Over the past few weeks we’ve been working hard to improve the trail mapping tools here on singletracks and I wanted to talk about some of the progress we’ve made so far. If you submitted GPS trail data recently you know we’ve been super slow approving stuff but hopefully by the end of the week we’ll be all caught up.
One of the things we found this summer is that a lot of people are getting into riding with a GPS but they aren’t really sure how to format and share the resulting data. Admittedly we haven’t done a great job organizing our GPS tutorials here on singletracks but it’s definitely on the to-do list. In the meantime, I’ll sum up our philosophy on mapping trail systems: 1 trail system, 1 map. If it takes multiple trips to map an entire trail system, use software like TopoFusion or GPSApp.net (more on that site later) to combine all the tracks into a single GPX file for the entire park.
Last week we made sweeping changes to the back end of our map serving system and while you may not notice any visible changes right away, this allows us to do some cool stuff in the future (like color coded trails, individually named trails within trail systems, and custom waypoint icons). We’re even looking at ways to allow subscribers to “mash up” trail maps to create their own routes by combining multiple trail systems - something our old system wouldn’t allow.
This week we also added the ability for subscribers to rate and comment on shared routes in the GPS Activity Tracker and linked those shared routes on the “official trail map” tab. So in addition to the “1 map, 1 trail system,” you can also see and download specific routes others take within a trail system.
Finally, I want to briefly mention a beta project we’re working on called GPSApp.net. The site allows you to upload data directly from your Garmin GPS device or GPX data file and provides tools for formatting, grouping, and cleaning up your GPS trail data. The site is free to use and we’ve even set up a forum thread here on singletracks to collect feedback. Many of the features found on GPSApp.net may eventually migrate to singletracks so if you want a preview of what’s to come, check out GPSApp.net!
So apparently this story is getting picked up all over the place and at first I was pretty excited at the prospects: Google Street View is expanding to hiking and biking trails. For those who are not familiar with Google Street View, it basically allows you to view locations on a map as if you were standing right there on the street (or now, trail). Google collects millions of photos using a vehicle mounted camera and GPS and stitches the images together to create sort of an online virtual reality experience. Sure privacy advocates aren’t too fond of it since Google is snapping pics of innocent bystanders and private properties but that’s another debate…
Anyway, it turns out Google just mapped and posted its first bike trail - a path in Monterey, CA. The article that’s floating around doesn’t give the name of the trail but I assumed it would be somewhere awesome like Fort Ord. Fortunately this website has located the elusive Google “Bike View” trail: it’s the (wide, concrete) Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail that runs right through downtown. Ahhh, it’s that kind of bike “trail”…
The article mentions the rig that was used to get the trail shots is some sort of “trike” which I assume is necessary because the tech is so heavy (batteries, cameras, gps, etc.). Until the rig shrinks I don’t think we’ll be seeing any singletrack views anytime soon - though Google is said to be working on mapping “hiking and biking trails” in California, Italy, and the UK.
Ultimately this is a pretty cool development but I can’t see myself spending hours (or even more than 5 minutes) clicking through a “virtual trail.” I’d much rather be out there riding it!
Regular readers know I’m a nut when it comes to GPS and mountain bikes and these days it seems like more and more riders are catching the fever. The problem? Using a GPS on the trail and managing the resulting tsunami of data is still pretty complicated. That’s why I’m super impressed with the Travel Recorder X from QStarz - it’s GPS made simple.
Before I get into describing the Travel Recorder X, it’s important to talk about the competition. The latest GPS units from Garmin and others sport color touch screens and hundreds of menus and functions packed into a fairly bulky package that’s not really designed for mountain biking. The software included with these GPS units is generally just an afterthought and is often both limited and confusing at the same time. These GPS units are great if you’re looking for a multi-function solution or if you need navigation functionality but for most they are simply overkill.
