Garmin Idiot's Guide to Success...

[Aperitif]

...specifically the 705. But I'm looking for general 'Best thing to do' advice regarding how this useful tool will help me to do what I can do - but better!

Things like: The best place to create a route. The best way to use the tool. The simplest way to get the information from the tool to the computer (PC)
What to look out for (apart from traffic) - you peeps out there know what I'm on about - come on, let's have some tips please.

I am reading FRank Kinl;an's very good site and also Dodgy's exposition of Garmintrude...and updates/additions/improvements(?) to these welcomed by me. Ta.
Don't all rush...

 

[oxbob]

Teef its a mare!, i have had a 705 for 2 months now. I find MB( motion based) the best site for plotting and downloading of routes, and frank kinlans blog the best knowledge base

 

[oxbob]

Also check Map my ride, you can search for routes nr your location,if you see a loop you fancy trying you can download it to your pc and stick on your 705 easily

 

[Aperitif]

Thanks for the replies oxbob - I have just loaded one from bikeroutetoaster and will now go and try it out...80kms or so. It is a bit of a palaver to start with though...more "plug and pray" than "plug and play"

 

[Auntie Helen]

Hi Aperitif,

For my 205 I use both BikeRouteToaster and BikeHike. I've found BikeHike has the useful 'drag edit mode' which means you can change a route easily (whereas bikeroutetoaster doesn't seem to do that so well), but BRT gives more useful info on elevation, distance etc.

I've found both have a tendency to direct me down footpaths/unmade roads from time to time so BikeHike is useful in that you can also see the OS map which shows if you're going off-road whereas the Google Map doesn't.

 

[HeartAttack]

The best software I have found, way better than MB or anything else so far tested is http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/

OK there are some add on's that are great but require minimal donations, like weather but the small fee is worth it and thats coming from someone who is tight with money

You can make routes, up load them, down load rides, view all possible info and probably more.

 

[Peter]

I've been using mine for about a year and possibly have a few tips.

1) Make sure you have the latest software updates for the 705. You download the WebUpdater & the USB drivers from Garmin's site, plug in the USB cable and run Webupdater.
2)All the sites mentioned above are good for creating a route - but be aware that Garmin doesn't handle going off the chosen route very well. it keeps asking you to do a U-turn even when back on route - I find this the only pitful of this great toy.
3) I use www.connect.garmin.com to upload all my rides. A pretty good site that shows the route taken, average speed, cadence, heartrate etc - you can then gauge how well you are doing - or in my case how badly! The site is free to use, just need to register.
4) you can also use the lap timer/counter to clock your lap times etc.
5) If and when you eventually get lost, there is a great "Take me home" function - or if you need cash for that coffee (or Guiness) you can use the "Find nearest" function. By the way I also use the City Navigator Europe 2008 maps
Have fun.

 

[Aperitif]

It's all your bloody fault anyway Peter - since you let me have a brief intro to technology on the Hants in our Pants ride.
So, I bombed off towards Staines and beyond and the outcome for something that I had uploaded from bread toaster bike road was ok. I got mis-directed a couple of times and, because I did a lazy route creation - clicked on a point, scrolled the map to somewhere else interesting, clicked again - I got one or two non-passable 'roads'. However - satisfactory.
(Got a house full of people wanting the airport all of a sudden -effing inconsiderate given that I need to work on my GPS skillset )
I'm sure there will be few comments and questions but I'll peruse first. Swot up you lot!

 

[Aperitif]

Oh - one quick thing. It (Garmin) says 3934 calories expended!


Ho ho ho - <fat pig alert!> Or maybe it counts stress levels too

 

[Aperitif]

Thanks for the lead HaertAttack - looking at that this morning...looks a bit 'exercisey' for me... We'll see.