GPS to track mtb trails?

[Irulan]

I guess I'll have to see if their specs page describes the sampling frequency ... I can and have hiked the stuff I ride, but somehow that seems like a less fun way to gather data =)

Hadn't thought of tree cover affecting the usefulness of GPS ...

I've learned a lot in the last few months. Any recreational unit is only going to be accurate to within 20-30 on the best of days. For most of us that's plenty good enough.

I've got an etrex legend. I think the newer models might be a bit better, but wow after helping out some pros that were using professional grade GPS units ( $5000 each!!) that are accurate to within 12 inches, I'll never look at doing home made tracks the same way again.

Also, did you know there are web sites out there that will show you what times of day are best to be out to get the most satellite connection? I know, way too much info....we've learned a lot on our mapping project.

[wavedancer]

I have a Garmin 305 that I have found really useful in learning new trails and have actually used it to find my way out of an area when I got a wee bit turned around. It works best when mounted to my stem and it has survived numerous crashes. I have the one that includes HR and I have a cadence monitor that I use on my road bike. I have also used it while running and hiking and geocaching. It's a great tool and well-worth the $200 I paid for it. Garmin has their new 705 model out (color screen and other fancy stuff), so the older models can often be found at a discount.

You can set the sampling frequency to every second or every 5 seconds, I believe. The less frequent sampling is better for longer rides and also uploads quicker.

[SheFly]

The new bike-specific Garmins (205, 305, 605, 705) are better at with the sampling rate than some of the earlier handheld Garmins (way better than my eTrex Vista ever was). I agree that the Vista had a lot of problems with tree cover, but I haven't experienced the same with the 305. That one seems to be very reliable thus far...

Of course, it is still spring, and the leaves aren't yet at their fullest here in New England...

SheFly

[OakLeaf]

The 605/705 has an option to sample every second. That'll give a lot more accuracy, but obviously the downside is battery life (per the manual the battery lasts a max of about four hours) and memory capacity.

oooh---DH just got me a 705, just installed it, going for a ride this afternoon! I can already see the receiver sensitivity is much better than my Forerunner 301 (I can get a great signal in the house!)

[ima_bleeder]

I've got a Garmin 305 that I've been using year 'round. It works well for me in all kinds of conditions, including in dense forest on cloud covered rainy days.

It's exactly what I need for several reasons, not the least of which being that my local riding area is very large, and made up almoste entirely of unmarked trails that appear and disappear over time. There are no maps (except for a couple of bootleg maps created by friends of friends). I'd love to get the 705 so that I could load up topo maps of the area too, but that's a pretty penny and I can't afford it for just now.