You are hereForums / Preparation / Geek Gear (GPS/Comps/Lights/etc.) / Bike computer
Bike computer
I've been using my iPhone with MotionX GPS to track my rides although it's not giving me what I want... And I've scratched my shiny new iPhone 4... Grrr
Anyway looking to get a bike computer. I'm very keen to get something with GPS that can map my rides. Apart from that want the standard abilitybto see my current speed, ride time, average speed etc. Would Luke to see something with altitude and if possible a heart rate monitor.
After a bit of online research it looks like the Garmin 500 is a good option.
Couple of questions;
Is the Garmin 500 a good option
Are there other features that I should be looking for
Is there anything else out there that I should consider
Where is the best place to buy?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Daniel
[Mod. moved to geek gear]
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
I've got the Edge 305 with HRM and Cadence. Below are a few points
* Even though the edge 305 doesn't have maps you can follow other GPS courses which has come in handy a few times. I don't think the 500 does this but I might be wrong.
* The edge 305 mounting bracket is dodgy and the buttons aren't the best but I have never had issues as I did this
* The 500 is nice and small and has a better mount
* Measuring your cadence is only good for a road bike
* You can choose what fields to display with the 305. Not sure about the 500.
* The edge 305 has issues with turning off randomly. It's happened only a few times to me.
* I ride just showing HR, Lap time and cadence if on the road. The set the second screen with more info but generally just toggle to see the time it is as I don't wear a watch.
for training purposes when on the road. So I'd whack it on my commuter/hardtail but wouldn't bother with the dually. Will get the cadence unit at some stage.
I just ordered a mainnav GPS computer from torpedo7.
No idea how good it is but for $99 if it does what it says its a bargain. It looks a bit cheap but that don't matter if it functions well.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/M8CUGN0SC/ti...
http://www.mainnav.com/Index-1.html
You are wrong Brian. I actually followed your GNR course just the other week on my 500. It doesn't have a map but has a line you can follow. And yes you can change the display screens on the 500. You have three screens which you can customise.
but to be honest that was the first time I've ever used that function. Most of the time I just use it to record all my rides which it does very well.
So if you really need the maps and navigation then get a 705 or the new 800. Otherwise get the 500.
I've got a 705 and it does all that you want. Maps, H/R and cadence.
I'm still learning how to use mine properly but I have followed other peoples rides no problem at all.
It has a cool function where you can virtual race.
Supreme have the bundle for $550.
is the forerunner 405. It has much of the functionality but it a watch which is handy if you're into non-cycling sport as well. You can get a wireless cycle/cadence unit for it but I've never felt the need as it works fine as it. My wife uses it for running and I use it for cycling which is quite handy
Cromerboy, What did you get in the bundle for $550?
I got the 705 GPS/computor, 2 mounts, heart rate monitor and cadence sensor.
It comes with 240V charger and USB cable.
If you speak to Blake he is the Garmin guru.
Did I mention you can get the forerunners on Qantas frequent flier points? 65,000 or so from memory. Who'd pay retail?
If you get one for your wrist make sure you can mount it to your bike as well. I also have a polar HRM and the 2 main reasons I replaced it was I wanted GPS and it was too annoying/dangerous to look at while riding. Mounted on the stem is so much easier.
I believe that you can get a wrist mount for an Edge 500 - best of both worlds for those that run too? FWIW, it's easy to mount a watch on your bars, just get a bit of pipe insulation.
I am happy with my 500. Has all the necessary features and many I don't need. Was pretty easy to set up. I have 8 values displayed on the first screen and rarely swap to the other screens when riding.
Most shops retail the 500 bundle for $450, Supreme is cheaper.
Have you seen this review? http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-5...
Wow that review is huge!!!!
will have a read tonight... hopefully will make my mind up one way or another
Got the Garmin 500 with the cadence and heart rate strap.
Very cool. Garmin Connect adds a whole new dimension to a ride... I think I spent as much time reviewing the stats as i did on the bike
Info on my screens... I found that I didn't scroll a lot although when I wanted to take a quick break was cool to review the other info.
Configured the first page with realtime current stats; Elapsed time, current speed, current gradient, current heart rate and current cadence.
Configured the second page with ride stats; Average Speed, Max Speed, Average HR, % Max HR, Average Cadence, Distance
Configured the 3rd page with environmental stats; time of day, temp, elevation, heading, gps accuracy, total ascent, total descent.
Now need to figure out how to record, then race, a ride. Trying to get the 4 gates under 1 hour so this will help to make sure I'm ahead of a previous bets lap!
I just took delivery of the 500 today. I'm going to use the 305 for the road bike and the 500 for the mtb bike.
Someone's about to become a gear junkie
Yes, they are very handy. I have the 705 and like it just for logging rides and keeping track of distances and how hard I've worked.
If you don;t need navigation the 500 is the better unit with the more solid mount. The 705 got me out of trouble when I got lost in a strange forest, riding at night - so the navigation feature was worth it just for that 'save'.
Most of my riding hours are spent commuting - most commonly used features when on the bike are trip time, time of day, instantaneous speed and HR. I only worry about HR when I'm looking ot keep it below a particular number so that I don;t overdo it on the way home. I get insomnia issues if I push the intensity too hard on an evening ride - the metabolism stays revved up for hours.
I have actually just started using the virtual partner for doing a regular ride to West Head and back. Have done it a few times with only once having an issue on a cloudy night. It kept struggling to find the course which just then became annoying as it was something like, off course, course found, off course, course found......