Which GPS

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
A

andywindsor

Member
Location
Windsor
OK, all the last advise on which bike to get was great. I didn't spend too much on technology which still wouldn't get me on a Grand Tour but still made things fun. At least if you're into pain. And for all those that advised a new bike with warranty over 2ND hand with better technology - you were right - technology does not beat youth.... those 10 miles I did were definitely longer than the 10 miles I did when I was 17!!! Same for the 2ND, 3RD etc rides. (Who said "it doesn't get easier, you just get faster)? Anyway, time for your next great advise...I want a GPS that gives me heart rate, cadence and distance/speed. Which is best please. Looking forward to amazing advise. (And further pain - problem is I like it).
 
vickster

vickster

Legendary Member
Budget?
Do you need full mapping?
 
PaulSB

PaulSB

Squire
Location
Chorley, Lancashire
First you don't mention wanting the GPS to provide mapping. Is that a given or are you just looking for monitoring? If so you don't need GPS and a decent cycle computer will do the job.

My advice, I'm just a user not an expert, would be to keep it very simple. In particular I would use two different devices - I've long been of the opinion that products which combine technologies of any sort are inferior to those with a specific function.

When I was in cardiac rehab classes run by the NHS we were lent the Polar FT2 HRM. It's a simple wristwatch with chest strap type. It has a few basic functions but nothing fancy. I wear mine on all rides now. My view is if the NHS use it for cardiac rehab patients it must accurate and reliable. Being a separate unit you can use it without GPS which makes it flexible for many different activities.

Next GPS! I expect many will disagree with or have better experience than me. Firstly I would buy a Garmin, second I would not buy an all singing and dancing one! I've had the Garmin 810 for two years and still have not managed to get it to consistently behave as I wish. I think this is due to three things:

1. The device attempts to do too much
2. The user menus do not have any logic I can follow which then, I believe, impacts on 1.
3. One can go several weeks with everything apparently working and then suddenly the device will decide to change what it does with no apparent user input!!!

I fully accept thousands of people must get on well with the 810 but I know others with similar issues. I'm 62 with no tech training but this is the only consumer device I've failed with

I bought my son a Garmin Touring which has all the mapping of the 810 and records full details of trips. It looks to me to be a very simple and functional device. Not sure if it will connect to a Garmin cadence device which can be bought seperately.
 
Last edited:
outlash

outlash

also available in orange
Location
ice station zebra
I recently picked up a Garmin 500 (now discontinued so fairly cheap) which does everything you've asked for and so far, is working just fine.
 
Nigelnaturist

Nigelnaturist

Guru
Location
Pontefract
Bryton do some nice units their base model the 310 is cheap with a 36 hr battery. Up from that they have the 330 & 530
prices start from again good battery, the basic unit I think is about £60 add extra for HR sp/cad sensors i.e. 310 with HR cad is £110 ish
 
OP
OP
A

andywindsor

Member
Location
Windsor
Budget probably between 100-150. Thanks.
 
Spiderweb

Spiderweb

Not So Special One
Location
North Yorkshire
After lots of great advice on here and looking at the reviews from DC Rainmaker I chose the Garmin Edge 1000.
You don't mention mapping but a particularly good feature on the 1000 is 'round trip routing' where if you take your bike to an unfamiliar area you can choose what length ride you want and it will find you a choice of round trip routes back to your original start point, you then follow it like a car sat nav.
I never thought I'd need a HR monitor but that's useful too.
Another feature is auto upload to Strava as soon as you end and save your ride.
There are so many more features that I have yet to discover.

The only downside is that it's not cheap, I purchased from Pro Bike Kit having signed up for their newsletter/emails I got 10% off my first purchase (max value £25) plus they had an offer on a bundle (contained HR monitor, cadence sensor, out front mount etc) so £344. A lot of money but well worth it I think.
 
Last edited:
Nigelnaturist

Nigelnaturist

Guru
Location
Pontefract
@Cunobelin not very exhaustive is it, I have had a Bryton 35 and currently have a R20 as a backup to my Edge 705 i have had a 500 and can say the Brytons are every bit as good better if you consider the price point.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom