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Bike GPS

Alex's picture
Submitted by Alex on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 07:35

Does anyone have any thoughts on what is good or bad? I just want to stop getting lost and avoid wrong turns in long rides but if there are other things I should be thinking about I would be happy to hear y'all's thoughts. What features are helpful? Brands? Are these things waterproof (it rains all the time in this corner of the world).

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ckdake's picture

I have a garmin 60csx that i

Submitted by ckdake on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 11:14.

I have a garmin 60csx that i put in my back pocket when im on a ride. It records the route, has maps so if I think I missed a turn I can look at it, and if I have a route planned that I'm worried about, I can load it onto the GPS so it's visibile on the map.

It has a handlebar mount but eh, I think its fine in a pocket.

Lots of good info on this site:

http://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/gps.php

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Alex's picture

Do you know anyone who has

Submitted by Alex on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 13:59.

Do you know anyone who has the HCx units? I am wondering if the extra cost makes a difference.

I also figured that if anyone knows how to load open source maps, it would be you. Do you really have to buy the Garmin maps?

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ckdake's picture

I dun know anyone with a

Submitted by ckdake on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 13:07.

I dun know anyone with a HCx. You want one with the SIRF III chipset, and having the external antenna like the 60cxs helps you lock on to the satellites more quickly and stay locked on in (urban) jungles.

I went ahead and bought the US street maps, but you might have some luck grabbing data from somewhere like

http://www.openstreetmap.org/

I think that mess actually got started in the UK, so there is very good coverage there.

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there was a kid at the

Submitted by Fat Panda on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 12:26.

there was a kid at the noBrakes race with a TomTom mounted to his stem. seemed cool.

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IndyFan's picture

I rode with a gal with a

Submitted by IndyFan on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 16:48.

I rode with a gal with a Garmin yesterday. We climbed 5,247 feet on the gaps in north Georgia. She says her map software, the gps, and some other source come up with different figures when she inputs ride data, so she averages the information.

And hey, Garmin just picked up a TdF sponsorship. Think I might bring out my lumberjack shirts again, too. Go, Columbia!

Room here for standard question: _________________________

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Jeff's picture

Was she hot?

Submitted by Jeff on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 17:13.

And what model GPS?

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Dfunk's picture

She was today, at least,

Submitted by Dfunk on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 17:56.

when she and Indyfan walked into my store. Well done, sir. :-P

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.

Submitted by paul h on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 18:46.

There's systematic and random error associated with any GPS. In terms of climbing data, it's all a matter of the resolution/sampling rates at which you sum the changes in elevation.

At one extreme (lo-res), you'd simply subtract the elevation at the bottom from that at the top. This obviously doesn't account for any climbing you have to repeat due to intermediate descents. At the other extreme (hi-res), you'd be adding up every single dimple in the asphalt. The sweet spot between the two is anybody's guess.

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