[Closed] Current best GPS for following a gpx

Lots of detail on various threads on here but it's really not as simple as "upload a gpx and follow it".

Since it's an mtb site assuming you want it for offroad? sometimes a simple breadtrail line on a black and white display is enough. don't expect turn by turn directions off road (unless you create the route very very manually) - at best you're following a coloured line on a map an, maybe with 'off course' warnings

You're then into trade offs. If you're looking at maps then the biggest, brightest display makes it a lot easier (large 'walking' devices) but you can manage with a small screened bike specific one. It's one thing to use a gps to follow a route across a lake district fell (pretty open, not too many tracks) - its very different trying to track down tight 'secret' singletrack in the woods.

I can't tell you what's 'best'

I use one of the new Garmin Edge explore, loaded OS maps onto it, and follow a GPX on the map.
I used to use an 810 for the same, but quite like the trailforks integration on the new units. price is decent for the edge explore as it gives a good size screen, and mapping, without the price point of the higher end ones with the features you/I don't want or need.

Unfortunately, you still have to deal with the annoying Garmin software and inexplicable 'features' but it works well most of the time, and I like having the map on the bars to glance at.

Cue lots of people recommending the unit they have!

Any device with a decent map will do. Depends if you want turn by turn notifications (which ultimately depend on the mapping used to create the route).

Garmin Etrex series. Run off AA batteries, can load different maps onto them. Garmin Oregon series are a bigger version that have a charger unit built in. Wahoo Element (or however they spell it) also seems popular.

If you are expecting to follow a route Off-road, then you need a GPS that has an OS map in it. Then a GPX file will be displayed on the OS map. You follow it. You will need an OS map as off road trails can be hard to follow without the detail you get with an OS map.

If you want to follow a trail on the road, then so long as you can have the roads clearly displayed on your GPS and can lock the trail to the road you should be fine. Some offer turn by turn info, which is usefull. But that only works for roads, not off road.

I use a Garmin with an OS map of the UK in it. Clear and easy to use. On road you can basically just rely on the GPS, offroad you still need to pay attention as trails in the woods can be confusing.

One important thing is screensize. Small screens are poor for following a trail on a map.

I still use my 10 year old Garmin Oregon. You can get them cheap, they have OS maps on micro SD and for me, the important thing is that they use AA batteries, so if you're out for a long day or multiple days, a quick battery change is all you need to worry about.

I was out with a guy the other weekend, 'exploring' some local hills. I had a rough idea where we were and where we were going, but I assumed the guy leading the ride knew better as he was using a device to navigate. Turns out he was using Trailforks on his mobile phone, the utter, utter numpty.

If I'm going somewhere new, I always have a rough idea where I want to head, my good old Oregon and a paper map in case of emergency. I've learnt my lessons the hard way! I honestly felt like taking the guy's phone off him and dropping it in the loch to teach him the same lesson.

@Trimix - turn by turn *can* work off-road but it depends on the underlying mapping. TbT works by analysing junctions in the road/path network so if you are coming up to a T-junction the software knows that your route turns left and will beep or whatever to inform you. If the track simply turns left and there's a new or unmapped track going straight on the software has no clues to tell you.

Basically you still need a bit of nous.

Have OS maps premuim sub on my phone and generally carry paper map and compass as a back up if I'm riding in an area I'm not familiar with. So just wanted something I can follow without having to stop and check the map at every turn.

Would probably plot the route on OS maps first then upload.

For simplicity an Etrex is probably best. Oregon is really an upgraded Etrex, and is also good but is no longer in production.

Long before all these fancy bits of kit came out I was using Etrex for mtb purposes. Only restraining feature was my route plotting ability, but that's nothing to do with the unit.

your existing smart phone + decent case and holder (quad lock) + an app like komoot

Phone + case +1 (+ a battery pack)

If you want to save your phone from potential OTB's then get a cheap <£100 android, it'll still kick garmin/wahoo/polar/pioneer/whoever's ass in terms of usefulness. Either switch on wifi hotspot from your main phone, or get the cheapest data only or PAYG sim, a few GB will last months/years of map downloads and strava uploads.

