There’s been a lot of discussion about GPS and mountain biking around here lately so we thought we’d put together our first ever Mountain Bikers’ Buyers Guide to help you make the right choice. Look for more buyers guides for other MTB products coming soon!

Basic Features Most GPS Devices Include

While there are a wide range of GPS choices available, most will at least include the basics:

• USB connection: Older GPS units used serial connections but today’s devices include a way to connect to your PC or Mac.
• Speed and distance tracking: Standard on 99.9% of GPS units.
• Ability to mark points of interest: These are called waypoints and most devices give you a way to mark your current location and add a short title to help you remember what you marked.
• Elevation tracking: GPS devices have varying degrees of accuracy around elevation/altitude readings but almost all are accurate enough for consumer use.
• Path tracking: Most GPS devices are constantly marking where you are on screen so you can follow your path back to the start in case you get lost. This series of data points showing where you’ve been is called a “track.”
• Basic navigation: At a minimum, most GPS devices will help you navigate (via straight line) from point A to point B.

Beyond the basics, you need to decide what you want to use your GPS for on the mountain bike trail.

Navigation or Fitness… or Both?

There are two main uses for GPS devices on the trail: navigation and fitness training. Of course many of us want a device that does both and that’s certainly possible - but it’s generally more expensive than a single-use device.

Navigation

If you want a GPS to use for trail navigation, you’ll want to choose one with a color screen, the ability to load detailed maps, and support for an external memory card. Keep in mind that detailed “basemaps” may or may not come pre-loaded with your GPS and can cost up to $100 each. Some manufacturers make a distinction between topographic and driving maps so if you want turn-by-turn directions like the ones you use in the car, make sure you get driving maps in addition to topo basemaps for the trails. Almost all basemaps show things like bodies of water, roadways, railroad tracks, cities/towns, and other landmarks which are useful for navigation.

Fitness

For workout and fitness level tracking, choose a GPS unit that can be paired with a heart rate monitor, power meter, etc. Also consider the included and compatible fitness training software for your GPS. There are plenty of fitness tracking websites that allow you to upload your GPS data directly via web browser for analysis.

Other considerations

Beyond general usage, consider other features you may find useful:

• Battery type: Some devices include an integrated rechargeable battery while others require AA or AAA batteries that must be replaced.
• Form factor and bike mounts: Larger units, like those designed for use in the car, can be mounted to bike handlebars but they’re often awkward. Scope out compatible bike mounts before you choose your GPS.
• Other usage: If you’re into outdoor activities other than biking (say hiking or running), look for a device that can do double (or triple) duty. Just remember, cycling-specific GPS units perform better on the trail than multi-purpose devices.

Recommendations for Mountain Bikers

With all those considerations in mind, here’s a list of our top picks for mountain bike GPS devices in three categories: cheap and good, mid-range, and money is no object. Also be sure to read all the reviews here on singletracks to find out what mountain bikers are saying about other devices we didn’t include.

Cheap and Good GPS Devices for Biking

• Garmin eTrex H: Does all the basics but doesn’t include navigation or fitness functions. No matter, it’s available for less than $100 and is the only GPS we used for years before upgrading.
• Garmin Forerunner 205: This wrist-mounted fitness device is great for both biking and running. Consider getting a bike mount for the Forerunner since it tends to impede wrist motion on the bike. For heart rate monitor compatibility, you’ll need to spend a bit more for the Forerunner 305.
• Garmin Edge 205: At $249 MSRP, this is the most expensive of the “cheap” devices but it’s also the best suited to mountain biking. Still, it doesn’t contain robust fitness or navigation features so you may find the need to upgrade sooner rather than later. Includes bike mount.

Mid-range GPS Devices for Biking

• Garmin Edge 305: One step up from the Edge 205, this device adds support for a wireless heart rate monitor and other fitness tools. Bike mount included.
• DeLorme PN-40: Available online for less than $300, the PN-40 includes a color screen and basemaps for navigation. It’s a little bulky on the handlebars but is a great choice for color navigation on a budget and does double duty as a great hiking GPS.
• iPhone: We weren’t sure where to place this one but if you already have an iPhone you can get decent mapping apps for less than $10 each. Of course the iPhone is a bit more fragile than devices specifically made for outdoor activities and you may not have access to basemaps if you’re out of cell tower range.

Money Is No Object

• Garmin Edge 705: If you have the coin to spend and are looking for a GPS to use primarily for biking, go for the Edge 705. This GPS does it all, from color screen navigation to wireless fitness tracking, all in a convenient and easy to use package for mountain or road biking.

Where to Shop for Mountain Bike GPS Devices

While more and more local bike shops are stocking GPS devices these days, you’ll generally find the best selection online at electronics retailers like Amazon.com. You’ll also get the best prices at Amazon, in some cases lower than what cycling retailers pay. Of course it’s always a good idea to support your LBS so check there first to see if they have what you need.

Summary

Choosing and buying a GPS for mountain biking takes a bit of research and planning but it’s well worth the effort. The right GPS can help you say on the trail, find the best singletrack, and elevate your training to the next level. Happy trails!

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!