Hi, I'm in the process of planning my pacific coast ride coming this summer, and started thinking about GPS's. On my other shorter tours, I've always used paper maps or written directions, but those are a pain.

I was wondering if there is any GPS units out there that will let me upload my planned route to the unit, and just let me follow it. I dont really want anything fancy, just something that lets me upload a route and follow that route, i dont need directions to hotels or food things like Ive seen on other units. Hopefully something affordable, Ive seen the Garmin eTrex ventures go for only about $100, but Im not sure if I can upload routes and waypoints onto it. Similar priced units would be ideal.

Thanks

I'm in the same boat as yourself ,i'm trying to get info on the garmin vista hcx .
the thing about this one it uses two aa battery's good start.
i came across a site in the uk www.handtec.co.uk they seem to have it at the lowest price, i sent them an email but as yet no answer.i will keep an eye on this thread hopefully you will get the answer we both want.

Here's a previous post that might help.

You're looking for a simple, intuitive way to gps plot a long, reliable route for your bicycle trip. Aren't we all. Well, not Garmin.

There is a thread over at CG now on how to download waypoints and routes into a Garmin eTrex. Doing so seems to require a bit of 'geekiness,' but with that talent, is apparently doable. I have not succeeded, but am determined. Maybe reading and trying to apply the advice in the BF thread mentioned above will allow me to conquer my geek deficiency.

It took quite a while for me to figure out most of the functions in the eTrex, with City Navigator($100.)Which by the way, has lots of 'bugs.' You best verify any routing, especially in cities. If you run it in 'bicycle' mode in rural areas, it'll often try to take you way off the beaten path. I leave mine in 'auto' mode most of the time.

I find it most useful for knowing exactly how far to the next town or service point. And for navigating to a host's home, sometimes. Sometimes not. If you're programming a route into the unit, best done in short, verifiable stages.

As bedeviling as the thing is, it is addictive. I think I/we're trying to make it do something that is on the fringe. If used simply to get from point A to B, and followed precisely, you'll eventually get there, or at least close. Most of the time.

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I got a eTrex Vista HCx for Christmas. I bought a 2GB microSD card and the CityNavigator maps. It works as expected other than routing.

If I draw a route using RideWithGPS or BaseCamp the GPS seems free to take me a different way. It tried to route me on to the freeway once, despite telling it to skip highways.

I've found I prefer upload "tracks". These won't tell you when to turn, but will overlay the map with a colored line. So I just follow the line.

I suggest splitting a long trip into multiple tracks, and showing the current one while hiding the others.

Is your CN on a cd and loaded onto your computer? If so, that may explain why I'm having so much trouble. Mine is on a microSD card and I haven't been able to get it to display on my computer.

Garmin gps software is well known for rearranging any downloaded route to suit itself. Apparently, many waypoints have to be used to minimize this if turn by turn is expected.

Here are a few things to know before you go shopping for an eTrex...

You'll notice that the devices in the eTrex are specified with H, HC, HCx, and sometimes Cx.

• H = high sensitivity antenna
• C = color screen
• x = expandable memory

The last one, "x," is important if you wish to install maps on your GPS, or you want to have auto-routing. The eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx, for example, each have a data card slot that allows you to insert a microSD card for up to 2 GB of recognizable maps or other data. Contrast this with the 24 MB of internal memory of an eTrex without a card slot, such as the Venture HC.

When you use the City Navigator NA maps, you're not required to load all of the available NA maps onto the GPS. So, if your travels are only going to include Pacific Coastal US, you can just select the various map segments that pertain to your route. However, a 2 GB microSD card is large enough to load all the CNNA maps if you choose. The card currently in my Vista HCx has CNNA maps of most of the western US and detailed topo maps of all of California. I believe this required just under 1 GB. (The topo maps take much more space).

The 24 MB internal memory of the slightly less expensive HC models isn't as versatile. To illustrate, the three map segments of CNNA that cover the Pacific route from San Francisco to Santa Barbara require over 40 MB of storage space. To load the maps for Washington, Oregon and coastal California, you need 100 MB. Now I suppose you could tote a laptop along and load smaller map segments into the HC as needed, but spending slightly more on an "x" device makes that unnecessary. Besides, Garmin states that only the eTrex HCx devices are capable of turn-by-turn routing.

You can pick up an eTrex Legend HCx on Amazon for ~$170. Other than not having the same electronic compass and barometric altimeter, it's the same as the Vista HCx which is well-liked by long distance cyclists and randonneurs. The Venture HC will still run $125. Even the very basic "yellow" or "H" model will cost near $100 and be worthless for your needs.

