Cycling computer with maps for decent price ?

Messages
4,330
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a Mio Cyclo 100 which I paid about £30 for and its brilliant. Has GPS seed, distance etc etc..... it really is a great little cycling computer for the price. But I quite like the idea of using a cycling computer to find new routes especially on my road bike. I don't mind doing the same routes on my mountain bike but I seem to get stuck into a rut of doing the same 3 or 4 routes in my road bike and want to explore more like I used to when younger.

So I am after a cycling computer that does not need me to sell a kidney that has maps on and I can download routes to follow - Is it possible ?

The only contender I have found so far is the Polar V650 at about £140
 
I don't really cycle, but I know a lot of people basically bolt a smart phone to their handlebars. Loads of Android apps. You can also add a power meter etc if you feel inclined.
 
second hand garmin edge 800? if you use something like https://ridewithgps.com/ (its free) you can plan routes based on OS maps and export them as a TCX file, dump them onto the garmin and itll load the route in.

only ever time i used a smartphone for this sort of GPS was an old iPhone and the accuracy sucked.

edit - just to put that last bit into context.. check the supposed deviation on castle ln here. when in fact I followed the lane rather than randomly ploughing into the field. also the straight line on the right side where the GPS on the phone hadn't registered properly so it just recorded a point to point.

wjso3Tf.jpg
 
Last edited:
I don't really cycle, but I know a lot of people basically bolt a smart phone to their handlebars. Loads of Android apps. You can also add a power meter etc if you feel inclined.

I have memory map on my android as I have lots of old maps. It was £15 for the legacy licence to allow me to use all my old maps, seeing as I have all the 1:25K, 1:50K, road maps for the UK and most of France etc.
 
second hand garmin edge 800? if you use something like https://ridewithgps.com/ (its free) you can plan routes based on OS maps and export them as a TCX file, dump them onto the garmin and itll load the route in.

only ever time i used a smartphone for this sort of GPS was an old iPhone and the accuracy sucked.

edit - just to put that last bit into context.. check the supposed deviation on castle ln here. when in fact I followed the lane rather than randomly ploughing into the field. also the straight line on the right side where the GPS on the phone hadn't registered properly so it just recorded a point to point.

You're right of course. Phone GPS will never be as good as proper GPS - but it's a lot cheaper :) At least some of the apps assume that you are on a road like driving GPS is supposed to.
 
second hand garmin edge 800? if you use something like https://ridewithgps.com/ (its free) you can plan routes based on OS maps and export them as a TCX file, dump them onto the garmin and itll load the route in.

only ever time i used a smartphone for this sort of GPS was an old iPhone and the accuracy sucked.

edit - just to put that last bit into context.. check the supposed deviation on castle ln here. when in fact I followed the lane rather than randomly ploughing into the field. also the straight line on the right side where the GPS on the phone hadn't registered properly so it just recorded a point to point.

wjso3Tf.jpg



Thank you I never saw any mention of a garmin edge 800 - so with that as well as making my own routes on the maps can I download other peoples routes ?
 
OK I have gone for a garmin edge 800 early new off ebay.

I understand you need to get maps for this - anyone recommend somewhere to get the maps ?
 
Can't help on cycling specific stuff but I'm surprised by the concern of over the accuracy of phone GPS. It might be as cycling is faster than walking that the GPS has a problem but I sometimes use Viewranger on my phone for my walks and it is really accurate.

Dave
 
Last i looked into it phone gps had a much worse accuracy rating. Cant remember exactly what the numbers were but think dedicated unit was accurate to a few meters vs the phones 10s of meters.

Or something.

Edit - plus personally i dont want my expensive phone in harms way and/or subject to too much vibration.
 
Last edited:
Thanks a lot neil_g for the help and suggestions.... :) Actually looking at the listing again it looks like it comes with OS GB Discovery 1:50K maps
 
Can't help on cycling specific stuff but I'm surprised by the concern of over the accuracy of phone GPS. It might be as cycling is faster than walking that the GPS has a problem but I sometimes use Viewranger on my phone for my walks and it is really accurate.

Dave
:plus1:
 
OK I have gone for a garmin edge 800 early new off ebay.

