What GPS unit to buy !

[Agteros]

I have always used a Polar watch with a strap and a magnet on the wheel but having recently bought a 29er and changing the settings on the watch each time I ride a different bike is a pain (wheel size).

 

I am therefore wanting to buy a Garmin or something similar that rather works on satelite's and therefore not having to change the settings all the time.

 

I am not the most computer literate person around so would like something fairly easy to use and can indicate speed,distance,time,profile of your ride etc.Can anyone suggest/recommend which unit I should go for.

 

I guess this topic might have been covered before,so please forgive me in advance.

Short version: I've tried the GPS on the phone route (was on a N95), am the owner of two Garmin devices now.

 

My experience with a cellphone is that using the GPS eats battery as if there is no tomorrow. I carry my cell primarily for phone calls/connectivity (emergency calls in/out), so using the battery for a leisure activity is counter intuitive.

 

I've first bought a Garmin Forerunner 405 as I run a little bit as well. Found the screen too small to be much use on the bike. Also, even though the fields displayed on the various screens are configurable it quickly became a mission to change from running to bike specific fields.

 

I then decided to buy a Garmin Edge 800, and having different bike profiles (5 after the firmware upgrade), each with its own specifics regarding sensors, odometer did remove all screen/field problems. The Edge 800 also gives my up to 7 screens in total (each with anything from 1 to 10 fields on). Both Garmins feature rechargeable batteries.

 

W.r.t. sensors giving incorrect readings compared to the GPS; If the specific bike's wheel size was configure correctly it will actually be MORE accurate than the GPS! For auto calibration, use a flat, open, straight section of road otherwise roll out the wheel and input the measurement manually.

 

I do not have info about the Brytons, nor do I know whether something like SportTracks can currently read their data files natively.

 

Personally, I found using a cell phone too fiddly compared to a dedicate GPS/cycling unit.

 

There are various other tracking type GPS devices, such as the i-GotU, however this one specificly does not have a display. It is used track track speed/location/distance for retrospective (computer based) viewing

 

Polar has also entered the GPS arena with their separate GPS sensor powered by AA/AAA(?) batteries. For this you'll need a compatible (new!) watch/device though.

 

In short I'd suggest getting a bike specific GPS. The specfiics of the unit is really up to your desires(Edge 800 above Edge 500, Garmin vs Bryton) / comfort levels with new gadgets/budget

[ADe]

 

 

Um, dude, seriously? Did you not read the post directed at me?

 

 

 

And my reference to my "BS" is called aggressive? Although, in saying that, I don't think you are following the conversation correctly. It should be apparent to anyone who was who my reference to "my BS" was directed at. If I am stating fact it can't be referred to as BS!

 

 

 

No, I'm not at all. I'm correcting blatant inaccuracies in someone's argument against cellphones. We are not talking about the person who said that's phone. We are recommending for the OP. If he were to get a phone he'll now know to look out for one with a screen that IS visible in direct sunlight and one that can use a bluetooth HRM (although I'd assume that is most smartphones currently).

Clint I promise you there are no blatant inacurracies in the limitations that I listed. There wasnt a heart rate monitor available in my area and I had to order a specific one at a hefty price. With regards to the sunlight readibility, that specific phone, an Htc, was not great(my current SUPER AMOLED screen would probably work better) and I think it is a limitation that the OP should be aware of. The OP asked for opinions and I gave mine having used both devices for an extended period. Not just for a weekend ride. From my experience and for my needs a smartphone cannot compare to a device specifically developed for a cycling. I think this gives the OP a good idea what to consider when making his decision, wouldnt you agree?

Edited May 6, 2012 by ADe

[TheV]

Um, dude, seriously? Did you not read the post directed at me?

 

 

 

And my reference to my "BS" is called aggressive? Although, in saying that, I don't think you are following the conversation correctly. It should be apparent to anyone who was who my reference to "my BS" was directed at. If I am stating fact it can't be referred to as BS!

 

 

 

No, I'm not at all. I'm correcting blatant inaccuracies in someone's argument against cellphones. We are not talking about the person who said that's phone. We are recommending for the OP. If he were to get a phone he'll now know to look out for one with a screen that IS visible in direct sunlight and one that can use a bluetooth HRM (although I'd assume that is most smartphones currently).