If, however, you’re looking for a simple, reliable way to map trails and geo-tag photos along the way, the Travel Recorder X is your man. I have to admit that when I first opened the box I thought the Travel Recorder X was a joke - it looks just like a pager from the 1990s (minus any kind of display). The GPS has just one switch and a single button for marking waypoints and the first time I used it I wasn’t sure if the thing was even working. Still, I turned it on, tossed it into a webbed pocket on my Camelbak and rode. Back at the car, I switched the GPS off and forgot about it, not sure if it recorded anything at all.
Back at home I fired up the included software and after a few missteps installing the driver I was able to quickly download the data and to my surprise, I saw a Google Map with my exact route! The software even includes a track editor that lets you move and delete trackpoints and waypoints. You can split and merge tracks and even export your data to other formats (like GPX, KML, even HTML) for use in programs like TopoFusion and Google Earth. Seriously.
The really cool part about the included Travel Recorder software is that it makes geo-tagging and sharing photos simple. I tossed a directory of pics I snapped along the Kiwanis Fairgrounds trail into the program and it automatically placed the correct pics in the correct locations on the Google Map - done in less than 5 minutes. Sharing your geotagged pics and maps is simple too with the built in flickr, locr, and HTML export buttons (here’s a quick map I created). You can also use the Travel Recorder software to view things like speed and altitude data from you ride, among other things.
The Travel Recorder X can be paired with a PDA, smartphone, or laptop using the included Bluetooth connection which makes this little device even more versatile. Remember, there’s no screen on the device itself so if you want to use it for real time navigation you’ll need to pair it with a phone or computer. QStarz claims a 15 second satellite fix and the Travel Recorder X uses a built-in rechargeable battery. A USB and DC plug for the car are included.
If you’re still trying to wrap your head around the idea of a GPS without a screen, here’s an analogy: if the Garmin Colorado is an iPod Touch, the QStarz Travel Recorder X is an iPod Shuffle. While the Travel Recorder X may not be for everyone, it’s the best solution we’ve seen for simple mapping and geotagging photos on the trail. At just 2.2 ounces it’s also one of the lightest and most compact devices we’ve seen and includes some truly great software to boot. Pick yours up for less than a hundred bucks!
If you’re looking for a powerful tool to help you with your mountain bike training, look no further than the CS600X from Polar. The CS600X tracks your every move on the bike, nags you like a coach when you’re slacking off, works well with others, and comes in one of the slickest handlebar packages around.
Training Functions On Board
In terms of cycling-specific data recording, no other device I’ve seen compares to the Polar CS600X. Basics like distance and speed are monitored by the included W.I.N.D. wireless speed sensor while the heart rate sensor tracks your vitals (wirelessly, natch). Some heart rate straps I’ve tested can be finicky when syncing but not this one – clearly Polar knows heart rate and they know wireless (more on that later). The CS600X also includes a built-in thermometer and a barometric altimeter to track climbs and descents.
Unlike some cycling computers or even GPS units, the Polar doesn’t overwhelm you with data when you’re on the bike. Sure, you can view basic stats and even simple time-based graphs of heart rate or elevation, but overall the screen helps you focus more on riding, less on “fiddling.” With training plans and sport zones you can program the Polar CS600X to alert you when you reach certain levels or milestones but the great thing is you don’t have to look down during your ride except to start or stop the timer! (That is, unless you want to keep an eye on things.)
If you’re serious about your training the CS600X will help you take things to the next level, particularly if you’re working with a coach who can help you analyze things like heart rate and pace data. A coach can also help you create a training plan and define heart rate zones that can be downloaded to the CS600X – kinda like having your coach with you on the bike Even if you don’t have a coach the CS600X includes a fitness test function that measures your heart rate to estimate your overall fitness level. I’m not sure what the resulting number means (if anything) but it’s helpful for setting a fitness baseline and seeing how you improve over time.
Accessories
Beyond distance, speed, elevation, heart rate, and temperature sensors, you can also pair the Polar CS600X with optional accessories like a power meter and GPS sensor. Power meters are mostly for the road riders (though admittedly some of my MTB training does take place on skinny tires) but the GPS is definitely something I’m into.
