Advice on GPS for Mountain Biking

DB1 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:11 pm Post subject: Advice on GPS for Mountain Biking

Hi,

Being new to this site I hope this post is in the correct place. Basically what I am looking for is:

1. A flexible solution that can be attached to a Mountain Bike.
2. Rugged. Needs to be able to withstand water, occasional fall.
3. Can do datalogging for 4+ hour trips offroad.
4. Can be used with OS maps (or alternative route s/w for offroad)
5. Can store routes on PC for sharing with other bike riders.
6. Doesn't weigh much!

Ideally a small integrated unit would be nice, but I would like the advice of others who could perhaps give me some options with pros and cons.

Looking at the site it seems as if a PDA with TTN5 (when available) probably provides this flexibility but I am not sure how the logging would be done. Also - that would mean mounting a PDA on the bike plus two sets of batteries/chargers etc.

Anyhow any and all recommendations welcomed!

Many thanks in advance..

DB1

TC · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:31 am Post subject:

Bit lat with reply here, but I use a logging system on my MTB

Basically I use a HP IPAQ 2210 in an Otterbox (very rugged) mounted on my handlebars. For GPS I use a Fortuna Clip-on. For software I use Memory-Map. This supports route planning and data logging and works really well. You can load OS maps and Aerial photos. I'm really please with this set-up, although the Otter ruggedised box does make it hard to read the screen.

TTN5 is not what you need. TTN is a route finding application much like Sat Nav systems some manufactures put in high spec cars. It only understands the road network, not lanes, tracks or trails that you see on an OS map. Don't get me wrong TTN5 is a great product and I use this too, but not for active pursuits where you'd usually have and OS map

This set-up will last 5.5 hours on a full charge the IPAQ being the most power hungry. However with battery extender you should be able to get 8-10 hours.

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