 

So stop with the YADA YADA YADA... please share with us your STRAVA profile so we can see all the 1000's of KM's you have so successfully logged with your PHONE-GPS.... im particularly interested in you showing us your personal ride log for a ride longer than 2:30 when using your SUPER NOKIA.,,?? will we ever see this?

 

I BET NO!>

Edited May 6, 2012 by TheV

[Clinton1]

Clint I promise you there are no blatant inacurracies in the limitations that I listed. There wasnt a heart rate monitor available in my area and I had to order a specific one at a hefty price. With regards to the sunlight readibility, that specific phone, an Htc, was not great(my current SUPER AMOLED screen would probably work better) and I think it is a limitation that the OP should be aware of. The OP asked for opinions and I gave mine having used both devices for an extended period. Not just for a weekend ride. From my experience and for my needs a smartphone cannot compare to a device specifically developed for a cycling. I think this gives the OP a good idea what to consider when making his decision, wouldnt you agree?

 

I fully agree that the OP, and anyone else who reads this, needs all facts to allow them to make an informed decision. I just take offence when someone, and it wasn't you, claims that I talk absolute BS just because I do not share the same opinion they do.

 

As a result of being in full agreement, I felt it necessary to point out that no HRM and poor visibility outdoors was not a negative for ALL smartphones but your specific device (which was not initially mentioned hence adding to the need to clarify).

 

To add further to the information provided, my bluetooth Polar HRM for my Nokia cost me around R400 (at the exchange rate at the time and including shipping etc). Yes, it was not available from a shop here but it took around a week to arrive and, for my personal needs and the fact I already had a phone, meant that an outlay of only R400 was by far the cheapest way for me to monitor my rides (including tracks, distance, heart rate, ave speed, max speed etc. Also elevation and calories although I question the absolute accuracy of these on most, exlcuding purpose built, devices).

[Clinton1]

So stop with the YADA YADA YADA... please share with us your STRAVA profile so we can see all the 1000's of KM's you have so successfully logged with your PHONE-GPS.... im particularly interested in you showing us your personal ride log for a ride longer than 2:30 when using your SUPER NOKIA.,,?? will we ever see this?

 

I BET NO!>

 

I can only assume you know the OP personally, or have followed him extensively on here, as I cannot find in the initial post where he refers to the distance he rides. Have you just assumed that his needs MUST be the same as yours due to the fact that the entire universe revolves around you?

 

I cannot share my STRAVA profile with you as it is not my service of choice. I use Sports Tracker but will not be sharing my profile with you as I only share it with friends and you clearly do not fall into this category. This means that if I gave you the link you'd not be able to see anything anyway. I will quite happily tell you that I do not ride 8 hours a day and have never completed an 8 day stage race. I have little doubt that you will assume you are far superior to me because of this and all I can do is tell you to enjoy your smugness. I can, however, also share with you the fact that my usual rides are in the 2 hour range with the longest currently being 3 1/2 hours. I could also tell you that on completing this ride my phone was showing around 60% battery (yes, I checked as it was the longest ride I had done!) but, of course, in all your smugness you'll just call BS on this too.

 

Dude, unlike you apparently, I have reached a point in my life where I really feel no need to prove my worth to any one else by spewing out big numbers of my achievements. I will happily share my opinion on topics, and will argue it where I feel the need and am in the mood, but if you do not like it and reckon it is all BS then please, feel free to skip over my posts.

 

Now go and stand in front of the mirror, flex your muscles and repeat five times "I am the greatest"

Edited May 6, 2012 by Clint_ZA

[TheV]

I can only assume you know the OP personally, or have followed him extensively on here, as I cannot find in the initial post where he refers to the distance he rides. Have you just assumed that his needs MUST be the same as yours due to the fact that the entire universe revolves around you?

 

I cannot share my STRAVA profile with you as it is not my service of choice. I use Sports Tracker but will not be sharing my profile with you as I only share it with friends and you clearly do not fall into this category. This means that if I gave you the link you'd not be able to see anything anyway. I will quite happily tell you that I do not ride 8 hours a day and have never completed an 8 day stage race. I have little doubt that you will assume you are far superior to me because of this and all I can do is tell you to enjoy your smugness. I can, however, also share with you the fact that my usual rides are in the 2 hour range with the longest currently being 3 1/2 hours. I could also tell you that on completing this ride my phone was showing around 60% battery (yes, I checked as it was the longest ride I had done!) but, of course, in all your smugness you'll just call BS on this too.

