) the display is now too dim to read in "normal" daylight.
I have recently bought a Garmin Edge Explore 2 Touring (£219, Amazon). Only had it for two weeks, but, initial impressions are good. Routes can be sent directly from Cycle.travel. Battery life appears similar to above Garmin. Navigation is no problem, and, recalculation time is now fast enough to make it practical. Touch screen is clear and readable even in bright sunlight. Haven't had rain yet, so cannot comment on that.
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I typically use Cycle.travel to make routes.
I am not interested in heart rate recording etc, distance ridden is the only metric I use.
I originally had a Garmin Edge Touring. Routes can be sent directly to Garmin, using Connect. Battery would last for 8-10 hours in my experience, recharge via USB. Ride data was easily transferred to Strava and/or Runkeeper using the Connect software. Navigation was fine, unless you went off route, in which case recalculating was so slow as to be useless. I had the Edge for 6 years, it still works, but, after being dropped (even although it was in a Garmin protective cover) the display is now too dim to read in "normal" daylight.
I have recently bought a Garmin Edge Explore 2 Touring (£219, Amazon). Only had it for two weeks, but, initial impressions are good. Routes can be sent directly from Cycle.travel. Battery life appears similar to above Garmin. Navigation is no problem, and, recalculation time is now fast enough to make it practical. Touch screen is clear and readable even in bright sunlight. Haven't had rain yet, so cannot comment on that.
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Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
How do you send a new route to your Etrex from RWGPS in the middle of a tour?
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Should be much better than that. Do you have the backlight set high? I’m getting about 24 hours off of my battery. Backlight mostly off or set at 10% during the day as it’s not really needed.
roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
Thanks all for the advice, much appreciated. I'm going to go for a Wahoo Roam V2. Will report back once I've tried it, but will be a couple of weeks at least.
