light GPS that only records the track?
 

I'm wondering if anything like this exists. I prefer to use a GPS to record my trips instead of a cycling computer because I can also visualize where I've been, not only the mileage.

I currently use an eTrex for this, but it's a bit cumbersome for day cycles: it's big enough so it's annoying to keep in the back of the jersey (I already have the phone, some cards and car keys there). With some pushing in the saddle bag I can keep it there, but it's hard to zip the bag closed (there's already a multitool, patch kit and other small stuff in it).

Does anyone know of a GPS receiver that can record the track for later download but have little other functionality so it's smaller than an eTrex? I find the iPhone useless for such recordings because of the low battery life; some of the apps I tried were also suspending the recording when the phone was auto-locking.

I kind of doubt anyone is making such simple receivers, but you never know.

Thanks,
-jl

Garmin Edge 500 is pretty small

Igotu

http://global.mobileaction.com/produ...i-gotU_USB.jsp


Small gps logger, variable logging period. 20 hour battery life.

I have one, it works well with Google maps or supplied software. They are half price in Europe at the mo. USB chargeable.

Also Edge 350.

Search Amazon, etc. for "gps data logger". You'll find units under $100 the size of a pack of gum, fits in jersey pocket, run all day on internal battery, then d/l data later. Something like the Garmin units makes sense if you want bike computer, HRM, and nav (depending on model) functions in one unit.

While not a data logger, I have a wireless (blue tooth) Holux GPS receiver that does the GPS reception quite well. I used it with my Nokia 800 palmtop as a GPS logger, stopped only because the Nokia and my regular phone and the GPS were more than I wanted to carry on a ride. A smart phone with b/t (external GPS) or internal GPS and an app to log the GPS data would let you do the same thing. Didn't get a logging version at the time as I wasn't thinking of using it that way; should have.

Holux 245
[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...s/DSC01788.jpg[/IMG]

+1 Edge 500. It's about the same size as your bike computer, will serve as the computer tracking speed/distance, and seamlessly connects to the PC when you get home to download all of the ride data.

There are quite a few gps data loggers on the market. Most of them, however, require Windoze :-/

The Edge is cycling-specific which is nice, but it sounds like what you're looking for is even better - the Garmin Forerunner 205. Yes, it's marketed toward runners, but has a bike setting that works very well, does full blown GPS, and is used extensively by triathletes. It's awesome. If you're into training, I'd get the 305 due to HRM, but sounds like the 205 would suffice.

Best part - sells for $120 on Amazon.com - nearly half the price of the Edge. You can display speed (GPS-calculated, and is very good) and need no special mounts on your bike other than a bike mount (sells separately). Or, just wear it on your wrist or arm while riding.

+1 on the Forerunner. I use it when I don't want to attach my Etrex Vista to my bike. The forerunner has no maps, but the data is easily transfered to Mapsource/Sporttracks. Just don't wave your arms in the air. It will add elevation!!!

I have a forerunner and it's great for basic functions and recording track and has good battery life. But, like me it's getting long in the tooth. I signed up for this forum to find out what people generally think about the newer kit with colour map display etc.

I'm going to put in a good word for Cyclemeter on the iPhone, which runs in pocket-mode. I haven't run down the battery yet—after a recent 3-hour ride, I was at more than 50% (I do carry a booster battery, just to be on the safe side). And it's designed to run with the screen locked, giving audible updates.

There are tiny gadgets like the igotu linked above, and that might work better for you, but I've been happy with Cyclemeter. The main drawback I've seen is that apparently location services (which are provided by the operating system) occasionally freaks out and Cyclemeter can't get a good location lock.

+1

I just discovered Cyclemeter the other day and for regular rides when I don't need to preserve the phone's battery (in case I'll need for emergencies) it's just perfect. One less device to carry.

Hi, Holux 245 has Linux drivers available from their website, Phil.

Forerunner 305 is relatively small. I bought mine for 120 bucks when they were cheap ( although that was more than a year ago looks like they've gone up in price, maybe due 910's shipping date slipping to the right) and it can replace a cycle computer.
Its good for running too. It will track your route, your heart rate, speed, cadence and other minutia that can be uploaded to garmin and other programs that let you see what you were doing and where.

MotionX-GPS on the iPhone - press the lock key after you start the MotionX Track Recorder and you get at least 4 hours of recording - I'm not sure how much more since I've never ridden more than 4 hours non-stop

MotionX is $4.99 or $1.99 depending on the deal of the week

Don't know if they still make it, but I have a Sony GPS-CS1 that seems to be what you want. Runs on a single AA cell, has no display and attaches to a pack or whatever with a carabiner-style clip. When you turn it on there's a little LED that blinks to let you know when it acquires the satellites and then it just records the tracklog until you turn it off. Hooks up to a computer with a mini-USB cable to download the track data.

looks like prathmann has the right answer for you..

Check out the catcam.de site.. they have what you want, cheap..

"Everything your cat does, revealed"

http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/PICS/CTRACK1_06.JPG
http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/PICS/CTRACK1_08.JPG

My post is more general, about our alarmingly rapid loss of location privacy.

iphones and (most other phones, these days, I'd imagine have similar issues) by default, store gps and cell data about everywhere their owner has ever been, also what cell towers were visible to all phones are recorded in vast databases at cell providers, Its been shown they also store info on every wifi access point the phone has ever seen, their ssid and mac addresses, and i think they periodically upload it to their mother ship...

GPS data loggers and location broadcasting devices such as the RFID chips in our various plastic ID cards, as well as e911 in cell phones and mac ids in bluetooth devices are an increasingly omnipresent part of our society.

Its scary.

we usually already carry them, and just don't know it.


Note, the higher up on your body a GPS is, and the more its antenna is pointed at the sky and not sidewards or downwards, the better quality tracks you should get.


Almost all PND's (personal navigation devices- i.e. the GPS's with screens) have the ability to write a log somewhere, internally. Basically, they have to, for service/repair purposes. You may have to poke around a bit for it but I am sure its there.

Thats true at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper you'll find that a lot of them show up as USB disks, and write to "GPX" files or something convertible to GPX files, somewhere.

Almost all the ones that do or don't are often supported by the free and open source GPSBabel, which runs on all platforms.

Its quite penguin friendly.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/64429470# Hit the 3D button on the map. Made using a Holux 245 GPS.

You can get a bike mount for the eTrex. I've got an eTrex 30 with a stem mount, and it's a perfect size. Not too big, but not so small that it can't show maps. I love it. :)