Computers

[Ming the Merciless]

Garmin Etrex, bomb proof, can have as many maps in different styles as you want. Runs of AAs so easily to replace batteries if you need to out on road. Runs for approx 24 hours off a single set of AAs. I use rechargable AAs

 

[vickster]

Never said it was better. The op asked what we use.
I agree though that garmins could be a heck of a lot better.

He also asked if the garmins are as good as they appear. Which appears the more pertinent question

 

[Vantage]

He also asked if the garmins are as good as they appear. Which appears the more pertinent question

Sorry I didn't answer that question.

 

[vickster]

Sorry I didn't answer that question.

You have now however

 

[Vantage]

You have now however

 

[PaulSB]

Use a phone, much better.

Can I ask why you hold this view? I’m starting to research a new GPS but perhaps I should consider a new phone?

The thing I find most disappointing about Garmin is battery life. Yesterday for example my 810 was drained after 6.5 hours navigation but no data recording* In my view this simply is neither adequate or good enough.

However if I was to use my iPhone 5S I feel the battery life would be much poorer. Add to this I’d be denying myself potentially life saving communication if the phone went flat. I know that sounds dramatic but people do have accidents, taken ill etc. just about anywhere.

* I use a Garmin Vivoactive to record data and find it far more reliable to do so than the 810.

 

[Markymark]

I use my old iPhone 6 fir navigation. I use a quad lock on a charging case. I use rwgps which costs around £35 pa fir premium navigation. I download the map, put my phone in airplane mode. With the charging case I get around 2.5 charges so in airplane mode is around 7 hours which fir me is enough. I could switch off the display and get turn notificstions only and I would probably get 24 hours. I keep a usb charger in my saddle bag fir emergencies, probably another 3 hours or any sos calls. I did a 3 day tour with it. Every pub and cafe I stopped fir food was happy to let me plug in and charge. It meant I never even got close to useing too much charge but even if not it wouldn’t have been an issue.

The screen is massively better than a garmin. It’s so much clearer and easier to follow if going off piste.

Every day there’s another thread here about a crashing garnin. My phone has never crashed. The software is bullet proof.

 

[Vantage]

I think my etrex 20 has crashed maybe 5 times in 6 years. Turn it off then back again and it's fine. 2 x AA batteries give in excess of 24 hrs use. The unit itself is bombproof.
I keep seeing people bitch about the small screen but then use cyclocomputers an inch wide
I've not got brill eyesight but even I manage.

 

[gom]

I’m also getting 24hours+ with my etrex 30x, or at least 3 x an 8-hour day out. Using new, high-capacity rechargeables, with others I’d probably only use for two days (though they certainly last longer when tried).
Also, it’s totally waterproof, and designed to mount to a handlebar. And it can be read in sunshine.

I’m sure there are plenty of other great devices, but I just find my etrex excellent & it does what want.

 

[dodgy]

I use my old iPhone 6 fir navigation. I use a quad lock on a charging case. I use rwgps which costs around £35 pa fir premium navigation. I download the map, put my phone in airplane mode. With the charging case I get around 2.5 charges so in airplane mode is around 7 hours which fir me is enough. I could switch off the display and get turn notificstions only and I would probably get 24 hours. I keep a usb charger in my saddle bag fir emergencies, probably another 3 hours or any sos calls. I did a 3 day tour with it. Every pub and cafe I stopped fir food was happy to let me plug in and charge. It meant I never even got close to useing too much charge but even if not it wouldn’t have been an issue.

The screen is massively better than a garmin. It’s so much clearer and easier to follow if going off piste.

Every day there’s another thread here about a crashing garnin. My phone has never crashed. The software is bullet proof.

 

[Markymark]

I know, it’s most frustrating!!

 

[gom]

Garmin Oregon which is, I suppose, a bit like an Etrex with knobs on. It's AA powered, never crashes or has any problems in normal use, and has Ordnance survey maps.

I’ve seen these used and wondered about upgrading & using OS maps, but having paper maps & phone at a pinch it seemed an unjustified expense. Also, I like the different info OSM provides, especially street names.

Lots of kind folks/collectives convert OSM for garmin https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download
I used http://freizeitkarte-osm.de/ on my old etrex vista, but found the colours not good on the 30x. Now use http://www.openfietsmap.nl/ which marks cycle routes very clearly, extremely useful at time.
(This reminds me, I ought to look at my donation history for these, it must be a long time since I slipped them a Euro or two. Worth every cent.)

 

[ADarkDraconis]

I use a simple 12 year old Specialized that came with the bike, it tells me speed, distance, time, fastest recorded speed, and other stuff that I don't use either. I like the clock and the mph, trip odometer is nice but I usually know roughly how far I'm going when I set out. If it didn't come with the bike I don't know that I would've sought one out. For navigation I use the google Maps app on my phone if I need it.

 

[gom]

My favoured source of OSM for Garmin is https://www.velomap.org/ I have used maps of France and Finland from there. Although I must say I've never tried the ones you name, so that's not to say I think Velomap is any better.

After a quick look, I think I’ll give this a try as well. The sd card is a bit cluttered still I think, so it’s about time I downloaded the latest from just a couple of options.
“Better” or “best” very much personal preference I’m sure. Also, in my experience, depends on exactly what your hardware is.

 

[Newman8]

I use a Garmin Edge 200. It's excellent. Only a few drawbacks listed below, but overall, I really like it.

I suppose it's fairly old now and it's pretty basic compared to a lot of other models, but you get essential speed, distance, etc, without unnecessary distractions. You can preload a route and get a very simple graphic to follow for directions You can also view a lot of other data (eg. Strava) after you're home and have synced to your laptop.

It seems to go for ages without charging - maybe even weeks. It's never crashed. It feels pretty robust and wasn't too expensive either. It's also compact and very unobtrusive on your stem or bars.

You can't however link it to power, cadence or HR sensors, and you can't navigate other than from your saved route.

The only drawback for me though, is that it struggles to pick up a gps signal in the foot of the valley where I live and I usually have to get halfway up the first hill before position is acquired.

I can't make any comment on the dearer/newer Garmins or Wahoo.

My phone is an iPhone 4 and has terrible battery life for navigating, or pretty much anything. I know it's not a new phone, but I understand that's usually the main drawback with using phones.

If I get a newer phone, I'll be curious to see what it can do - what apps or sensors work with it, etc.