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OK, I have Strava which works well on my Android phone for tracking and logging rides. However, I would like to have the ability to upload/record routes which it does not do.
So, I'm working on a budget and I've seen a number of these going fairly cheap on ebay. Before I consider if its a worthwhile purchase or not I would like someone to give me answers to the following;
1. When tracking a ride, does it download the information to a site such as Garmin Connect?
2. Can I upload GPX routes onto the unit using a route planner such as www.bikehike.co.uk
3. Does the basic 'breadcrumb' navigation work ok on a bike?
4. Is the navigation any different to the Edge 200?
5. Can I record a route and export it to a GPX file?
6. Would I be better off with the Edge 200 and if so why?
That completed the 'moon on a stick' requirements 😀
Answering some of these, I've not used an eTrex H much, but I have used several similar Garmins.
Note the Etrex H does not include a PC cable as standard, you have to buy one of these separately if you want to download/upload anything (about £10). Also, it uses a serial connection, so you need a serial port or a USB/serial adapter.
1. Yes, should work fine
2. Yes, works fine. Either use the Garmin Communicator plugin to download directly from Bikehike, or save it as a GPX file, then use other software to transfer it to the Etrex, eg MapSource or GPSBabel (free).
3. I think navigation is fine, either following a route or a track. Though it does depend on just how you create the route or track, and how many points etc.
4. Never used an Edge 200.
5. Yes. You could upload to Garmin Connect, and use the export as GPX option there. Or use Mapsource / GPSBabel to download from the Etrex and save as GPX.
6. Don't know about the Edge. But I think you would be better of with something like the Etrex 10 or Foretrex 301. These use a USB connection (and include a cable), so avoid the hassle/slowness of serial connections. Plus the Foretrex is smaller, and easy to attach to the bars (with a bit of pipe lagging). Or the Etrex 10 uses a better bike mount, and has more memory for waypoints/tracks etc.
Thanks CraigW, v useful.
The attraction of the Etrex was initially the low cost but I'm wondering if its just false economy and I'd be better off spending twice the cost and get the Edge 200?
Still interested in hearing from Etrex H owners please 🙂
I may be missing the point her but
Why not got for an App like Back Country Navigator
It'll show your position on an OS base map even off line
It'll let you upload a gpx file to the handset so that the base map will show your route
all for $10