As for maps, Garmin City Navigator is available in three formats: (1) a download from Garmin's site, (2) a preloaded microSD card, and (3) DVD. In general, you want the DVD. The DVD format is the only one that allows you to create and manage routes/waypoints/etc on your computer and then send them to your GPS. If you read the thread Cyclebum linked, you'll see that the OP's real issues centered on his belief that he could manage routes on his computer with his preloaded microSD card. You can't. The only benefit of the preloaded card is that it can be transferred between more than one Garmin GPS. The DVD and the dowload formats must be "unlocked" to only one GPS device. What is nice about the DVD is that you can create multiple different microSD cards for different locations or interests. Also, if a microSD card should become damaged, you can just create a new one for only a few dollars.

I also like the looks and features of Garmin's GPSMAP60CSx. It's bulkier and probably not as suitable for handlebar mounting as the eTrex, but it has a larger display and buttons that appear to be easier to manipulate. It's available much below its original msrp, presumably because it's been replaced with other models.

Thanks Desertdork. You've answered some basic questions for me, and I'm sure others. I'm making progress, tho slowly. Darn, wish I'd known to get the DVD.

I have figured out sort of how to use Mapsource, and have gotten CNNA to display on Basecamp. No luck so far tranferring any data from them thru an sd card to the gps, confirming what you said. Afraid to try and write to the CNNA card in fear of overwriting the preloaded data. Will keep plugging away.

okay forgive me for this but is there a good video explaining how to do all this .(utube)
picture paints a thousand words

Desertdork, thanks for the great explanation! You saved me from almost buying just the Legend HC, I saw the cheaper price and almost jumped on it. That makes sense now what you are talking about.

I just had a couple more questions. Is there any other free software that one can use instead of the City Navigator? I made a route in Bikely the other day, and that makes a .gpx file, and I was reading something about Garmin's BaseCamp that allows me to upload it to the unit. Or does the City Navigator actually replace all the maps on that actual unit itself.

Also, I think the way that I am going to do is just have the tracks layed out, like dcrowell was talking about. Im not really worried about getting lost (especially on this pacific coast route, pretty easy) but rather just have a baseline to get back to in case i go on a few sidetrips.
Thanks again

Yes, you can find free map software for your GPS. I downloaded my free CA topo map from gpsfiledepot.com. I understand many people plot routes in bikely, ridewithgps, etc. One issue (or non-issue, for you perhaps) is that I don't believe you can get auto-routing (turn-by-turn) with any non-Garmin mapping software. And, yes, use BaseCamp to import routes converted to .gpx. MapSource, also free from Garmin, will also allow you to manage your maps but lacks this feature.

The folks at gpsdiscussion.com have posted some great information that you may find valuable.

The main use for my 3 year old eTrex Legend HCx with City Navigator has been to get un-lost, and to get routing to the nearest POI like restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, and convenience stores. The maps are still accurate enough after 3 years, but the POIs have changed quite a bit. Are there non-Garmin sources for POIs that can be used with City Navigator for routing?

If you have City Navigator on the GPS, but not on the computer, you can take copy the SD card to another one, and put it in your computer. The BaseCamp software will read it from an SD Card.

You can also install it from DVD if that's how you bought it, and that'll work too.

I bought the map for my eTrex via download, but I've since ordered an map upgrade for my Nuvi (for the car) on DVD just so I don't have to worry about sticking the SD card into my laptop.

Maps dont need batteries. but I dont have a tech career, ..

If I get to go on a long tour anytime soon, I'll have a map too. The GPS is just a convenience.

I do work in IT, so I manage to muddle my way through some of the non-obvious aspects of using this thing.

You can get a handlebar mount for the 60CSx... it is bigger than other units but works very well. As with any GPS unit the routing is only as good as the maps. I've got a 60CSx mounted to the handlebars of my mountain bike and wouldn't be without it. So far the only time it has come out of the mount was when the wind blew the bike over on its side. One time the bike went over on its side (with me still on the bike) and the GPS stayed in the mount.

I used to use the UK Topo maps provided by Garmin but as they became dated and my needs evolved to want tracks as well as roads I started using the OpenStreetMap data. The routing on it is a bit hit and miss but it's good for seeing where I am.

If you buy any mapping software that is compatible with MapSource and load it onto your PC you should be able to create a route in as much detail as you want, then convert it to a track, and copy the track to the GPS. Then, as someone already said, it won't tell you turn by turn but will show your current position against the track. That has the disadvantage that you need to keep one eye on the GPS as it won't warn you before you need to turn (so you could follow a road for some distance before realising you had gone wrong), it won't correct you if you do go wrong (you get to find your way back to the track on your own), but it has the advantage that you get the exact route you wanted rather than the route the GPS decided was best for you.

In theory you should be able to use an online tool like Google Maps or similar to create a track log and upload it into the GPS even without anything other than the base map. The downside of that is that you can't see the route overlaid on a useful map, so in an area with lots of roads (i.e. most towns) you may not know which turning you want until you go past it.