The Polar G3 GPS sensor is just a bit larger than the CS600X itself and can be attached to you or your bike within a few feet of the CS600X. I found it worked well snapped to my Camelbak but it also worked great tucked into a rear jersey pocket on the road. Signal acquisition is quick and pairing it with the CS600X is a snap (just be sure to read the included instructions). The G3 is water resistant and I certainly put this to the test riding in soggy spring conditions that included more than a few downpours – no hitches.
Speed and distance data is transmitted wirelessly from the G3 GPS sensor to the CS600X which means you can keep the speed sensor permanently installed on your road bike or even ditch it altogether. The data seemed fairly accurate compared to other GPS units I’ve tested and is stored on the CS600X for later analysis. Unfortunately you can’t use the G3 GPS for real-time trail navigation since it doesn’t generate an on-screen map but unlike many cycling specific GPS devices, the G3 GPS sensor uses just a single AA battery that can be easily replaced on a super epic ride.
After the ride, GPS data can be accessed via the included Polar ProTrainer 5 software where you can see a map of your route and even export data to your favorite GPX software or Google Earth. I’ll talk more about the ProTrainer 5 software in an upcoming review – there’s just way too much to cover in one post!
The Package
Ok, this is where Polar really hit it out of the park (dude - the CS600X won an International Forum Design award in 2008!). The CS600X is about half the size of any cycling-specific GPS unit I’ve seen and it weighs half as much. It’s aerodynamic, ergonomic, and despite it’s svelte package it gets incredible battery life. I’ve already put a few hundred miles on my CS600X and haven’t had to replace the batteries yet! Other GPS units would have been recharged half a dozen times already.
The included bike mounting system is rock solid, even over sketchy terrain. Use the included zip-ties to attach the mount to your bars and twist the CS600X to lock it in – dead simple. Even if you (ahem) accidentally leave the CS600X on your bike for the drive back home, it will stay put at 70mph on your car roof (not that I recommend putting this claim to the test).
You may have noticed I’ve been using the word “wireless” a lot in this review and it turns out this is a big part of what makes the CS600X so freakin’ sexy. The CS600X doesn’t have a single data port or outlet on it which means it’s incredibly water resistant (and again, aerodynamic). But how, you may ask, do you get data from the CS600 to your computer? The answer: wirelessly.
Yep, just plug in the included Polar IrDA USB adapter into your computer and point your CS600X, remote control style. Bling, you’re done. No more futzing with cables – Polar makes it easy to download and analyze your training data after EVERY workout. Genius.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a powerful way to take your training to the next level, let the Polar CS600X help you get you there. You won’t find a more complete solution for tracking every training variable you can imagine in such a tiny, user-friendly package!
Stay tuned for a review of the other half of the Polar CS600X equation – ProTrainer 5 software (included with the Polar CS600X).
Another damp weekend training ride in north Georgia.
I’m less than 2 weeks away from my first metric dirty century in Sumter National Forest and this weekend I had my toughest training ride yet. For those who don’t know a metric century is 100 kilometers or 62.2 miles and my plan has been to gradually increase my long weekend rides until I get close to 60 miles or about 5 hours on the bike. One week ago I rode 60 miles but that was on a road bike riding a flat course (and it took just over 3 hours).
Saturday I got an early start outside Dahlonega, GA where I tackled the Canada Creek loop, Winding Stairs, and Camp Wahsega Rd. After 5+ hours I covered 48 miles and nearly 5,000 feet of climbing which is about 4,200 feet more than I’ll probably climb in the Sumter Metric Century. The hardest part of the ride was probably the middle - miles 20 to 30 - mainly because I felt like I had gone so far already but still had so far to go. I was surprised that the mental challenge of riding long distance was nearly as difficult as the physical challenge of pushing the pedals mile after mile. At any rate, I survived and I feel good about the race on May 16.