I understand you need to get maps for this - anyone recommend somewhere to get the maps ?
I'm using the free maps from this site on an Edge 800 with a MicroSD card:

https://talkytoaster.me.uk/maps/british-isles-ireland/
https://talkytoaster.me.uk/product-category/free/
https://talkytoaster.me.uk/maps/how-to-install-the-map/

You need a 'routable' version for turn-by-turn navigation. I found the version without contour lines was clearer on the small screen of the 800, but it's worth trying both to see which you prefer. Be prepared to be underwhelmed by the resolution and responsiveness of the screen compared to a modern smartphone! On the other hand, it's a solid and conveniently small device with decent battery life that works well with accessories like heart rate monitors (and gloved hands).
 
Whatever happened to the days, when you (and a few mates) just got on your bikes and went out for the day, cycling for a couple or three of hours down to the coast, dipping your feet in the sea, having fish and chips, then cycled home, doing a road team pursuit, where every small hill would be a friendly challenge (except when my mate Brett got too close to my back wheel and ended up on the ground in a heap - we all got home though), and the journey resulted in us getting fitter, learning to ride in a small bunch, and all done without us looking at a computer?
 
I'm using the free maps from this site on an Edge 800 with a MicroSD card:

https://talkytoaster.me.uk/maps/british-isles-ireland/
https://talkytoaster.me.uk/product-category/free/
https://talkytoaster.me.uk/maps/how-to-install-the-map/

You need a 'routable' version for turn-by-turn navigation. I found the version without contour lines was clearer on the small screen of the 800, but it's worth trying both to see which you prefer. Be prepared to be underwhelmed by the resolution and responsiveness of the screen compared to a modern smartphone! On the other hand, it's a solid and conveniently small device with decent battery life that works well with accessories like heart rate monitors (and gloved hands).


Thank you very much I will look at those - so will the one that comes with it (OS GB Discovery 1:50K maps) be 'routable ?

Whatever happened to the days, when you (and a few mates) just got on your bikes and went out for the day, cycling for a couple or three of hours down to the coast, dipping your feet in the sea, having fish and chips, then cycled home, doing a road team pursuit, where every small hill would be a friendly challenge (except when my mate Brett got too close to my back wheel and ended up on the ground in a heap - we all got home though), and the journey resulted in us getting fitter, learning to ride in a small bunch, and all done without us looking at a computer?

Yes I am from that era to, I used to go out with my mate pick a random town or place and be out all day riding regularly doing over 100 miles stopping for fish & chips when we got there. This was back in the lat 80's so the bikes and gadgets were a lot more primitive and I remember my first seat post bag for my bike was hand made my my Mam. These days I am a lot less ambitious and don't go quite as far but still love riding my bike but I seem to get in a rut and do the same ride over and over. I know I can look at a map etc but I thought a gadget like the garmin might inspire me to try new routes I can download
 
We used to do photography without looking at a computer too :)

Yes, the Discovery maps are routable. You might want to look at some of the comparisons between these maps and the free alternatives, e.g.:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKScv6qR_f8
(by the Talkytoaster guy)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0McZlDi6Yis
(by an independent reviewer)

The Discovery maps are based on authoritative Ordance Survey data, will generally show more details of the terrain, and are expensive to buy separately, so that's a nice bonus. On the other hand, the Talkytoaster maps (based on Openstreetmap, which is crowdsourced like Wikipedia) are much more up to date and have vector graphics that scale better when zoomed all the way in. I don't know which has better routing - I'd guess the Discovery maps, except where roads have changed since they were updated, where all bets are off.
 
Last edited:
Edit - plus personally i dont want my expensive phone in harms way and/or subject to too much vibration.

Ruggedised phones are now cheaper than GPS units. My Blackview isn't actually a bad phone.
 
We used to do photography without looking at a computer too :)

Yes, the Discovery maps are routable. You might want to look at some of the comparisons between these maps and the free alternatives, e.g.:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKScv6qR_f8
(by the Talkytoaster guy)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0McZlDi6Yis
(by an independent reviewer)

The Discovery maps are based on authoritative Ordance Survey data, will generally show more details of the terrain, and are expensive to buy separately, so that's a nice bonus. On the other hand, the Talkytoaster maps (based on Openstreetmap, which is crowdsourced like Wikipedia) are much more up to date and have vector graphics that scale better when zoomed all the way in. I don't know which has better routing - I'd guess the Discovery maps, except where roads have changed since they were updated, where all bets are off.



