[DVBC] GPS for a bike: check out Garvin

[A Michael Broennle MD]

Deb,
The Garmin 305 is an exercise tool, not a route finder. You can not
download maps and routes ahead of time. It keeps track of where you
rode, total elevation, & all the functions an ordinary bike computer
gives you, ie distance, time, average speed. The optional heart rate
monitor corelates heart rate with specific locations you road so it is a
training tool, not a navigation aid. Also optional is cadence recording.
You know some of the "experts" experienced in navigation GPS units, Len
Z and Doug.
The key issue is what are the best current navigation models for
cyclists, what is a good map source if not already loaded when
purchased, and how do you download routes from bikely or other sources
if, like you and me, you are not a techie.
As we learned on TOPA 2007 a GPS can not tell if the road is restricted
from bikes, as our "route" joined the Garden State Parkway to cross
wetlands.
I look forward to the experts' suggestions.
Mike

>>> pschmid1 at swarthmore.edu 12/12/07 9:53 PM >>>
Deb:  The Garvin Forerunner 305s and 205s aren't huge and work well, so
I
hear.
Talk to Dave Cunniculli of Swarthmore's 320 market--you know him, right?
He's had one for several years and loves it.  Of course, he's a tech
guy,
but he
told me it wasn't that hard to learn to use.  It's especially great for
listing all
the feet you climb on one of your Aston Hills rides!  I think it can
download maps
too, though you'll need to ask him about this.

I'd get one except that the Forerunners aren't yet very Mac friendly,
according to web research I've done.  (There's some
new software out there for Macs but I hear it's buggy.)  I think Dave
told
me that
the regular PC software the Forerunner's designed to work with (for maps
etc) works fine.
Btw, the 205 has most of the features of the 305 except heart monitor
info--if
you're not interested in that, check out the 205, which is about $100
cheaper.
Either will fit on your handlebars like a sort of slightly fat
wristwatch.

Cheers!  Was great to see you at the banquet.  Both of us, the walking
wounded.
But you looked good.  When I start riding again (late winter, early
spring, I hope),
I hope to join you all on some of them thar Aston Hills rides.
--Peter



On Wed, December 12, 2007 19:43, dreamer at craftech.com wrote:
> Good answer Sven.
>
>  Save your money use your eyes, brain, the sun, your compass and enjoy
>> the adventure of getting lost.
>>
>>
>> Dave Hartrum
>> dhartrum at mac.com
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 12, 2007, at 2:48 PM, dreamer at craftech.com wrote:
>>
>>> Okay, here I go again.  I'm thinking of maybe getting a GPS for my
>>> bike.
>>> I'm not saying I'm really going to do it since I've got issues with
>>> having
>>> all that crap on my bike.  Besides, when we were kinda of lost in
the
>>> Pines Barrens in NJ on ToPA, one of the GPSs people had only showed
>>> a line
>>> with another line crossing it which was no help whatsoever in
>>> figuring out
>>> where we should go.  I just used my compass and said, hey, we're
>>> going due
>>> east, we're in NJ, so eventually we'll hit the ocean and we can
>>> turn right
>>> to get to Atlantic City.
>>>
>>> Getting back to the point though, what would be a good one of these
>>> things
>>> for a bike that isn't too big or heavy.  What tool would you call
>>> it that
>>> would let me set up a ride and save it and edit while riding if I
>>> need to
>>> change the route.  Something like how bikely works.  Can anyone out
>>> there
>>> answer that question?  If so, can you explain it in a language I'll
>>> understand and not be too technical.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>> Debbie
>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
Best wishes,

Peter Schmidt


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