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New Comp for Both Cycling and Running
Ok, can anyone recommend me a good comp for both mountain biking, road riding and running.
Basically I have look at the Polar's and can see that they have a few comps that do both Cycling and Running, however dont have any mapping or anything like that.
Would I better off maybe getting two seperate computers, one for road/mtb work and then one for running as well?
What do people recommend.
Basically want Heart Rate, Cadence, Distance inc trip, total etc, mapping would be ok, not that fussed and yeah not sure what else really.
I can see the Garmins come rated pretty decently so am considering one of them.
Any advice?
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I got the garmin edge 705 for Xmas.
Awesome on the bike, comes with a Cadence widget that I am yet to install. But picks up heartrate etc.
On the 'Bike Computer' screen, it shows heading, distance, calories, heart rate, elevation, time of day, ride time and you can select any number of fields.
I did a 17km hike, turned on the GPS, started recording and threw it into a net pocket on the outside of the backpack, it recorded breadcrumbs etc for the entire walk. If you could strap the garmin to an arm strap or something (they probably have them available anyway, the software has options for 'Running') then it would work well i think
I've just got 'Shonky' maps loaded, they seem OK
The running ones I have seen seem mostly to be the watch ones - IMHO they are inconveniently small. When running you are probably not going to look at it a lot asides from heart rate and distance though. And I don't run
I have the Garmin 305 watch like device. I have a mount on the bars and also use running strapped like a watch. The running side is great - I use one of the various training modes ( interval). You can set time distance repetition etc and it beeps so you don't have to look.
Other features include cadence ( i don't use), HR actual, speed, distance, HR warning chime etc etc
The best bit is virtual partner - If you have a PB time you can run/cycle against it and view how your going. I have even downloaded someone elses 34 min time for the Dam and try to replicate it - no luck yet
Below is a link of what data I get from a ride. End of the day they are a gadget but with some useful stuff. The Garmin site has details. I got a good deal from Ryda.com.au who have a lot of these things
Suunto also do a range of multi-sport heart rate monitor comptuers - no mapping though at this stage though
you can partner foot pods for running, cadence and speed pods, download the info - i've also read rumours that a new GPS pod may be coming out that allows mapping but can't remember where
not the cheapest but it is an excellant piece of kit and i've been really happy with it - streets ahead of the polar in that you can re-partner the different pods and belts yourself if something goes amiss, and they seem to make new pods and belts backwards compatible so you don't have to buy a brand new watch - you can change batteries yourself without needing to send it to Adelaide
It is typically less bulky than the garmins that i've seen to date and can be worn in the water.
it may be worth to have a look just to see what it offers in comparison to the Garmin
Great multi-sport devices (and other products) and they do have the GPS pod available here.
Check out the training (T-series) page - http://www.suunto.com/training
And no, I'm not affiliated to them in anyway...
I really like the Garmin 'watch' type products, with one issue... it appears that none of them have barometric altimeter which is essential to get accurate altitude measurements (even though these are sometimes relative, isn't it only relative up/down you're interested in?).
The other thing I'd say about wearing a GPS on the end of a limb while flailing it about... erm... I mean running... is surly that effects it's accuracy? For example, you can hold an Edge 305 in one hand and move it from left to right in front of your body (without actually moving anything but the arm) and it registers speed thus indicating it knows it's moved even this small amount. Even though a GPS' absolute accuracy is not as good, these devices are incredibly good at relative movements.
Guess that means I reckon you'd be best with a bike GPS with barometric altimeter (Edge 305/705) fixed in an armband at the top of your arm. Mount it upside down (or sideways even?), change to only 2 data fields and make those HR/distance and the figures should be easy enough to read. Use the second screen for more detailed (with smaller digits of course) for all the other stuff when you want to take a closer look.
while it is true there is a GPS pod for the suunto t-series - this provides real time data of movement only - it doesn't collect the data or allowing mapping of any kind
so its great to measure speed and distance but doesn't have the Garmin capability of downloading where you've been etc
still think its a great piece of gear (and am eagerly awaiting for an enhanced GPS pod to be released)
i use an edge 705 for biking and also for running.
on the bike its mounted on the stem, easy to read and has a million display options and gives out stacks of data.
When running i either hold the GPS in my Hand or pop it into my pocket. Its easy to hold as its leightweight and small and easy to read. I tend to run holding a tiny water bottle so it sorts of evens it out anyway. I am looking for an appropriate strap or something to put it onto my wrist though.
My wife has a Garmin Forerunner 405 (wrist watch style GPS), its great for running but crap on the bike as it doesnt display enough info useful for biking and the display is too small to read on the bike also.
So i vote for a Garmin Edge 705
Don
I use a combination of Garmin products:
- Etrex Legend GPS, with a handlebar mount as my cycling computer.
- FR60 watch style HRM.
I find this works well for me cause I do a bit of running & hiking, too.
I only need to take the FR60 & foot pod for my runs as I tend to run the same route so I don't need a GPS to tell me where I am. And just the GPS strapped onto a backpack shoulder strap for my hikes.
However I'll use both on the bike (you can get an optional cadence sensor for the FR60, but I haven't bothered) & download the data separately from the watch/GPS & merge them into a great little freeware program called SportTracks. http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/
The great thing about SportTracks is that you don't need to buy any Garmin mapping products to view your track logs over a mapping background (like you do for garmin connect) as it uses google maps and/or a plugin allows you to view OSM maps. http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Main_Page
I just posted about this review on another thread:
http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com/2009/11/garmin-e...
The Edge 500 sounds very good from this. And because it's so small can easily be worn on the wrist. Some comparisons with other Garmin units:
And on the wrist: