GPS
Edge series of Bicycle orient GPS.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=160&compare=compare&compareProduct=6400&compareProduct=331&compareProduct=10884&compareProduct=10885
Above is Garmin comparison page for the four model of Edge GPS. I am impress
with the top of the line Edge. with the MicroSD data card, there is no limits to
the map data that the GPS can hold.
My first GPS, a Garmin II+ didn't have an internal map, but still working. I
used the GPS and a Libretto computer for a trip from Philly to Wellesley MA http://www.billcotton.com/bike.htm
in 1998. I was quoted then as saying that
Roadie wouldn't use a GPS. The Edge have change that, I think.
I moved up to the eMap and I now uses a Quest 1 Garmin GPS with an internal
rechargeable battery, The Quest has lasted for more than two years. Some users
scoff at a seal unit with a rechargeable battery, and when I am asked
by others to recommend a GPS for bicycle, I explain my setup but advised that
other bicyclist in my GPS uses class uses the 60 and 76 series. That some of
those user, and I also, have had trouble with the battery clips on
GPS that uses removalable batteries, Usually AA. Vibrations jars the batteries
and they lose contact momentary, cutting the gps off. Also the battery case in a
weak spot for water tightness.
However, I have mounted my Quest on my bicycle with out regard to the weight, a
12 volt battery pack and a car adapter and I get spoken direction the same as in
the car with my Quest 1, (The Quest 2 has the street level map of North America
already loaded, make the need for a computer unnecessary for a tour of North
America.) Both Quests includes a Mapsource North America street level CD in its
price. Also I have direction on my web page on replacing the internal batteries.
I expect that the same information will be available for the Edge also.
At one time my plan was to buy a Quest 2 if/when the Quest 1 dies, other than a
battery need. Now I will eye the edge with map also. Many of the newer GPS are
dumb down for routing. Garmin NUVI is and example compared with the older
models.
Quest GPS with 12 volts battery pack However, this pack give about one hour of run time. I was able to use the cradle from the auto mount and machined a yoke to attached to the cradle and the light bar. This assemble weighs 2 pounds 8 ounces with one of the 2000 mAh NiMH packs shown below. Another holder houses four of these pack or one 4500 mAh pack from http://www.batteryspace.com/ My plans is to only use the power for very short daylight trips. On long trips that need light, I will unplug the Quest from the power. If the internal battery get low, I will plug the power/speaker in for a few minutes.
Quest mounted in our car. Good reception without the Gilson antenna. plugged in.
Bicycle mount for my Quest adapted from the supplied car mount. Three machined pieces of Plexiglas I wanted to use the shoulder screw screw shown on the right, but I couldn't find a 3X5 mm metric tap. I instead used a 6-32 screw to mount the cradle to the Plexiglas.
The blue piece of Plexiglas fits in the space of the bicycle mount. The view is better for me that hanging from the windshield, and easier to take down when I stop.
Six terminals on the Quest From the left, first, + terminal 5 volts input Next, - terminal for 5 volts. Next two are for voice output. The last two doesn't seem to have any uses at this time. Someone suggested that a serial port could use these. The Quest draws 60 ma input, however, the adapter draws more than my 300 ma meter can measure. The audio output will drive a ear piece.
Using the charging Cradle , I place a pair of wires under the audio terminal....
inserted the Quest in this cradle with on earphone connected to the above wire, and I hear commands when I press the speaker button. Next to cut the wires and use DC plugs and jacks on the charging cradle to use as both, for charging and as a bicycle mount with a ear piece for un-amplified voice output. I plan to use a 5 voltage regulator that I will build. The goal is to extend the run time using a 2 amp battery pack, shown below. The supplied auto cradle gets about one hour using voice and backlight. Voice is not the goal. The goal is more backlight use and insurance for the internal battery. The internal battery charges whenever external power is applied..
My batteries; top are three battery packs that I made from 2000 and 2300 AA NiMH cells and ten cell holders. Next is a 4500 pack from http://www.batteryspace.com/ and a fast charger in the next row. Bottom rod is two 6 volt 4 Ah gel cell, in serial for 12 volts, next is a 12 volt 7Ah gel cell. All has the dc plug and jacks to match my Libretto 12 volt input.
Halt under my seat and a side view of my bicycle.
The Garmin Power data cable, reconfigured for a shorted power cable to use on my bicycle. The eMap plug has a plug for power and a jack for data to prevent accidentally mix-up. The data cable has a jack for the two data wires and a plug for ground. the goes into the power jack.
Front of GPS bicycle mount and Garmin Power/Data cable cut and mini DC power plug and jacks. In the foreground is a automobile alternator checker. It has six colored LED that shows 14.5 volts down to 5.0 volts, lit in the picture are 12.5 12.0 and 5.0. Up and right are NiMH 2100 AA battery pack that I made. One has a plastic housing to to contain the cells when on the bicycle. Two packs are plugged in for this time test.
The side and bottom of the bicycle mount. In the center is a four hole 6.3 mm jack I made to hot shot my Libretto computer to be powered by a 12 volt battery. (It needed 14.5 volts to start)
Top view of the gps at 9 hours and counting. I put the unit on the bicycle and found that problem of the internal battery being used while riding with external power vanished. This setup has the 40 LED light, GPS backlight and the gps using the power. More than 9 hours and the indicator shows 12.0 + volts.
Bicycle mount ready for a voice gps. I am considering the Quest, or 276cs, since I need a serial input for my Libretto computer, this will factor in to the choice.
Luxeon 1 watt headband light mounted on my light/gps bar. Left side 1 watt Luxeon and 10 watt halogen 5 degree spot, on and off. Right is pattern from both. White spot is from Luxeon powered by three (16 for a dollar) AAA cells. Halogen powered by 4.5 amp hour NiMH battery pack. I get about two hours from the AAA cell and then the spot dims. I plan to run the Luxeon from 12 volts with a power Puck or dropping resistor. I am considering two Luxeon to replace the 30 LED shown in the center.