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what garmin shall I buy ??
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
hI all
I am going to buy a Garmin and I would like some feedback on which one is best
I dont need the top of the range but I dont want some obsolete or basic model
I would like to see what km's etc I am doing and record my rides, I also use strava
not sure if I even need a heart monitor??
would buy second hand but needs to be newish
thanks
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I dont have one myself,(I look at them too much and crash) but when I've used mates ones they are pretty trick, stay away from the touch screen ones, pain in the ar5e with gloves or getting damp and no use putting a condom (protective cover) on it.
if you need mapping get the 800 or 810, otherwise get the 500 or 510.
I think the 300 has gps but no heart rate, which might be a cheaper option.
I love my Garmin 200. Cheap, easy to use and does all the things you mentioned. It is a bike computer that shows you where you have been.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=90675
Speed, time, distance. It may not have maps (just download a free mapping app for your phone like MapsWithMe if you are worried about getting lost) but it does have the ability to follow Courses, which whilst quite basic, works really well. You can upload a route that you or a friend have done previously or plan a road ride (doesn't work so well offroad) with a website like MapMyRide and follow that. If you are in to such things, you can race a your virtual self on a previous course (I lost to Jake Mk1 by over 5mins on my commute home last night; I want him drug tested).
Despite being married to a personal trainer, I have yet to work out what a heart rate monitor is for.
Wembley Cycles always have great prices on Garmins.
I got the Garmin Edge 2 years ago and I've just had to get it fixed. What they do out of warranty is sell you a refurbished one for $150. I would agree that the touch screen is not that useful and I've only navigated on it twice in 2 years. If you get lost its much better to pull out the smartphone and use google maps to find out where you are. The cheaper Garmins give you all you need. There was another really long discussion on this subject last year.
My edge 500 is still working fine after 2 years.
A cheap option is the forerunner 10 wrist watch
Costs around $140 and you can get a handlebar mount for it or just wear it on the wrist. Does all the basic options your after but will not work with any additional sensors eg cadenace/heart
I'm also looking at getting a GPS toward the end of this year.
How much does it cost to have separate sensors and mounts on multiple bikes? i.e. if I run 3 different bikes and want cadence and wheel speed sensor on each one, will I be looking at the price of a cheap 2nd unit to get the extra sensors and mounts or are they resonably priced?
Does everything you need it to do, including HR (with optional strap).
Before I had that I used my phone with Strava App, or MapMyRide. Not quite as accurate, but still pretty damn close. And Free!
For my edge 500, mounts are no problem. You get 2 when buying a pack of replacement o'rings/mounts. I have one each for my 4 bikes so I'm not switching around the mounts each time.
Garmin Cadence sensors are not cheap, looking at just over $70 each. I dont think pairing to different devices would be a problem. Just have to make sure you are away from the other bikes when turing on the Garmin.
Heart Rate monitors cost around the same.
The Edge 500 can be bought individually for around $200 or the bundle with both sensors for around $330.
The 310XT and 910XT are the all rounders ideal for a Tri-athlete. Run, Swim & Bike. But are a little more expensive.
I have an 800 the touch screen no problem gloves or not.I do use the gps side of it offen just exporing.Heart rate and cadence sensors is all I use gps speed is enough.I use bryton sensors so mixxing different ant sensors is ok.
I have a 705, had it for over 2 years. Still going strong, although the rubber waterproof seal on the joystick has a tear.
The cadence/speed sensors are about 60 bucks. I have one on each bike. You do need to re-acquire the sensor when you change bike but it's about 5 menu clicks to do it, so no biggie.
I recently bought the 800 while on holidays in Indonesia, they are cheaper there, $375 will get you the whole lot(gps, cadence, heart rate)
Aussie maps are not included but there are ways "around" getting the map. The Edge 500 Bundle was $280. They only sell the full bundles there unlike in Australia where you can get the GPS unit on its own.
Haven't used the navigation function to be honest, since it's only been used on familiar trails and roads.
Touch screen is no issue, as most important function like power, start, stop and laps are push buttons
Haven't tried the heart rate monitor as I hate wearing that on my chest.
Like others said if you don't think you'll use the navigation the 500 should be fine.
I only bought the edge 800 because it was really good value at the price.
I was undecided about getting a Garmin at all, until I bought my wife a Polar heart rate monitor. Got thinking more seriously about getting one after that.
Wiggle and some of the others have the 500 & 800 (I think) going out pretty cheap. I got a 500 Red bundle at ~$250 delivered. Yes they are being superseded by the 510, but still do the business. Got to look at what you want it to do and the functions you need as oppose to want.
Personally I prefer the push buttons on the side to a touch screen, but that is just me. Easier to start/stop and lap without really looking down. Plus the tight arse in me says $250 is better than $400.
Comes down to what you will use it for. A $20 cateye will tell you how far & fast you are and have been, but wont give the the bits in between. A $10 app on the iPhone can do the same, I have used CycleMeter and that was pretty good, but as the IT guys tell me at work you get what you pay for. It can send you GPX files and these can be loaded on RideGPS (website) and you can track your progress. You can even add an ANT receiver to get more data from other sensors.
For me the 500 Bundle was good value and does more than I really need it to do.
There was an 500 Red for sale in the classified section for about $185, which is pretty good value. Not sure if it is gone now.
Also it has settings for 3 bikes. So I now have the same unit on my roadie and 29er, with settings for off road and cyclocross tyres.
thanks for the info
I have gone for the 510
it has enough gizmo appeal without the big price tag
Consider the Etrex 20 or 30. It's slightly larger than a garmin 800, but has full topo map capabilities.
Definately not everyone's first choice, but for real 'going bush', this GPS is the best.
You'll need to purchase the bike mount seperately, & make sure you research the Etrex 30 if you're looking at HR, cadence etc.
I have the Etrex 20 (which has no wireless capabilities for HR etc) & I love it. Full Au & Nz topo maps were included in the promo when I purchased it. Roads, contour lines, elevations, creeks, etc.
All this at a fraction of the cost of an 800. Make sure you use a tiny zip tie & string to tie it to your stem! I have heard of someone loosing their garmin Etrex when it decided to self-eject. I've never had this issue.