It is possible, the UK maps based on OpenStreetMap data give turn by turn navigation. The routing can be a bit hit-and-miss in terms of the route it proposes but the functionality is there.

Hi, I like pda's and I've recently bought a Touch. I've thought about a gps but I don't see the point. All the info I've read state if you use a gps you should take a map and compass as a backup. So what's the point? Why bring another possible battery problem?

If you can read a map, know how to use a compass, and your maps aren't too out of date, then you've certainly reduced the odds of getting lost. If that's your sole concern, then you have less need for GPS.

But a map isn't easy to use while you're riding, so you'll be stopping more often to use it. A map isn't backlit, either. A map may show you the approx location of the public library, but it won't show you the location of the nearest grocery store as well as its street address and phone. Of course, a map won't provide turn-by-turn navigation or give you the actual distance to your destination, an ETA, or elevation data (unless you're carrying topo maps, too).

What do you expect your Touch to do?

Because the GPS sits on my handlebars, shows me where I am on the map in real-time, tells me how far it is until the next turn, beeps at me to remind me to turn, maintains a track log so I can see where I went and will also tell me my precise location if I need to call for assistance.

Taken a step further (admittedly beyond what most units will do) and you could have a device that uploads my position to the internet every 10 minutes or so, so that people can monitor how far I've got.

One problem with the wireless phone systems is that they need to be within range of a cell tower in order to work. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in parts of the US west and mid-west.

I think that GPS is a wonderful invention, but it could be overkill.

On a multi-day tour, I spend five or ten minutes each evening pouring over my maps and planning my next day's route. I draw my own compact "map," which is not to scale and leaves out most details, and use it instead of the printed maps I carry. I write in just enough information to get myself from Point A to Point B. It usually works well.

On the other hand, I would have loved a GPS recently while trying to find my way in a city I thought I knew well. I had been away for 20 years. So much had changed -- some of the old landmarks were gone, and there were new roads everywhere. I got lost! In the end, I did what I always do when I get turned around: I asked someone for directions. It's a tried-and-true method, and is at least as reliable as out-of-date GPS software!

Let me add some more.

1. GPS allows me to ride in the rain. Once it starts raining, the maps become mush.
2. GPS tells me how far I have to travel to the point in miles. Very important.
3. Getting lost with a map requires backtracking. In the winter or summer, this is a major problem.
4. Many streets and roads do not have a name. Towns don't care or want to put up street signs at
each block. This makes a map useless at night.

I just posted in the other thread about using my Vista HcX on the Lewis and Clark trail. But let me piggy-back on this post.
1. The ACA maps don't turn to mush; however, I have a plastic map pouch on my Ortlieb handlebar bag, so even a paper map from a gas station would be protected.
2. I've ridden past turns on the ACA maps before. What I needed to do was calculate turns in the morning before I set off. Since the mileages on the maps are from the matchlines and you seldom camp on the matchlines, some basic arithmetic is needed. On my last tour I did this, and wrote down the mileages where turns and landmarks were, based on where I would start my day's ride. I stuck it in my map pouch so I could see it. It worked great. A little bit of effort and planning goes a long way.
3. The "recalculating" feature of a gps is awesome. I hit a detour in Portland around roadwork. I followed the street signs which led me to where I was completely lost, in an industrial section of town with dead ends, etc. The gps knew where my motel was, recalculated, and got me there, no problem. When I was coming back through Portland from an obscure spot (the dropoff terminal for Alamo rent-a-cars) I simply found the Amtrak station from the Garmin's database, programmed it in as my destination, and it took me there. When it routed me on a busy road I didn't like, I simply went south a couple of blocks to a quieter neighborhood. The Garmin recalculated and I continued on. Wonderful.
4. If you know where you are and where you want to go, just program it into the gps and off you go. If you don't like the road, try another. The gps will recalculate. That said, I never ride at night on tour, except in an emergency (like when I finished a book after dinner and didn't have another.)

I am planning my TransAmerica tour starting this April right now and after getting a Garmin eTrex a couple Winters ago, using it for a month, I decided to return it.

My reasons were I would spend more time loading the maps and ensuring it's right then actually using it while on the road. Don't get me wrong I love tech I am a geek at heart, but my plan is to take a netbook or laptop anyways for offloading pictures to, blogging, and entertainment. Load Google Earth and Garmin BaseCamp as well and view the ACA maps as needed.

For actual riding I had a friend with AAA, get me the physical maps for free that I plan to highlight and use during actual riding.



Worse comes to worse I have my smartphone with GPS and you can use apps to save maps for offline use where cell phone signal is weak.

Yes I think this is overkill