Throughout my training I’ve been using the Polar CS600X cycling computer and even though I’ve been using it for more than a month I probably still haven’t used half the functions. Polar is known for heart rate monitors and cycling computers but the CS600X ups the ante with an optional GPS pod, cadence and power sensors, and wireless data transfer to your PC. I’ve been stuffing the GPS pod into my back jersey pocket where it seems to get a great signal every time - impressive stuff, especially given that even handlebar mounted units often lose reception in the woods.
The Polar CS600X comes with ProTrainer 5 software which lets you view amazing detail about your workouts in an easy to use calendar interface. You can plot heart rate, speed, elevation, time, etc. and even view the data overlaid on a map of your ride (thanks to the GPS). The CS600X even lets you view basic charts and graphs while you’re on the bike which is great for monitoring heart rate and elevation trends mid-workout.
Look for a detailed review of the Polar CS600X later this month after I put it through its paces during the Sumter Metric Century May 16!
3D Arizona Trail image created in TopoFusion (from TopoFusion.com)
The Arizona Trail 300 Race starts today at 9am Arizona Time (MDT/PST) as riders race unsupported 300 miles following the Arizona Trail north from a spot near the Mexican border to Superior, AZ. The trail is mostly singletrack, there is no support, no prizes, and no entry fee. Winner takes all bragging rites until next year’s race.
Last year’s race actually ended in a tie between Scott Morris, creator of the super-gnarly TopoFusion mapping software, and Fred Wilkinson, both with a time of 3 days, 15 hours, and 8 minutes.
Since Scott is a high tech guy the race is infused with GPS tech from the route map (riders are encouraged to follow the route with a GPS) to real-time tracking of the racers. That’s right - many of the guys will be wearing GPS tracking devices from SPOT and you can view their progress on a Google Map at the TopoFusion website.
This race kinda reminds me of the classic mountain bike race format - no entry fee, no prizes, and definitely no sag stops along the way. Find out more about the Arizona Trail race to see how you can get involved next year!
We wrote about TopoFusion topographic and GPS mapping software almost two years ago and since that time there have been a ton of major enhancements. In fact, TopoFusion is really three products in one: mapping software, photo management & publishing software, and activity logging/training software. The crazy thing: it does all three better than virtually any other product we’ve seen.
Mapping
Of course TopoFusion is first and foremost an outdoor mapping program and it includes all the features you’d expect like support for GPX files, USGS topo maps, and elevation profile charts of your GPS tracks. But TopoFusion goes way beyond what you’d expect, starting with the inclusion of black and white or color aerial photos, satellite imagery, GIS data from TIGER, and even maps and imagery covering Mexico and Canada. My personal favorite is the “Combo” map setting that blends USGS topo maps with aerial photos - an amazing feature I haven’t seen anywhere else.
TopoFusion also features tools for visualizing trails and routes in 3D to give you a totally new perspective on familiar trails. The best part is you can view any map in 3D - topographic, aerial photo, satellite, even Combo! Simple and intuitive tools allow you to rotate, zoom, and flip 3D maps and the latest version is super responsive even on my crappy 3-year old eMachines desktop.
Mountain biking is all about motion along a trail and TopoFusion includes powerful tools for dynamically visualizing GPS tracks. Plug in a GPS track downloaded from singletracks and TopoFusion adds arrows to the map showing the direction of travel - a helpful and seemingly obvious feature that’s missing from other mapping programs I’ve used. Even cooler than that: you can play back tracks as they were ridden. TopoFusion calls this ‘multi-track playback’ and you can use the feature to show the progression of multiple riders along the same trail or even play back rides of the same trail on different days to see how your rides compare (see video below). I can seriously sit and stare at replays of my own rides in TopoFusion for hours…
Trail Photo Management
Topofusion includes a feature called ‘PhotoFusion’ that dynamically places photos onto your maps. Now I’ve been hesitant to try this myself for a while - geo-tagging photos just seems too geeky and time consuming. Topofusion actually makes the process dead simple: open a GPS track, click on PhotoFusion and point to a directory with photos taken on your ride. TopoFusion then matches the timestamps on your photos with track point timestamps and places the photos where they belong on your route. Even if your GPS and camera times don’t match up, Topofusion attempts to help you resolve differences using time offsets - incredible! Photo thumbnails appear on the map as waypoints and can be moved around plus you can zoom in on pics with a click of the mouse.
