Which Garmin, if any.

[blencathrafrommykitchen]

Apologies for going back to basics, but I've trawled this thread and can't work out which, if any, Garmin would provide all the following:

1. post-run/bike details of distance/time/route

2. upload of route details onto eg Strava (which I currently run as an Iphone app but see below about battery life) (I don't know how Garmin Connect works but I like the competitive element of Strava which motivates me to work harder on my bike commute to work etc) I think I've read that Strava is not compatible with eg the Etrex.

3. on the move info about speed/time/distance travelled - like a bike computer

4. long battery life (I don't think any of them run to 24 hours, but that would be ideal!)

5. on the move navigation, preferably with a map showing a route, rather than just providing a grid ref location (blah blah not replacing the good ol' map and compass but helpful if you know someone who thinks they may want to try a long distance challenge and you want to advise them on kit blah blah)

6. not ridiculously expensive!

Presumably there are compromises to be made between these requirements? Any advice welcome.

[jameseyb]

The 310XT (and, I'm assuming, the 910XT) an Fenix should doo all the things that you list above with the exception of the mapping. Battery life on the first two will be less than 24 hours, but only slightly and the Fenix will apparently do 40+. You might need to run a manual import of track data to Strava for it to put data onto your account there, but I do this with MapMyRun and it works easily enough as a manual step.

I know from my 310XT that it will do all the speed/pace/distance/heading/etc data that you could ever want or need for both running and cycling (and swimming, although how you would read it I do not know) and it is relatively cheep. Well, about 200 quid if you want the HRM with it.

The mapping-type Garmins seem to be aimed squarely at cycling and hiking, so one of these types (Edge?) may work for you if you need maps, but otherwise the smaller ones will leave you holding a laminated print out.

[Toyota_Crown]

AS per the below, but my main requirement is mapping to sort out perennial nav issues FFS.
So what about all these eTrex's n stuff?
In the summer I'm a triathlete so cycling (n swimming a bit too i spose) applications are also welcome. Maybe it would have to be a 910XT AND an eTrexy type mapping one?

Apologies for going back to basics, but I've trawled this thread and can't work out which, if any, Garmin would provide all the following:

1. post-run/bike details of distance/time/route

2. upload of route details onto eg Strava (which I currently run as an Iphone app but see below about battery life) (I don't know how Garmin Connect works but I like the competitive element of Strava which motivates me to work harder on my bike commute to work etc) I think I've read that Strava is not compatible with eg the Etrex.

3. on the move info about speed/time/distance travelled - like a bike computer

4. long battery life (I don't think any of them run to 24 hours, but that would be ideal!)

5. on the move navigation, preferably with a map showing a route, rather than just providing a grid ref location (blah blah not replacing the good ol' map and compass but helpful if you know someone who thinks they may want to try a long distance challenge and you want to advise them on kit blah blah)

6. not ridiculously expensive!

Presumably there are compromises to be made between these requirements? Any advice welcome.

[CraigW]

Something like the Etrex 20 would do nearly all that.
It can work as a trip computer, to tell you the speed/time/distance/grid reference/elevation etc.
You can get a handlebar mount, so good for cycling.

Works fine for uploading to Garmin Connect.
Not sure about Strava, it seems it can't upload a track directly from the Etrex, but you can download to your PC using other software, then save as a file, then upload that to Strava. Or you could try this website, which will automatically copy your activities from Garmin Connect to Strava: http://www.garminsync.com/

Batteries should last about 24 hours with good NiMH rechargeables. It uses standard AAs, so you can carry a few spares if necessary.

Navigation - works fine for following a route, eg you can draw a route on your PC using a variety of software or websites, then send it to the Etrex to follow.

For maps, there are a few options. The standard "basemap" it includes is useless. You can buy Ordnance Survey mapping to load onto the Garmin, costs about £200 for the whole of GB, 1:50K maps. Or you can buy a small area for about £20.
Or you can get free maps from OpenStreetMap - these are pretty good for roads in the UK, plus have a lot of paths etc. Though it does vary a bit by area, some places are better mapped than others.
You can also get free maps for contour lines, these are not as accurate as the OS maps, but give you a general idea of the shape of the land, and very helpful for finding your position on a paper OS map.

