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

My wahoo bolt has been struggling to update the last week or so, showing “installing” then “instal failed”. Seems to have settled down now and is up to date according to it and my phone, but maps have gone! First half of my ride in Essex on Saturday was fine, then just a blank screen with the route line.

My riding buddy’s wahoo was showing the same, but he’s not very engaged with it, no idea if it’s been doing the same updating thing. Anyone else slipped into the twilight zone?

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There’s no UK or England in the maps list for Europe... brexit?

It’s ok everyone, I deleted all the maps and re-downloaded UK. You can relax.

My Garmin 530 keeps turning its wifi on by itself. Is this normal behaviour?

Are you using the mobile app? I've found that things I've turned off on Garmin devices haven't been mirrored in the mobile app and that keeps turning them back on.

Are you using the mobile app?

I have it installed, but haven't opened it since I bought the Garmin. Will take a look, thanks.

Search isn't throwing up anything useful, so some advice would be helpful: what's the best option for a navigational GPS unit that doesn't show a bunch of data?

Tl;dr: stats make me feel a bit crap and the Wahoo's map is a bit crap.

Context: I've been using an Elemnt Bolt for the last few years, mostly following routes planned in advance via Komoot. The first thing I did was remove the elevation page, as this was only a source of anxiety rather than useful information. Having not used it much in the last year, I've now come to realise that all the stats (average speed, distance covered etc) were making me feel crap about how my riding is compared to x days/weeks/months/years ago. I used the app to remove these readouts but now I just have a very fancy clock with a poor quality map that isn't much use for touring etc.

I sense there's better options out there, but do things like the Garmin Explore options force you to display stats? Same with the Etrex 22x etc too? I don't foresee using heart rate or speed sensors etc again, for the reasons above, but it would be nice to have some more information about the areas either side of my planned routes. I like the idea of getting OSM/OS-type maps on there too, hence Garmin.

Any smart suggestions would be v appreciated!

You can set however many data fields on the navigation screen on a Garmin Edge as you want, and select what they are. So you could just have one data field showing compass heading at the time, if you wanted. Or just have two: current speed and compass heading, something like that.

I've got a Hammerhead Karoo 1 going spare - it's got an amazing screen and the mapping is the best part. It's a bit beefy but I really enjoyed using it.

I was going to trade in when I got the Karoo 2 but I was renovating my house at the same time and missed the trade in window.

The case has a couple of imperfections from a drop but the screen is still perfect.

Looking on eBay they go for around £140 but would take £90 posted. If you're interested DM me and I'll send you some pics.

Etrex 32x has separate display options. There is the "Map" to which you can add custom fields if you wanted, and also "Trip Computer" with up to 8(?) fields. I found it takes some fiddling to get it do turn by turn though, but that might just be user error.

I might be interested if @passhunting is not interested

Garmin Explore

It really sounds like this is the one you're looking for.

Take a look at some review videos about the personalization as you might be able to hide more info/display generic one (time of the day, battery %, sunset.. )

Apart from the wifi issue, how are you finding the 530? In the market for a device and this seems like the front runner, will be using for maps and nav.

Cool, send me a DM

I found it takes some fiddling to get it do turn by turn though, but that might just be user error.

The etrex series can differentiate between gpx track files and gpx route files, most route creation wesites actually generate gpx track files and not gpx routes.

The edge series treat them both the same and convert them to .fit files whereas the etrex keeps the original file be it a track or a route. When using the etrex, I generally use the compass screen were the arrow points in the direction you should be travelling.

Wow, thanks for all the (rapid) feedback!

@theflatboy - very good to know, and I do like a compass.

@Bainbridge thanks for the offer and very good price, but I'll pass - definitely more capability than I really need

@Kurai noted - looks like Etrex needs more attention to get TBT working well than I'm likely to bother with. USB charging is preferable too, what with how cheap decent powerbanks are these days.

@giofox I think you're right - my first GPS as the old Edge Touring that was unreliable, but looks like the Explore is miles past that. Some good prices on eBay, too, that would make it a near enough straight swap.

@freezing77 I like the idea of navigating by the compass alone - like a useful version of a Beeline!

The problems I had were down not setting up the device properly, and found all my routes limited to 50 points.

@giofox I think you're right - my first GPS as the old Edge Touring that was unreliable, but looks like the Explore is miles past that. Some good prices on eBay, too, that would make it a near enough straight swap.

I have been using an Edge Touring for 7 years now and still going strong, but the features are obsolete as you say.

If you'd rather buy the Explore new there is a decent discount at Decathlon at the moment

The problems I had were down not setting up the device properly, and found all my routes limited to 50 points.

Yes, there is a limitation of 50 waypoints for a gpx route, with gpx tracks IIRC the lmit is 10,000 track points.

You can make some very long routes if you set up the waypoints judiciously, 400km plus

I normally have my Garmin on the map screen anyway. If I want data I can swipe for it.

Edge Explore's battery life is not nearly what's claimed, a friend even exchanged his for a second unit. Got slightly better results but battery life is still sub-par compared to a 530/830.

My 530 is permanently on map mode. Works great for me.

I really like the navigation. Very clear maps and directions. And being able to install a mini Komoot app on the device. So all your routes are on the Garmin with no extra steps.

Main/only annoyance is not being able to turn off virtual partner; an arrow that's trying to race you to the finish.

Main/only annoyance is not being able to turn off virtual partner; an arrow that's trying to race you to the finish.

Was thinking about that again today as I saw the little bastard in front of me. I wondered, how do you configure its speed? Because if I can't get rid of the little arsehole, maybe I can set it up somehow so that it shows me my PB rate or something clever.

Setting the speed to zero on the Garmin does nothing unfortunately. There might be interference with Komoot's predicted average speed when loading routes, who knows.