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whpprsnppr
Guest
So, I must have fooled Santa because he thinks I was good and is willing to chip in for a GPS this year (sucker). I've been doing a little research and it looks like I'm down to a couple finalists.
I'm looking for a unit that can be friendly to use on the bike (road and/or mtn.) and in the car. A lot to ask, I know, but some come close to having the abilities I'm looking for.
I had a forerunner 205 for a couple years (until it was stolen) but I never used the way points or route functions. I just picked up a Forerunner 305 because the price was too good to pass up. So, if I can do what I want with the 305, skip the rest and please let me know how you set up your long road rides and such.
#1 Garmin Oregon 400t
This one has a bike and car mount option. You enter your destination just like an automotive unit, it's about the same price as the EDGE 705 and seems to come with better base maps - See #2. It has the ability to pick up HR and Cadence data from Garmin sensors, but doesn't have the abillity to download that data into Training Center.
#2 Garmin Edge 605/705
The 605 does everything the 705 does so the question is do I want to bring both my 305 and the 605 along on the days I care about downloading HR data for fun later or is the extra $100 worth it to me to just have one unit on the handlebars. The 605/705 do not enter data the same way as an automotive unit does and I found the interface cumbersome if you don't know where you're going. Also, please tell me if I'm wrong, but the base map on the display unit had no side streets and liked to take highways... do you have to buy additional maps to make the 605/705 useful?? There is no car mount from Garmin for this unit.
#3 Delorme Earthmate PN-40
Seems to do everything the Oregon series can do. Cheaper, more/better base maps maybe, car and bike mounts available and has the ability to monitor HR from the Delorme site story on the guy doing the Mt. Washington road ride. I have no idea how you enter addresses into this unit and/or how well it navigates. Also, does it have a bike routes only feature? If someone has info on this one please let me know. This unit seemed much bulkier than the Oregon in the pictures on Delorme's website.
#4+ Garmin 60 series, etrex, Colorado, NUVI - all of these have some of the same benefits and a lot of the same failures as #'s 1-3. The NUVI 500 is supposed to be bicycle friendly, but has no bike mount available right now. Does anyone use their NUVI outside?? Inquiring minds want to know.
That's it for now. I'm about to go sit down w/ my Forerunner and try to figure out the route options. If you'd like to save me the headache, I'll be checking in later.
Thanks!
I'm looking for a unit that can be friendly to use on the bike (road and/or mtn.) and in the car. A lot to ask, I know, but some come close to having the abilities I'm looking for.
I had a forerunner 205 for a couple years (until it was stolen) but I never used the way points or route functions. I just picked up a Forerunner 305 because the price was too good to pass up. So, if I can do what I want with the 305, skip the rest and please let me know how you set up your long road rides and such.
#1 Garmin Oregon 400t
This one has a bike and car mount option. You enter your destination just like an automotive unit, it's about the same price as the EDGE 705 and seems to come with better base maps - See #2. It has the ability to pick up HR and Cadence data from Garmin sensors, but doesn't have the abillity to download that data into Training Center.
#2 Garmin Edge 605/705
The 605 does everything the 705 does so the question is do I want to bring both my 305 and the 605 along on the days I care about downloading HR data for fun later or is the extra $100 worth it to me to just have one unit on the handlebars. The 605/705 do not enter data the same way as an automotive unit does and I found the interface cumbersome if you don't know where you're going. Also, please tell me if I'm wrong, but the base map on the display unit had no side streets and liked to take highways... do you have to buy additional maps to make the 605/705 useful?? There is no car mount from Garmin for this unit.
#3 Delorme Earthmate PN-40
Seems to do everything the Oregon series can do. Cheaper, more/better base maps maybe, car and bike mounts available and has the ability to monitor HR from the Delorme site story on the guy doing the Mt. Washington road ride. I have no idea how you enter addresses into this unit and/or how well it navigates. Also, does it have a bike routes only feature? If someone has info on this one please let me know. This unit seemed much bulkier than the Oregon in the pictures on Delorme's website.
#4+ Garmin 60 series, etrex, Colorado, NUVI - all of these have some of the same benefits and a lot of the same failures as #'s 1-3. The NUVI 500 is supposed to be bicycle friendly, but has no bike mount available right now. Does anyone use their NUVI outside?? Inquiring minds want to know.
That's it for now. I'm about to go sit down w/ my Forerunner and try to figure out the route options. If you'd like to save me the headache, I'll be checking in later.
Thanks!