What GPS unit to buy !

[pezulu]

The OP asked "I want to buy a Garmin or something similar that works on satellites..... where I can change the bike settings easily as I am not the most computer literate person....."

 

It seems that the original question has been overlooked and turned into a flaming contest regarding GPS capable cellphones and the various dedicated GPS devices out there.

 

Can a GPS enabled cellphone handle profiles for different bikes?

 

To me, even if a GPS enabled smartphone is insured, it makes no sense riding with something that will break the first time you take a tumble, and the cellphone hits the ground. It was not designed for that. It is first and foremost a phone.

We use a Nokia 1208 that cost R80-00, and has the basic phone features (make and receive calls, SMS) for a phone when riding, loaded with a prepaid SIM and enough airtime to make the occasional call if needed. That way I know our smartphones won't be damaged, broken or lost.

 

I have no experience with Bryton, so can't comment on it. What I have heard is that it works well, and most people that use them are happy with them.

 

We have been using a Garmin Edge 500 for about 2 years now, and are very happy with it.

You can set up 3 bike profiles on it, and give each profile a custom name.

It is therefore easy to clip the device to a bike, and change the profile to the relevent profile.

Sitting down with the device and programming all the various options may take a bit of time initially, but once that is done, you hardly ever have to set anything again.

The battery lasts well, but having never done races longer than 2-4 hours can't comment how long it lasts after that, except to say that it can be used for quite a few rides/races before it needs charging.

Using Garmin Mapsource we have the abillity to view any route and profile on a PC screen, which is great.

Garmin Training Centre, Garmin Connect and various other PC based programs from Garmin, Google or any number of other sources are also available to view routes and other information with.

 

My advice? Check the various devices available on the market, and then get what you want.

Whatever anyone else says is just their opinion.

[awesme]

Same, I use a MAC, iPad and iPhone in daily life.

 

but when on my bike I use my Garmin, it's build for it, can't beat that,

 

G

 

I am an iPhone fanboy - love it. It's just nowhere as good as my garmin for cycling.

[DaLoCo]

 

The battery lasts well, but having never done races longer than 2-4 hours can't comment how long it lasts after that, except to say that it can be used for quite a few rides/races before it needs charging. (I have done 7 separate 2-ish hr rides between charges on my Edge 305, and still had one bar of battery left, which I know lasts another 4-5 hrs. I forgot to charge before the Argus and started on one bar of battery.)

Using Garmin Mapsource we have the abillity to view any route and profile on a PC screen, which is great. (And the ability to then transfer it to the device with waypoints as well)

Garmin Training Centre, Garmin Connect and various other PC based programs from Garmin, Google or any number of other sources are also available to view routes and other information with. (You can get a summary of the last week, month, year or total cycling history with few clicks, and the info is downloaded to pc the moment you connect...no intricate click here/click there crap)

 

My advice? Check the various devices available on the market, and then get what you want.

Whatever anyone else says is just their opinion. (This!!! +1000)

[Minion]

I use an ANT+ power meter, HR strap and speed sensor on two different profiles. I have done this with an Edge 800, an Ipod Touch (which behaves like an Iphone without GPS in this case) and briefly tested a Sony Xperia Ray.

 

In comparing performance, I've noted the following:

• ANT+ sensors - these work with the Garmin out of the box. To use them with the Ipod/Iphone you need an extra ANT+ dongle. For other phones, you need a phone with a built-in ANT+ chip, like the Sony Xperia range.
  
• Data fields - The Garmin has customisable fields, the phones can also have, but it depends on the app.
  
• Bike profiles - this is possible on the phones but, again, it depends on the app.
  
• Upload - uploading data from the Garmin requires a computer with internet. Almost all the apps I found could upload to Garmin Connect. Some uploaded to Strava etc. and some also had email and Dropbox options. No app that I found allowed me to upload directly to my PC.
  
• Battery - I run out of energy before any of the devices.
  

 

In the end, I still ride with the Garmin for a number of reasons:

• I prefer the compact form of the Garmin
  
• The touchscreen works with gloves
  
• PC upload - none of the Iphone apps I found allowed me to directly upload training files to my PC. They all required me to email the file, or upload it somewhere else.
  
• One second recording - very few of the apps allowed me to choose whether this was on or off.
  
• Power, cadence, speed readings - not all of the apps worked reliably when taking power and cadence from a power meter and speed from a different source. Some of them gave strange data.
  

 

Ultimately, the biggest problem I have with the phones is the apps. I couldn't find an app that had all of the features that I want that the Garmin has. A number would come close, but would then leave out one critical feature (most often PC upload) or would have some quirk or bug that annoyed me enough that I didn't want to use it.

[Trail Snail]

I have had my Edge 500 for about two years now. Good battery life, easy to read display, customisable menu pages, heart rate, Cadence, speed, vertical climbing, elapsed time - all the info I need, and more!

Only issue is with printing profiles from Garmin Connect.

Great little GPS Tracking device!!

[Clinton1]

To me, even if a GPS enabled smartphone is insured, it makes no sense riding with something that will break the first time you take a tumble, and the cellphone hits the ground. It was not designed for that. It is first and foremost a phone.

We use a Nokia 1208 that cost R80-00, and has the basic phone features (make and receive calls, SMS) for a phone when riding, loaded with a prepaid SIM and enough airtime to make the occasional call if needed. That way I know our smartphones won't be damaged, broken or lost.

 

Perhaps some of us don't crash nearly as often as others appear to.

 

And I'm interested in finding out why GPS units are immune to damage when wiping?

