Sat nav recommendation

[dontcallme]

Hi All

Just getting into cycling and bought a new bike in the week. I'm really getting into it but navigating round London where the road signs are ridiculous is becoming a problem.

Any advice on a good sat nav to attach to the front of my bike? I'm planning to cycle to Leicester in a few weeks so a competent sat nav where I can pre-plan my route would be really helpful.

 

[Atyl1972]

if you go on wiggles website they have a great sale at the moment on various sat nav, garmin edge 800 is pretty cheap for the whole set too, navigator and cadence sensor and hr monitor all in for £359.99, plus if you sign up to their newsletter you receive a further £5 off, bargain in my book, also check this in depth review out...baring in mind his version still had a few hiccups as it wasn't the final edge and its still an awesome review

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/garmin-edge-800-in-depth-first-look.html

 

[corshamjim]

I use the Garmin Dakota 20. It's not a cycling-specific satnav, but you can purchase HR and Cadence sensors separately if needed (I haven't bothered with that myself). The software seems to look and operate pretty much the same as the Edge 800, but without much cycling-specific functionality.

Like the Edge 800 you really need to get a map for it. There are various options ranging from one based on OpenStreetMap data (free) up to Ordnance Survey mapping for the whole of the UK (approx £190). I use Garmin's CityNavigator NT map of UK&I which is about £25, doesn't include contours or traffic-free cycle routes but for me is probably the best compromise for features/cost/useablilty. I've found you can easily overlay basic contours by downloading from http://www.talkytoaster.info/ . Plotting a route on the GPS itself is straightforward so long as you have a reasonable map installed.

Best price I could see for the Dakota 20 at the time I bought it was from Handtec http://www.handtec.co.uk . You will need to buy a mount to fix it to your handlebars too which is about a tenner.

 

[dontcallme]

Thanks. Everyone I ask seems to say Garmin 800. I've found one on Amazon for £275 but don't like the idea of having to pay extras for maps. Is it easy enough to install a map?

 

[zacklaws]

Thanks. Everyone I ask seems to say Garmin 800. I've found one on Amazon for £275 but don't like the idea of having to pay extras for maps. Is it easy enough to install a map?

Don't worry about buying the maps, there are plenty of free maps online to download and upload onto the Garmin. Without going to much into it, there are plenty of threads about it on the forums

 

[ian turner]

I keep eyeing up the dakota 20 but then I already have the Garmin edge 500 which only has basic directional routing and no maps and so far I've only got lost going through the middle of Derby
Just to sidetrack a bit here but you say you're cycling to Leicester in a few weeks so what's the furthest you've ridden so far as thats at least 100 miles.

 

[sheddy]

What is the battery life like on these ?

 

[srw]

Unless you really really really want the cycling-specific extras (cadence, HRM), the Etrex series is much much cheaper and does the useful mapping stuff. Amazon have the top-of-the range Vista Hcx for £140.

 

[dontcallme]

Unless you really really really want the cycling-specific extras (cadence, HRM), the Etrex series is much much cheaper and does the useful mapping stuff. Amazon have the top-of-the range Vista Hcx for £140.

Thanks. I just had a look and it seems pretty good though a review said it freezes a lot. Have you experienced this?

I'm not interested in extras. I simply want a really good gps so I can cycle from a to b without getting lost or constantly check maps. I'm not exactly flush for cash right now so if the Vista HCX is right for me then maybe I'll get one.

 

[KingstonBiker]

I have an eTrex Vista HCX and have downloaded free openstreetmap on to it (lots of forum and google information on this). I use it weekly on my Sunday morning ride so I don't get lost. I bought mIne in January and am very happy with it. I did have to return one to Garmin after a few months because it kept turning itself off but Garmin replaced it within a couple of days and I've had no problems since.

I would say that learning to set up the device the way you want it can take some time and lots of googling. My other piece of advice (which I picked up from another post on here) is to insert a small piece of insulation tape in to the bike bracket to stop the device rattling.

 

[dontcallme]

Just got the Garmin 800. Disappointed as there is little in the way of instructions and I feel at a loss. I cycled into the city today and could see how far I cycled but no mapping.

My mates iphone has a built-in at nav and me buying a at nav doesn't have one. I'll work it out when I look into it more but it should be pretty straightforward.

 

[zexel]

Just got the Garmin 800. Disappointed as there is little in the way of instructions and I feel at a loss. I cycled into the city today and could see how far I cycled but no mapping.

My mates iphone has a built-in at nav and me buying a at nav doesn't have one. I'll work it out when I look into it more but it should be pretty straightforward.

I feel for ya. The Garmin Edge 800 straightforward it aint. Did you get it with maps included?

I'd been using an Garmin Edge 300 for years before getting the 800 and it has been a right bugger getting it set up. Plus there are still little bugs with it which haven't been resolved in the latest update.

Edit: I use bikeroutetoaster to pre-plan routes then upload to 800, although I think ridewithgps is easier to use. You will have a lot of questions, this was the first place I looked ... Garmin Edge 800 Forum

 

[xxmimixx]

If you have an Iphone you can download NAVfree GPS (free) which is really good

 

[J-Lo]

I just got the E-Trex vista HCX too off amazon, and im impressed! Recommended..

 

[Rebel Ian]

The Garmin Etrex H is a more basic navigation tool but one that's just got me 887 miles and the only time I went wrong (twice) was my fault as I wasn't looking at it. Once you get the hang of how to pick the waypoints it's a FANTASTIC tool. About £65 from memory.