When is a GPS not a GPS?
By: Peter Gold
Tags: Travel, Gear, Edge 830, Wahoo Roam, Karoo 2

When is a GPS not a GPS?

This post will divide opinion but opinions are just that; opinions.

Some GPS context

I have spent many years getting lost in the hills, learning how to navigate the hard way; as part of Dartmoor search and rescue, in multi-day ultra-marathons, on navigational exercises in temperatures below -30c and lot’s in between. But I’m only stating this to explain why I use my GPS the way I do. Not because I’m right, or because I know best, but because I know what works for me.

I also appreciate that not everyone wants to get deep into navigation in the same way I do and they just want a GPS device to do the navigation for them.

Edge 830, Karoo 2 or Elemnt Roam?

All three of these devices are very good bike computers and like most things bike related, we all have different favourites, but that doesn't mean the “best” device for you or me is the best device for someone else.

I have tried all three of the above devices so my views are based on my own first hand use.

Navigation

I use a GPS device to navigate my route and if I get lost, navigate my way back to where I need to be. To achieve this I need detailed maps such as Ordnance Survey 1:25k or 1:50k. Street maps are useless in this situation in the middle of Dartmoor or other similar terrains.

Ride type matters

The gravel debate seems to cause much gnashing of teeth as to what makes a gravel route a gravel route, but the more remote your riding, the more important the level of map detail your device has. If you follow well marked tracks and bridleways, the maps on the Karoo or Roam will be good enough and are arguably easier devices to use than the Garmin Edge. But, ease of use is very personal and I find they are all easy to use; but I’m a bit of a tech geek!

It’s a bike, not a car

I personally don’t want my device to tell me when to turn, when to drink, call 999 if I come off, measure my watts or heart rate etc. I just want to use it as a navigational aid and to record my routes so I can review them later as part of my route planning.

When I’m on the trail I want to enjoy where I am rather than mindlessly pedal and wait for my device to tell me what to do next. I also don’t use the automatic rerouting as I like to stay in control of where I’m going.

So I don’t use most of the “bike computer” functionality which makes my opinion of a device limited to (for me) its main purpose; navigating.

Memory matters

To upload the whole of the UK 1:25k OS maps requires 20gb of storage so watch out for this as the Edge 830 only has 16gb. The UK is split into 3 files so I can just add the South West to over Dartmoor and add a different file if I go anywhere else. Or, the entire UK 1:50k OS or Talky Toaster map is far smaller and can be added with no issues.

Size matters

The Edge 830 and the Roam have quite small screens compared to the larger Karoo 2 and Edge 1030. Personally, I find the larger screen better as I read the map to navigate rather than rely on the device doing that bit for me.

Rain and remote control

I’m not sure if the Karoo 2 or Roam have a remote control but the Edge 830 does and I find it really useful when it’s raining! I have the remote near the rear brake (left side) within easy reach of my thumb so I can move through the different screens without having to touch the device. This is useful when riding, but almost vital when it’s raining as I find the touchscreen unusable when wet.

The cost of maps

The OS maps from Garmin are very expensive!

1:50k are £150.

1:25k are £350.

But, there are other options.

Talky Toaster 1:50k maps are less than £40 with various options.

ebay have OS maps for as little as £39.99.

I mainly use the TT maps but also cross-reference OS maps when I’m looking for new routes because TT vs.OS sometimes vary on footpaths and bridleways.

TT are quite different in look and feel so take a bit of getting used to but don’t pixelated when you zoom right in on your device.

The ebay maps are questionable in they state 1:20k and 1:50k on a 16gb SD card which I find hard to believe. I can’t get both maps onto a 16gb card.

If you want any help or advice buying and installing maps feel free to contact me.

And the winner is…..

For me there only is one option as I want the detailed maps, otherwise I’d use the Karoo 2 mainly because it has a bigger screen. But, none of the devices are bad. It’s how you use it that matters!