GPS for cycling
Jeremy Lunn
thinking it would be nice to get a GPS unit for logging my trips. My
initial desire was to get some data on hill climbs but also to map out
the route so it can be viewed on the computer (i.e. with bikely.com,
Google Earth, etc). So it probably makes sense to have a barometric
alitmeter.
The thought device I considered was the Garmin Edge 305, though
unfortunately it seems to have a number of limitations. First of all,
it's only capable of 12 hours of battery and as I understand it has a
built in lithium battery so you can't exactly switch it over when it
runs out. Although the cadence monitoring would be nice, I'm not into
racing so probably don't need features like heart monitoring. I'm
also thinking about doing some bicycle touring, in which case the
battery limitations just about rule it out. Finally, I've heard that
it won't give you a latitude/longitude readout which seems rather silly
for a GPS device.
So the next device to consider is the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. It comes
in at about the same price as the Edge 305 but seems like a better all
round device. Although the City Navigator Australia maps are rather
expensive, at least the microSD slot can be used to save track logs.
Plus it has quite a decent battery running time. Both these features
would be favourable to touring. The only downside I can see is that it
doesn't have a SiRF3 chipset.
So that brings us to the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, though at approx AU $840
that's quite a bit more than the eTrex Vista Cx (approx $600). Battery
life isn't so great as the Vista Cx, though I suppose you can get
around this by carrying more battries and a solar charger on longer
touring trips. Though I'm wondering how much better this SiRF3 chip
really is? How many places am I likely to find that the Vista Cx won't
lock but the 60CSx would? Is this likely to show up as a large gap in
the track log?
The only other thing is that if I'm ever inclinced to splurge out the
$350 or so for map data then I'd probably be glad I got the more
accurate device (though that brings your total to around $1,200).
Finally, any other devices/brands I should consider (e.g. I spose there
is the eXplorist 600 from Magellan though dunno how its chipset
ccompares to the SiRF3)?
Thanks,
Jeremy
Helge Olav Helgesen
> No such article number in this group.
I've got a lot of these messages today. So I can't tell what you asked for.
But I found this webpage today with some GPS cyceling information...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Garmin/~3/31817768/cycleworld_trek.html
---
Helge Olav Helgesen
http://www.helge.net
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
me
> Now that it's spring, I've been doing a bit of extra cycling and
> thinking it would be nice to get a GPS unit for logging my trips. My
> initial desire was to get some data on hill climbs but also to map out
> the route so it can be viewed on the computer (i.e. with bikely.com,
> Google Earth, etc). So it probably makes sense to have a barometric
> alitmeter.
If the device records tracks in gpx-format, it stores the elevationdata
based on gpsdata. Not as accurate but sufficient for biking. So no need to
go to Vista Cx, Legend Cx and even Venture Cx might give you the same
results.
> Though I'm wondering how much better this SiRF3 chip
> really is?
If I see the difference in reception betweeen a TomTom GO and a TomTom One
(SiRF3) I'd say : big difference.
> How many places am I likely to find that the Vista Cx won't
> lock but the 60CSx would? Is this likely to show up as a large gap in
> the track log?
Woods, tall buildings in the city tends to block reception, whereas with
SiRF3 it should be "better".
> The only other thing is that if I'm ever inclinced to splurge out the
> $350 or so for map data then I'd probably be glad I got the more
> accurate device (though that brings your total to around $1,200).
I am dreaming of a Venture Cx, but since it is fall over here I'm waiting
untill spring ;-))
Helge Olav Helgesen
>> How many places am I likely to find that the Vista Cx won't
>>
> lock but the 60CSx would? Is this likely to show up as a large gap in
> the track log?
>
> Woods, tall buildings in the city tends to block reception, whereas
> with SiRF3 it should be "better".
SiRF 3 really do a better job.
After using SiRF3 for some months it feels like stone age to use my old equipment
again :) I use a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
Peter Wilkins
<spammers...@austux.net> wrote :
snip
>
>Finally, any other devices/brands I should consider (e.g. I spose there
>is the eXplorist 600 from Magellan though dunno how its chipset
>ccompares to the SiRF3)?
>
The Mio A701 will be released in Australia within a few weeks and will
come with Australian Mapping. Here is a Mio A701 overseas link:
http://www.mio-tech.be/products/GPS_PDA_Phone/a701/index.php
Keep an eye on the Oz website for product details, should be up in a
week or so: www.mio-tech.com.au
Don't have a price on it yet, but it does everything: GPS, PDA, phone,
camera, music/video player, you name it!
My Garmin Venture failed again for the fifth or sixth time yesterday,
so I'm fed up with Garmin, at least with Garmin click-sticks, and
can't wait to get my hands on the A701!
Anyone have any usage reports on it or on the earlier A700?
--
Regards,
Peter Wilkins
Andrew
<wilkins...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>Anyone have any usage reports on it or on the earlier A700?