Building photo maps on your computer is cool but what good is a slick photo map if you can’t share it with your friends? TopoFusion understands this and allows you to export your photos and maps to post on the web and even writes the complex HTML for you at the click of a button. Here’s my interactive photo map from a ride out at Heritage Park last month. Amazing!
Endurance Training / Activity Tracker
Many of us use TopoFusion to catalog our mountain bike rides and fortunately there are some great features for keeping track of training ride data as well. ‘Log Book’ is a feature that saves your ride data to a calendar summarizing your workouts: clicking on a date reveals distance, time, total climb, and speed data PLUS it includes difficulty and effort scores that allow you to compare workouts of varying length, elevation, and intensity. Log Book also computes summary statistics based on a date range so you can see, for instance, how many miles you rode last week.
TopoFusion activity tracking tools also work great with data from other sports like running. I imported runs from my Forerunner and using the Run Analysis tool was able to compute a GOVSS Score, Lactate Adjustment Power, Average Power, and calories expended. TopoFusion also allows you to switch units from miles per hour to more runner-friendly minutes per mile.
The current version of TopoFusion includes support for direct connection to the most popular Garmin GPS units including the GPSMap series, Edge series, and of course the Forerunner series. With this support, TopoFusion also includes the ability to view heart rate, cadence, and power data, depending on your GPS unit’s capabilities. With support for multiple file formats including GPX, TCX, KML, and even ESRI ShapeFiles you can be sure that no matter what brand or model GPS you own you can use TopoFusion to view, edit, and catalog your data.
Power User Tools and Functions
Beyond the features most users will find helpful, TopoFusion also includes a few power-user functions that map geeks will find especially cool. The ‘Make Network’ tool transforms messy GPS trail data full of backtracks and dead ends into clean, easy to follow trail segments. TopoFusion also includes a tool to fix elevation profile data from GPS units with unreliable or even non-existent elevation tracking - a feature that honestly borders on voodoo magic. You can even use TopoFusion to move or delete waypoints and trackpoints to clean up errant GPS data points before sharing with friends.
Bottom Line
TopoFusion is the best GPS mapping software we’ve used - hands down - and perhaps this is why:
TopoFusion is written by Alan and Scott Morris. Brothers, outdoor enthusiasts, mountain bikers and former wilderness rangers. Both hold Master’s degrees in Computer Science. Scott Morris is a mountain bike adventurer, PhD student and freelance writer. He holds several ultra distance mountain bike records, including the fastest traversal of the cross-state Arizona Trail. He logs his adventures at topofusion.com/diary.
We use TopoFusion on a near-daily basis here at Singletracks to map our own GPS data and it’s part of the secret sauce we use to produce the MTB trail maps available on the site. There are two versions available for sale and immediate download at TopoFusion.com - the Basic and Pro version - but take it from us: the Pro version is well worth the additional investment. Many of the features mentioned in this review are only available in the Pro version and at less than $70 it’s still much cheaper than software from Garmin, DeLorme, and National Georgraphic - with way more features!
Even if you don’t own a GPS yet, TopoFusion is a great tool for viewing trail maps created by others and posted online. Get it today and start planning your next adventure!
This is part II of a two-part review of the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS. In the first review I talked about the software included with the PN-40 - both the desktop and GPS unit software - and in this review I’ll be focusing on the hardware.
Case design
The Earthmate PN-40 boasts an attractive case design that’s rugged and easy to grip in your hand plus it’s even waterproof to IPX-7 standard (basically waterproof in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes). In any event, the Earthmate will keep ticking if you drop it (guilty) or if you ride in the mud and/or rain (also guilty). The buttons on the PN-40 give you handy access to commonly used functions but at times I found them hard to press while riding with gloved hands.
