Hi All,
Before lockdown when I would take my bike out on trails, I usually don't get lost but there's been a couple of occasions when I have and the trip back to the van was a bit…..detoured.
Anyway, can anyone suggest a "breadcrumb" type GPS device so that when I start my trail I either enter the location of the van in the GPS so at any point I can return to it.
I'd rather a dedicated device than an app.
Thanks everyone,.
Have you considered a Garmin Inreach type device.
This may be able to serve double duty as a navigator and also a emergency beacon if you get injured.
There is 2 type - the mini and the full size one, I'm sure the full size will be able to do what you need might need to research a bit.
I personally have the mini but I am yet to take it outdoors due to never ending lock downs.
Quad lock case for your phone.
Garmin is pretty much the only brand that isn't awful, but they are very expensive and use proprietary maps and software.
An Android phone in a waterproof case will offer 1000x the features, more variety of maps, better maps and will be cheaper.
There are heaps of Android apps, OsmAnd is a good start or OziExplorer if you are more technically minded.
+1
Garmin isn't awful but it isn't great either! I've had 3 Garmin bike computers for road riding and sealed trail rides with the occasional gravel and single track. While I enjoyed them they weren't without their glitches and poor battery. I use my phone now rather than a dedicated bike GPS for the reasons you set out above.
I don't need Powermeters tho, and learnt to live without cadence or heart rate info. Some higher end phones actually have ANT+ or bluetooth and can pair with these sensors. Mine doesn't.
I used a Lezyne on my push bike. As long as you download the maps before you set off, you can follow your way back.
Thanks everyone. Only reason I wanted a seperate unit is because I don’t want to rely on cellular network. Yes I can download maps but haven’t found a good one. Perhaps I haven’t searched hard enough
You can use Google maps offline, without cellular coverage. So download the map and the phone GPS still tracks you.
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENI…
Possibly not very useful however if the Google map doesn't include dirt trails, it will show you where you are but it might just be a dot in a blob of green. But for most national parks etc the trails are marked.
But it's very handy when you're in a foreign city without a SIM card and relying on wifi only to get around.
yes of course, although unfortunately it doesn't have a "handy" trackback feature. I know I can do it via timeline, although timeline for some reason doesn't always get populated.
Thanks for the reply.
See my comment above. There are heaps of offline options.
no worries. Sorry i wasn't aware of the trackback feature so didn't take it into account. I'm still not sure what it is to be honest!
Have a look on the dirtriderz forum, I believe they have a favourite app that you can use on your phone or they recommend a good rugged Android that works well with the combo.
What about a phone?
If yes, with Strava you can backtrack.