Today was the first outing with the GET. I set it to plan a circular route of 30 miles length. It quickly planned three - with varying degrees of ascent. I selected the one with 671m ascent plonked the GET on the bike and set off. I did not check the route in any way so I took the hybrid - just in case. The GET package from
Halfords comes with two mounts - handy if N>1 and N<3 (which it is in my case). Unlike the "out of box" impression, the on-bike experience was very much better. The GET has lots of nice touches. Two types of warning bleeps alert you to turns - one at a distance and the other much closer. The screen also brightens and zooms in automatically when a turn is nearby - nice. The GET comes with four mapping layers [Standard basemap, cycle map, Edge DEM map, Garmin Geocode map], I turned off all but the Cycle Map layer. I also de-cluttered the screen by disabling the elapsed time/speed function (these are always too depressing in any case).
The route started very well and it soon became clear that the GET works hard to find a quiet route - not necessarily a direct route. This is fine but is a different paradigm to a car satnav (did I really just use the word paradigm? Pat on back). The planned route was very ingenious and it showed me a new way to get to the Peak that I would never have thought of.
In most cases the turns were obvious on the screen although occasionally the auto zoom was slightly confusing. However it takes just a tap to revert to the normal display.
All went well until I missed a turn (my mistake). As I was on a circular route I wondered what the GET would do. In fact it appeared to plan an alternative that was still 30 miles long. Although it did this, the alternative was out and back along the same route rather than the more interesting original. I wondered if it would try to get me back on the original route but it didn't. I had recalculation set to automatic but for me I think manual/prompted would be a better option.
On the way back I deliberately ignored the GET and it appeared to be trying to route me to ensure that I did my full 30 miles. After 10 minutes of being ignored it said it was switching off - and did so. It must be female... The planned route was entirely on paved roads - the unit had been set to avoid unpaved roads and "narrow trails" whatever they are.
Overall I was actually quite impressed. It worked as I hoped and it did a great job. I can see it being a lot of fun this summer.
PS part of my problem trying the unit out at home was that as a default it automatically switches to night mode. This makes everything look very odd (in the light). Once I realised this and switched it to day mode, it was easier to use.
UPDATE:
1) On closer examination I see that the Halfords pack has 3 mounts - not 2 (does this mean that I need another bike?).
2) I have removed my Satmap mounts from both bikes and installed the Garmin mounts - which may indicate satisfaction!