View Single Post
Old 06-27-05, 04:13 PM
  #5  
gpsblake
Walmart bike rider
 
gpsblake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 2,117
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
I used both a cyclometer (10 dollar Schwinn from Walmart) and a GPS on my tour. I used the GPS on a flat surface to calibrate my cyclometer. Since I like to use the GPS for more then just bike riding, I find both compliment each other. Like the previous poster said, the GPS measures distance horitzontally so you're lose a few pecentage of accuracy on steep hills. And in dense woods, the GPS can lose it's signal or get a weak signal which decreases accuracy. And also once in a while, the GPS will show you moving slightly even when stopped which will give false MPH average and false moving times. What I like about a GPS is watching my elevation climb or drop and seeing where I am on their map. I use the Garmin Etrex Legend which has a basemap.

It's nice to have a GPS but it is not a critical item. I love mine as you can tell by my nym on here. It was the most expensive item I took on my poorguy trip (worth more than the bike itself) but like I said, I use the GPS for more than just keeping track of mileage.

Have fun.

Cheers.
http://poorguyonabike.crazyguyonabike.com
gpsblake is offline