Only downside is I've yet to find an app that mimics something like an edge 830/1030 with all the metrics on one screen and map on the next. Komoot and trailforks are great for planning rides.

Cue lots of people recommending the unit they have!

I say the above as a Garmin edge owner.

Have OS maps premuim sub on my phone and generally carry paper map and compass as a back up if I’m riding in an area I’m not familiar with. So just wanted something I can follow without having to stop and check the map at every turn.

Would probably plot the route on OS maps first then upload.

After trying other devices (etrex etc) I now just use os maps (digital download after purchasing physical map) on the os app then use the app on my smartphone for navigation attached to my stem with this holder...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/900-bike-smartphone-holder-i-phone-5-id_8377752.html

then you need a GPS that has an OS map in it.

That depends.... On the (old) Edge Touring I found the display didn't have the resolotion to display the OS mapping well enough and the contrast/visibility/clarity was poor. Garmin's own mapping based on openstreetmap worked better (i had OS mapping on a computer to actually plot the routes).

Now have OS mapping in the area we ride on my phone (buy the paper explorer map and use the download code). .

If you are expecting to follow a route Off-road, then you need a GPS that has an OS map in it.

No, you don't.

I guess the holy grail would be a GPS that displays Ordnance Survey or an equivalent along with turn-by-turn navigation based on an uploaded GPX. I'm not sure that exists. A Wahoo Elemnt will follow off-road trails, but only if they're on Open Street Map - most bridleways seems to be round here, many footpaths not.

If you want a line on a map to follow, on the other hand, there are a few options, but I've always found it almost impossible to ride and follow a mapping GPS route without crashing.

If there is a some sort of mapping GPS with off-road turn-by-turn nav, could someone tell me what it is please. Nearest I've found is ViewRanger on a smartphone using the compass screen arrow pointing towards the next waypoint or Satmap likewise using the compass scree with an arrow. Not turn by turn and I'm sure Garmins will do the same, but ok.

Garmin explore has been excellent for me and great value 👍

I have a garmin 520 plus with the topo active maps. Pretty easy to follow a route but still occasionally have to stop & get the phone out (which has an os maps subscription). Saw an 530 plus in the shop today - looks much bigger screen.

Not putting my phone on my bars having inadvertently killed a couple previously.

Would consider an Etrex - probably before they do away with buttons altogether.

Edit: the 520 will "sort of" do turn by turn off road, and does have a trailforks app.

I guess the holy grail would be a GPS that displays Ordnance Survey or an equivalent along with turn-by-turn navigation based on an uploaded GPX ..

I'm no expert with a GPS and mainly use mine as a glorified bike computer, but I'm sure that Garmin devices allow multiple maps to be active, including vectors & bitmaps, with overlaying of multiple maps. I think that Garmin's own BirdsEye satellite imagery is an example of a bitmap that can be displayed with turn-by-turn navigation being possible from an underlying routable map (although I have to say that I've never tried this).

There is always the possibility that I'm completely wrong 🙄

I had an edge touring but now use an old Oregon, much better, it has os maps but they are poor tbh as they are just an image that breaks up the closer you zoom, cant remember the proper phrase for it but I use open source mapping now and it's much better tbh once you get used to it you can also get open source that kind of mimics os mapping for not much money

No need for OS maps or colour screens on the bars to show you which way to go.

My "system" is an old Garmin Edge 200 (under £40 ebay)

Load a GPX onto it (I use bikehike to create them, or strava to gpx to steal them)

Select it from "courses" on device and it shows a black line to follow.

When approaching a fork or a turning a quick glance will tell me which way to go without stopping.

It will beep when I go a few metres off course.

Not perfect - when you stop it shows an overview.... not much use when you want to know which way to go.

I back this up with AlpineQuest on my android with the GPX loaded and an old set of MemoryMap OS map files. The phone gets wrapped in cling film for waterproofing and left in flight mode to save battery.