There have been threads in this Help Forum about the choice between the use of a mobile phone with the cycle.travel app or a dedicated cycling computer (sometimes called a head unit or just a GPS). As others have explained, your decision depends on your type of riding.
I use Wahoo devices and I thought it might be helpful if I offer some visual evidence to show what this looks like in practice - Wahoo devices have screen record capability. This is what you see on the handlebars as you ride along. These are also my offerings of the most boring videos ever to go on public view.
The route was planned using cycle.travel, and downloaded as “GPX Track” format with C.T’s elevation data. It is 47.7 km (30 miles) mostly in Dorset, and passes along roads with such splendid names as Horsey Knap and Tilly Whim Lane. The turn-by-turn announcements that appear on screen are generated by Wahoo, rather than cycle.travel.
Wahoo Elemnt Roam: The first video shows navigation using the “map page” on a Wahoo Elemnt Roam v2. For those used to the high-resolution screen of a smartphone, this will look odd, but don’t be discouraged: on the small (2.7 inch) screen of a cycling computer on the handlebars at arms’ length, this is adequately clear. The lower resolution is the trade-off for ~15 hours always-on display and weatherproofing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u0jyMsXXfc
Wahoo Elemnt Ace: The second video is navigation of the same route on the map page of a Wahoo Elemnt Ace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwbWu5ipo3E
I apologise for the duration (2 hours 44 minutes), but these are screen captures of a real-world ride. You could think of this as sakte-TV (slow television).
There are also screen recording methods for other cycling computers, and I would encourage someone else to upload comparable (preferably shorter) videos for other equipment. For Garmin, see for example Shane Miller’s “GP Lama” cycling technology channel, that explains how this may be done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DM_aF8oLd4
Comments
Hi Christopher
These videos are really useful for seeing how the navigation is presented on the devices. many thanks. I have a Garmin and the display is very very frustrating. The line to follow is a light magenta colour. Main roads are a dark magenta colour. Very difficult to distinguish between the two. Especially in places where you really need it, towns or main roads. Bizarre. anyways, your videos are very helpful, thanks again. Paul
Hi Rivendell
Regarding colours on a Garmin map, much can (relatively) easily be changed, including the triangle. You would need a computer with Windows. There's plenty of information on the Garmin forum. You don't say which model you have, but I think they all work in a similar way. This would be a good starting point.
https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1040-series/402781/purple-route-obscures-critical-navigation-detail
Paul-Rivendell,
Thanks. I was hoping that someone would find this useful.
It would seem that you can ("relatively easily") change the Garmin map appearance, but really? It shouldn't be necessary to do that.
Wahoo is a much smaller company than Garmin, but I think it helps that Chip Hawkins, the founder and CEO of the former, is himself a cyclist. There is an interesting interview online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNfYi8jU4ss
Chris
Hi Chris and Martin
Many thanks for the informations. I will have a look at that Garmin link in the first instance. I have tried changing colour in the past but it only did that for the historical route. Fingers crossed!
PS I have the Garmin Edge Explore 2
Hi Rivendell.
Basically, to change the routing colours you need to edit a map theme, probably using notepad on a Windows computer. I was really nervous about doing this, but once you get started it doesn't take long and it is not possible to do any damage. You end up saving an additional map theme so you still have the originals to fall back on if necessary. I found that a colour wheel with hex codes was very helpful and they are easily found on the Internet. I actually found the process enjoyable and I'm really pleased with the way my maps and routes look. Good luck.
Hi Martin
Thanks for the encouragement! I am not that keen to go into codes. I have a Mac though likely not much difference. My inclination is to operate in an environment/product that works "properly". Though I will then have two platforms - Garmin Connect and Wahoo of past routes. Cheers
Hi Rivendell. It's not really code. You just copy a map theme to your computer and change some colours by changing hex codes (these are just numbers). This just involves some copying and pasting. Save with a new name and copy it into the map themes folder on the Edge. I changed main road colours to something less intrusive than purple and made the vehicle (triangle) colour and the route colour as contrasting as possible. After you've done it once, it's a ten minute job to play around with it until you get something you're happy with. Vision seems to be a very individual thing so what works for one person is unlikely to work for everyone and Garmin should recognise that and make it easier to change things, but at least it's possible.
Um...the First Law of Holes?