Garmin GPS and Tracklogs software

The anti-GPS lot can stay shut up, this isn't a question about
sat-nav.

Anyone had any experience with Garmin GPS units (specifically the
eTrex Legend or Venture) along wih Tracklogs digital mapping software?

Is that combo going to be any good for off-road cycling and walking?
Basically I after sorting out a route in advance on the pc and then
being able to follow it on the ground using the GPS for the majority
of the time but with a map+compass as backup.

 

Touchy

Don't know about that, but I use Memory Map.

MemMap has worked well for me, I plot routes and upload them to the GPS
and can also print out a map with the route on it as a backup. I've got
the 1:25,000 Dartmoor maps which is ideal for me. There are only
certain regions in the UK that have that scale, and the rest is covered
by the 1:50,000 Landranger series. Afterwards, I can upload the track
log to the PC and supposedly annotate with photos etc, but I've not
bothered doing that.

Downsides are: I'm not overly fussed about the "3-D flying
visualisation" mode; it's pricey; I can't import other maps as images
and calibrate them.

If you've got a PocketPC you can download a copy from the PC to it and
take the PDA out into the field. I have a Palm, so I don't know how
well this works.

 

Sounds very similar to the stuff that Tracklogs software offers. Only
reason I'm looking at them is they'll supply the eTrex Legend for a
very competitive price and throw in a 40k x 40k map site-centred on my
postcode for free. Now that's 50 quid's worth of map...

I did have a PPC but sold it as I wasn't using it too much. PPC and
mountain biking wouldn't really go together though. Setting up the
route at home and then downloading it to the GPS for outside is no
great hassle. I have no need for in-field route planning software the
likes of TomTom offer., I'm perfectly capable of reading street signs

 

It works great .. I have a pocket pc and memory map rocks on it.

--
Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort


(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

I'll have to have a look at their product.

Also I bought a handlebar mount for my Garmin which works a treat. Saves
reaching around to my back pocket to get the GPS out.

 

www.tracklogs.co.uk

Seems to come out extremely well in all the reviews. I download the
trail copy to have a play and it's very intuitive when creating
routes.

Well, I've just splashed the cash. £222 has got me a eTrex Legend
plus serial-to-usb converter cable, bike handlebar mount and a car
powerlead. And the free maps of course.

Need to work out a way of mounting it on the GSXR handlebars as well.

 

I like the idea of picking regions. I think I paid £100 for the
Dartmoor/Exmoor one. I can't remember the last time I went to Exmoor and
probably would have preferred Bodmin moor instead. Although I also got
the aerial view, plus road map of UK.

Nice. I'll expect a full report by next week.

My handle bar mount doesn't fit onto my KTM but then it has tapered bars
which are fat in the middle. I'm looking at a cross bar to mount it on
instead.

 

This seems to be the big thing in favour of Tracklogs. You just pick
the area you want and what size it is and they charge accordingly.
1:50000 are a reasonable price although 1:25000 are a
semi-unreasonable price.

Yeah, the GSXR has clipons which don't have any free area of tube for
a bicycle style mount to go on. I may be able to take a bicycle one
and convert it a bit so it can be zip tied around the top yoke. There
may be some way of mounting it on the top fairing bracket though.