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GPS Bike Computer Advice
I'm going to ask Santa for a GPS bike computer, and am interested in opinions on the best make / model to get. I don't need maps, just stats and HR. I know Garmins are popular, and I've read good things about Bryton. Anyone have any advice for me? I mean for Santa?
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Do you to be able to wear it as a watch as well? Heart rate monitor combo? Cadance? Multisport?
Friend of mine swears by his Garmin Forerunner 310XT
I just got myself a Garmin Edge 500 and couldn't be happier. For me it was a choice between the polar RS800CX and the Garmin edge, but as i wasn't particularly fussed about the watch, the Garmin won due to price. I have since found a watch strap that will work with the Edge 500. I have used it for hikes, rowing and running with no problems. If you are really into non cycling sports you might prefer the Polar which i understand can give pace in min*kms as well as km/h, and offers more customisation.
I just got myself a Garmin Edge 500 and couldn't be happier. For me it was a choice between the polar RS800CX and the Garmin edge, but as i wasn't particularly fussed about the watch, the Garmin won due to price. I have since found a watch strap that will work with the Edge 500. I have used it for hikes, rowing and running with no problems. If you are really into non cycling sports you might prefer the Polar which i understand can give pace in min*kms as well as km/h, and offers more customisation.
Have had my edge 500 for a year now and don't know how I rode without it.
The size is perfect, the mount never gives me a worry and the features are plenty. Love the ability to choose a previous ride then ride against that... Perfect for beating a personal best.
Only complaint is the buttons are a bit hard to press at speed.
Garmin edge 500 is the best buy I've had for my bike this whole year. I struggled to set up the cadence and speed sensor but persevered after asking fellow nobmobbers for advice and now she's a dream. I love the stats post rides and the cadence has transforme the way I ride! Go the Edge!
My only complaint, and I don't know if is fixable is that I cannot see my speed in Km/hr (anyone??). I only have 1 week with it!
Had it for a over a year now - been great and like the Garmin web site (Garmin Connect). However, if you do some exploring and get off the standard tracks, AND can afford it, the 800 mapping ability IMO may help you follow trails you've not been down before. You can download the trails from Garmin's site that others have put up and then follow them. if you don't 'explore' then the 500 is the IMO great.
Whats the battery life like on the edge 500?
I've been considering it for a while and all the raving reviews aren't helping me put it off.
Thanks
You can change that in your settings....proceed through the set-up again and you should stumble across it...
Great GPS.
The only let down is that the speed sensor on my died. Although you don't really need it (as the GPS calcs it) and cadence works fine.
I changed from mi/hr to Km/hr. Great!! Thnx twotommos
I have the 500 also. Battery life is great I think. I'm sure the specs could be looked up somewhere. I've only had it go flat on me once and that was after 4 rides without charging or connecting to my pc for and upload. Data is saved to file so nothing is lost.
Thanks for your help everyone, it sounds like the Garmin 500 will be perfect for me. Let's hope I've been good enough and Santa brings one...
battery life is great IMO. but is dependent on what level of recording you use - if you use the most frequent (every second I think?) then battery life gets shorter and it loads up with data. but even at this setting it will record more than four hours, so I've never had a flat battery. My only complaint is a bigger screen would help as IF you have more than 3 items on a screen they can get a bit hard to read on the move. (though you have 3 screens you can scroll through) I also find that I get the occassional misread, ie cadence 190! and recently a speed of 123kph on the 12 hour course!! Unless I was going faster than I thought?! :/
When you first get the unit you may be frustrated by the battery life, mine was losing 40% overnight when switched off. I had to discharge it 3-4 times before I could get it to hold the charge. Since then though, battery life has been excellent. I still think the elevation data is rubbish at times even after calibration, it shows me below sea level often on my rides.
Does it show below sea level when you're stopped or only when you're moving? If the GPS is exposed to a moving airstream it would probably see a slightly lower pressure. (Bernoulli's principle)
If money is tight the Edge 200 are now available, however they don't support Ant+ so no HR,Cadence or power.