There are a few pages on the web that deal with selection of GPS receivers, but none dealing specifically with selecting a GPS receiver for use while mountain biking. Geographic location also has an effect on choice: uploadable topographic maps of Malaysia are unlikely to be available soon, and so mapping capabilities of the more expensive GPS receivers are largely redundant. Here is a list of criteria that I think you should consider:
Feature |
Comments |
12 channel parallel processor |
These are must-have features, which are standard for current GPS models |
At least 20 routes |
At least 500 waypoints. |
At least 1024 tracklog points. |
Newer GPS receivers should have upwards of 2000. The larger the tracklog capacity, the longer the trail that may be recorded into the receiver's memory, and the higher the accuracy of the tracklog. |
Battery consumption |
Newer GPS receivers can last as long on only 2AA batteries. Generally, the more basic units will have lower battery consumption than the all-bells-and-whistles models. |
Mapping |
Some GPS receivers have the ability for you to upload a proprietary map database into your receiver. This is not especially useful for mountain biking or in the jungle because the maps only show main roads. Besides, if you can upload tracklogs of trails into your GPS from your PC, there's no need for this mapping feature. |
Barometric altimeter |
Barometric altimeters provide much better accuracy over the GPS-calculated solution for elevation. But the price difference between an eTrex Vista (a model equipped with a barometric altimeter) and an eTrex Venture is about RM850. You can buy a Suunto Vector wrist altimeter for less than RM500. (If fact, you can get TWO Ventures for the price of a Vista!) However, one useful feature is that the Vista attaches altimeter values to its tracklog data. So you can have countless hours of fun calculating altitude gain and plotting the elevation profile of your rides. (Nerds rejoice.) |
Electronic compass |
Let's see� a compass that you have to calibrate, relies on batteries, and competes with the GPS for power. If the GPS receiver breaks or is lost, your compass will be gone too. No thanks. A good magnetic baseplate compass costs RM50. |
WAAS |
Wide Area Augmentation System (European equivalent: EGNOS). Improves the accuracy of the solution. Groundstations with precisely-known locations receive GPS data from the GPS satellites to check the data for errors, and re-transmit correction messages to a WAAS satellite in geostationary orbit, which in turn retransmits the correction to GPS receivers. Although Malaysia is covered by the footprint of Europe's Indian Ocean Region Inmarsat, it's not clear to me whether WAAS-enabled receivers can utilise EGNOS correction data. In my experience, my non-WAAS enabled 4-year old GPS12 is accurate enough for recreational use, so I wouldn't pay extra for this feature. |
Waterproofing |
Newer GPS receivers can survive brief accidental immersion. |
Which One do I recommend? These are the units that I would consider getting for myself, in no particular order:
Model |
+ |
� |
eTrex Venture
 |
Relatively cheap, very compact, comes with PC cable, takes just 2 AA batteries |
Antenna sensitivity and bicycle mounting system issues |
Magellan Sportrak 
|
Sensitive quadrifilar antenna, floats, 2000-point tracklog, takes just 2 AA batteries. |
A little bulky, basic Sportrak doesn't come with PC cable |
Magellan 315 
|
Sensitive quadrifilar antenna, floats, takes just 2 AA batteries. Good buy if you can get it cheaply. |
A little bulky, doesn't come with PC cable. Tracklog capacity, at 1200 points, is a little small compared to newer units. |
Garmin GPS76 
|
Sensitive quadrifilar antenna, floats, 2048-point tracklog, takes just 2 AA batteries. |
Bulky, reduced antenna sensitivity when unit is held horizontally |
Garmin GPS72 
|
Similar to GPS76, but will be cheaper! |
Not yet available at time of writing, bulky, antenna may have same issue as GPS76 |
Garmin Rino 110 
|
Unique two-way radio function and peer-to-peer position locator |
Not yet available at time of writing. |
Created: 22 August 2002, Joe Adnan Further information
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