Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Looking for a GPS that...

I can throw in my bag and have it record my route, and have it export it to Google Maps or something similar.

[Optional, but would be really awesome: I'd also like something that I can throw an address into and it can give me directions on how to get there for when I'm in a car, or really lost on my bike.]

It doesn't have to do much else than I've specified, and price shouldn't be too much.

Thanks.

Keep your eyes open. Looks like the second generation Garmins (6xx?) will be color and have map capabilities. Only catch is pricing is going to start around $600 bucks.

Eek.
What about just follow me type function with Google Map export capabilities.
Garmin Edge 205 seems like a good choice?

I'd be better off getting a seperate car/bike gps at that price.

I just picked up the Garmin GPSMAP60 CSx, been agonizing about a GPS with maps for bike use for a while now. REI has a sale on it (selling for about $350) - maybe only through tomorrow, though. http://www.rei.com/product/735607> (http://www.rei.com/product/735607%3E) You can maybe find it cheaper than that elsewhere. Garmin is also offering a $50 rebate on it through Dec 31. I haven't seen much info on Garmin on this forum other than the Edge series. I wanted something that would do mapping, including roads. I was originally going to go with the Vista CSx, but at that sale price the 60 made sense. I figure they'll come out with something new to replace it, but I'm used to technology being obsolete the second I buy it. The person at the store that I spoke to said they'll likely add the satellite info stuff to their new handheld models (like on their car models) so you can get traffic alerts and weather maps overlayed. As far as I can tell, it would require an XM subscription, not something I need.

It can do track logs which can be exported to Google Earth (not so sure if Google Maps would do the same) using their Mapsource software. You can also setup routes and such via that software. In order to do road maps, it requires an addition map purchase (about $200 or less, I think). The built-in basemap has major routes only. It does navigation guidance and can find addresses, specific coordinates, intersections, towns, etc. I don't have a sense of how well this all works, won't know until I get a chance to try it out outside. Also, not sure if it's an issue for you, Mapsource is PC only. Garmin claims to be making strides into the Mac market. I think I'm just going to install Bootcamp and Vista and see how it goes on my Intel Mac.

It also has a bike mount available, in case you'd rather see your trip info instead of tossing it into a bag.

So like I said, I'm a total newb to GPS but picked one of these up. Not sure if it's what you're looking for, I'll see how it works for me. I wasn't looking for any of the bike-related stuff in the Edge series.

On Garmin's site the Edge 605 lists at $430 and has NO cadence or heart-rate, the 705 has that but is listed at $540-$710. They appear to both have color maps.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=160&compare=compare&compareProduct=10884&compareProduct=10885

Garmin 305 is $165 with the $50 rebate, and if you log on to the Motionbased website, you can get an automatic googlemap of your entire route as well as an accurate elevation map. Plus, it comes with a stellar HR monitor.

The HR monitor looks cool, but not something I'm particularly interested in using, and plus, I can barely afford the 205...

The 205 is the 305 with out the HR/Cadence addons?

I actually don't think you'll beat $165 total for ANY GPS unit out there. Period. If you can't afford $165, forget about GPS altogether.

The 305 is a step up from the 205; it's basically the 205 + HR monitor. Rave reviews all around on Amazon. Not perfect, but pretty damn good. Gives speed, mapping, stores workouts, and for the motivated, intervals and other complicating training tools.

Something like this (http://www.mightygps.com/DL200BT.htm), maybe? I just found that via Google, so don't know anything about the gadget or the seller, but it looks like the sort of thing you want, and they only want $130 for it. A Motionlingo Adeo (http://www.motionlingo.com) would also record where you've been and set you back $150. I was thinking about getting one a while back, but decided to splurge on an Edge 305 instead. :)

Oh by the way - the unit I was referring to at $165 with discounts is not the EDGE 305. It's the runner's type watch, simply known as the Garmin 305. However, it works great for cycling as well, just doesn't have all the cycle-specific stuff on it. I think it would be superior to the cheaper unit mentioned above (by a large margin) because of its good screen (see your route, you can even "backtrack" on it to find your way back) and great integration with Motionbased web software. You should see the cool Google maps overlays that runners post online all the time; they even have accurate elevation measurements (I think that may cost a small fee though.)

The 305 isnt a 205 with a heart rate monitor, its a 205 with a barometric altimeter. The 205 only uses gps for elevation. No idea how different the elevation is reported between the two.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the Edge 305 or 205...

I'm referring to the FORERUNNER 305 vs the FORERUNNER 205.

Same exact GPS mapping on both. The 205 is minus the HRM, which is the only difference between the two.

Reviews have given awesome kudos to the accuracy and precision of the GPS even under heavy tree cover.

The altimeter functions on both have reportedly totally sucked, and are 100% completely unreliable for all users. (Although the download to the motionbased website will fix this and insert the correct altitudes for your course online.)