[Cheers!]

Anyone have any good recommendations for GPS systems? Perferrably geared towards mountain bike/outdoor use and USB compatible with a laptop?

 

[classiccanadianblizzard]

i have read good things about Garmen 305 but have not talked to anyone about it

 

[classiccanadianblizzard]

oops sorry thats the garmin edge 305

 

[sdchew]

Well, I'm using a Garmin Edge and its more of a sports GPS with navigation as an after thought. Its pretty nasty to download create and download co-ordinates and there are still bugs to be worked out on it. Not to mention, if you are thinking about using it as an interface to a laptop computer running some mapping software, I think you can forget it. For me, I have my Garmin Map76CSx for that.
hh

 

[scrat]

I'm pretty happy with the Garmin Etrex Legend. I use it to navigate rides, so the mapping screen is very usefull to me. It's about the size of a cell phone 6 years ago. The handlebar mount sold also works well for me.

 

[dawnstealer]

I guess it really comes down to what you want to do with it. I have the garmin edge 305 and I really like it, but its more for "training". I use it to map trails I've been on and can "race" my times on those trails. You can upload courses that have already been created but it can be a pain sometimes. If your looking for a unit so you don't get lost that can load street maps and tell you when to turn. the edge is not really for that.

also do a search for some of BigLarry posts he's seems to know quite about about them. I'm sure he may chime in here soon

 

[logbiter]

garmin

is the way to go, as others have stated.

which unit really depends on how much you want to spend & if you want cartographic capability on the unit (& color or b/w), or are going to download info (tracks & points) from the unit & overlay w/ other topo software/webware.

Also to consider is if you're using it for mutliple uses- ie hunting, fishing, in the car, etc...

Anyone have any good recommendations for GPS systems? Perferrably geared towards mountain bike/outdoor use and USB compatible with a laptop?

 

[mecrens]

i have never had much success using gps for mountain biking and would not get one that i could not take back. you will be faced with issues of picking up sats that are blocked by hills/mountains/tree cover and speed distance accuracy. how often the gps "samples" your location vs sat is a consideration. think of a switchback where you are almost right back where you started you might have traveled 20 feet but the gps only measures a couple of feet