GPS Recommendations

[smklugherz]

I am looking in to getting a GPS unit to take biking to measure distance, climb, etc (GPS-ish stuff). I have heard that many do not have the accuracy to accurately catch most of the switchbacks on the trails. Does anyone have a recommendation on what I should buy?

[butter]

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60cx. I bought the United States topo maps to go with it. I have taken it out on a few rides now and it definitely is accurate enough to pick up switchbacks. The only drawback is that it is expensive ~$400.

[Pandl]

Does anyone have a Garmin Edge 305?

[gopherhockey]

Does anyone have a Garmin Edge 305?

Yes, and I love it. It seems to track fairly well even now with the trees covering the trail. I've only really started using it but I have no complaints so far... it came with enough stuff to be able to work on 2 bikes as well, so I use it on road and offroad with no extra parts to buy.

[Pandl]

Great! I got one for my birthday yesterday. Well, I was supposed to. My wife went to get it at Dick's, mentioned 305, mentioned biking, the guy took her to the biking area, but when I opened the present, it was a Forerunner. That has the option of 3 settings, and one of them is biking, but I am not into running, so thinking the Edge would be my best option. Going to go back tonite to hopefully exchange it.

Thank you.

[TML]

Those 305's look pretty sweet.

John, have you used the virtual training partner feature? How is it?

[gopherhockey]

Those 305's look pretty sweet.

John, have you used the virtual training partner feature? How is it?

Thats the one feature I haven't tried yet, but I'm looking forward to doing it. I figure it will make the road rides way more interesting...

[jholiday]

I have a 305 as well and I do run into a little interference in the trees at Leb. Every once in a while I'll look at my speed and where I would be going say 10 mph on a traditional spedometer the Garmin says I'm going about 3 mph, and then at a few points during the ride (tighter switchbacks) I'll hear the auto stop beep and then after a couple of seconds it beeps back on. All in all I loose about .5 miles on a 12.5 mile ride through the woods. With all that in mind I do love having it though, it's fun to track rides on the software or through the web on the Motion Based site.

[gopherhockey]

I have a 305 as well and I do run into a little interference in the trees at Leb. Every once in a while I'll look at my speed and where I would be going say 10 mph on a traditional spedometer the Garmin says I'm going about 3 mph, and then at a few points during the ride (tighter switchbacks) I'll hear the auto stop beep and then after a couple of seconds it beeps back on. All in all I loose about .5 miles on a 12.5 mile ride through the woods. With all that in mind I do love having it though, it's fun to track rides on the software or through the web on the Motion Based site.

Did you hook up anything to your mountain bike or are you letting the GPS do all the work?

I have the cadence and speed sensors on my road bike and wondered about getting a second speed for the mtb to fill in for where the GPS might be lacking. I don't know, however, if it can track speed based on the sensor and do the rest via GPS or where the cutoff is.

I really ought to read the manual...

[Matthew]

If you hook up the sensor it will track speed with the GPS whenever it has a strong signal, but if it looses the signal it will switch over to the sensor. It uses the gps to self calibrate the wheel size every time as well. I have used the virtual partner feature on mine and it is neat, but depressing at times as I find myself trying to hold the wheel of the february me.

[otter64]

FYI - some accuracy information regarding GPS equipment
Be careful about trusting the accuracy of your GPS readings, especially in wooded areas. This spring I walked the Jail Trail in St. Cloud with my handheld GPS, and in many areas my horizontal accuracy was within only 100-150 feet. I work for a surveying company that has the top of the line in GPS equipment, and our crews can't even work in most wooded areas with this equipment due to accuracy issues. Handheld models at the very best can get you within 10-20 feet in clear open areas with lots of satellites in the horizon. As far as vertical goes, on a handheld I would trust it as far as I can throw it. In the mountains where you're talking about 100's or 1000's of vertical rise, it can give you a point of reference, but around here with 10's of feet of vertical rise, the error is usually greater than the topography.
I don't want to rain on anyones parade -- handheld GPS's are very useful in certain applications, but be wary of the data you're receiving.

[gopherhockey]

FYI - some accuracy information regarding GPS equipment
Be careful about trusting the accuracy of your GPS readings, especially in wooded areas. This spring I walked the Jail Trail in St. Cloud with my handheld GPS, and in many areas my horizontal accuracy was within only 100-150 feet. I work for a surveying company that has the top of the line in GPS equipment, and our crews can't even work in most wooded areas with this equipment due to accuracy issues. Handheld models at the very best can get you within 10-20 feet in clear open areas with lots of satellites in the horizon. As far as vertical goes, on a handheld I would trust it as far as I can throw it. In the mountains where you're talking about 100's or 1000's of vertical rise, it can give you a point of reference, but around here with 10's of feet of vertical rise, the error is usually greater than the topography.
I don't want to rain on anyones parade -- handheld GPS's are very useful in certain applications, but be wary of the data you're receiving.

I think for what we're using these things for they are plenty good. Its not like we're really doing much with the data other than charting personal courses and workouts.

The elevation seemed to be fairly accurate time and time again (each ride put on top of the other) but data was taken only every second so some of the small dips and valleys vary a little. As for total climb and descend I am always within 10-20 feet it seems. Some days it starts and stops higher than others (the "altitude" of the day).

I wouldn't draw expensive maps from a handheld unit to be sure. I invite anyone to brnig out their professional grade GPS units to help us draw up better maps.

I had a handheld unit 3 years ago that was nowhere near as accurate as the 305 is. They must be making them better all the time.

[jholiday]

I have the cadence sensor but haven't hooked it up yet. I don't think I have a separate speed sensor with mine, it came with cadence and heart rate monitor. I did download an upgrade from garmin in march, maybe there is a more recent one that will help the GPS location.