The PN-40 comes with a lanyard loop for handheld use and when used with an appropriate RAM mount can be secured to your bike’s handlebars. The handlebar mounting system was easily the worst I’ve experienced, requiring multiple screws and nuts with very little adjustability for bars of differing diameters. The mount itself holds the GPS quite securely but securing the mount to your handlebars (especially oversize bars) is quite another story. On one ride I ended up putting the GPS in my rear jersey pocket where it got a great signal, though that meant I was constantly stopping to consult the map. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) the RAM mount is NOT included with the PN-40.
Screen and memory
The PN-40 has a brilliant daylight-reading screen which makes reading maps easy in most light conditions, though I found satellite imagery was difficult to read in direct sunlight. The PN-40 includes up to 8GB of internal memory (that’s giga with a G!) and with support for removable SDHC memory you can add another 32GB. The included serial-USB connection is mega slow and DeLorme recommends transferring large map sets to the GPS using a memory card reader (not included). To give you an idea about how slow the map and data transfers can be: sending 100 MB of images to your GPS will take over an hour. Before a recent ride I started to transfer satellite images as I walked out the door but gave up after 20 minutes when I realized how long it would take. Lesson learned - plan ahead or get a memory card reader.
Other hardware features
The DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 uses a high-tech chipset that locks on satellites mega fast for near instantaneous acquisition - no more waiting at the trailhead for your GPS to sync. The PN-40 also includes a dual-core processor that crunches through detailed maps and imagery for quick map redraws that won’t slow you down on the trail. A built-in electronic compass, altimeter, and accelerometer allow the PN-40 to orient itself even when you’re not moving - a nice touch for sure. Battery life is so-so using standard AA alkaline batteries but it’s generally more than enough for an epic ride (plan on 4-8 hours depending on how you use the GPS).
The Earthmate PN-40 boasts an impressive feature list with killer software. While the PN-40 may not have been designed for mountain bikers first and foremost, it’s a rugged, reliable, and full-featured outdoor GPS anyone can appreciate.
I’ve been using the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS for almost 2 months now and I thought it was about time to share my review. After seeing the PN-40 strapped to mountain bikes in full color magazine ads I wondered how it would perform on the bike, especially compared to the made-for-bikes Edge series from Garmin. This post will only cover the Earthmate PN-40 software - look for a hardware-focused review later this week.
Loading basemaps
First things first: the maps and mapping software included with the Earthmate PN-40 are truly top notch. In fact before using the PN-40 I was a big fan of the Topo USA desktop software with its clean, vectorized topographic maps and the latest version builds on the best features (though sadly the interface is still pretty confusing). With Topo USA 7.0 (included) you can send detailed maps for driving and trekking to your GPS in just a few clicks.
The PN-40 is great at mapping but it also includes the ability to view color satellite and aerial imagery on the GPS itself (unlike the Garmin Edge). With the right imagery loaded onto your GPS it’s like having Google Earth in your pocket - though in my experience most of the images aren’t nearly as high-res as those on Google Earth. Imagery is available online and you get a few downloads for free, after which you’ll need to pay a small annual fee to access unlimited images. The imagery downloads aren’t quite instant (you need to request them through the software and wait about 5 minutes for an email telling you they’re ready for download) but once they’re loaded in Topo USA they’re a easy to send to your GPS. The satellite imagery is a little difficult to follow while on the bike because it’s so detailed but it did help me scope out an area where I heard there were some unofficial MTB trails.
Loading and following tracks
The DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 makes it fairly easy to load GPS tracks from the web using the included Topo USA software. Just open any GPX-formatted file, preview it on screen, then send the track and waypoints to your PN-40. Topo USA also makes it easy to reverse imported GPS tracks and to view elevation and speed profiles on the computer before downloading the data to your GPS.
