Do you use GPS when riding? Which/when/how? Please help!...(me again!)

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Fouganza

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Hello again,

More design questions for all you good people. If you didn't read my last posts, I am a product designer in an equestrian brand, currently developing a new line of saddle bags and other products.

If you can spare a couple of minutes to post some short answers to the below points it'd be a big help to me, thank's in advance....

1. Do you use a GPS when riding?

2. If so, which?

3. How do you use it, i.e. just to check your position or to plan a route etc?

4. Where / how do you carry your GPS?

5. Aaaand if you use a map, same questions for that!

If you have any other thoughts on anything post them here too - anything you have to say will be a help.

Cheers

Ollie
 
I would LOVE GPS when riding as I ride in the New Forest and never have a clue where I'm going! Can you make a watch or perhaps a martingale attachment?!

I wouldn't want to fiddle about with a map as I have a youngster and wouldn't want to have things flapping about all over the place.
 
I think some racehorse trainers have used GPS as part of their training - or it has at least been used in racehorse research. The guy I remember using it was called Jeremy Nailor (or maybe Naylor), he used to be a researcher at Bristol and then got his own yard and went into training but still did some research too. He presented something to do with GPS at the ICEEP (international conference for equien exercise physiology) 2 years ago I think. Probably not the sort of thing you're after but thought I'd mention it.
 
I compete endurance and use a wrist mounted Garmin 205 GPS. I don't tend to bother plotting routes on it (have never actually got it to store a whole route but then we are talking minimum 20 mile routes and it always says it runs out of memory). I use it for keeping track of our average speed - which is the most important thing as the average speed we finish on is used to calculate our final results. I also use the Garmin for training purposes, measuring distances I train over and speed.

I also have a sat nav that has OS maps downloaded onto it (Road Angel Adventurer). This does tell me exactly where I am and will upload the routes I plot on my computer (using Memory Map software) but I find the battery power doesn't last very long, it's hard to look at as I have to store it in my bum bag or saddle bags and the screen isn't really bright enough to see when it's very sunny.

I always carry the map provided when competing, in an over the shoulder map case which is simple but works fine.

Hope some of that helps
 
As above, I use a wrist-mounted Garmin Forerunner 201 for endurance and for training.
I only use it to check my current speed and distance, though there have been times when I wished I knew how to make it give me a map reference!
I only use maps on horseback while competing. At home I study the map first, then set out with my memory map
grin.gif
 
I have a detailed ordnance survey map at home which I keep for best - if I am going out on a long hack, I photocopy it and use a highlighter pen to plot a route, then fold it up in my pocket. Horse probably couldn't cope with a massive map flapping around, and I wouldn't have anything to carry it with in summer.

I'd be interested in using GPS, but it would have to be very use friendly!
 
[ QUOTE ]

1. Do you use a GPS when riding?
Yes, when competing in endurance

2. If so, which?
Garmin Foretrex 201

3. How do you use it, i.e. just to check your position or to plan a route etc?
To check average speed, and actual distance covered.

4. Where / how do you carry your GPS?
Wrist-mounted


5. Aaaand if you use a map, same questions for that! [ QUOTE ]

Use maps both out hacking if going somewhere new, and in competition.
OS sheets Landranger and Explorer.
In conjunction with a talkround (in competition) and used mainly to check whereabouts in case of doubt!
In a map case on elastic round my waist.
 
I recently bought the Garmin 305. This allows for different training, eg running, cycling, riding, walking etc. It also measures heart rate.......I've got the human version, but I know there is an attachment for the girth to measure the horses.

You can then download the route to the computer & see where you've gone/ how fast etc.

The map screen on there is basic, it draws a line when you start & follow the route you take, but there are no roads as a background.

I still haven't used mine for riding (got it for training for triathlons!!) but will soon as I'm getting horse fitter.
 
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