 

Dude, unlike you apparently, I have reached a point in my life where I really feel no need to prove my worth to any one else by spewing out big numbers of my achievements. I will happily share my opinion on topics, and will argue it where I feel the need and am in the mood, but if you do not like it and reckon it is all BS then please, feel free to skip over my posts.

 

Now go and stand in front of the mirror, flex your muscles and repeat five times "I am the greatest"

 

I don't usually flex my muscles in the mirror, but I admit to sometimes humming "i'm sexy and I know it" for hours at a time...

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond in such great detail - no hard feelings, I still think a phone is not a practical option for someone who is committed to cycling as a regular form of "exercise or escape". GPS Cycling computer is the shizzle.

Edited May 6, 2012 by TheV

[Clinton1]

No hard feelings at all. We all have our own opinions and I personally appreciate it when someone is willing to stick by that opinion and argue it.

[rouxtjie]

Get the right tool for the job...you wouldn't use a hammer to remove a screw will you?...it will work if you moer hard enough but that is not the point.

[Minion]

Get the right tool for the job...you wouldn't use a hammer to remove a screw will you?...it will work if you moer hard enough but that is not the point.

I agree. Don't use your 17" laptop to track your rides. A phone is probably more like using a Swiss Army knife instead of a screwdriver. It's more versatile and will work most of the time, but sometimes you just need a dedicated tool (also, if you treat it too harshly, it will break).

[rouxtjie]

I agree. Don't use your 17" laptop to track your rides. A phone is probably more like using a Swiss Army knife instead of a screwdriver. It's more versatile and will work most of the time, but sometimes you just need a dedicated tool (also, if you treat it too harshly, it will break).

Ya that about sums it up...to the OP look out for good deals on the edge 500 bundle. Its a fantastic unit that will do everything you want and so much more when you have the appetite for it. The one thing I love about my unit is the fit and forget aspect and its totally bulletproof not ito falls(which I am sure it will handle much better than a smartphone) but dust...rain...mud, they are not electronic's best friends.

[Dirtbreath]

Back to the topic and throw a cat amongst the pigeons.

 

Have been using a Suunto for many years. Tried the gps pod which although worked well was problematic from the point of using aa batteries without a level indicator hence batteries running out during rides. Otherwise a handy tool but with no mapping function. Sold the pod which I now regret as I have a really cool charger that conditions batteries and works well for my current set up.

 

My interest is to log and map longer outrides and trails. My iPhone would work well but I need as much battery as possible as it is my emergency contact device and don't want the chance of draining this in an emergency. Have settled on an Oregon 300. This is a pukka gps with great readability in sunlight. Proper mapping with options to link heart rate belt and cadence. It is NOT an edge 500/800, is chunkier and without specific training functionality. It is a real gps that fits ok onto the bars, can double up for hiking and in car use. makes use of 2 aa batteries which does help when out of ac range for prolonged time.

[Marco Ferreira]

Download Endomondo Software on my Blackberry it gives me everything Avg. Speed Distance, Top Speed all on a Map with tracking points. You can get yourself a Bluetooth HR strap witch will work with the Software

[TheV]

Download Endomondo Software on my Blackberry it gives me everything Avg. Speed Distance, Top Speed all on a Map with tracking points. You can get yourself a Bluetooth HR strap witch will work with the Software

 

Awesome!!! And you can get your BBM's, emails, sms's, phone calls, calendar and take pictures, and put a headset in and listen to mp3's and watch youtube videos and make prank calls, and get weather updates and check in your facebook and make a tweet or two... lekker neh!

 

Get a GARMIN dude.

Edited May 7, 2012 by TheV

[Clinton1]

Awesome!!! And you can get your BBM's, emails, sms's, phone calls, calendar and take pictures, and put a headset in and listen to mp3's and watch youtube videos and make prank calls, and get weather updates and check in your facebook and make a tweet or two... lekker neh!

 

Get a GARMIN dude.

 

I think someone works for Garmin...

[G--thebus]

The garmin 800 is the bomb. Long battery life, all the mod-cons and quick setup and sattelite fixes.

Only downside and its minor is that long fingered gloves are a little clumsy on the touch screen.

[Let's Ride]

Bryton is cheaper and better.

 

Collects bryton pay slip.