Once your trail data is loaded on the PN-40 you can change the display color of the trail itself and follow the track starting from your current position. On the trail the PN-40 alerts you to turns using an audible tone that sounds kinda like a bird - a nice touch since an electronic beep would be out of place in the great outdoors. DeLorme can handle up to 10 tracks with 10,000 trackpoints each (!) so you don’t need to worry about imported tracks losing any detail (by comparison Garmin limits tracks to 500 points).
Trip and cycling-specific functions
Sadly, the Earthmate PN-40 falls short in this department. Resetting and restarting a trip on the PN-40 is a multi-step, menu-driven process that will be frustrating to anyone hoping to use this GPS as a training tool. While it does include basic functions like time, distance, speed, etc., the PN-40 leaves off an elevation plot even though it boasts a barometric altimeter for keeping track of elevation data. After the ride you can view a plot of your elevation so all is not lost.
The DeLorme PN-40 is a good multi-sport, multi-function GPS for outdoor enthusiasts but serious mountain bikers may want to consider a GPS made specifically for cycling instead. Out-of-the-box features like a color screen, turn-by-turn driving directions, topographic maps, and satellite imagery are tough to beat for the price making this a good GPS for outdoor generalists.
Look for part II of this review covering additional hardware features included in the Earthmate PN-40.
We’ve heard this question more than a few times on our GPS forums: Which GPS is best for mountain biking AND everything else (like hiking, driving, etc.)? Garmin addressed the question on their very own blog and despite the fact their recommendations are all Garmin units (image that ) it’s actually a helpful post for anyone considering a do-all GPS unit for mountain biking+. They mention the Edge 605 and 705 as possible candidates for a multi-sport GPS but I say skip these. While they’re both incredible GPS units for mountain biking they suck for hiking and are too tiny for driving.
If you’re planning on using your GPS more outdoors than in the car then I say go for a GPSMap 60CSx. With a software upgrade it can give you turn-by-turn directions, the screen is large, and it has great outdoor functions like marking waypoints, sunrise/sunset calculations, and support for topo maps. The GPSMap series is also super rugged and takes AA batteries - great for long days in the field.
We’re wrapping up testing on the PN-40 from DeLorme and so far it’s also looking like a great candidate for multi-sport GPSing as well. The PN-40 has a color screen, multiple map compatibility (including support for aerial and satellite imagery), turn-by-turn directions out of the box, and a rugged case for biking or hiking.
Of course a multi-use GPS will do a good job at most things but won’t be great at any one task. If you have the dough to burn, stick to cycling specific GPS units for riding and auto units for the car - that way you can’t go wrong!
The Edge 705 cycling GPS from Garmin promises it all: detailed, full color, road and topo maps; accessories for intense ride data collection; navigation and directions; ride elevation profiles; and much more. But does the device live up to the hype? We decided to test it the only place it all matters: on the mountain bike trail.
Design
The small size and shape of the Edge 705 make it the perfect GPS for mounting on your handlebars. The quick mount system allows you to clip and unclip your GPS yet still keeps the unit safe and secure on washboard trails. Reading the Edge 705 in glaring sunlight is no problem thanks to the brilliant 2.2″ diagonal color display and there’s even a backlight for epic rides that go a little longer than expected. The new Team Garmin-Chipotle colors should have fans excited but unless you already have an orange or blue bike I say stick with the plain black original.
Loading detailed base maps
Before you can head out to the trail you’ll need to load up the Edge 705 with detailed maps of the area you’ll be riding. Two things you need to know:
1. Detailed maps are NOT included with the Edge 705. If you’re riding on the road and want Tom Tom-style turn-by-turn directions and navigation, you’ll need Garmin MapSource City Navigator software (about $100). For trail riding I recommend Garmin MapSource Topo (also about $100). MapSource Topo won’t allow you to create point-to-point directions on your GPS like City Navigator but it does include detailed road maps to help you get oriented. Sounds confusing, huh? Unfortunately it is.
