Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Steve G
I friend of mine has a Garmin (not sure which one) that he used on a long race where battery life was an issue. He used a USB charger made for mobile phones sort of like this:
Except his ran on regular AA batteries. I don't know what brand it was but I think it was just some no-name. He put the charger under his seat and ran the cable along the top tube so he could plug it in when needed.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Steve G
There is a very sturdy solar charger that has many adapters for GPS and Cell Phones. Check out REI on line or see it in your store... if you have one nearby.
testing here with a GPS76Csx in the backpack and Cateye Enduro 2 on the bar. Works perfectly, downloads uploads, tracks to the inch and second, transfer in/out of Topo USA and soon ride in an Otterbox with ethafoam bumpers.
the ancient and honorabble Enduro is first runout .016% off on 20 miles compared to the $$$ and weel protected GPS.
"steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Steve G
Not a bike specific model, but check out the Garmin Vista HCx https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703 Claim batt life of 25 hours (w/lithium batts?). I have one, but never tested its runtime. Displays a moving map which I don't think the edge does, though you'll have to pay extra for them.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
Quoted message said:
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
Quoted message said:
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Quoted message said:
Steve G
Not a bike specific model, but check out the Garmin Vista HCxhttps://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703 Claim batt life of 25 hours (w/lithium batts?). I have one, but never tested its runtime. Displays a moving map which I don't think the edge does, though you'll have to pay extra for them.
g'day youth- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I'll 2nd the garmin cx; I use one on mine, with their geko holster zipped tied on top of my stem it's a very workable unit; last summer I forget to recharge my batteries and the unit died ( gave my about an hour warning, shutting off the display to conserve power); I bought 2 AA batteries at a gas station along the way and the unit powered up continuing the ride tracking perfectly; did not reset or lose any data, only showed the gap when the batts went dead and new ones went in. It's a very smart well designed unit. I love the way the screen display automatically goes to night mode when the sun goes down and it gets dark. Brilliant piece of tech.
bars are nooooo protection from migrating snow geese, flying nuns, rocks, hands feet, helmet, tree limbs. not for a small Cateye enduro, not for a 14 times larger Garmin. The idea advanced, you gotta watch the screen runs contrary to reasons for needing an insight screen. No? battery? The full bore GPS76 mabe runs 16 hours? There's a few recharge the batts websites with charts. There appears to be some question wether you're gaining or not useing a recharger. I'm planning an expedition where a Marantz recorder and GPS and occasional small camera are in daily use. That's 4 per day. Whattaya gonna do? blow the day saving $1.50?
I'll 2nd the garmin cx; I use one on mine, with their geko holster
Quoted message said:
hour warning, shutting off the display to conserve power); I bought 2 AA batteries at a gas station along the way and the unit powered up
Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but I just started retrieving this thread now...
Since besides a bicycle I also ride a motorcycle, and drive a car, would this device serve me on all 3 vehicles?
Thanks, Jose
perfectly ! I use mine in the car all the time; I had to plan a route to drive to the states and enroute managed to miss a ramp in detroit because the traffic was very hairy and construction imposed some unforeseen detors, but I was able to get back on track, see where I was, where I wanted to go and reroute myself there while driving on the highway and just glancing at the unit. my gps only cost $300 at gpscity, not $400; but no mind; yes it is an expense, I don't leave my bike unattended, if I go into a store for liquids I take my bike in with me, if the propietor complains no big deal I'll just go into the next store. I have the lanyard tied to the stem so should a mishap cause the unit to pop out of it's holster it's still on my bike. In the car I put it out of sight in the glovebox if I park and leave the car for a bit- less risk of inviting a smash-and-grab to get a dashboard mounted unit. the other thing about my portable unit is that i take it inside and can download/upload routes and info directly via usb.
"Jose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
I'll 2nd the garmin cx; I use one on mine, with their geko holster
hour warning, shutting off the display to conserve power); I bought 2 AA batteries at a gas station along the way and the unit powered up
Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but I just started retrieving this thread now...
Since besides a bicycle I also ride a motorcycle, and drive a car, would this device serve me on all 3 vehicles?
Thanks, Jose
Yes, but the screen is smaller then a vehicle unit. Inputing text & stuff is a bit tedious as you only have buttons to work with. I think most car GPS's use a touch screen? Maps cost extra (around $100) whereas car units usually come with them. This handheld unit is designed for hiking though so it's good for outside use where it'll be exposed to the elements.
REI is ok for $$$ items as REI gives 10% back with membership, maybe no sales tax. email sales Campmor's clothing and sales are less expensive, eg socks, windbreakers...
using a GPS 76csx on 'track'-no screen-saves battery power. 14 hours now using the screen only for turn and occasional direction checks. No heart monitor.... try asking a sattelite navigation or GPS group, there are engineering types there. Garmin's directions for transfer from PC are difficult. 5 sets with two explanatory sentences hidden in two seperate manuals but the online help tries harder.
bars are nooooo protection from migrating snow geese, flying nuns, rocks, hands feet, helmet, tree limbs. not for a small Cateye enduro, not for a 14 times larger Garmin.[...]
The handlebars Joseph posted the link to cost TWICE as much as the Garmin GPS unit.
-- Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
using a GPS 76csx on 'track'-no screen-saves battery power. 14 hours now using the screen only for turn and occasional direction checks. No heart monitor.... try asking a sattelite navigation or GPS group, there are engineering types there. Garmin's directions for transfer from PC are difficult. 5 sets with two explanatory sentences hidden in two seperate manuals but the online help tries harder.
BTW, multiple functions in one unit isn't indicated. The altimeter is cool as combined with TOPO USA, topography/altitude gives location. Nashbar sells a heart rate monitor for $40, Cateye sells wireless for $40. Cateye's batt last years, the monitor? But those two function on the GPS? dumb batt drain without purpose. PITA
"steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about GPS or traditional bike computers.
It seems there is no perfect answer. The Garmin Edge 305 would be my choice but I'm very concerned about battery life. I will do several centuries this summer one of which -The mountain Lakes Challenge - will involve a lot of elevation gain and is far enough away that we will be camping and thus have no access to electricity. The reviews I have seen seem to be love it or hate it. Hate it is usually about battery life.
I ride every day and don't want to be always worried about the batteries.
Steve G
My TomTom One has a lithium battery with a cigarette lighter charger. Are there any vehicles running safety for you? Took one hour to charge first time I opened it.