I love my A701 in the UK with TTN5 and Beeline GPS software.
--
Andrew, contact via http://interpleb.googlepages.com
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read downwards,
please don't top post. Trim replies to quote only relevant text.
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Mark Illingworth
"Jeremy Lunn" <spammers...@austux.net> wrote in message
news:45239...@news.peopletelecom.com.au...
<snip>
> So the next device to consider is the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. It comes in
> at about the same price as the Edge 305 but seems like a better all round
> device. Although the City Navigator Australia maps are rather expensive,
> at least the microSD slot can be used to save track logs. Plus it has
> quite a decent battery running time. Both these features would be
> favourable to touring. The only downside I can see is that it doesn't
> have a SiRF3 chipset.
>
> The only other thing is that if I'm ever inclinced to splurge out the $350
> or so for map data then I'd probably be glad I got the more accurate
> device (though that brings your total to around $1,200).
I have a Vista C mainly for walking and skiing but I used it on my cycle
recently hoping that it would do better than my aging GPS V. I found it hard
to see the map detail on the Vista C's smaller screen. The Vista Cx will
certainly log your tracks and can provide a read out of information like
height gained, but for use with mapping I should go for a somewhat larger
screen. I don't think that for your purpose the accuracy should be an issue.
In mountainous terrain with steep sided valleys where some units lose
reception, a SiRF3 model may be worth it for better cover.
Peter Wilkins
:
>On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:27:30 +1000, Peter Wilkins
><wilkins...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>
>>Anyone have any usage reports on it or on the earlier A700?
>
>I love my A701 in the UK with TTN5 and Beeline GPS software.
Thanks for that info.
Did the Beeline software come with the A701 or did you buy it
separately? I thought it only worked with Beeline GPS.
I also thought the A701 would have come with MioMap V3.2 software -
did you not get that, or didn't you like it as much as the Beeline?
Speaking as a lowly colonial, what's TTN5?
--
Regards,
Peter Wilkins
Andrew
<wilkins...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>Did the Beeline software come with the A701 or did you buy it
>separately? I thought it only worked with Beeline GPS.
I bought TTN5 and Beeline, it works with all (that I have tried)
PocketPC software.
>I also thought the A701 would have come with MioMap V3.2 software -
>did you not get that, or didn't you like it as much as the Beeline?
I didn't want it, it isn't anywhere close to being as good as TTN5.
>Speaking as a lowly colonial, what's TTN5?
Tomtom Navigator 5, it does get mentioned occasionally around here. I
don't know what Tomtom map support is like down under.
Jeremy Lunn
Perhaps I ranted a bit too long there and perhaps questions burried at
the bottom of a great long post aren't going to be answered, so I'll
just give it one more try. :-)
Say the option comes down to the Garmin Vista Cx or 60CSx, am I likely
to find many situations where the 60CSx would lock but the Vista Cx
won't?
For example, yesterday I was doing a lot of cycling through eucalyptus
forest. Although I was mostly riding on road, branches would have been
covering most of the sky. Cound see tiny patches of blue sky through
the foilage though, so I would say the density varied from medium to
high. So is this likely to effect the Vista Cx more than the 60CSX?
And how is it likely to effect track logs, is it likely to lock
periodically enough that it won't make much difference?
Thanks,
Jeremy
peter
> Say the option comes down to the Garmin Vista Cx or 60CSx, am I likely
> to find many situations where the 60CSx would lock but the Vista Cx
> won't?
My estimate is that there would be some such situations, but not many.
I use an old eMap and frequently ride with someone who has a 60CSx.
The places where I experience loss of lock is generally in very hilly
terrain combined with dense redwood forest. In that situation his
seems to do better, but on most of our rides neither of us has any
problems with losing lock. BTW, he also has a VistaC and has
complained about it shutting down on bumpy rides due to loss of battery
contact. I believe that's why he switched to using the 60CSx; not
because of better reception.
>
> For example, yesterday I was doing a lot of cycling through eucalyptus
> forest. Although I was mostly riding on road, branches would have been
> covering most of the sky.
I don't usually have problems when cycling under eucalyptus.
> And how is it likely to effect track logs, is it likely to lock
> periodically enough that it won't make much difference?
Usually it's not too bad, but I might miss a switchback or two
depending on how quickly I regain lock. The main effect is on the
elevation profile. Since my model depends on 3D GPS lock for elevation
there are sometimes periods where the recorded altitude stays constant
and then makes a sudden jump when 3D lock is regained.
Jeremy Lunn
> Hmmm, nobody?
Ah never mind, something funny is happening with this news server, my
posts are obviously getting out because I can read the thread on google
but the replies aren't coming back. So thanks to those who replied.
joe.s...@gmail.com
http://www.saltlakecycling.com/gpsinfo/index.html
There's also some data on riding a bike with a GPS and various software
available. Check out the menu items at the bottom left.
Joe