Hi all,

I am searching for the right GPS to put on the bike, basically to download maps from the internet and use when I am off roads in the deserts etc... One that can print the route maps after the ride as well. Can anyone help with experienced advice. Which models should one search ?

Thanks

Saad

Hi Saad,

for bike and offroad application there are IMHO two choices: a GPS-Receiver like the Garmin or Magellan stuff or a PDA with MIL standard.
Both are expensive.
You wouldn't find free maps for Magellan or Garmin on the internet, but several sites with waypoints/tracks from other useres.
A MIL PDA is quite more expensive, but you are able to use a lot of different software and (espacially for the USA) map data.

If you want to use a standard PDA, beware the high charge against vibration on bicycle use. Perhaps a good Outdoor-box for the PDA will do it's work, but I can't promise you ...

Greetings,
André

Hi Saad,
the current consumption with one pda is very high, therefore the batteries will work only for 2 - 3 hours

Hi Saad,

One big problem: for the desert there are no reliable or affordable GPS maps available :shocked: Paper maps are already hard to get. Best would therefor be to buy a simple GPS to pinpoint your location and to plot that on the map if orientation points are failing.
These GPS systems without electronic maps are way cheaper and better suited for your needs I think ( I did not use a GPS in the deserts of Wadi Rum and the Sinai).

The Gecko from Garmin or the Explorist 100 from Maggelan should be enough for that. They cost around 100E. I'll buy the Explorist next month as this unit is supposed to be more accurate under leafcover and in mist. I only intend to use it in emergencies when I am totally lost.

Cycle the world (with backup GPS),

Whisky

Hello André!

That´s not correct anymore. It is possible to get free + for free digital Vektor based maps for several areas on the world, for Garmin-GPS, for example for the 60C(S)(X) and similar Garmins.

Ich denke das dies dir auch mittlerweile bekannt ist, nur das du deinen Beitrag hier nicht revidiert hast.

Hello Markus,

yes, you are right, some informations become obsolete very quick. In fact, my information was wrong while I wrote it, but at that time I didn't know about.

Thanks for your update.

Regards, André

Hi Whiskey and thanks for the info. I should get a basic gps model, I dont like too much complicated electronics on the bike anyway ... so yo have been to Wadi Rum, when?

Saad

Hi Saad,

I just ordered some semilegal datacables for my Magellan Explorist 200 and now I can download and upload waypints to my GPS, just like the more expensive models. It's neat but not more than that.
Until know I used the GPS in combination with a normal map and it works fine sofar. I made a custum grid on the map and I did some treasure hunting (geocaching) to practise and it pinpoints my location with 5-15m accuracy, also in the forest.

I've cycled through Jordan and Egypt (Sinai) in February this year,
here's the link: http://images.exploder.org/gallery/jordanie-egypte
The Wadi Rum and Sinai part are at the end of the album, from page 7 onwards. Click on a pic for the english text.

I really enjoyed the trip although the weather at the start was very cold (rain, mist and snow in the desert). In the northern part (North of Petra/Wadi Musa) Palestine and Jordan kids like to throw pebbles at cyclists. Quite annoying.
As you live in Jordan do you perhaps know why they do that?

Overall the people (especially the Bedouin) were very welcoming and friendly and helped me to cross part of Wadi Rum on bike. I am now sure you can cross the whole of Wadi Rum starting in Rum and cycling SE to Aqaba. The road is very sandy in the beginning and you can't cycle (I took a jeep) but after 15-20 km or so the road gets better. You'll need three days of water and food or ask the Bedouin in Rum for the locations of their wells or tent villages.
I used old US en Soviet army maps together with satellitepics from google earth but perhaps you have access to better Jordan maps...

Cycle the world,
Whisky