I have had bad luck with cycling computers, a Cateye that ate batteries, a Topeak that worked until I had to change the battery and a cheaper one that periodically reads 70 mph while stopped at a light (amazing average speed on my commute though).
I got a Garmin eTrex HCx for Xmas, and use it on the bike. I don't think I will go back to a cycling computer. Advantages: - Accurate, doesn't miss a beat. - Customizable display. - Use on multiple bikes without changing wheel sizes. - More information than you'll ever need. - Maps, location, direction at your fingertips. - Use for driving, hiking, walking around. - Load with custom POIs for bike shops, coffee shops and microbreweries. - AA batteries. Disadvantages: - Big and bulky, even though the HCx isn't that big. - Have to change out the batteries. That said, I still carry paper maps, but they're mostly just ballast at this point. I don't find the battery to be a big issue, but I'm not doing multi-day tours. I get about 24 hrs battery life. One thing to keep in mind. You can get the Garmin unit for $ 200 - 250. That WON'T include the detailed maps, large memory card or bike mount. That will cost you another $100 - 150. Also, you CAN'T to my knowledge load maps from a friend. The MapSource software keys to the GPS hardware. You can't load maps from a Mac, and the MapSource software is so-so at best. I think the Edge is a slimmed down version of the HCx. I didn't like the price, built-in battery and didn't find the training aspect all that useful. I also know others who use Garmin units for running, hiking, etc. and really like them. Good Luck, Dan On Sep 24, 2008, at 2:47 PM, Anthony Thompson wrote: > I've been using paper maps exclusively for a long time. But I > confess I have wondered about the Garmin Edges. > > The biggest reason I've been resisting one of these units is the > worry over battery life. I like multi day tours and I don't like > carrying along lots of batteries and bulky chargers. I mean what if > you camp? How do you recharge the unit? > > While I'm asking, how resistant are these units to bad weather? > > Still skeptical in Kentucky, > > --Tony > > > > On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 3:55 AM, Piaw Na(蓝俊彪) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > There's been a few discussions about using GPS units on tour on these > lists, and on my recent Tour Across France, I found a little-mentioned > setting on the Garmin MapSource software which turned the GPS unit > from being a nice toy/substitute computer to an almost-essential > touring tool: > > http://piaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/introducing-piaw-routing.html > > It's obviously most useful for people who do dynamic routing on their > GPS units (as described in: > http://piaw.blogspot.com/2008/05/tips-on-using-garmin-76csx.html), and > do self-support multi-day tours. It does have interesting quirks (as > described in the article), but with this tool, I found roads that I > never would have found otherwise, so I'm publishing how to use it in > the hopes of seeing others use it (and refine it). > > -- > Piaw Na > http://piaw.blogspot.com > > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
