I need a new GPS, can you help!
- Thread starter Johnny Utah
- Start date
JDurk
Well-Known Member
So following up what I observed yesterday with the 520. Have a Fenix 7 Pro Solar as well.
100k ride in the Pines was the plan. Turned off Bluetooth and set the display brightness to 20%. Got the low battery alert at exactly the 4hr. mark. Made it to the finish after 7h22m total time. Battery was at 1%. Switch BT back on to upload to the phone successfully. Still not comfortable with battery issue.
Looking at 540 now.
TJYeti
Knows about bikes
I tried it on my 520 and destroyed it in the process. It may just be me though…
Same. Garbage city here.
asm
Well-Known Member
There are settings that can be changed to help with map readability, but I think Allaire is a challenge for most devices.
Ultimate Garmin EDGE Map Screen Setup for Road/Gravel/MTB
My ultimate Garmin EDGE Cycling GPS Map Page layout that I find extremely useful on road, gravel, and out on the MTB. This video will explain the configuration and ConnectIQ add-ons I’ve used…
gplama.com
Ian F
Well-Known Member
In my experience most of the GPS navigation systems are designed for road maps and the point accuracy is too variable for many trail systems. Especially if trails loop around and are close to each other. When designers are trying to squeeze as much trail as possible into a given area. Probably fine out west when a nearby trail running is miles away and intersections are sparse... not so great for many East coast trails when you can often see a completely different trail that may physically only be 10 yards or so away.
i did it on my 1000 way back, (i also did multiple screen changes) piece of cake on that unit, but it was held together with 6 or 8 (idr really) screws with a gasket in between the shells so it was really nbd to pop it open and plug new parts in.
Kaleidopete
Well-Known Member
No, me too
GSTim
Formerly M3Tim
Mine was not a problem but it was the old generation, not touch screen. I used RTV to reseal it, worked fine.
JDurk
Well-Known Member
The 520 isn't a touchscreen and has 6 buttons. Using it since Nov '18, so 6 solid years of use.
Watching the video @TJYeti posted doesn't look too intimidating. However, @jShort, @Norm and @Kaleidopete aren't inspiring confidence.
When I tried to do it, the screen immediately shattered. YMMV of course.
Red Mosquito
Formerly RLB the Scrapple Boy
I do not use turn-by-turn navigation in the woods, it is useless based on the points made above. I also don’t use it on the road just out of habit.
I have my gps set up to just display the course and alert me if I go off the route. It requires putting eyes on the gps as you approach intersections, but the method otherwise works well for me. With that said, I usually have somewhat of an idea where I’m going after riding a place a few times so it’s less troublesome. But yeah, Allaire is probably one of the hardest to follow.
I’ll try to remember to look at the settings on my 830 and report back here.
Ian F
Well-Known Member
I pretty much use the GPS map when mtn biking the same way. Usually just to see where I am in relation to where I've been and where I started. "Oh shit... we keep riding away from the cars..."
I rarely use the map function when on the road. The Bolt display doesn't show enough detail to really be useful. On the rare occasion I need to decide where to go at an intersection I'll just bring up Google Maps on my phone. If/when I start doing more exploring road rides where I plan to program a route to follow, I'll upgrade to a better GPS with a larger color display. Would probably be useful for uploading Trailforks routes as well...
