Bicycle GPS Unit

 

I have been researching GPS units for use on my bicycle and, being a Garmin Nuvi 650 owner, I looked at Garmin units first.

Scanning the reviews online I see lots of negative reviews on these fairly expensive units. Reviews like this:

******
In that 2 years it has been back to the mfg 7 times, each time something doesn't work again.

Unit almost constantly displayed inconsistent and highly variable speed and heart rate readings

Poor software design and quality...the unit firmware is flakey...Training Center software is even worse
******

I already have a good heart-rate monitor. What I really want at the end of my rides are the data I can get from my Nuvi 650: average mileage, speed overall, moving speed, time stopped, etc., etc.

I was thinking that perhaps I would be better off to watch for units that are solely aimed at the bicycle market, but for which a bicycle mount is available. I once took my Nuvi 650 with me on a 100 mile ride, in a fanny back with the antenna protruding. Worked great, but I'd really rather have the unit on the handlebar and not in the fanny pack.

Anyone recommend a unit(s) I might research/check out???

Many thanks

--
Nuvi 3790T w. Lifetime Maps/Macintosh OS Lion/iPhone 4/iPad 1

Look into handlebar mount for your current unit

One place to check is mountguys.com I'm considering getting a handlebar mount for my nuvi 760 to gather statistics and even plan a route

--
Nuvi 3597 LMT

On the trail

I'd simply get a handheld unit. A little Etrex Legend should do just fine for what the mission is.

Etrex Legend

Just looked the unit up online. Looks like a good idea.

Do you know is there a way to dope out if they have a "summary page", like my Nuvi 650 does? After tapping on View Map, if I tap on Speed, it opens what I will call a summary page giving me these readings for a ride:

Overall Avg Speed
Moving Avg. Speed
Max Speed
Total time
Moving Time
Stopped Time.
Distance Traveled.

Thanks,

--
Nuvi 3790T w. Lifetime Maps/Macintosh OS Lion/iPhone 4/iPad 1

Not Sure

I'm not sure about that info, but I would guess so. On all my handhelds they have a trip computer that shows that info. I've had a couple cheap eMaps as well as the more expensive 60Cx and Rino 530. I would call Garmin to verify.
YES IT WILL http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/eTrexH_OwnersManual.pdf
Look on page 10 of the owners manual.

Looks like the eTrex "H" is cheaper and has a high sensitivity receiver as well!!! Cool!

eTrex Legend H looks like a better buy for $25 more. Still black and white but more features.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=143&compareProduc...

Check out this site

They rate various GPS units for mountainbiking:
http://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/gps.php

Nuvi 500 and Nuvi 550 are good options.

Speed3 wrote:

I have been researching GPS units for use on my bicycle and, being a Garmin Nuvi 650 owner, I looked at Garmin units first.

Scanning the reviews online I see lots of negative reviews on these fairly expensive units. Reviews like this:

******
In that 2 years it has been back to the mfg 7 times, each time something doesn't work again.

Unit almost constantly displayed inconsistent and highly variable speed and heart rate readings

Poor software design and quality...the unit firmware is flakey...Training Center software is even worse
******

I already have a good heart-rate monitor. What I really want at the end of my rides are the data I can get from my Nuvi 650: average mileage, speed overall, moving speed, time stopped, etc., etc.

I was thinking that perhaps I would be better off to watch for units that are solely aimed at the bicycle market, but for which a bicycle mount is available. I once took my Nuvi 650 with me on a 100 mile ride, in a fanny back with the antenna protruding. Worked great, but I'd really rather have the unit on the handlebar and not in the fanny pack.

Anyone recommend a unit(s) I might research/check out???

Many thanks

Bicycle GPS.... Garmin Edge 305

I have been using a Garmin Edge 305 on my bike for a couple of years. It is made for cycling. It measures the usual stuff like speed and distance. It also has a heart rate monitor and the unit measures cadence. The sensors for the unit are all wireless. It also came with Garmin Training Center software that allows you to display, graph, and log your rides. The 305 is an older unit. I forget the number of the newer model, which has a color screen.
Hope this helps a bit.....

--
getround - Nuvi 750 - Nuvi 3597LMTHD

The Legend will work for you

Speed3 wrote:

Just looked the unit up online. Looks like a good idea.

Do you know is there a way to dope out if they have a "summary page", like my Nuvi 650 does? After tapping on View Map, if I tap on Speed, it opens what I will call a summary page giving me these readings for a ride:

Overall Avg Speed
Moving Avg. Speed
Max Speed
Total time
Moving Time
Stopped Time.
Distance Traveled.

Thanks,

I own both the original Legend and the HCx and they will do what you want. Another good thing to do is save the track logs from each ride and then you can compare them at a later date if you like. Also, all the items you have listed above can be done with a simple $20 bicycle computer.

One thing to note is I wouldn't use them mounted to the handlebar, they won't be to happy about the bumps and/or vibration.

Steve