Cunobelin said:
There is a problem with these..... they do not use the standard formats that Memory-Mp etc use, so you need to use their software and convert.
To be quite honest I would go for a Geko, Etrex or similar. Cheaper, smaller (Geko) and as useful.
I broadly agree with Cunobelin.
My experience is using a Geko 205 and an Edge 305 with Memory Map, and various web-based planners.
You can create a Route on Memory Map, right click it, and send it directly to the Edge 305, and use it to navigate. I think it has a limitation as to the number of waypoints on a Route but I've never run out yet.
A Course is different. In Memory Map I create a track (ie. plot/follow the road rather than go point to point for turns), save it as a gpx file then use GPX2CRS to convert it to a Garmin Course. I then import into the Garmin Training Centre and upload it to the Edge. Sounds unwieldy - it is - and track creation for a long route on Memory Map can take time.
I've created courses in BikeRouteToaster which is quicker (if you use Firefox!) as it follows roads automatically, but the downloaded route files aren't recognised by the device and won't import into the Training Centre for upload to the Edge. (Except the Motionbased mbcrs which goes to the device and is usable but won't transfer to Training Centre)) Maybe I'm unlucky as I read good things about it
.
And the Virtual Partner always wins!
However, if you tell the Edge to navigate the route AND do the course at the same time - i.e. two separate steps before you set off on your ride - then it will display the Course (road curves and all) along with the waypoint to waypoint line of the Route - assuming you have the correct zoom!
I still print off a map and find the turn warning beeps from the Edge too quiet when rumbling along country lanes so it's not the perfect navigational device.
In fact I started off with a Geko and a Polar 200CAD HRM then bought the Edge 305 as I thought it would do the same job in one. Personally, I still prefer the Geko 205 for navigation - no maps but obvious visual - but no audible - warnings of turns on preplanned/uploaded routes. Handlebars are a bit busy with Edge and Geko all strapped on though
IMHO the Edge is very basic as a navigational device and relies on a certain level of computer literacy/software to make it work like a satellite navigation device (it's actually GPS not 'satnav' as in how a car satnav works).
However it is great for the metrics of the ride. Downloading the metrics/GPS track into the Training Centre is excellent.
And using the Edge with Motionbased or Memory Map to see where you went, the elevation profile, your heart rate and speed profile plotted against your point on a map is very revealing.
Memory Map, Training Centre and Motionbased can export the track of your ride (e.g. in gpx, kml format) so you can replay it in Google Earth. Now that is cool!
If you are looking for a basic navigator/track recording device and are not interested in heart rates, cadence, training etc. and are prepared to use a web based route planner such as
www.bikeroutetoaster.com or pay for Memory Map, Tracklogs etc, to plan and upload your route via an additional cable and are a geek, as Cunobelin says, look at the Geko, Etrex (or SatMap?).
Edge 605/705 looks like it will do the same and give you the metrics too but you only get base maps so may have to buy more detailed maps.
As I see it, cyclists are looking for different things from a GPS/SatNav device to a motorist. Cyclists plan routes as in 'I'd like to go this way via that way and end up back where I started' whereas motorists want to get from from A to B.
It's hard to see how a satnav for cyclists could be created that doesn't rely on the large screen/interface of a pc to plan the route in advance and upload it to the naviation device.
Maybe I'm missing something and there is a magic button to make it all work how we want it to!
I think I need to get out more
