GPS Tracking?

[seargentofarms]

I've seen a few websites advertising GPS tracking systems for not only your bike, but your shoes or etc. Has anyone heard of these or used one? IS this something anyone would recommend for a cross country tour for a first timer?

[supcom]

There are some discussions on GPS systems in the Touring forum.

However, IMHO, a GPS for touring needs to have detailed street maps and be able to do automatic routing. A unit that uses AA batteries is a plus as recharging an internal battery on the road is a hassle.

The current popular bike-specific GPS is the Garmin Edge. but it's oriented more toward the cafe racing crowd. The internal non-replaceable battery only lasts about 10 hours on a charge. It also has no maps or routing.

Note that a GPS is not a substitute for paper maps.

[bmclaughlin807]

Several people I have ridden with have the Garmin Edge, and although it's not friendly for really long distance rides out of the box, there IS a way to use it for much longer distances without the hassle of finding someplace to charge, or making any modifications to the unit.

Check this out:

Mintyboost (http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/)

This will work really well with anything that can be used at the same time as it's charging off the USB connection. If it can't be used while charging, then you'd have to charge it during breaks.

[seargentofarms]

I was refering more to something I would have on me for creating like a website journal where I would write in entries and friends could go and see my progress on some of my trips? With my luck on gps directiosn adn mapquest I'd ratehr take my chances following the sun for up to date maps. I agree paper maps are where its at. But any idea about a device that can follow where you are at? Nothing too particular, but @ 25-50 miles from whereabout you are on a map?

[robo]

Something like this is designed for tracking where you took photos, but should be able to basically show where you travelled (i think...)

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-GPSCS1KA-Digital-Still-Cameras/dp/B000ME1GUW/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-2839869-2102817?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1175102559&sr=8-2


It does say 10 hours on alkalines, but i imagine you should be able to get many times that if you use disposable lithiums.

[Caspar_s]

Or you could use Topofusion (http://www.topofusion.com/) with any camera/gps to record your trip and show where the photos were taken.

You can also load your gps files into Google Earth and turn it into a track which you can let people download to show where you've been.

Or are you talking about remote tracking? i.e. without you having to upload anything? Not sure about that.

[supcom]

I was refering more to something I would have on me for creating like a website journal where I would write in entries and friends could go and see my progress on some of my trips? With my luck on gps directiosn adn mapquest I'd ratehr take my chances following the sun for up to date maps. I agree paper maps are where its at. But any idea about a device that can follow where you are at? Nothing too particular, but @ 25-50 miles from whereabout you are on a map?

It might be a bit crude for what you want, but you might check out motionbased.com. Motionbased will let you upload a GPS track and provide some analysis of the data. While you may not be so much interested in the analysis part, the site will display your track on a google map and will allow you to share the data with others.

You could combine a motionbased account with the journaling at crazyguyonabike.com by posting a link in your tour journal to the day's motionbased track. That way, your friends could read you remarks and see where you rode.

The only downside to motionbased is that you need to pay a monthly fee if you want to access more than your last 10 uploads.

[knobster]

I use a Garmin ETrex Vista Cx model that has a handlebar mount for long rides. It's uses the very expensive mapping software that Garmin makes. It provides turn-by-turn directions and does a great job at providing me with info after the ride so I can make a map or que sheet later. Despite what others have said about the handlebar mount, it's worked great for me and I have ridden over some really nasty stuff and it hasn't popped out yet. Provides elevation, speed and a few different distance readings.

[smxbob]

I use a Garmin 60csx. I haven't bought any maps yet even tho I have had it for about a year. It comes with a very basic map. It is probably the most universal GPS out there - I can use it for anything, biking, hiking, driving, boating.

I primarily use it for tracking and recording. I get mileage, moving and total time, speed, time of day, altitude and more. You can even mark specific points.

Then of course it is all downloaded to my computer where I can see the route and refer back to it if I ever want to take that route again. You can highlight specific points to check the mileage. And you can view it in Google Earth to see the detail of your route in 3D.

2 AA batteries easy to replace but full charged rechargeables will last a 70 mile ride or more. I have the bike handlebar mount and it works great - on a road bike that is. The antenna is the best out there so it will also work in a bag if you don't want to see it realtime. It has a color screen and easily seen in daylight plus it has lighting for night.

It is probably too bulky for joggers. My daughter has the Forerunner that fits on your wrist. That works great for biking too but no replaceable batteries.

(damn this editor is horrible - is it just my computer? slow)

[dmitri926]

I use a Garmin 60csx. I haven't bought any maps yet even tho I have had it for about a year. It comes with a very basic map. It is probably the most universal GPS out there - I can use it for anything, biking, hiking, driving, boating.

I primarily use it for tracking and recording. I get mileage, moving and total time, speed, time of day, altitude and more. You can even mark specific points.

Then of course it is all downloaded to my computer where I can see the route and refer back to it if I ever want to take that route again. You can highlight specific points to check the mileage. And you can view it in Google Earth to see the detail of your route in 3D.

2 AA batteries easy to replace but full charged rechargeables will last a 70 mile ride or more. I have the bike handlebar mount and it works great - on a road bike that is. The antenna is the best out there so it will also work in a bag if you don't want to see it realtime. It has a color screen and easily seen in daylight plus it has lighting for night.

It is probably too bulky for joggers. My daughter has the Forerunner that fits on your wrist. That works great for biking too but no replaceable batteries.

(damn this editor is horrible - is it just my computer? slow)

I second the garmin :D. It has the best antenna out there and lasts 18 hours on 2- AA's. Only complaints is the maps, they are expensive.

[dobber]

I've been using a Garmin Legend. It's an "old" version, utilizes serial communications with the PC.

That said, it fits the need of providing real time tracking and displaying topo maps. Plenty of memory for maps covering at least a 300 mile radius, if not more.

I can export the data and dump it, after performing some conversions, into any number of the online mapping sites.

[Caspar_s]

This site has some gps trackers pimall (http://www.pimall.com/nais/securetrackgps.html)

They're a bit expensive, but also offer phone access. Not sure if you could automate it to post your whereabouts on another site. Might be good for someone whose wife isn't happy about your riding - she can check up on where you are....

[ghettocruiser]

Note that a GPS is not a substitute for paper maps.

Indeed. I bring paper maps on all trips I navigate by GPS.


I hide them deep down at the bottom of my gear bag, and deny I brought them if anyone asks.

[vangelis]

I use my NOKIA 5500 mobile equiped with AFtrack software and a bluetooth BT-338 GPS receiver.

I'm quite satisfied with then tracking log. The only consideration is that you should have spare batteries for the mobile phone if the trip lasts more that 8 hours (charge to charge).

it is also great at providing information about your whereabouts via SMS or Http.

I also use it to locate my position on loaded and calibrated raster maps...it is a great help to locate your position on a map that you also have in paper...paper helps to see the general image that you can not discriminate on the small screen.

It is also great to download you track on google earth or create a profile with GPSVisualiser on line.

Evaluate it...it might be good for you!