GPS cycle computer for navigation - recommendations?

[Bass Culture]

As the title suggests, I'm after recommendations for a GPS cycle computer specifically for navigation rather than training etc. I'd like map navigation rather than route but (like others before me) I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choices. I'm aware of the big hitters like Garmin and Wahoo, of course, but I can't help wondering whether units like the igpsports BSC500 might be just as good. I'm guessing Garmin-wise I'd looking at something like the Explore 2. I need it in the first instance for a bikepacking trip round Suffolk in September and am intending to use Komoot or Cycle.Travel to identify and plan our (gravel) route, so any computer needs to be able to import routes from Komoot at least. Budget is up to £200 and I don't really want to pay for a whole host of data generation that I'm never going to use - beyond maybe current and average ride speed info, eta, that sort of thing. Any suggestions please or experience with either of the specific units I've mentioned? Thanks.

 

[oxoman]

Might be worth looking at Bryton riders, cheaper than the mainstream brands.

 

[Oldhippy]

In the current Cycling UK magazine there is a review of GPS computers.

 

[Bass Culture]

In the current Cycling UK magazine there is a review of GPS computers.

Thanks for the 'head's up'. 👍

 

[PaulSB]

I'm not sure what you mean by "map navigation rather than route"? I think using only the map on a GPS to navigate would be tricky, these devices are designed to follow a route.

My experience is limited to Garmin, many years ago, and Wahoo. My Garmin often let me down, I had two, and I switched to Wahoo. I find the Wahoo extremely accurate and reliable plus the set up via the Elemnt app is very simple and responsive. I found Garmin difficult to set up and suspect the reason mine were unreliable was partly due to poor set up. Overall I feel any device set up through an app will be easier to get right.

If you can stretch your budget Wahoo is your best bet. With careful searching you might find something around the £200.

One of my regular cycling buddies runs a recent Garmin, my Wahoo frequently has to come to the rescue. Just last Thursday we met up for a new route he'd planned. His Garmin refused to load it, my Wahoo would.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I'm not sure what you mean by "map navigation rather than route"?

Whilst I can't speak for the comment, Having experienced a device failure on one cycle tour, I carry a 2nd cheapo GPS device that will take a route gpx but doesn't itself contain any map. On its own it will display text directions "Turn left ..." but no map. Linked (Bluetooth) to a smartphone it can use the phone to get some mapping info for display with turn instructions. But for me it's a backup and I've not experimented with it.

 

[wakemalcolm]

I got slightly put off Wahoo with their incident that sent a load of users back to 2006. It took a couple of weeks to sort out too from memory.

Although I generally rail against 'the man' I've ended up with an Explore 2 (I have other Garmin devices) and with the exception of some rerouting issues that I've learned to work around I've generally had no trouble with it.

The Coros Dura gets some good press especially since it's got a solar panel on it which seems to give some users indefinite range. I think they may have been a bit cute with their influencer reach so check for independence whenever it's mentioned.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Whilst I can't speak for the comment, Having experienced a device failure on one cycle tour, I carry a 2nd cheapo GPS device that will take a route gpx but doesn't itself contain any map. On its own it will display text directions "Turn left ..." but no map. Linked (Bluetooth) to a smartphone it can use the phone to get some mapping info for display with turn instructions. But for me it's a backup and I've not experimented with it.

Don't forget about the option to create offline maps on Google Maps on an Android mobile, as a backup.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Edge Explore 2 available for £169 at moment

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I got slightly put off Wahoo with their incident that sent a load of users back to 2006. It took a couple of weeks to sort out too from memory.

I won't touch Wahoo (again) after my first cycle tour where the Wahoo I purchased for it let me down big time. Would have ended up in the canal had the retailer not agreed a complete refund. Mid 2 month tour I had to buy whatever the local (in Belgium at the time) had in stock and that was Garmin 1030.

And it wasn't just one failure but multiple failures some totally fatal (eg display issues, unable to load routes, etc.). My Wahoo experiences https://nogoodnamesleft.net/wahoo-elemnt-navigation-review/

 

[Dadam]

Don't forget about the option to create offline maps on Google Maps on an Android mobile, as a backup.

You can also do that on iPhone, using Google Maps or Apple Maps.

 

[Mike_P]

Edge Explore 2 available for £169 at moment

Um.. could an Edge Explore 3 be on the way with WiFi incorporated? The one dumb issue with the Explore 2 is no direct Strava etc upload.

 

[fossyant]

Um.. could an Edge Explore 3 be on the way with WiFi incorporated? The one dumb issue with the Explore 2 is no direct Strava etc upload.

Erm, it just connects via your phone, and I've usually got my phone near me. WiFi will affect battery. I like my Explore 1 but battery life isn't fabulous and mine goes flat over two weeks if not used as it seems to wake up even after being shut down. But, I can live with that, I have a backup battery pack, and it's easy to see the screen, and Navigation has been really good. I leave re-routing off, so I just go and get back on course, even off road.

I could be tempted with an Explore 3 at some point though.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

You can also do that on iPhone, using Google Maps or Apple Maps.

I experimented with a smartphone ages back. Small screen smartphone (ie not one of these larger "max" phones as screen is a significant battery consumer) and had the battery replaced yet just on local rides it just wouldn't last long enough for the ride (and if away from home you'd possible also want the phone for use eg as a phone).

But if the limitations work for an intended trip and already have a smartphone with a reliable attachment eg on bars so it can be used for navigation then https://cycle.travel has a free app tied into their free routing system but such that you can pre-download mapping then online create routes which are then automatically in the app and use for navigation (all for free).

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I need it in the first instance for a bikepacking trip round Suffolk in September and am intending to use Komoot or Cycle.Travel to identify and plan our (gravel) route, so any computer needs to be able to import routes from Komoot at least.

I use cycle.travel with my Garmin and getting the route from cycle.travel to the GPS device is exceptionally easy. In cycle.travel page you create the route, press the GPS button and select "Send to Garmin" and a few moments later it's on your GPS device ready to go.

Depending on the nature of your trip, consider if on-device routing might be a useful backup. I tend to tour for longer trips and often only plan each day's route the evening before. Camping in rural locations you don't always get WiFi and not always mobile signal coverage ... then creating tomorrow's route is "difficult". So my Garmin does have the capability to create route on-device without any internet connection. One tour I used capability every day for 1 month - routes not as good as cycle.travel but perfectly acceptable route for cycling. But how useful that capability is depends on intended use. I'm not sure which Garmin devices include that functionality.