Devon TRF Group Forum

Stick with the maps. Cheap, reliable, never break down, run out of batteries or loose the satelite.

By far the biggest benefit of using maps is that you will actually learn. Maps force you to look at your surroundings and relate them to what you see on the paper in front of you. OK, so you may have to stop at a tricky junction to make sure you know where you are going, but the next time you are there you wont have to look. If all you do is follow the pointer on your GPS screen then it will take you ages to learn your way about.

Dont get me wrong, I'm not anti GPS, I just think people should learn to do it the old fashioned way, and gain all the benefits that go with it, before relying on technology to guide them around.  I read a run report not so long ago, cant remember which one, but a load of fairly experienced laners were on a Dartmoor run, GPS packed up halfway through, their only option was to go back the way they'd come cos none of them knew any different.


-- Edited by Monty on Wednesday 21st of April 2010 12:47:38 PM

I print off the memory map pages as I need them. Saves carrying a whole map around when you only need a small part of it. This is not without its pitfalls, mind you. Its very easy to miss out a tiny but essential section, leaving you with a blank bit between pages. Its pretty heavy on printer ink as well. And swapping pages on a wet windy day in the depths of winter when your fingers are frozen and the map case is being a b*****d will try anyones patience!!!!

But, as I said, its enabled me to learn as I go along, and there is a big section of S Devon for which I no longer need to use a map. I can now do several different full days riding in my local area purely off the top of my head - no mean feat for a half wit like me!


-- Edited by Monty on Wednesday 21st of April 2010 01:13:04 PM

I think you need to honest with yourself Garry - are you a techy or a technophobe?

There are cheaper systems around for full OS map GPS but they don't work straight off the shelf. You have to re-arrange the unit some what and edit config files. Being familiar with PDA's and active sync will go a long way to helping you. If your up for that then you could be up and running for less than £40. If not then go for a Road Angel, a Garmin device or maps.

Power can be overcome by having a power monkey - it's a remote rechargeable battery that extends the life of you devices. Not as good as having a hard wired power feed but it's about the only alternative.

Maps or GPS?

Another interesting question - there are die hards in both camps.

I'm not a very positionally aware person so give me a paper map and I still probably couldn't show you where I was. However through having a GPS which displays OS mapping it's taught me to be more aware of where I am. I need to follow the GPS less and less as I become more familiar with the lanes and road systems of Devon.

I never want to be too familiar though as that means that I've ridden all the lanes too much and would be getting bored of them. GPS allows you the freedom to venture further a field and also have a good days riding on lanes you've never ridden before, and most of the time without having to stop and scratch your head to work out where to go next.

As for equipment failure, yes it does happen. Paper map back up is a must (if you can follow it) or have a spare GPS. I'm a techy so even if my GPS dies my phone has a GPS built in and also runs MM so can be used as a 2nd system.
GPS network failing - not unless we've just gone to war with the USA.
Even if it does it's not the end of the world, go home and think of all the lovely rides you've had where the GPS didn't fail.



-- Edited by RichT4 on Wednesday 21st of April 2010 01:30:33 PM

Map reading from 1:5000, 1;25000, form paper or MM on RA is a skill you need to learn.

Picture being dumped off the back of an RAF lorry, somewhere in Cumbria... in the dark, with a map with only roads rivers and contours on it. A stock RAF marching compass and a couple of bars of Kendal Mint Cake!!! and an envelope, with 'you are here!' written on it ... no map reference, inside .... get to here... with a map referance.
No busses, main roads, hitching, etc etc
1965 it was cold and it rained all year!
I would have given my eye teeth for the navigational devices availiable today...
BUT I could navigate with a map

Whatever you choose you will never be lost!!








OMG I can write some utter cr#p !!

Cheapest will be a MyGuide 3100 3.5" screen - that's what I use, or you could go for a newer version with a 4.3" wide screen.
MyGuide 3100's go for around £20 to £30, the newer ones are only about £45 new.

Then it'll need mounting in a sandwich box of some description.
Box will cost about £2
Fittings were left overs from some old hand protectors and some 22mm plastic pipe as stand-off's.





Finally you'll need memory map which can be found considerable cheaper out there in cyber space.
Let me now if you get one and I can send you some instructions to get you going.

You will want a 1;25,000 map for exploring areas you don't know,it means a lot of stops to refold it but carries all the detail you need.
1;50,000 maps are ok for an area you already know,having less detail.
Buy a laminated copy of your local map then it will survive getting wet.
Take a map even if you use gps,as a backup and a flexible way round unexpected road closures or diversions.

Which would be better to get

I've found a Road Angel 6000 for £94

http://www.satnaveasy.co.uk/road-angel-6000-i1727.html

Compared to a MyGuide 4.3 £59.99

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/165376

I don't mind spend a few quid more if the product is worth it.

Looks like it will be the myguide then as the cheapest RA 7000 is £175.