Thank you - yeah looking at the listing on ebay (photo) looks like the maps are 20111 so a bit dated and looking at the toaster maps they look very impressive
 
Last edited:
Im a a little concerned bout all that electronics and screens on the handlebar to draw your attention from the landscape youre biking through and even worse the traffic around you. You won't Win a fight with a car.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Im a a little concerned bout all that electronics and screens on the handlebar to draw your attention from the landscape youre biking through and even worse the traffic around you. You won't Win a fight with a car.
The real problem is lots seem to have headphones and music playing.
 
You're right of course. Phone GPS will never be as good as proper GPS - but it's a lot cheaper :) At least some of the apps assume that you are on a road like driving GPS is supposed to.

I have a garmin 12. Old,no maps but bulletproof, waterproof, long battery life and if I'm plannign a walk links into my Garmin mapping app and I can load tracks and routes into it. I have the phone handlebar mount for it.
If I'm just out riding I can see how far I've gone, work my way back to the start (handy for forest trails) and import into gamin mapping app.

I went looking for a mapping device but all were quite small screens. I had memory map on the PC and realised I could import the maps onto my Samsung S5. Accuracy is just as good providing you have high accuracy enabled in the phones GPS settings. Screen is large and the maps great. The only issue is battery life, but that's resolved with a small USB battery pack to recharge.

However OP has said he doesn't want his phone on the handlebars
 
Last edited:
Im a a little concerned bout all that electronics and screens on the handlebar to draw your attention from the landscape youre biking through and even worse the traffic around you. You won't Win a fight with a car.


You will never win a fight with a car and no amount of gadgets would stop me from being very aware of them. I have had a bike computer for years and I certainly don't stare at it just glance when needed and I still soak up all the scenery.

Just with the maps I might find new routes for new scenery (y)
 
Most of the free mapping for dedicated cycling GPS devices like the Garmin 800 is based on Openstreetmap - The Talkytoaster maps (above) and VeloMap certainly are:

http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/a-quick-guide-to-free-osm-maps-for-garmin-gps-devices/
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/download-garmin-705800810.html
https://www.velomap.org/
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

The OSM data is also used by Opencyclemap, which overlays cycling routes on the standard map:

https://www.opencyclemap.org/

Various smartphone mapping apps can access the Opencyclemap data as an optional set of map tiles.
 
Most of the free mapping for dedicated cycling GPS devices like the Garmin 800 is based on Openstreetmap - The Talkytoaster maps (above) and VeloMap certainly are:

http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/a-quick-guide-to-free-osm-maps-for-garmin-gps-devices/
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/download-garmin-705800810.html
https://www.velomap.org/
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

The OSM data is also used by Opencyclemap, which overlays cycling routes on the standard map:

https://www.opencyclemap.org/

Various smartphone mapping apps can access the Opencyclemap data as an optional set of map tiles.


You certainly know a lot about this stuff. So why use the TalkyToaster maps instead of the open source ? - the TalkyToaster maps look great by the way
 
I went through all this a few years ago when I bought an 800 without maps - the TT maps just looked better on the Garmin screen to me than the other free options at the time. But it's worth looking at the alternatives today, which may have improved since then (or you may prefer a different map style). Everyone is using OpenStreetMap data, but representing it in different ways, and with different additions of their own. One thing the TT maps don't have is cycling-specific information (recommended routes, etc.) which you'll find on VeloMap and some others. The quality and type of routing is also likely to vary (e.g. whether it sends you down an A road or a farm track).
 
I went through all this a few years ago when I bought an 800 without maps - the TT maps just looked better on the Garmin screen to me than the other free options at the time. But it's worth looking at the alternatives today, which may have improved since then (or you may prefer a different map style). Everyone is using OpenStreetMap data, but representing it in different ways, and with different additions of their own. One thing the TT maps don't have is cycling-specific information (recommended routes, etc.) which you'll find on VeloMap and some others. The quality and type of routing is also likely to vary (e.g. whether it sends you down an A road or a farm track).


Well you have been a great help to me so THANK YOU for all your help. I never even knew these sites and maps were out there (y)
 
Back
Top