Sat Nav for green lanes ?

couchcommando · 05-26-2009, 02:57 AM

I regularly ride up in Derbyshire on the green lanes but I would like to go further afield and also map the routes I do and plan them beforehand. Is there a sat nav that I can plan a route for on the PC then upload to the unit itself ?
I would ike a normal sat nav unit and not a garmin like gps unit, I would like something as easy to use as my car tom tom if this is possible with green lanes on.

Can anyone recommend a unit and/or software ?

Thanks

Cupid Stunt · 05-26-2009, 03:19 AM

First off lets get something clear for you....

Tom Tom and suchlike are "turn by turn" navigation which means they give left, right straight on etc in advance

Of road navigation cannot do that yet, though you can have full OS mapping display on the move with waypoints and direction arrows showing the direction to the next waypoint on a plotted route

There are several ways to do this and I'd suggest looking into the options below

You can have OS mapping with all the systems below, though Garmin only do National Parks at the moment
For me, Memory Map combined with a windows based PDA phone and Otterbox case (1900) is the best solution

www.memory-map.co.uk
www.garmin.co.uk
http://www.satmap.com/
http://www.viewranger.com/

Memory Map for the PC can export routes to virtually all forms of mobile device, so a combination of MM for PC and even a system on a symbian phone like Viewranger
Alternatively Memory Map, a cheaper Garmin unit and paper maps (often the preffered choice of the hardened adventurer)

Try to ignore all the bells an whistles of some of the software (3d fly through etc), whilst they're kinda cute you ought to focus on what you need instead...

Visual aid to navigation idealy with familiar look to paper maps
Moving map as you progress with your journey
Ability to track where you've been
Create routes with waypoints on PC and transfer to mobile unit
Share routes/tracks
Map coverage of the areas you want to or may visit is of course essential, some now have mapping for several other countries as well as full UK coverage

PS
Garmin Topo maps are rubbish

couchcommando · 05-26-2009, 03:28 AM

Thanks for the quick reply, already have a demo version of memorymap and I can work that which is a bonus !

I'd prefer a dedicated gps unit to a phone so any recommendation which one to buy ?

Would a garmin colorado 200/300 be ok ?

Terry NW · 05-26-2009, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by couchcommando

Thanks for the quick reply, already have a demo version of memorymap and I can work that which is a bonus !

I'd prefer a dedicated gps unit to a phone so any recommendation which one to buy ?

Would a garmin colorado 200/300 be ok ?

I've used a Phone with memory map on it , with a GPS devise .

I've seen also but never used myself A PDA with memory map on it with GPS buit in to the unit. You can then load a route into it via your computer which you can follow. but when the are trees either side of a lane that goes threw woulds be wear !! the signal can be lost or even give a difference of 100 feet or more from where you are.. (" this has happen to me once") And in some woods where many tracks are close to one another you could end up going the wrong way a few times.. thus i use it for back up only along with another garmin etrex legend.. and try ,i stress try and get my map reading wright

Cupid Stunt · 05-26-2009, 04:06 AM

As I said above
The problem with a Garmin is their OS map coverage is National Parks only at the moment
It took them ages to take the plunge and start using OS mapping (due to the high licensing fees)

Right now it's a PDA style phone in a case or a dedicated GPS unit without full map coverage

What we really need is a water and shock proof PDA, you can get them but at around £800 they're a bit expensive

Some have opted for the Road Angel 7000 or Adventurer (same itme, just that one comes with MM)
Unfortunately they seem to be made os cheese, very few have survived the rigours of off-road riding

Terry NW · 05-26-2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupid Stunt

As I said above
The problem with a Garmin is their OS map coverage is National Parks only at the moment
It took them ages to take the plunge and start using OS mapping (due to the high licensing fees)

Right now it's a PDA style phone in a case or a dedicated GPS unit without full map coverage

What we really need is a water and shock proof PDA, you can get them but at around £800 they're a bit expensive

Some have opted for the Road Angel 7000 or Adventurer (same itme, just that one comes with MM)
Unfortunately they seem to be made os cheese, very few have survived the rigours of off-road riding

LOL,

water proof. it's a major reason i only use one for back up, tucked away in a water proof bag in my back pack

