General Cycling Discussion - GPS receivers

I was talking to a friend of mine who is big into trail rides and plotting new routes. He converts his positions into UK OS references and plots them on his map. This way, he has actually 'discovered' routes that are not on the OS maps yet - perraps because the maps are a few years out of date. I'd always thought it was impossible to get 'lost' in the UK. The receiver he uses is a Garmin Street Pilot III which is a big sod if you've ever seen a picture of one. He reckons I should do the same and he says the Garmin eTrek range is cool. I don't know. What do you reckon? Anyone use GPS equipment and what have you used it for?

Originally posted by Bokkie
Anyone use GPS equipment and what have you used it for?

I bought the Garmin Streetpilot III for use with my Goldwing motorcycle last year. The unit works well, and I have the voice prompts running through my intercom. This would be a large unit to carry on a bicycle though. Also, it will tear through batteries, so you almost need a power source - I have my wired into my motorcycle battery. The unit is color and the maps are very good. Unfortunately, that's all I know.

I hope that helps! :)

for use with my Goldwing motorcycle last year


There's the rub. I reckon you'd need a heavy crusier to keep it powered on. He did say it does chew a lot of battery power, and he only switches on occasionally to preserve them. I think his biggest gripe is the signal acquisition time when he switches on. He did say the SP III is overkill for his bike, but he says it turns heads wherever he rides. He suggested the eTrek series as it does not consume power as rapidly, and the eTrek are apparently designed with the recreational user in mind.

I am a surveyor/cartographer and use them regularly for my work.

Beleive it or not I do not own one, not do I use one on my mtb bike. I walk regularly in the woods and would prefer to use map and compass, I find it more fun and challenging.

However, I taught my father how to use his for his boat and whenever we go out for a spin we would use it - just for fun and for my father to get more use to it.

There are many differant types, sizes, and bells and whistles you can get on them. From the simple $130 Walmart brand to $2000+ systems that you can display maps, make waypoints, and download files to plot tracks later.

It depends on what you want to use it for, and mapping trails on bike would sure be fun. I do recommend some things; at least a 12 channel riecever, the ability to remove the antennea (sp) for a remote, mounting system, waterproof (hey it IS used outdoors), upload and download capability to your computer, and WAAS capability (if your in the States) or CCG differential ability if your in Canada (works on coast only).

After that they get kinda big to strap onto a bike.