GPS tech (Garmin, Hammerhead, Wahoo, RWGPS, etc)

Yep and just tried again and got the same thing.

I'm guessing it's to do with warranty dates maybe?

I don't know, could be. I bought mine in about June 2022 so under 2yo.

It must be that, mines over 2 years old.

My comically old 705 has died, again, and this time I’ve decided to let it go to the big gps party in the sky. Must be more than 15 years I’ve had it.

Anyway. Recommendations please.

• mainly used for realtime data while cycling: power, time, etc.
  
• need route navigation: upload a GPX or whatever and then turn by turn please, with reasonable off road (bridleway type stuff) routing
  
• must be able to press intervals start stop (worst case in thick gloves in the rain)
  
• Painless uploading of rides
  
  

That’s about it really. What’s the cheapest best option?

I used a 705 for about a decade. There is nothing as good in terms of usability but the Garmin 530 is the nearest I've found, and they're available new for under £200 nowadays.

Cheaper, nicer to use but a bit more risky are the dash L200 and M200 made by Stages and now branded as Giant. They are being sold off for £120-140 as they didn't quite break into the big league.

I own a 530 and have just ordered a Dash L200, having had one a couple of years ago.

Thanks - the L200 looks very good for £130

Yes, it is if it works properly!

I had one two years ago - actually an L50, the previous model. I really liked it. The display was way better than Garmin. But it used to occasionally get yellow splodges on the map screen on long rides. Stages support was very helpful but they couldn't fix it. So I sent it back - and got the 530. But there have been a few firmware updates since then so I'm hopeful they will have sorted it out - and I've not heard widespread reports of it being a major issue. If so, I'll most likely use it instead of the Garmin.

Yes, it is if it works properly!

Prophetic.

I went for the L200 - arrived today, and it won’t power on. Tried pressing the side button for 1 second, 6 seconds, every other button. Buttons together. Left it on charge (the unit feels warm when charging so something happening), tried plugged in, tried unplugged. Nada.

Can’t find anything online like “my L200 won’t power on”

Remarkable.

Oh dear! That should be an easy return at least.

When mine arrived last week it wouldn't power on as it was fully discharged. After charging it powered up fine. I expect these will have been in stock for quite a while so I'm keen to check the battery life before my return window closes.

I'm still setting it up so have not used it yet. Long event this weekend so have stayed with the Garmin for that.

think I just lost the screw that tightens the Wahoo Bolt out front mount up, anyone know what specs are for a replacement?

M4x10? All I can find is this

How have you got on with yours after a couple of weeks?

Giant finally got back to me yesterday to say they’ve checked out the unit and agree it doesn’t work, so im back in the market. Despite recent experience I’m thinking of trying another stages to see if the next one works

Didn't Stages go bancrupt recently?

Yes, last week!
The Dash models being sold now are branded Giant though, not Stages. Press reports say Giant has recruited some ex-Stages people. Not exactly clear what it might mean for ongoing support. It may not make any difference but probably safe to say it's not good news!

How have you got on with yours after a couple of weeks?

I've been off the bike with a chest infection so not used it properly yet. I've set it up ready to go though. I'll report back when I have given it a proper test.

I've now been round Richmond Park with it and it seems to be working fine. Takes a bit of setting up, partly because I'm now used to Garmin again and it's all slightly different.

Some things are better, some not as good - overall I would say it was comparable to my 530, just a bit prettier to look at when I'm riding, and can get more data fields in a screen, which I like.

Did you get another one, or gone for something else?

Thanks. No, I’ve been prevaricating.

Though leaning towards a wahoo. Just struggling justifying the cost given it’ll be 95% used around Regent’s park..:

Do you ride much in the rain? If not, a phone app might work.
RWGPS is good if you don't ride after dark. BikeComputer is better but slightly more fiddly to set up. CycleMeter is good for intervals, very user friendly, does navigation but needs online maps.

If you don't have a power meter there are loads more options, starting with OSMAnd

Yeah, I have power, but I really want something that I can add routes/ courses to on the occasions that I’m somewhere new. The old Garmin was fine for that, so my requirements are low but so is my patience , it’s just got to work (turn on, and not be glitchy, find satellites quickly, not freeze, etc)

Phone apps do that well. If you are interested in not getting another gadget, look at BikeComputer Pro https://bc5.uber.space/wordpress/?page_id=2384&lang=en

RWGPS is good if you don't ride after dark.

What makes you say that?

I use Garmin 530 for navigation on audax and touring. I follow a preloaded .gpx, say an audax event provided one, this works well within device limitations. Being old school I carry a printed routesheet as backup.
I also have an Android phone with me - can I use this as a backup routing device? I have Google Maps, but that does its own routing. I also have Garmin Connect.and RidewithGps apps loaded- can either of these navigate a predetermined .gpx route? I feel they might but can't see how - or is there something else for this on a phone?

or is there something else for this on a phone?

OSMAND, works for me in Belgium, UK, Spain, Turkey etc etc

I have Google Maps, but that does its own routing

Mostly. If online you have driving and cycling routing available. You can download maps for an area so they are available if you are offline but then routing is limited to driving.

I use the Tom Tom app on iPhone for driving, you can upload a gpx on there.

I rode the Fred Witton last year and I wanted to show the route to my family so I uploaded the gpx on Tom Tom and navigated the same route in the car.

So you could do the same on your phone attached to your stem or so forth.

I wrote an app BikeGPX that’s designed for this. Basic navigation is free. RideWithGPS requires a subscription.

Google Maps and other apps designed primarily for car users are terrible for battery life IME.