..
i started using maps which i print into a A4 size and laminat them. and i still think it's the best method.
but have seen lots of people wanting to use GPS units for laning,
i'd rather not because one of the many reasons i lane is to see where i've been on a map when going to a place for the first time. some times i switch on my garmin to log a route i've never been on so i can work out where i've been also and may have gone wrong.But if i'm going to a total new place i print out my 1.25 scale map. My TOM TOM never logs where i've been and make you losse a key skill of map reading " thinking "

but each to thier own. and i'm sorry i can not help pointing you in the right direcetion, ask Mark (broken legs) i know he paid alot of money out for one and users it alot.

earthmover · 05-26-2009, 06:50 AM

I use an old Garmin Quest and Mapsource. I have a number of routes logged which are only by the grace of tireless others of this parish (Timolgra and Timpo, take a bow

)
I have saved these "track logs" seperately on my PC and can download them back to the unit depending on where I'm going, and then follow the breadcrumb trail when riding. This is by no means an exact science, and is more of a memory aid to me. If I gave these to someone else they might not end up where they should!
The other way is to plot waypoints based on paper maps (for when Mapsource doesn't show a road) and then ride joining these together in conjunction with a compass and what you expected from the map.
Neither method works on its own, and reinforces the fact that a GPS is only a tool to use to aid navigation, not the be all and end all.
Locally I can now just about manage without a map. Anywhere new, paper wins every time.
HTH
Mark

Mav · 05-26-2009, 07:59 AM

RoadAngel do a unit which will run the memory map application. Great for showing true OS maps and giving your location and way points. It will NOT give you turn by turn directions on the OS map - nor do I think it should!

I carry one as a back up.

The other thing you can do is to plot the way points on Memory Map, then send them to your Garmin. The Garmin won't show the tracks on the screen, but it will show how close your are to a given way point, match that up to a map and you're in good shape.

HTH

Gazz · 05-26-2009, 08:14 AM

Plot a track in Memory Map and then transfer the track to a Garmin unit, then just follow the track. You'll see a line on the screen that is easy to follow.

dashmoto · 05-27-2009, 04:24 AM

On a vaguely related note, does anyone know of a GPS receiver which will

a) do path logging so I can see where I've been.
b) give you your position in OS coordinates rather than (or as well as) lat/long, so that it's something you can actually usefully compare with a map if you're really lost and can't figure it out from what's around you.
c) not cost a lot, I'm not interested in bells and whistles beyond the two requirements above.

couchcommando · 05-27-2009, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the answers. I do have a garmin etrex I have never used so gonna try that with multimap and just plot routes. I may just go back to my maps but I thought there may be some tech out there to make life easier !

Terry NW · 05-28-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by couchcommando

Thanks for the answers. I do have a garmin etrex I have never used so gonna try that with multimap and just plot routes. I may just go back to my maps but I thought there may be some tech out there to make life easier !

Couchcommando.
pm your email adress when your set up with memory map and i'll send you some routes to try in either the peaks or Wales,

05-26-2009, 02:57 AM	#1
couchcommando ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire, UK Oddometer: 10	Sat Nav for green lanes ? I regularly ride up in Derbyshire on the green lanes but I would like to go further afield and also map the routes I do and plan them beforehand. Is there a sat nav that I can plan a route for on the PC then upload to the unit itself ? I would ike a normal sat nav unit and not a garmin like gps unit, I would like something as easy to use as my car tom tom if this is possible with green lanes on. Can anyone recommend a unit and/or software ? Thanks