Edited May 5, 2012 by Clint_ZA

[EZRider]

 

 

Perhaps some of us don't crash nearly as often as others appear to.

 

And I'm interested in finding out why GPS units are immune to damage when wiping?

 

They are not immune, just sealed and rubber covered (at least my edge 500 is) so pretty dust and water resistant. They are also cheaper to replace than an iPhone - garmin trade in damaged units for a massive discount on a new one.

Have you ever held an edge500? It's small, compact and can take a lot of abuse.

[kosmonooit]

MY Garmin 500 has popped off the mount on more than one occasion during a tumble.

 

The mount is easy enough to replace, but one of the lugs on the casing has broken off - still holds tight enough in the mount, haven't pursued spares or repairs as yet.

[markgc]

I use cyclemeter. Brilliant!

Battery life is not bad... Had it work for more than 10 hours. I put the iphone in a waterproof baggie I got at the 94.7 and then in my pocket/camelback. Next is to get an ANT+ supported shockproof case which will also add cadence, HR, power etc. although personally in no hurry to add that... Tons of info on std. cyclemeter...

 

Map, profile, speed graphs, splits, rides saved to calendar, comparitive info while riding, calories etc. You can also use the earphones and it tells you where you are compared to previous rides on the same route i.e. seconds behind best or ahead of worst ride etc.

Check it out here http://www.abvio.com/cyclemeter/

 

I think it is $2.99 on the app store. 5 star app.

 

downloaded thanks, will try tomorrow !

[TheV]

MY Garmin 500 has popped off the mount on more than one occasion during a tumble.

 

The mount is easy enough to replace, but one of the lugs on the casing has broken off - still holds tight enough in the mount, haven't pursued spares or repairs as yet.

 

new bike mount with rubber bands complete, original Garmin should be less than R55 bucks.

[ADe]

I have always used a Polar watch with a strap and a magnet on the wheel but having recently bought a 29er and changing the settings on the watch each time I ride a different bike is a pain (wheel size).

 

I am therefore wanting to buy a Garmin or something similar that rather works on satelite's and therefore not having to change the settings all the time.

 

I am not the most computer literate person around so would like something fairly easy to use and can indicate speed,distance,time,profile of your ride etc.Can anyone suggest/recommend which unit I should go for.

 

I guess this topic might have been covered before,so please forgive me in advance.

 

You probably have two options: Smartphone and garmin

 

I started out using my smartphone and it worked well untill I started cycling more and longer. It has a few limitations:

- Battery life was a major issue

- Possible damage due to rain, mud, dust or the occassional fall

- You have to take it out of your jersey pocket to see the data or

- get a specific bike mount and cell casing which was not available

- No heart rate monitor

- Difficult to read the display in direct sunlight

 

After some research I got the garmin FR310xt because I run and swim as well. It is superior to my smartphone in every way. So if you can live with the limitations of the smartphone it is a viable option. But I would recommend either the garmin edge 500 or 800 if you want a cycling specific device.

Edited May 6, 2012 by ADe

[TheV]

You probably have two options: Smartphone and garmin

 

I started out using my smartphone and it worked well untill I started cycling more and longer. It has a few limitations:

- Battery life was a major issue

- Possible damage due to rain, mud, dust or the occassional fall

- You have to take it out of your jersey pocket to see the data or

- get a specific bike mount and cell casing which was not available

- No heart rate monitor

- Difficult to read the display in direct sunlight

 

After some research I got the garmin FR310xt because I run and swim as well. It is superior to my smartphone in every way. So if you can live with the limitations of the smartphone it is a viable option. But I would recommend either the garmin edge 500 or 800 if you want a cycling specific device.

 

You talk sense....so unlike clint_za usual bs.

[Clinton1]

You talk sense....so unlike clint_za usual bs.

 

So my opinion does not agree with yours so it's automatically BS? Says more about you than it does about me...

 

You also appear to make the shockingly self centred assumption that we all have the exact same needs as you.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Clint_ZA

[Clinton1]

 

- No heart rate monitor

- Difficult to read the display in direct sunlight

 

 

Oh, by the way, just to share more apparent BS.... I have a bluetooth polar HRM that I use with my Nokia N8. It works with both Endomondo and Sportstracker, and no doubt others.

 

I also have little problem reading the screen in direct sunlight and it is not even one of the latest "Super" AMOLED or "Pure Black" screens on the market.

[Minion]

Oh, by the way, just to share more apparent BS.... t.

Quite aggressive there? Perhaps he couldn't get access to such a HRM?

 

Just because you can read your phone in direct sunlight, doesn't mean that he can read his. You're coming close to doing what you are accusing others of doing: punting one single solution to the exclusion of all other possibilities.

[Clinton1]

Quite aggressive there? Perhaps he couldn't get access to such a HRM?

 

Um, dude, seriously? Did you not read the post directed at me?

 

You talk sense....so unlike clint_za usual bs.

 

And my reference to my "BS" is called aggressive? Although, in saying that, I don't think you are following the conversation correctly. It should be apparent to anyone who was who my reference to "my BS" was directed at. If I am stating fact it can't be referred to as BS!

 

Just because you can read your phone in direct sunlight, doesn't mean that he can read his. You're coming close to doing what you are accusing others of doing: punting one single solution to the exclusion of all other possibilities.

 

No, I'm not at all. I'm correcting blatant inaccuracies in someone's argument against cellphones. We are not talking about the person who said that's phone. We are recommending for the OP. If he were to get a phone he'll now know to look out for one with a screen that IS visible in direct sunlight and one that can use a bluetooth HRM (although I'd assume that is most smartphones currently).

Edited May 6, 2012 by Clint_ZA