|
discostew
|
 |
« on: July 13, 2007, 02:02:43 PM » |
|
I was thinking of getting one of the Garmin GPS systems (either the Forerunner 305 or the Edge 305) for using on my various bikes/rides. Does anyone out there have any experience using either of these units in Wissahickon? They both have really good reviews on MTBR.com but I wanted to make sure they worked in Wiss before laying down the cash...
Thanks
Stew
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ezraw
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2007, 05:12:12 PM » |
|
I have the Forerunner 201.
I've never taken it to the Wiss, but like many GPS units, it does sometimes lose satellite contact under a heavy tree canopy. If there are breaks in the trees it picks it up again pretty quickly. I think over long distances I still get pretty good accuracy. Over short areas I don't always see consistent speeds. It does have a "smoothing" function so the drops are less noticeable.
It doesn't do well in a valley situation when you are at the bottom of a valley with steep sides. I think in many locations at least one of the satellites is not straight above you and tend to be lower on the horizon. In a steep valley it can't see it well. In Wiss this might be a problem. Not sure. I would think it would be the same with any GPS though.
I'm heading to the Wiss tomorrow, so I'll bring along and see how it does and post comments here.
Surprisingly, I found I ended up using it a lot for just doing speedwork when running. If you don't have a track nearby, it's great for marking short distances and timing workouts.
You can see some of the tracks I've output here: http://flickr.com/photos/ezraw/sets/72157600559388082/
Mine doesn't output in a standard GPS format, but there are some really nice tools you can stitch together to output maps. I saved some relevant links here: http://del.icio.us/ezraw/gps
Ezra
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ezraw
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2007, 03:15:17 PM » |
|
Hey,
So here's what I found. I got the weak signal message about 20 times doing the loop of Wiss. Most places it wasn't a problem -- it picked it up again almost immediately. At the very north of the park, I lost the signal for about 10 minutes. You can see the track here:
http://flickr.com/photos/ezraw/811142990/
Note at the very north part how there is missing data -- the straight line across the creek.
Ezra
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
discostew
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2007, 08:14:31 PM » |
|
Thanks for all the feedback. I think with the "high sensitivy" chip in the 205/305 models, there may not be too much of a problem. When I get one, I'll let you guys know. I'll have to re-post so I can figure out how to output to google earth and such -- apparently this is one of the capabilities of the newer models.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
makiT
Bronze Member
Newbie
Posts: 10
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2007, 10:28:28 PM » |
|
The 305 seems to be the unit that consistently receives the highest marks for signal strength. After much reviewing/feedback we're now stocking the 305's at Wheel Wright in Abington. When riding in hilly terrain, signal strength has less to do with the "sensitivity" of the antenna, and more to do with the number of satellites the antenna is able to lock on to at any given time. Some of the more inexpensive units are only able to lock on/keep track of the required three satellites, while the more expensive ones like the 305 are able to be locked onto the required three, but then also have several others available to immediately switch over to should the signal from one of the three be lost. This way you don't get the gaps in data that are common when riding with the less expensive units in hilly terrain.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Trek Session 77 with Rockshox Totem
Ski Bike Surf for Life...
|
|
|
|
jpearce
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2007, 10:46:35 AM » |
|
I've used a Forerunner 301 and a Legend Cx in Wissahickon and other places for about a year. I've had the same experience with occasionally losting signals as others have with the Forerunner, although it still gives a pretty good GPS track. The Rally in the Valley maps were made from tracks from my GPS, and didn't have too many long straight lines which would indicate a loss of signal.
If you get one of these units, download SportTracks from http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/ It logs all of your rides, showing distance, time, elevation change and Google Earth images of the ride. It will also let you create .GPX files, which can be imported into Topo USA and other mapping programs. Amazing software, and free.
Also - anyone interested in using GPS with mountain biking should check out http://www.mtbguru.com/ and his blog at http://blog.mtbguru.com/.