2. You can’t fit maps of the entire US on your device at once. This may not seem like a big deal since most riders stick to trails within their state or region but if you’re planning that big trip out to Moab, be sure to load the detailed basemaps up before you head out! Believe me, I speak from experience here.
The distinction between base maps and trail maps on a GPS may seem strange to first-time users so here’s one way to think about it: base maps are like your old paper folding maps with roads and official points of interest marked. You can’t edit the map since it’s already printed but you can ADD to the map with your own hand-drawn lines and labeled points of interest. The drawn lines in this example are called “tracks” on a GPS while the labeled points are called “waypoints.” All of this is to say: now that you have your base maps loaded, it’s time to get a trail (track) to follow.
Loading trails (tracks)
The Edge 705 makes it easy to load tracks from you computer and there are actually a few ways to do this. If you’re using MapSource or Garmin Training Center software, simply select the track and choose “Send to Device.” Otherwise, just plug the Edge 705 into your computer’s USB port and your computer will usually recognize the GPS as a data drive (even on a Mac!). Just drag track files to the GPX folder and that’s it! Both of these methods work great for trail files downloaded from singletracks - sweet.
The Edge 705 also allows you to wirelessly exchange trail data with other Edge 705 users via the built-in ANT+ wireless technology. Though I didn’t get a chance to try this feature out, it appears to be pretty straightforward and can be a good way to swap epic routes with mountain bikers you meet on the trail.
Following trails
The Edge 705 does a great job at helping you follow trails you’ve loaded via computer or wirelessly. Of course you can follow the map visually but that’s usually tough to do on tight, technical trails that require your undivided attention. So, in addition to on screen cues and the map itself, the Edge 705 can be configured to beep when you’re approaching a turn or intersection to get you attention. In our tests this worked pretty well, though on super twisty trail sections the beeping got a little annoying, especially when there was only a single, obvious trail to follow.
Other features
Road cyclists clearly had a big influence on the design of the Edge 705 and that influence really shows in the accessories line-up from Garmin. The heart rate monitor felt comfortable and syncs quickly with the GPS. Other accessories like cadence and power meters are mostly worthless to mountain bikers (unless you’re stuck inside on a trainer) and fortunately the base Edge 705 package leaves these doo-dads out. Hopefully in the future we’ll see MTB-specific accessories that use the ANT+ system (G-shock impact meter or a hang time calculator perhaps?).
The Garmin Edge 705 is a whole lotta GPS in a small package and the best part is you can just set it and forget it most of the time. It’s a great choice for trail navigation and MTB training data collection - just remember to look away from the screen every now and then when you’re on the trail
Just wanted to let everyone know we’ve updated the GPS Activity Tracker to make it easier to use and even more powerful than before. Here’s a quick rundown of the included features:
Upload your data in standardized GPX or Garmin Training Center (TCX) format from your Garmin GPS
Edit waypoint names and descriptions online
View an interactive map and elevation profile of your ride
Automatically looks up and saves your activity location: city and state (US only)
Download your rides in GPX, TCX, or KML format for viewing in Google Earth
Track all your fitness activities beyond mountain biking: running, road cycling, etc.
Customize the name of your activity location or use the suggested singletracks trail descriptions based on trails nearby
One-click sharing of GPS ride data with other singletracks users
Track total climb, time, distance, and average speed of your ride
Automatic nearby ride suggestions
With your free singletracks membership you’ll get access to the GPS Activity Tracker Lite which lets you track up to 5 of your rides; upgrade to a Pro or Training membership for unlimited access. The singletracks GPS Activity Tracker is a great tool for getting the most out of your mountain bike GPS - upgrade your membership today or purchase a gift subscription for a friend!
Even if you don’t have a coach the CS600X includes a fitness test function that measures your heart rate to estimate your overall fitness level. I’m not sure what the resulting number means (if anything) but it’s helpful for setting a fitness baseline and seeing how you improve over time.
Throughout my training I’ve been using the 
