Which GPS device for navigation?

Sorry, mrqwest, for the late post on this thread, but if you haven't come across these rides, I can recommend them:

http://www.addiscombe.org/leisure-rides/

I went on a few last year (regrettably haven't been this year, for reasons nothing to do with cycling) and found them very enjoyable and the company warmly welcoming.  Certainly no reason to be intimidated - I think the club does have some pretty hard-core riders, but that's definitely not what these rides are about, they're genuinely leisurely and cater to all sorts.  Not sure if they've got further plans this year, but worth making contact at least.

@mrqwest

At this stage I'd avoid actual 'proper' cycling clubs (for want of a better term). You know, the shaved leg, serious, competitive kind. I'm in one myself and I know what they're like; if you're new to the sport they could end up putting you off.

But there is plenty of informal meetups you could join straight away. They'll have a specific ride ideally suited to you, from complete novice to the more serious minded. That's the good thing about them, they're inclusive, friendlier and more relaxed than cycling clubs.

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=U...

Appreciate it is not quite answering the question, but outside of built-up areas, where it is possible to go along pretty long stretches without having to take multiple turns, I have found it possible to work out routes on Google Maps (or MapMyRide) that are >40 miles (>65km) and simply remember the route / place names I am looking for.

The key to the success of this approach is to use Google streetview in advance to review parts of the route where I might make a mistake (e.g., missing a turn off a long road at some point).  I look at the lead-up to the turn and nearby points of interest, so that I recognise it when I come up to it!

For more complicated routes, I could jot down a few notes and tape them to my top tube, but I've not needed that so far.  My attitude is that I can always fish my phone out of my jersey if I get into trouble!

But yes, having a navigation device (phone or dedicated) obviously removes one potential worry!

Ahhh cool, thanks, will look out for those buttons.

I only got my Garmin 705 (second hand) for xmas but it already looks so outdated compared to my friends Garmin 800's, 1000's etc. (I know, keeping up with the Jones'). I also won't justify spending nearly as much on a computer as my bike!

The Mio 315 was an eBay bargain and I thought I could offset most of the cost by selling the Garmin with more modern looks and the surprise me feature an added bonus. It just seems slightly below par on the turn by turn navigation with Garmin telling me to 'take 3rd exit onto x street' with a pic of the roundabout whereas the Mio just gives a visual.

Hmmm, with a camera and 2 bike computers I have more tech than the first Apollo* to allegedly hit the moon!

* Rocket, not shit Halfords bike

@alansmurphy

I hadn't thought of the street name feature - it would be nice though a lot of the time I am on (essentially) unnamed roads. I've occasionally had to stop and look carefully at a complex junction when I'm unsure of the arrow.

I also had one unfortunate occasion then I wasn't paying attention, missed a turn, let the GPS reroute me and eventually realised it had added 3 miles to my ride to take me back 50 yards....Should have been paying attention.

The + and - buttons on screen should let you zoom in / out - might have to tap the map first.

Slightly off-topic but relevant to your everyday trip home, have you tried TfL's free cycling maps? They're useful for identifying quieter routes.

And trying new routes, discovering streets, squares, parks and other places you didn't know about is one of the joys of cycling in London.

https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12419.aspx

A good way of finding out routes would be to join a cycling group. An actual 'eyeballs out' road cycling club might be a bit much (at this stage) but there are plenty of informal, internet based cycling groups for recreational cyclists out there. There's probably a road cycling Meetup group close to you. Before you know it you'll know your local back roads like the back of your hand.

30-40k, there's no way you need a dedicated GPs. Your phone can do that fine. I've used my phone for navigation over hundreds of km in on day, with a few recharges from the like of a Topeak Powerpack. If you turn off mobile data & WiFi, lower the screen brightness and only check at intersections (turn off lock screen to make this much quicker/safer) and a single charge on a new-ish phone will go 10+hrs. 

Use an app like Viewranger to plan and then navigate your rides on the bike. You can get Openstreetmaps for free, or buy individual Topomaps for not much at all.

It could be the temperature. My 6+ would turn off every ride until recently. I thought the battery was burning for some reason, but turned out it was the temperature. Riding around 0 degrees late winter/early spring in Scotland was too much for it. When I got home it'd power up again over 50%..

I'm surprised that at a distance of up to 150k that your phone can't cope. Just take a charger that can charge it at least twice and you don't really need to buy anything else. If you use Google maps and set an intermediate destination this can give you turn by turn navigation (voice). In quiet areas this is great.

It's also a good idea to take a map. Sustrans sell maps that cover a wide area and have town maps with cycle routes on the back. They cost a fiver each, just carry one in a plastic cover to guard against rain/sweat. Even the best GPS devices take a while to update in the countryside, are difficult to see in bright sunshine and can fail at any time. 

Personally I use a Bryton Rider 40 which just has a squiggly line (won on this very site in fantasy cycling 2012) but there are better ones with maps, a phone with charger and a map. A Garmin SatNav failed just over the year mark so I don't have a very high opinion of them, (my TomTom just keeps on working). If I'm doing an audax I'll have the printed route directions as well. Google can also print out turn by turn directions, as can Strava if you prefer their route builder (but they are not as good as Google's).

But really spend your money elsewhere and get a charger for your phone or even two!!

Steven, I've just 'upgraded' a Garmin 705 for a Mio 315 but it doesn't seem to have some of the functionality (and the destructions are terrible).

Can I zoom out on a map when it is navigating, it seems to have an auto setting but no over-ride)?

My garmin would give road names when turning, the Mio just tends to have an arrow - is there any way of getting more detail?

Any help appreciated.

I use the Mio 505. It got good maps, navigation, routes, ANT+ connectivity for speed, cadence, heart and Di2 / Power for those with deep enough pockets and the interest.

The Surprise Me feature feature is good, where it gives you three routes of a specified distance to choose from, better in less urban areas - in cities it can come up with some odd routes.

In common with all touch screen GPS the screen can go a little wild in the wet. And like most of them (all the Garmin I've found included) it is only IPX7 rated for waterproofness (shower) rather than IPX5 (really waterproof). The last time I got it really wet (4 hours of wet ride) it did take a day to recover.

Battery life is around 7 hours or so from full.

Overall I would recommend it - and think it is a match for a Garmin (taking into account cost) - but I do think cycling GPSs feel very dated compared to modern phones with slugglish response, blocky screens etc. But this probably also keeps down power consumption.

I recently aqquired a Garmin Edge 1000 Explore and can't recommend it highly enough. The course creator function is brillant for new routes. Simply enter the distance you want to ride and it gives you different circular route options to choose from. I thought that I had pretty much covered all of the lanes around Kent, but it still mamanged to suprise us with new routes. Used it in Italy too without a single issue.

I use an edge 520 and have added detailed maps (it can fit most of my county) by following the guide that was on DC Rainmaker's website. I'm really happy with it.

I have the Garmin Touring which does all that and I'm happy with.