Jon
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 15, 2007, 10:53:53 AM by jpearce »
|
Logged
|
We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
|
|
|
|
DrSaw
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2007, 06:54:40 AM » |
|
I have used the 305 for 1.5 years, and have never lost a signal in "canopy" of trees in Wissy, French Creek, White Clay, etc. Love the fact I can buy cheap mounts and move to one of 3 mtbs and 1 road bike without fussing with magnets, wheel sizes, etc, etc,
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
What hill?
|
|
|
|
DrSaw
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2007, 07:56:44 AM » |
|
...with free shipping from Performance Bike. Same features as 305, but no wireless interface capability for cadence or heart rate options
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
What hill?
|
|
|
|
discostew
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2007, 03:31:48 PM » |
|
makiT
Are you stocking the Edge 305 or the Forerunner 305 or both? I'm still trying to decided between the two. The Edge seems a bit bulky, and you can't use it (at least very effectively) for running, hiking, or anything but biking.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DrSaw
|
|
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2007, 03:42:19 PM » |
|
I use the Edge. The forerunner is more for all-around. Think it is color option also. -- LOVE THE EDGE --
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
What hill?
|
|
|
|
dieselkarl
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2007, 08:13:05 PM » |
|
I've the 301 forerunner and have been very happy with reception in deep cover. We've a good selection at REI and offer gps clinics thru our Done in a Day Adventure program. Buy with confidence with our 100% satisfaction guarantee - you can't lose.
Karl
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
And I will remember your name and face
On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
|
|
|
|
pahearn
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2007, 10:58:19 AM » |
|
...with free shipping from Performance Bike. Same features as 305, but no wireless interface capability for cadence or heart rate options
The only other difference is that the 305 has a barometric altimeter whereas the 205 does not, so the 205 uses math to calculate your altitude which turns out to be pretty useless. I have the 205 and wished I had sprung for the 305 if only for that reason.
-pete
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Wot no bike?
|
|
|
|
Fish
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 26, 2007, 10:31:53 PM » |
|
I've been using a Garmin EDGE305 for about 9 months now.. I have a bunch of Wiss rides in it.. it is very cool and worth the money.. You can get one for like $200 on eBay. I'll post a link from a recent ride so you can see what it looks like..
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
When in doubt.... .always ride.
|
|
|
|
|
|
pahearn
|
|
« Reply #15 on: July 27, 2007, 10:34:30 AM » |
|
FWIW I've been using SportTracks instead of Garmin's Training Center software and find it to be much better -- plus you can export to the free version of Google Earth, so you basically get the benefits of the pay-version of Google Earth without actually paying for it.
There are definitely some bugs and dificiencies with SportTracks but so far it's the best I've found. The one thing I would *love* to be able to do is export the Edge data to an Excel spreadsheet so I could conveniently log my ride data in my own format, graph stuff my way, etc. If anyone comes across something like this please let me know. If I had time this would be a good project but I just don't have the time to even look into writing something like that right now.
-pete
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Wot no bike?
|
|
|
|
jpearce
|
|
« Reply #16 on: July 27, 2007, 09:48:16 PM » |
|
Well, SportTracks' file is an XML file in your My Documents folder. You can read it directly into Excel 2007 by renaming it to .XML from .GPX. The track data doesn't come across well (not sure why - I don't know a lot about XML) but the rest of the data appears to be readable.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
|
|
|
|
Lust4singletrack
|
|
« Reply #17 on: July 27, 2007, 09:57:54 PM » |
|
I'm sorry..what?
Ok. I know I want one.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
|
|
|
|
pahearn
|
|
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2007, 10:49:05 AM » |
|
Well, SportTracks' file is an XML file in your My Documents folder. You can read it directly into Excel 2007 by renaming it to .XML from .GPX. The track data doesn't come across well (not sure why - I don't know a lot about XML) but the rest of the data appears to be readable.
I didn't realize that, cool. Maybe I'll poke around in the file and see what I can extract from it -- thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Wot no bike?
|
|
|
|
|
|
