Will any of them work in a camelback? Or do i need something to mount on the bars? I like to ride Pisgah so if it is bar mounted it will have to be tough.

Will any of them work in a camelback? Or do i need something to mount on the bars? I like to ride Pisgah so if it is bar mounted it will have to be tough.


Get one of the wrist mount ones...

Will any of them work in a camelback? Or do i need something to mount on the bars? I like to ride Pisgah so if it is bar mounted it will have to be tough.

I use the Legend with the track set up to take points at the shortest distance for better accuracy. I carry it in the web at the top of my Mule. Held in by safety pins. I've been using it for 3 years now and it works fine. I had it on the bars and didn't like it there. To exposed and bouncy.

I was going to try and get one of the Garmin Forerunner models because of the following article I saw.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/0141583269424672

I tried the software he refers to and it's pretty cool. Can't wait to map out some of my rides. They even have color aerial photos for some areas such as the area surrounding my house (http://www.dubjay.com/images/northwoodpointe.jpg) .

Brand-wise, my research tells me that Garmin is the only one to get.

Would be cool if you could get this garmin for your bike. :D

http://www.garmin.com/products/g1000/

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60C along with MapSource Topo USA map software and I love them both. I carry mine on the waist belt of my camelbak while climbing and put it in the back pocket of my camelbak (it's a cloudwalker) or the chest pocket of my windbreaker while downhilling.

Why I like it so much: Lots of memory (56MB) to load maps from MapSource
Having never used a GPS before, it was easy/intuitive to learn
Keeps track of about every stat you can think of
Weighs next to nothing
IMO it is very accurate

The last point about the unit being accurate is really cool if you decide to do some geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/), lots of fun that. Even while the GPS is in my camelbak or jacket it almost always receives a signal, I can't remember when I've downloaded a track back to my PC that is missing sections of my ride. Here's one of the things I heard most while researching Garmin vs Magellan. Garmin acquires satellites more slowly, but is more accurate than Magellan. What this refers to is how long it takes the GPS to "find" where it is. I just turn it on while I'm getting ready to ride. This has never been a problem for me, I mean it's just a couple of minutes really for the GPS to acquire satellites. Finallly I think you'd be crazy to mount a GPS on your handlebars. The GPS I have seems tough, but the vibration and seriously hard hits it'll take can't be good for it. If you've ever snapped a cell phone off your belt the belt clip for your GPS will be second nature. I can easily pop it off and replace it while riding...only one drop yet--no damage. Have fun whatever you decide.

Pathfinder

That watch thing is so cool. I want one, but can't justify right now.

I've got a Garmin GPS III+ that I have a handlebar mount for. I find it to be great for non-technical long rides, usually when I'm by myself. Now I've got to figure out how to hook it up to my headlight bottle battery so it will stay on longer. Logs great data - not sure how to upload to Topo yet...

I think I'll look into drawing some etch-a-sketch type crop circles.

The Garmin GPSMap60CS is sweet. I've used it to plot my course several times and it works great either in my jersey pocket on in my Camelback. It even gives me a map of elevation change (which is cool when I get out to the Hill Country), and it plots several points where you can check what time you were there. You can compare how long a course takes you, where you're slow, where you're fast and compare on you're next lap (after you save and reset it). I want to get the topo and city maps to play with it further. And it's gotten me back where I need to be when I think I'm going to take a "short cut" to avoid traffic on a trip. This one is kinda of snazzy but I use it a lot on bike and car, but you can get a basic one for $100 that you can plot your course.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60cs/gallery/pt-GPSMAP60CS01Large.jpg

I've got a Garmin Geko 301. The size is great, and the functions are good for a small unit. I usually use it mounted to the bar, which I find is ideal because 1) I can use the functions while I ride, 2) better signal strength than in my camel. (you'll need all you can get in the hollows deep in the woods). I've had a few times when I've crashed and knocked it off the bars. The gps came out unscathed. The unit is pretty solid feeling; after all, it's only a radio reciever. The only thing the Geko series is lacking is onboard memory for loading topo maps. If this is a feature you want, you'll need a bigger unit.

I have a few very very basic newbie questions about GPS:

Once you buy the unit, is there a subscription a service or is it just free for everyone to use?

Does it work outside the US (Canada and Europe mainly)?

I have a few very very basic newbie questions about GPS:

Once you buy the unit, is there a subscription a service or is it just free for everyone to use?

Does it work outside the US (Canada and Europe mainly)?
It's free and it works everywhere.

After buying a GPS buy a TOPO! map from National Geographic. They have free online map exchange, great for learning about trails, etc. I downloaded a XC skier's map which led me to cleared routes that were good in the summer.

I see garmin is the most popular with most everybody so I'll go with the masses. I orderd a garmin foretrex with a bar mount. I like to hike also so I thought it to be a good choice. the wrist band looks good for when I dont have my camelback .