Recommended navigation aids for Audax events?
sijomial
Posts: 19,809 Member
Did my first Audax (100km) event yesterday and loved it apart from the nightmare of trying to navigate in an unknown area using the cryptic paper route sheet. e.g. "R at green and immediate SO at X".
Spent too much time worrying about directions and not enough time enjoying the beautiful New Forest countryside. Getting lost after missing a turn and adding a few miles to the route wasn't ideal either!
What would people recommend as a navigation aid so I could download the route information and get turn by turn directions?
I carry an Android phone for recording my ride (Runkeeper), maps and emergencies - any apps that are suitable or would people recommend a dedicated GPS based cycle gizmo?
Going to build up to a 200km Audax and want to make it less stressful and more enjoyable.
Spent too much time worrying about directions and not enough time enjoying the beautiful New Forest countryside. Getting lost after missing a turn and adding a few miles to the route wasn't ideal either!
What would people recommend as a navigation aid so I could download the route information and get turn by turn directions?
I carry an Android phone for recording my ride (Runkeeper), maps and emergencies - any apps that are suitable or would people recommend a dedicated GPS based cycle gizmo?
Going to build up to a 200km Audax and want to make it less stressful and more enjoyable.
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Hey - congrats again on completing the New Forest Audax, fabulous effort. Shame we didn't meet up.
Back to the OP - nav aids. On that New Forest Ride, my mate had the route plumbed in on his Garmin 200 (the cheapest in the range) and it never missed a beat. I also had the route on the Bike Hub app on my iPhone and that was similarly faultless. Generaly, I'm a huge fan of smartphone tech on the bike - it's so feature rich. Battery life is an issue to consider. The Garmin (and I'm guessing any other stand alone GPS unit - e.g. Bryton, etc.) won't have a problem going the distance. For a 200km plus randonnée you'd need to take a portable charger or two for a smartphone by contrast. Also, a smartphone is bulky and doesn't look as good on the bars.
So it's all about choices.
My preferred set up is this. iPhone (with back up batteries) in the back pocket running Strava (for the logging) and Bike Hub (for the navigation) - Wahoo RFLKT on the bars (a bluetooth device that sits on the bars and reflects the data the iPhone is producing) and a single head phone, with the volume set fairly low, taped to my ear so I can hear the (excellent) audio turn-by-turn directions from the Bike Hub app.
Many, many others prefer the simplicity of a do it all Garmin (e.g. the 810) but me, I like to keep it complicated!0 -
I did most of my Brevets using the old fashioned "maptrap" on the bars and the route sheet - of course, this was before GPS was available, and frankly, these days it'd be a no-brainer - Garmin 800 on the bars, and for longer events, a front dynohub to run the lights and trickle charge the Garmins battery.0
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I run a few different Garmins.
You'll find the best reviews here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin0 -
I use an ageing Garmin Edge 305. This doesn't do "turn by turn" directions but you can upload the GPX file to it and it does 'point you in the right direction'!
The last Audax I did (110Km) I didn't have a single issue with directions where people using the route sheet did. It was nice to be able to confidently say "it's this way" or "next left" and be right! The only thing I'd be weary of is 'info controls', this will be marked on your route sheet but your Garmin or whatever would not highlight these to you (as far as I know).
I think newer Garmins are probably the way to go, or Android/iphone apps providing you get the phone battery to last.
Happy Audaxing! :happy:0 -
I use an ageing Garmin Edge 305. This doesn't do "turn by turn" directions but you can upload the GPX file to it and it does 'point you in the right direction'!
Yeah - you can get a "crumb trail" type of thing going - I used to use that with my old Garmin eTrex when I was out hill-walking, before the ones with mapping onboard had a sensible battery life. At least the eTrex used AA batteries, and you could always pack a few spare duracells, or buy replacements in a corner shop.0 -
And the actual tools I use are:
Garmin 60cx - excellent for maps and tracking, recommended for an Audax - can switch out batteries. Mounts nicely. Solid.
Edge 9xx series - very nice but battery running out has left me in trouble more than once. Excellent map capability. Mounts well.
Forerunner 405 - great tracking device, not so useful for an Audax - mount is not good - would not recommend
There are newer devices but these are the ones I use.
The Garmin 60cx has travelled with me to 20-30 countries, really my go to tool.0 -
Thanks everyone for your helpful advice and tips.
I've got some researching and shopping to do....0
