I tried to read this whole thread I really did.
Ok, so what _I_ want is a head unit with a touch screen about the size of an iPhone 5 that will take inputs from a Hrm, cadence sensor and a wheel sensor (I'd like power, but the rholoff hub and planned Speed Drive exclude it) with GPS and OS mapping (or at least OS standard of mapping). I want to be able to turn off levels of detail and increase font size to allow for the screen real estate and my ageing eye sight. I want routing controls to be able to turn off specific road types (eg motorways, dual cartridge ways ferries ect) I'd like to be able to select areas to avoid, specific roads to avoid, and the option to choose transport modes/mixed transport modes. Ideally I should be able to plan a route on my mac before is set off, alter the route while out on the head unit or my iPad. It should be able to record my heart rate, speed and cadence along with my route, altitude and calculated gear. It should be switchable between navigation modes such as turn by turn, overview, direction, waypoints so I can use it to,walk cycle motorcycle or car. It should be weather proof. And finally I should be able to charge it from 240/110 ac supply, a 12v supply, a SON hub or a solar panel. Oh and of course I should be able to get updates to the map data without a) losing any of my route data or journey data and b) breaking the bank.
Have I missed anything?
Ok, so although i know that the above IS technologically possible, I also know that is unlikely just at the moment, mainly from a cost and demand perspective. I've had the dubious pleasure working with routing software long before Garmin or Google came on the scene so I understand the technological and commercial challenges. I've also been using paper maps longer than I care to remember and GPS units in various forms long enough to understand the practical benefits.
At the moment the available products are all compromises, and to get to any sort of comprehensive solution requires geekery above and beyond the consumer level that we can now expect in my areas. I'd rate the current situation to be in the early pentium era of PCs. COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) solutions will do 80% of what 80% of most consumers think they want out of the box, but if it breaks or if you want the other 20% you are in serious geek territory. And the more the 80% use the commercial offerings the more they realise they are only getting 40 % of what they want. (though they probably NEED less in any case )
The above waffle amply demonstrates my level of boredom this evening, please feel free to ignore me
PS if anyone knows of a device that meets my needs PLEASE let me know