Garmin thingy

[Aperitif]

I have a 705 rich, with Europe map on SD card. I know others might say get the DVD etc - but that's just me trying to simplify things. Half the time, I forget to press 'Start' and collect data - the rest of the time (particularly on a Mouseketeer Special, the battery would have run down and need recharging) I got round that problem by getting a 'Power Monkey' - but I forget that too!

When I have plotted routes, using, for example, bikehike, or bikely, or bikeroutetoaster, (check them out - I think bikehike is of most interest - but I quite like perusing maps anyway...) the data on screen is of a great help to me, having been born with spatio-directional difficulties!

If I thought about this a little more, I would probably have got a AA battery version, but I originally got it for finding my way back from unaccompanied rides that I was going to do in the Languedoc - using the Garmin UK/Europe map. Due to 'circumstances beyond my control' I never got there, so I was content to get lost in England. It's good. Frank Kinlan's website is a friendly approach to the doings of Garmin.

And Sig's experience with Garmin has undoubtedly given her that 'je ne sais quoi', that 'Edge' when it comes to rustling up a cherry cake!

And it shows a lot of the North Sea.

 

[andym]

There's a very useful overview of GPSes for touring on crazyguyonabike.com.

I have a 705 rich, with Europe map on SD card. I know others might say get the DVD etc - but that's just me trying to simplify things. Half the time, I forget to press 'Start' and collect data - the rest of the time (particularly on a Mouseketeer Special, the battery would have run down and need recharging)

You only need to download the maps to the SD card once. I have the whole of the UK, France, Spain, and Italy on mine. That way if I should ever lose the GPS I haven't lost the maps as well. (The Garmin is powered via the USB BTW).

 

[jeltz]

If all you want to do is plot the route that you have taken any garmin edge will work. As would a GPS enabled mobile phone or PDA with the right program or app. The advantage that a bike specific one has is in the design, i.e. waterproof, daylight readable and a bike mount.

I have a windows mible PDA with freeware mapping and tracking software which can do that job, but opted to get a Garmin 605 so that it acts as my route tracker, bike computer and a navigation aid if I ever need one.