To Garmin or not to Garmin

I am sitting on the edge of temptation at the moment as to whether or not to blow $308 on an Edge 500 pack (with HR & cadence) from Wiggle. It seems like a really good offer (love the 800, but sadly can't justify stretching to $553). Now before you all dive in and say "do it", lets see why I need one... or do I?

I have a computer that does most bikey things, including temp

   but, it freaks out from time to time with my light, & the mount is a bit dodgy.. 

I have a polar HR watch

   but, that's 10 yrs old now and the straps about to break...

I have an altitude watch

   but, it doesn't show gradient...

So I'll gain by having these all in one device, plus a few xtra features like cadence, which I've never had...  all good I hear you say! BUT it's still 308 bucks which is a fair hit in these cash challenged times...  so what I want to hear is any personal experiences that might sway me one way or another....

Now I've read the reviews so know about broken mounts, battery life, good but not great software.... and the HR & cadence graphs I've seen posted look as useful as tits on a bull.

I'm going to pull off the manual tonight and have a scour thru it and see if I 'really' need one.

Tags: GPS, Garmin, cat6, garmin, review

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Permalink Reply by VOD on April 27, 2011 at 17:38
Despite a few software niggles, which have been ironed out, I love my garmin 800 ( a present from a loving husband so didn't have to spend my own hard earned $$) the 500 seems a good compromise.
Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on April 27, 2011 at 18:05
What about a 705? Any advice here?
Permalink Reply by Baron Von Thierry on April 27, 2011 at 18:05
I saw the courses option and I think thats a really strong feature...  group ride without the group, so to speak! Is it easy to set up & then operate the course data on the road?
Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on April 27, 2011 at 18:08
My Polar CS 200 is crap in the cold dew of the night...most cyclists are home in bed at midnight except this one...
Permalink Reply by Baron Zuraw on April 27, 2011 at 18:15

I bet you $10 you will love it and wish you had bought one sooner!  I've had the 305, 705 and now the 800 and can definitely say I would not buy any other bicycle computer or GPS. The only thing that lets it down is the software, but that is easily remedied by using SportsTracks 3 (which is freeware, though a small donation ensures new versions and updates).

Just sold my 705 which was great, only upgraded to the 800 as the 705 received some surface damage following a crash (insurance paid out for a new one). 

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Smith on April 27, 2011 at 18:38

I've never used one, having a high level POLAR myself, but i'm thinking of upgrading.....so i'm interested in this thread too.

One question I have is, when i've seen people upload links to their "workouts", all the measurements are in imperial....miles instead of km etc. Is it possible to change this?

Permalink Reply by Chris Romanos on April 27, 2011 at 18:41

Yes

 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Searson on April 27, 2011 at 19:34
Top right corner, click Metric... took me a while to find as well!
Permalink Reply by Mark Prior on April 27, 2011 at 18:42

Sounds like your current tools are just about worn out so an additional question for you is what would you do if one or more of them actually died (especially out on an "interesting" ride)?

I'm still looking at various web sites (Strava being one) and other apps to add to the hours of enjoyment of my 705 :-)

 

Mark.

Permalink Reply by Chris Cuthbert on April 27, 2011 at 18:59

I first purchased an Edge 500 from Wiggle, and I bought the cadence and heart rate bundle with it. I upload the data to Garmin Connect to review the course and all the stats.  I've used the data to compare the same routes over time, and I can see how my fitness and speed are improving.

Recently since my wife Caroline has started riding, I've let her have my 'old' Edge 500 and upgraded to the Edge 800 with a heart rate and cadence bundle.  I bought the AU/NZ navigation maps separately from eBay, saving about $90 I think on the maps. I haven't actually used the 800 yet, I'm off the bike recovering from a minor op at the moment, but I can't wait.

You can use the Edge on more than one bike by setting up multiple bike profiles.  Speed can be determined via the GPS - so long as you have a signal you don't need the cadence sensor.  You won't regret the purchase... just do it!

Permalink Reply by RD6 on April 27, 2011 at 19:57

I am not sure what reviews you have read but this one gets all the ticks

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review....

Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on April 27, 2011 at 20:22

I've got a Garmin Edge 500 and I love, wouldn't be without it. $308.00 is a bargain.

 

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