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Garmin 510 vs 810 vs waiting for new 520


Furbz

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Hi All,

 

need some help in buying a new head unit.

 

i see there is the new 520 Garmin coming out soon which is tempting.

otherwise 510 or 810 are also options.

any news on a 820 coming out?

 

Things i consider important:

  • must be able to switch between 2 different bikes: each bike has its own power meter, cadence and speed. (being new to garmin i know it is possible, but which unit is best for it, and is it quick and easy? or is pairing always necessary?)
  • clear easy to read screen. 
  • fast GPS signal connection. (heard some units are so slow that riders are 2km down the road before they start recording)
  • simple to use interface.
  • easy data download. (i currently run golden cheetah with my SRM V7 head unit, i believe they are working on a direct download for garmins)

what are your thoughts/experiences?

with the price of units being as high as they are i'd like to buy right first time round!

 

Cheers!

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Personally, I will wait for the 520 - it is due in September I'm told. It has all the new features and I use Strava - so, a big plus there for me. I am on the waitlist by the way - same as you, was due for an upgrade, and decided to wait.

It will work with three bikes (at least), but you have to manually select bike, then change. You do not have to pair everytime though. I sometimes forget to change the bike setting (although only one of my bikes has a powermeter) - and it auto picks up on the new speed/cadence sensor of the other bike.

Garmins auto download when you connect to garminconnect.

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am I correct in saying that to use the strave features on any of the garmins (510, 520 810 etc) you have to be a premium strava member?  $9 a month or something like that.  If this is correct, I would save the money on the device to pay towards the monthly fees - if this is one of your requirements.

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am I correct in saying that to use the strave features on any of the garmins (510, 520 810 etc) you have to be a premium strava member?  $9 a month or something like that.  If this is correct, I would save the money on the device to pay towards the monthly fees - if this is one of your requirements.

Answering my own question here:

 

"Finally, before we get into all the details, it’s worth noting that the Live Segments functionality is only available to Strava Premium members."

 

From here:  http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/07/introduce-segments-series.html

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went into my LBS today.

 

i believe the 510 is being discontinued?

 

regarding the 810 and 1000 units those are getting on a bit? launched 2013?

so i'm assuming they are also up for new models in the not to distant future.

 

otherwise, the 1000 is pretty big... nicer screen than the 810.

and also comes with a out front mount that will actually fit my bars (35mm)

whereas if i buy the 810, which is also nice, prefer the size and pretty much has everything i'm going to need i then have to buy an additional out front mount.

the difference then is around R1200 between the 810 and 1000.

 

something to note the 520 is not touch screen. the 510, 810 and 1000 are touch screen.

how do these work with winter gloves?

anyone have experience here?

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The only added benefit that the 520 brings to the table is the live strava segments. So if that is a big deal for you then wait. Otherwise if I have the luxury to choose between the 510 and 810, the 810 will be my obvious choice. Its just a better unit all round. I havent compared all three units in depth, but this is my perception from what I have seen and read.

I ride with a 500. And so far its has been brilliant.

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went into my LBS today.

 

i believe the 510 is being discontinued?

 

regarding the 810 and 1000 units those are getting on a bit? launched 2013?

so i'm assuming they are also up for new models in the not to distant future.

 

otherwise, the 1000 is pretty big... nicer screen than the 810.

and also comes with a out front mount that will actually fit my bars (35mm)

whereas if i buy the 810, which is also nice, prefer the size and pretty much has everything i'm going to need i then have to buy an additional out front mount.

the difference then is around R1200 between the 810 and 1000.

 

something to note the 520 is not touch screen. the 510, 810 and 1000 are touch screen.

how do these work with winter gloves?

anyone have experience here?

Got the 800 no problem with gloves. If you want a live demonstration try www.dcrainmaker.com

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The only added benefit that the 520 brings to the table is the live strava segments. So if that is a big deal for you then wait. Otherwise if I have the luxury to choose between the 510 and 810, the 810 will be my obvious choice. Its just a better unit all round. I havent compared all three units in depth, but this is my perception from what I have seen and read.

I ride with a 500. And so far its has been brilliant.

Live segments is going to be rolled out to the 510 and 810 as well in the next month or so...

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I have an 810, 510 and 1000 - and the one I use the most is the 510 - the 1000 has the best screen by far, BUT - short intervals don't work well as workouts - 30 sec and below are issues - but on the road it's fine.

 

My money would be on a 520 if I had to choose only 1.

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I have an 810, 510 and 1000 - and the one I use the most is the 510 - the 1000 has the best screen by far, BUT - short intervals don't work well as workouts - 30 sec and below are issues - but on the road it's fine.

 

My money would be on a 520 if I had to choose only 1.

 

what do you mean by short intervals being an issue?

how so?

 

thanks in advance!

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Furbz,

 

I use the 810 (not pro usage by any means), so some answers to your original questions:

 

I switch between 2 different bikes, no problem - but don't have cadence etc

Screen: quite clear - you can change screens quite easily to make them show what you need. You can also have different types of riding (training, cruising, etc - user programmed)

GPS fix is fast if you start close to where you last were. If not, it can take time to "hunt". 

Interface is quite simple, not always intuitive, but not difficult to learn

I download to Garmin Express/Garmin Connect - really easy. Also, it syncs automatically via bluetooth to Strava

 

All in all I'm pretty happy, but it can do a LOT more than I ask of it.

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A certain Mr McLean rode the Tuli with us and he had the 520 there so I got to look at it a bit, it looked really cool, was super small yet very readable. Says it will be here soonish.

 

I'm waiting for one.

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what do you mean by short intervals being an issue?

how so?

 

thanks in advance!

Screen does not update quickly enough so you can see your targets and your current efforts etc - best way I can explain it - exactly the same workout on the 510 the screen works fine in showing the targets and actuals.

 

The 1000 is better in the way it handles multiple heart rate straps over the 510 - the 510 you have to search for a strap evertime you change it - the 1000 allows you to register multiple straps and it finds any one of them automatically.

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I have had the 500 and upgraded a while back to the 510. The 510 has been fantastic but because it is so to say "old" tech now, I would wait for the 520. For me, the 800 series and up are too big - but that's just me.

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Buddy of mine already has the 520 really looks nice, plus it can sync with your phone and receive messages and phone calls don't know if the 510 can do this

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