mountain_lion

No, not for generating profiles without actually recording the track with a GPS device. You would be able to plot your recorded tracks on it and/or manually creating tracks using MapSource. But if you are interested in such a map, rather have a look at my version - much cheaper (I developed the set because at the time the Garmap version was not available yet). http://madmappers.com/AfricaTopo/ If you have a mapping capable GPS reveiver then AfricaTopo and Tracks4Africa are the mapsets to get. These sets work together well. http://www.tracks4africa.com Note that the Edge is not a map capable unit and you will not be able to upload this or any other GPS map to it. mountain_lion2007-08-02 06:31:02

The Edge and Forerunner' date=' being capable of intepreting a GPS signal and also capable of having routes and waypoints uploaded, are by definition navigation devices. I have used my FR301 to navigate in various parts of the world, using waypoints and routes. They don't do turn-by-turn navigation like the bigger units, but they can route you from waypoint to waypoint, with an arrow showing your required bearing plus the time and distance remaining. This is elementary stuff. Hagar, PM me if you would like some help. [/quote'] Yes, all GPS devices measure elevation from the GPS signals received from the satellites. With consumer type receivers and especially in not so ideal reception situations, GPS elevation is just not as accurate has horisontal position. With my old mono Legend I have found that with a clear view of the complete sky from horison to horison, elevation is fairly accurate; within 10m or less compared to a know elevation point e.g. a trig beacon. In not so ideal situations (mountainous areas, say in a kloof) errors can be 50m+. Basic navigating with the Edge / Forerunner should be straight forward. You just don't have autorouting and map information available which other models offer.

Hagar, It can be done, but not with the software, data and equipment you mention. So Garmin's answer is sort of correct; to plot a profile with the Edge, you need to ride the route. To plot a profile without recording the route, you need a DEM (digital elevation model) covering your area of interest as well as a track of the route you want to profile (can be traced from maps). The number of trackpoints in the track will determine the quality of the profile. For areas out side of the USA it is difficult to get hold of DEM data with a higher resolution than 90m (i.e. a grid with elevation values spaced 90m appart). 90m is sufficient to give you a good approximation though. I wish the Yanks would publish their 30m data collected on their Shuttle missions... If you have the track and DEM data, then you can use software like OziExplorer, GlobalMapper or your favourite GIS application to produce the profile.

In addition to being a cyclist, I am a mountaineer. Every now and again the battle with the medial aids flare up again. A year or 2 ago Discovery wanted to exclude all mountaineering from cover (might even have been all "high risk sport"). Then they tried excluding "climbing with ropes" - to which I asked them if they would cover me if I then rather climb without ropes.... As soon as you do something that is out of the norm, the insurance industry hears alarm bells. Does not matter that driving to the venue of your chosen activity is actually much more dangerous with a much higher risk of resulting in a claim. I am not sure where we stand at present as far as mountaineering is concerned. AFAIK we are OK on SA soil (at least with Discovery - I am on their Coastal plan). However every time I intend to leave the country, I try to get written confirmation of the cover offered for the activity I intend to be involved in. If the acivity includes anything "out of the norm", this normally takes several months and various letters with varied outcome. All insurance companies, medial aids included, are out to screw their clients where ever possible! mountain_lion2007-08-02 03:46:06

Im trying to get garmin courses in a thread in training' date=' but nobody is responding. Maybe some oaks even have courses for some of the popular races ? [/quote'] Having a thread to share tracks is a nice idea - fine for a small number of tracks. However what you actually need is a searchable database with a set structure for meta data (data describing the GPS data). Needs a bit of work and possibly an administrator to do some checking on the data submitted. I have GPS data for many of the PPA events in the Western Cape - been using a GPS on my MTB for a few years. Initially I did not take it along for the events though. <thread hijack> Those with mapping capable Garmin devices might be interested in my hobby project born from a need for my mountaineering activities It has snowballed a bit... See http://madmappers.com/AfricaTopo/ If anybody is interested, I can provide more info, but perhaps rather in a new thread. </thead hijack>

You can't get turn-by-turn directions as with an auto routing type GPS unit, but it has a 'track back' function that will help you follow an uploaded track. On my old Etrex Legend this shows an arrow pointing in the direction to go. Guess it will be similar on the Edge. Still waiting for mine to be delivered... mountain_lion2007-08-01 04:50:00

Ronelle, if you are logged in, you should see a 'My Hub" option in the top menu bar. This has a 'Member List' function which you can use to search for any Hubber by username and then PM from the profile page.

Thanks guys, I stand corrected - the Forerunner 305 does take cadence input. However the US $ price for the Forerunner 305 is cheaper than the Edge 305. The Edge has a bigger screen - easier to read on the bike. Forerunner can be worn as a wrist watch and is more suited to be used for different sports.

Hagar, note that you got the Edge 305 (the cycling specific model) Don't know if you got the cadence unit included for R2999. Slowjoe ordered the Forerunner 305 which is the runners model (wrist watch type). This model is cheaper and AFAIK it cannot take a cadence input. I am also getting the Edge 305 (for the bigger screen). Will not be getting the cadence sensor for now - doubt if I will use it. Listed on ebay for US $227.95 (immediate sale, no bidding) Shipping to RSA is US $29.95 Total US $257.90 (approx ZAR1750 + VAT etc)

Sites that do not use proper HTML suck. At least there is a workaround on Windows - I use the IE Tab extension for Firefox for these sites. This runs IE in a Firefox tab. At least you don't have to open IE directly - just right click and open in IE tab. For broken sites that you visit often you can set it to always open in a IE tab.

The presta to Schrader adapter is handy for inflating when you only have a schrader type pump available. You do get these adapters in the cape - got one at my LBS in Stellenbosch not too long ago. Will not help you much to get slime into a presta valve tube though.

Hagar, as niks van bostaande raad werk nie, kan jy natuurlik sommer 'n tube gaan koop met slime in - kos nie veel meer as om die tube en slime apart te koop nie. Of nog beter: doen die Stans ding en ry tubeless. Beste upgrade wat ek nog vir my MTB gedoen het!

*BUMP* (I see Brandon is online now...)

AFAIK there is no duty on navigation equipment, i.e. no duty on GPS receivers. However I am not sure if the Edge is deemed to be navigation equipment... Only a customs official will understand that system of codes... So yes it will be interesting to know what the final total is. Slowjoe - where did you order from ?

Thanks Hendrik - that is what I wanted to know - I have also ordered from chainreaction before, but did not know how they compared to RSA prices for tools. Nice that they have a currency converter; for sites that don't , I use the Change extension for Firefox - does conversions between various currencies and auto updates the rates from the net. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3399

Looking for a good supplier of bicycle tools (Western Cape or online). Yes, I can try LBS, but most tend to want to do the work for you and don't stock many tools. I have the basics (open ends, allen keys etc), now starting to look at the bicycle specifics (chain wear indicator, BB & freewheel tools etc). Any suggestions?

Brandon: Any pricing available yet? Especially the Stella?? Which LBS should I contact in Stellenbosch / Western Cape?

I see Hagar ordered already, but thought I would still mention that direct import is also an option to consider for Garmin equipment - the local Garmin agent takes a huge markup... Often you can save a lot by ordering direct from USA. There is no import duty on navigation equipment. You only pay the VAT and courier / clearing charges. The exchange rate has deteriorated over the last few months, so the saving will be less now, but could still be worth it, especially for the higher end Garmin models. The local agents will not provide after sales service / guarantee repairs for direct imports, but Garmin International will - you just need to pay the shipping to send it back in the unlikely event of a problem. There are various online dealers e.g. http://www.gpscity.com/