[ydt]

Apologies for going back to basics, but I've trawled this thread and can't work out which, if any, Garmin would provide all the following:

1. post-run/bike details of distance/time/route

2. upload of route details onto eg Strava (which I currently run as an Iphone app but see below about battery life) (I don't know how Garmin Connect works but I like the competitive element of Strava which motivates me to work harder on my bike commute to work etc) I think I've read that Strava is not compatible with eg the Etrex.

3. on the move info about speed/time/distance travelled - like a bike computer

4. long battery life (I don't think any of them run to 24 hours, but that would be ideal!)

5. on the move navigation, preferably with a map showing a route, rather than just providing a grid ref location (blah blah not replacing the good ol' map and compass but helpful if you know someone who thinks they may want to try a long distance challenge and you want to advise them on kit blah blah)

6. not ridiculously expensive!

Presumably there are compromises to be made between these requirements? Any advice welcome.

I use a handheld touch screen Garmin Dakota 20 that does all of those things and more. When recceing I turn it on and put it in my pocket. It records everything and produces a gpx track. It has a magnetic compass and altimeter. When doing a long distance route you can upload a track from an electronic map/Google earth which you can follow on a base map. You can input a large number of waypoints. Two AA Ni-Mh last around 15 hours, so with a spare set of batteries you can do/record a 24 hour challenge and more. ydt

[Toyota_Crown]

Is an Oregon 450 too bulky to run with? cf Dakota or etrex etc? You can get them with 1:50 OS mapping for £280.

[Martyn P]

Is an Oregon 450 too bulky to run with? cf Dakota or etrex etc? You can get them with 1:50 OS mapping for £280.

It's pretty subjective and entirely relative to how big your hands are! Personally, I think the Oregon is too chunky to run with, yet I have no problem running with an eTrex in my sweaty mitt. Bear in mind that the eTrex doesn't come with any mapping though .... you can get Garmin/BirdsEye 1:25 downloads for 20 quid per 600km/sq.

[Toyota_Crown]

cheers m8...

Fenix? no proper maps obviously. Just a beep that you've gone wrong and a change of direction / backtrack required? 910XT Ditto? I cycle / Tri too

[Mike T]

The pin holding the strap on my 610 fell out, had it replaced by a local watch repairer - he put in a thicker "pin" - steel wire in fact - which then bent so the strap kept falling off and the pin is now stuck in the body of the watch. Given his botched repair I will not return to the chap who put in the pin - I have Emailed Garmin UK to see what they suggest. Meanwhile it is holding together surprisingly well with tape. If it cannot be sorted it is the 110 for its price - less than £100 - vs the 310XT - £175. Has anybody tried both? - if so I would be interested in their comments.

[Alexandra]

The pin holding the strap on my 610 fell out, had it replaced by a local watch repairer - he put in a thicker "pin" - steel wire in fact - which then bent so the strap kept falling off and the pin is now stuck in the body of the watch. Given his botched repair I will not return to the chap who put in the pin - I have Emailed Garmin UK to see what they suggest. Meanwhile it is holding together surprisingly well with tape. If it cannot be sorted it is the 110 for its price - less than £100 - vs the 310XT - £175. Has anybody tried both? - if so I would be interested in their comments.

I am an enthusiastic 310XT owner, will be delighted to answer any particular queries you have about it. Don't know the 110, but suggest you consult Rainmaker's in depth REVIEW. I would be cautious. I made the mistake of buying the Garmin FR70, only to find that the buttons are extremely stiff to press, so that it could not be used eg in a race where one cared about recording a precise time. Also, the sounds it made were far too quiet to be heard either as an alarm watch in everyday life or while training. There is no way to make them louder. So not a lot of use, really. (On reflection, the 310XT hasn't got an alarm at all, as far as I know, but its size & rechargeable battery mean one wouldn't use it in everyday life anyway. I am not sure if the 110 battery is rechargeable or throwaway - another thing to check.) BTW I suggest ringing the Garmin helpline and crying on their shoulder - they sometimes come across with acts of generosity. Who knows, you might just score a free or cheap replacement.