Techs / Mechs - a cheap sense of direction

by addict on Feb 13, 2012 5:01 PM EST

As part of my annual delusion that I will eventually manage to spend more time on my bike and less time getting fat, drunk and stupid, I am thinking of getting myself a decent bike computer. By "decent" I mean one that will stop me getting lost. I have a Garmin 200 Edge, but it doesn't have live mapping to show you where you are, how far you are from home, and whether there are any emergency bail out points anywhere beyond this ****ing hill. As I have the sense of direction of a blind marble, this needs fixing.

Clearly, upgrading to the Edge 800 would do the trick, but at £500+ it is a bit pricy (a bit???). Also, I know that my iPhone can do the trick, but being my iPhone, if I ask it to do something complicated it will comply smartly, quickly and efficiently - for about 2 hours, whereupon it will huddle up into a small, power-free ball, and whimper "no more".

So I was wondering if there is a relatively cheap option which would give me the mapping and other basics, but not require me to sell a kidney and / or a G-pack (sorry - been watching too much Wire).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

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Getting lost will make you to ride more miles

= more time on the bike and that’s what you wanted, right?

Strava

by broerie on Feb 13, 2012 5:17 PM EST reply actions

too logical for me... :)

Also – getting lost = being late = severe trouble form wife = less time on bike

Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously

by addict on Feb 13, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

How long are your rides?

My long weekend rides (in summer) are 6-8 hrs. I use an Edge 500 as my computer, but always carry my android phone with me (just in case). I don’t have the GPS on all the time (and I turn the data off too), so just cell phone, and it easily lasts that long.

If I want to know where I am – or how to get home (much more likely) I turn the GPS on, load up google maps and try to work it out from there.

Actually that just about sums up my typical Sunday morning long ride :-)

BTW this is a long. long way from when I first moved to Los Angeles, 11 yrs ago now When I set off in the early morning with a map of greater LA in my jersey pocket and a vague notion to turn around in 3-4 hours. Great way to find some of the more “interesting” neighborhoods :-)

"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi

by muk on Feb 13, 2012 7:15 PM EST reply actions

try the strava or cyclemeter iphone app

depending on what model iphone you have (and its age) these apps might not be the battery drains you’re used to.

I can get a 4+ hour ride in with either one and still have 35-50% battery. (iphone 4, I think, but not the newest one).

Strava’s free, cyclemeter’s about $5

by R Mc on Feb 13, 2012 7:31 PM EST reply actions

Add a battery extender case

like a Mophie Juice Pack, or a Boost, and you double your battery life, at least. I have a Mophie and it works.

by Jimbo... on Feb 13, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

This should be the cheapest way to get what you hope.

What would Deming do? (+8:00 GMT)

by Ryan_Liles on Feb 14, 2012 7:17 AM EST up reply actions

see if you can pick up an edge 705

with the 800 out they should be being sold cheaply now. a quick look on ebay suggests you can get one for £200 or so. Sure there’ll some retailers trying to offload stock too

by thebongolian on Feb 14, 2012 3:48 AM EST reply actions