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Bicycle GPS Units

Most bicyclists do not get full utility from their GPS units. Here I want to help you GPS-up. For me it's a convergence of three personal interests; mapping, biking, and web.

There are currently very few units that satisfy all these requirements. The units illustrated below do.

Routing Software
.gpx is an industry standard for GPS route files. There are online databases of .gpx files you can download to facilitate your journeys. However, if you're going to route yourself, then the routing software is a worthy investment.

Comparison of Units
Model
Magellan Triton 400
Delorme PN-20
Garmin Edge 605
Upgrade to eXplorist 600 w/color PN-40 Edge 705 w/cadence, heartrate, power hub
Purpose routing routing training
Waypoints awesome, with name of and distance to next awesome, with name of and distance to next none
Pointer route, to next waypoint, + sun and moon route, to next waypoint course, directly back to nearest course
Navigation display course pointer or route on basemap w/sparse roads course pointer or route on basemap w/detailed roads route on basemap w/sparse roads
Routing software MapSend DirectRoute, $99 bundled with Topo USA. I use this to route and export .gpx files. MapSource, $140, but route files must be converted
Incl. no-road software MapSend Lite Training Center
Imports .gpx files yes yes no
Display 2.2" b/w 2.2" color 2.2" color
battery Li-ion cellphone puck AA alkaline Li-ion soldered in, rattleproof
Handlebar mount RAM cradle, $8.37 RAM cradle, $8.37 sweet, included
Data file .rte (route) .an1 (route) .tcx (course)
Upload data file to route directory - unit is a USB drive to route directory via Topo USA and USB driver only via Training Center
USB cable proprietary proprietary standard
Satellite acquisition slow medium fast
About To: displays the name of the next waypoint. The course pointer rotates to show direction to the next waypoint. The sun and moon icons rotate to show their real positions on the horizon.

MapSend will import .gpx files, convert to eXplorist route .rte format, and upload to Triton.

 By far the best routing device; far better User interface, imports .gpx, and is less expensive.

AA batteries can disconnect due to the powerful vibration on the handlebars. This causes an infuriating reboot.

Delorme was originally a paper street-map company that moved into mapping software with Street Atlas USA, then Topo USA. A series of GPS antennas followed, then the PN-20 handheld. Bundled together, Topo USA and the PN-20 are a complete Geographic Information System for hobbyists. The utility of the bundle runs far beyond routing from place to place on roads:
• route on any linear opject; streams, powerlines, rails, etc; by converting to a drawn line. Multiple lines can be stitched together, then converted to a routable trail. Then upload the trail to the PN-20 and follow it. Incredibly useful for MtB, kayaking, or hiking.
• record tracks and waypoints on the PN-20 as you travel, then download to and edit with Topo USA's powerful draw utilities. Save the edited objects as routes and waypoints.

 You run/ski/hike/kayak/bicycle your route, then return and run it again - faster.

For $12/mo you can share your .tcx files on MotionBased, where there's almost a million routes uploaded by Users. You download a .tcx file, import it into Training Center, then upload it to the Edge.

MapSource software can import/export .gpx files, but a utility must be used to convert to .tcx course format. Training Center software will upload the .tcx to the Edge.

The Edge 605 displays roaded maps in color, but does not upload .gpx route files. Custom maps are generated from MapSource and loaded onto an SD card.