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Routes

Former Member over 4 years ago

I am new to cycling and considering getting the 1030 however what I would like to know is - If I want to cycle say from my home address to Chester (for an example) will the 1030 find me the safest route for cycling and miss major roads? If this is not the case I don't think I would be interested.

Thanks

Michael

0 Daveymorrisuk over 4 years ago

Hi Michael, welcome.

Yes. There are two main ways to navigate with a Garmin Edge.

1) On the fly navigation

2) Pre-planned route or course

Generally the later option gives better results with the default map built into the unit. With this method you can use of the many course creation tools on the web/mobile (Garmin, RidewithGPS, Strava, Komoot) to plan your route in advance. This allows you to dictate the route that you will follow and give you the option to check it in advance. However you do need to plan the route in advance rather than on the fly.

The first method is like any other type of GPS navigation. There will be situations where you will disagree with route the unit has chosen or in some situations it might just be inapropriate. Some of these foibles can be overcome by carefully selecting the navigation type and avoidances. However most people generally have better results using a different map to the one built into the unit. I'll call out the OpenFiets (http://www.openfietsmap.nl/) map here. This map uses the same source data as the Garmin map but just applies a different processing to it to make the map even more specific for cycling. Generally this results in much better route choices.

And if this sounds a bit crazy that you have to use a different map than the one built into the unit and called Garmin Cycle Map, then yes, everyone here will probably agree with you. That's just how it is.

Regards

Dave

0 Martin868 over 4 years ago

My experience is the best approach is to use web based tools to create a well thought out route. You can use Garmin Connect course creator or another tool such as RideWithGPS. Then you wirelessly transfer the created course to the Edge and follow it. Compuer based route creation tools are fare more usable and and sophisticated. You can use Google Maps and Streetview to check things out. You can also then tweak the route as much as you like before saving it. On the Edge you have to take what the onboard (simplistic algorithmic) software gives you. Once you are accustomed to a work flow it is easy and much more productive on the computer.