I finally got around to combining all of my daily track logs from the GPS into one export file for Google Earth/Google Maps. The Garmin 2820 logged my position, speed & altitude the entire way.
I also uploaded my GPS Track Log to EveryTrail.Com. Pretty neat animations and graphs.
2 weeks ago
3 comments:
Hi David - been a fan of your blog for awhile. I'm preparing for my own long scooter adventure and was curious about your GPS setup. The more and more I read about your Garmin 2820, the more I'm impressed. I was curious - why did you choose this model over the Garmin Zumo 550?
PART 1
Hi Dave,
The 2820 has some draw backs to the 550. It requires dedicated power, no battery, its larger, bulkier, takes up space when in storage. I am really happy with mine, glad I bought it.
As far as "software" features, I am sure they are identical, XM/Traffic, Route Planning, import routes from computer (life saver), mp3s, POIs, all that crap. Toe to toe.
I wouldn't trade it for any of the newer units, mainly for the following reasons. This is what I use the most when riding and find the most helpful. They are functional differences in my opinion.
Buttons right side are large, easy to use, hit. They are helpful. The 550 has buttons on the left, but from the reviews I read they are only really helpful with the phone feature. I don't ride and talk.
FIND - gets you to the find screen, which is great when your riding, need gas in 20 miles, hit find, press gas, along route, select insert into route, done.
MENU - right to the main menu.
MAP - always takes you right back to the map, which is helpful when your riding, start doing something in a menu, shit a turns coming up... or conditions change, need to bail out quick, get back to the map and the road. Easy to hit, no missing it.
SPEAK - I am going to wear this button out. It repeats either the last command/upcoming turn, or in-between turns, will say "In 20 miles, expect right turn on...."
The buttons are practical for riding, easy to press, no missing them, far apart when you're using gloves so no problems.
Screen - the screen is about an inch wider. Your menu options are larger, more spread out - easier to hit the choice buttons with gloves on.
PART 2
Data Blocks - the 2820 allows you to customize your data blocks along the right hand side, there are 24-30 different block combinations.
I use different combinations for different riding.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2855164700_fe873d9dc3.jpg?v=0
1st Block Always Distance to Next Time, Time to Next Turn
2nd Block Almost Always, Distance to Next Checkpoint, Arrival Time at Checkpoint
3rd Block, Distance to Destination, Arrival Time at Destination
4th Block, Elevation OR, Speed/Elevation/Local Time/Heading
On the Cannonball, we had 4-5 Checkpoints each day, so Block 2 was the distance and time to the check point. When you load a route into the 2820 from the computer, you can define these checkpoints. If I am on a ride that only has a final destination, no intermediate stops, I usually put something else in there, heading or trip odometer, etc.
4th Block, when riding on a route with elevation changes, I'll leave it elevation, you can also put in a combination of Speed/Heading/Local Time, or Speed/Elevation/Local Time, Speed/Elevation/Heading. Or each one individually. Since the scooters odometer is off by 10%, sometimes it is nice to have just the speed nice and big in the bottom... in the mountains, elevation is more interesting.
You can also see in that photo... the little music icon. hit that anytime, brings you too the audio screen.
Zoom in and out, right there at the top, easy to hit.
The data blocks are also buttons, click on a data block for distance/time to next turn, will give you a nice screen with a top down map of whats coming up, time to turn, arrival, distance, etc. A data block with speed or other data, would bring you to a summary screen of trip data, averages, etc.
Again, exit out of any of these, hit the map button on the right.
XM Traffic works great, when its available, but its yet to save my ass. Kind of heads up info.
My only half complaint is the weather data from XM is alittle dumbed down. I am a pilot and have a weather fascination so that may contribute. When using the XM Weather data, the 2820 will display little... Happy Sunshine icons or an angry windy storm cloud icon... on the map for weather reports. You can click on the weather icons and it will give you on screen text weather report. You have to go through a few menus to get to this data, frustrating when riding.
I am actually considering adding on a Garmin 276c to the mix, or atleast keeping it in the bag. It performs the same stuff as the 2820, however, has dual road/boating use. You can overlay the XM Nexrad weather radar and data. On long rides, its good to know and can help make route decisions.
http://www.panbo.com/Garmin376c_small.jpg
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