Icthus Drouben
New Member
Does anyone know of a good place to get GPS devices for bicycles?
GPS Question
- Thread starter Icthus Drouben
- Start date
Electric Bike Specialists
Active Member
Garmin has several. You can order them on Amazon, along with several other brands. Personally, I recommend an app like Strava or Mapmyride for your smartphone. It's way cheaper, and actually comes with more integrated social functionally. It's great for finding new routes. Just be sure you're not posting ebike times against serious racers!
Icthus Drouben
New Member
Thanks for the reply, but sadly, I do'nt have a smartphone. Also, I would never try to post ANY times against serious racers. Posting an ebike time just would'nt be a fair thing to do . I just want something to give me directions on the fly, so I do'nt get lost.
There is an interesting mix of cycling computers with GPS and watches with GPS out there. One that seems to be popular for bikes is the Garmin Edge 800 and I like that it actually has a visual readout screen like the full sized car GPS units. The price for these seems to hover around $300 so to Chanlee's point, I think you might want to weigh the pro's and con's of using a purpose built GPS that might be limited to your bike or a smart phone that could do all kinds of neat stuff (but might require a data plan).
There are some pretty reasonable data plans these days and you can get inexpensive Android units used or online for under $100 that will run Google Maps. Virgin Mobile has a $35/month plan with unlimited data, web, messaging and email and you can get a Kyocera Event from them for $39.99 but then you might have issues finding a good mounting kit. I personally like how the iPhone works and know there are a ton of cases out there for it.
Here's one scenario: get a used iPhone 3 on eBay for $99, figure out which network in your area will actually be able to provide decent data coverage (so you don't get lost and stranded when it doesn't connect) and buy a mount like this one on Amazon called the Perfect Fit Bike Mount and this way you'll have GPS and a way to call for help if you get stranded or have an accident with your bike.
An alternative might be to just buy an old car style GPS off Craigslist or eBay etc. and then charge it at your house before using. This would not require a data plan but you would run the risk of battery failure. My old Garmin GPS is awesome and still works well (you can even pay $100 to update the maps) but it doesn't offer bike routes like Google maps does, it doesn't have traffic (though a new Garmin might) and the battery fails pretty quickly and is not easily replaceable. I saw several Garmin NUVI units on eBay for < $50 and they have the larger screens and look pretty nice.
Do any of these sound like decent options Icthus or are you looking for something different? I haven't used the simpler monochromatic GPS units or watches so admittedly my feedback is skewed towards the fancier stuff here.
There are some pretty reasonable data plans these days and you can get inexpensive Android units used or online for under $100 that will run Google Maps. Virgin Mobile has a $35/month plan with unlimited data, web, messaging and email and you can get a Kyocera Event from them for $39.99 but then you might have issues finding a good mounting kit. I personally like how the iPhone works and know there are a ton of cases out there for it.
Here's one scenario: get a used iPhone 3 on eBay for $99, figure out which network in your area will actually be able to provide decent data coverage (so you don't get lost and stranded when it doesn't connect) and buy a mount like this one on Amazon called the Perfect Fit Bike Mount and this way you'll have GPS and a way to call for help if you get stranded or have an accident with your bike.
An alternative might be to just buy an old car style GPS off Craigslist or eBay etc. and then charge it at your house before using. This would not require a data plan but you would run the risk of battery failure. My old Garmin GPS is awesome and still works well (you can even pay $100 to update the maps) but it doesn't offer bike routes like Google maps does, it doesn't have traffic (though a new Garmin might) and the battery fails pretty quickly and is not easily replaceable. I saw several Garmin NUVI units on eBay for < $50 and they have the larger screens and look pretty nice.
Do any of these sound like decent options Icthus or are you looking for something different? I haven't used the simpler monochromatic GPS units or watches so admittedly my feedback is skewed towards the fancier stuff here.
Icthus Drouben
New Member
I went on "Amazon" after "Electric Bike Specialists" mentioned it, and found something called the "Magellan eXplorist 310". I then thought that might be an alternative to the suggestion you made, seeing as how it does'nt seem to require me to get a smartphone, or data plan. Still, you've brought up (and made) quite a few good points. I'll have to weigh the options, as well as the fact that I do'nt have a whole lot of money to work with, here. Thanks for your suggestion, it's nice to know there are more ways than one! In fact, your suggestion sounds rather enticing!
Thanks! Glad I could help... I've done the thing where I just used my car GPS on battery power and brought along a charger in case it ran out and this is the cheapest, easiest idea. For just $50 you've pretty much got a solution and I bet you could use zip ties and some creativity to mount it temporarily. In my experience you only need a GPS for the first few trips to a new place or when you're going somewhere completely unknown 
Icthus Drouben
New Member
Exactly what I was thinking! (about only needing the gps for the first few [if even that many] trips to a new place!)Thanks! Glad I could help... I've done the thing where I just used my car GPS on battery power and brought along a charger in case it ran out and this is the cheapest, easiest idea. For just $50 you've pretty much got a solution and I bet you could use zip ties and some creativity to mount it temporarily. In my experience you only need a GPS for the first few trips to a new place or when you're going somewhere completely unknown
George S.
Well-Known Member
You can buy the basic Garmin GPS with 4.3 inch screen for around $90 new or ~$60 used. They have amazing functions, the moving maps. I've attached them to handlebars with a big sponge and elastic straps. They should get you to a destination and then back home. You can get trip data if you remember to reset. There's a lot of vibration and the sponge absorbs it.
My Tracks is a free program for Android. Since it ties to Google Earth, you can play back your bike trip as if a helicopter was following you the whole way. But standalone units with a set of maps built in are a fantastic value. Use it in your car or whatever.
My Tracks is a free program for Android. Since it ties to Google Earth, you can play back your bike trip as if a helicopter was following you the whole way. But standalone units with a set of maps built in are a fantastic value. Use it in your car or whatever.
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