05-26-2009, 03:19 AM	#2
Cupid Stunt Studly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2004 Oddometer: 704	First off lets get something clear for you.... Tom Tom and suchlike are "turn by turn" navigation which means they give left, right straight on etc in advance Of road navigation cannot do that yet, though you can have full OS mapping display on the move with waypoints and direction arrows showing the direction to the next waypoint on a plotted route There are several ways to do this and I'd suggest looking into the options below You can have OS mapping with all the systems below, though Garmin only do National Parks at the moment For me, Memory Map combined with a windows based PDA phone and Otterbox case (1900) is the best solution www.memory-map.co.uk www.garmin.co.uk http://www.satmap.com/ http://www.viewranger.com/ Memory Map for the PC can export routes to virtually all forms of mobile device, so a combination of MM for PC and even a system on a symbian phone like Viewranger Alternatively Memory Map, a cheaper Garmin unit and paper maps (often the preffered choice of the hardened adventurer) Try to ignore all the bells an whistles of some of the software (3d fly through etc), whilst they're kinda cute you ought to focus on what you need instead... Visual aid to navigation idealy with familiar look to paper maps Moving map as you progress with your journey Ability to track where you've been Create routes with waypoints on PC and transfer to mobile unit Share routes/tracks Map coverage of the areas you want to or may visit is of course essential, some now have mapping for several other countries as well as full UK coverage PS Garmin Topo maps are rubbish __________________ South Wales Trail Riding

05-26-2009, 04:06 AM	#5
Cupid Stunt Studly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2004 Oddometer: 704	As I said above The problem with a Garmin is their OS map coverage is National Parks only at the moment It took them ages to take the plunge and start using OS mapping (due to the high licensing fees) Right now it's a PDA style phone in a case or a dedicated GPS unit without full map coverage What we really need is a water and shock proof PDA, you can get them but at around £800 they're a bit expensive Some have opted for the Road Angel 7000 or Adventurer (same itme, just that one comes with MM) Unfortunately they seem to be made os cheese, very few have survived the rigours of off-road riding __________________ South Wales Trail Riding

05-26-2009, 07:59 AM	#8
Mav Something witty... Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Blighty Oddometer: 3,611	RoadAngel do a unit which will run the memory map application. Great for showing true OS maps and giving your location and way points. It will NOT give you turn by turn directions on the OS map - nor do I think it should! I carry one as a back up. The other thing you can do is to plot the way points on Memory Map, then send them to your Garmin. The Garmin won't show the tracks on the screen, but it will show how close your are to a given way point, match that up to a map and you're in good shape. HTH __________________ Mav ------------------------- All the gear.. no idea!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-26-2009, 03:28 AM	#3
couchcommando ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire, UK Oddometer: 10	Thanks for the quick reply, already have a demo version of memorymap and I can work that which is a bonus ! I'd prefer a dedicated gps unit to a phone so any recommendation which one to buy ? Would a garmin colorado 200/300 be ok ?

05-26-2009, 06:50 AM	#7
earthmover Opinionated, me? Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Kelsall, Cheshire, UK Oddometer: 223	I use an old Garmin Quest and Mapsource. I have a number of routes logged which are only by the grace of tireless others of this parish (Timolgra and Timpo, take a bow ) I have saved these "track logs" seperately on my PC and can download them back to the unit depending on where I'm going, and then follow the breadcrumb trail when riding. This is by no means an exact science, and is more of a memory aid to me. If I gave these to someone else they might not end up where they should! The other way is to plot waypoints based on paper maps (for when Mapsource doesn't show a road) and then ride joining these together in conjunction with a compass and what you expected from the map. Neither method works on its own, and reinforces the fact that a GPS is only a tool to use to aid navigation, not the be all and end all. Locally I can now just about manage without a map. Anywhere new, paper wins every time. HTH Mark

05-26-2009, 08:14 AM	#9
Gazz In a rut Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Stourbridge, UK Oddometer: 512	Plot a track in Memory Map and then transfer the track to a Garmin unit, then just follow the track. You'll see a line on the screen that is easy to follow.

05-27-2009, 04:24 AM	#10
dashmoto Serial Tinkerer Joined: Dec 2008 Location: East Midlands, UK Oddometer: 353	On a vaguely related note, does anyone know of a GPS receiver which will a) do path logging so I can see where I've been. b) give you your position in OS coordinates rather than (or as well as) lat/long, so that it's something you can actually usefully compare with a map if you're really lost and can't figure it out from what's around you. c) not cost a lot, I'm not interested in bells and whistles beyond the two requirements above.

05-27-2009, 08:22 AM	#11
couchcommando ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire, UK Oddometer: 10	Thanks for the answers. I do have a garmin etrex I have never used so gonna try that with multimap and just plot routes. I may just go back to my maps but I thought there may be some tech out there to make life easier !