Which GPS for directions?

[Sara_H]

I'm utterly useless at directions, and tbh, it stops me getting out on the bike as often as I'd like to.
I've tried using bikehub on my iphone, but it doesn't work very well and the routes are a bit bizarre sometimes.
I found a website called Transport direct which seems to produce good routes, it said I could download the route as a gpx file and load onto a gps device.

Would this give me turn by turn directions? And which device would work well?
I don't need distance and speed counters, just the directions.

Any recomendations?

 

[musa]

Gpx file is for gps computers like garmin etc not the iPhone

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

sadly, it's all about budget sarah. what can you afford or want to pay?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

http://cyclechat.net/threads/garmin-forerunner-405-and-hr-monitor.101837/

 

[MattHB]

Gpx file is for gps computers like garmin etc not the iPhone

Many iPhone gps apps take gpx files. Also KLM as well.

Combined with a wahoo cradle or even a non ant+ waterproof cradle the iPhone is a very cheap solution (if you already have the phone of course).

 

[compo]

I just have a small Binatone sat-nav in my pack. If I need directions it only takes a minute to switch it on, see exactly where I am and where to go. One drawback is that the batteries only last a couple of hours if run continuously which is why I only use it when required. I believe I can get a battery pack with the correct connecting lead, but at the moment I don't really need it.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

of course learning to read maps is the ultimate cheapest option.....

http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/PagesHomeworkHelp/docs/easypeasy.pdf

 

[User269]

An expensive and not entirely perfect device is the Garmin Edge 800. This would probably be overkill for you however, as it also gives you distance, speed, altitude data etc.. It will give you turn guidance for navigation, much like a car sat nav, and you can either create your own routes from your PC, or just tell the device you want to go to point B and if configured correctly it should give you a cycle friendly route to follow. I've often thought that a cheap, small car sat nav might be suitable but I'm not aware of any that would have sufficient battery power for more than an hour or 2, so unless there exists a cycle specific device that meets your needs you might have to try a handheld GPS with a cycle mount, although I don't think any of those actually give you the turn by turn directions you're looking for.

 

[Sara_H]

I'd be very happy to use the iPhone - which apps use the gpx files? The other problem is battery power, I'd really be aiming to have it switched on all the time - I hear gps devices have a much longer battery life?

As for the map reading - believe me, I've tried and failed, the invention of the SatNav changed my life, I'm hoping for a similar solution for the bike.

 

[compo]

People in our club use devices with external battery backs to extend their capacity. Could be worth a bit of research.

 

[caimg]

I use a chargeable power brick for my iPhone 4 (25 quid from amazon). It takes 8 hours to charge but then can charge my iPhone from flat a full 4 times. If you have you phone mounted then keep the pack in your backpack / saddle bag / jersey pocket and run the cable from there and you're good for about 10 hours or so

 

[billy1561]

I use an edge 800 for turn by turn directions and it's brilliant. Not cheap though unfortunantely.
Also get over a days battery life easily.

 

[musa]

Many iPhone gps apps take gpx files. Also KLM as well.

Combined with a wahoo cradle or even a non ant+ waterproof cradle the iPhone is a very cheap solution (if you already have the phone of course).

Ahh didn't know that. Thanks. Would have thought? But it's a messy route. To go into the phone ssh et al

 

[MattHB]

Motionx takes gpx files natively. Just load them right in. Cyclemeter takes klm straight from dropbox

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

Motionx takes gpx files natively. Just load them right in. Cyclemeter takes klm straight from dropbox

Does cyclometer do turn by turn directions? I use it but haven't seen that!?