GPS Computer Needed, which one?

[AllAboutRides]

I'm market to get myself a cycling GPS computer, as far as I know there are a lot of different models on the market, but the question is which one?

 

I'm familiar with Garmin devices as I have an Fenix 3 but for cycling it is a bit difficult to use as there is not much data fields as required.

 

Basically I'm looking for a device for;

 

1. Heart Rate Monitor

2. Import a previous activity to race and improve your time

3. Speed / Cadence

4. GPS

5. Battery life......yes good battery life!

 

 

Please share your honest opinions and thoughts!

 

Thanks guys!

[V12man]

510 or 520 - I prefer the 510 because it has a touch screen - but the 520 is smaller

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Anything from Garmin 500 upwards

 

BTW - the 500 unit is great. but on the MTB I'm on my 3rd spd/cadence sensor (warranty) within a year. The road bike sensor trouble free for 2 years, I don't think they last on MTB's, On another thread the same thing has been said.

[Frosty]

I get that the Fenix screen could be a bit small, but it can display 4 data fields, on 10 different pages - that's 40 data fields of info.

 

I have the Forerunner which is also small in relation to the 500, 700, 800 and 1000 series units, and I have 3x4 data fields and 1x3 showing at the push of a button (up/down). Most important data is displayed and the rest I look at after the ride (if at all).

 

So, honestly, I can't see why you'd need a cycling specific if you're only interested in the BASIC functions, i.e. speed, cadence, HR.

 

The Fenix can also import a previous workout, and 16 hours is a good battery life (when the GPS is used.

 

If it's n+1, then ignore everything I've said.

[RocknRolla]

For the simplistic. Budget concious, I can recommend the Edge25.

 

Does all of the above, without unnecessary features. Great little unit.

[Hennie VR]

Navworld just replaced my Garmin Edge 800 with a 810. Loving it thus far!

 

If your mot worried about having maps on your device then I would recommend you look at the Edge 510 or the new 520.

 

I am impressed with Garmin's backup/support/warranty. I had my 800 for over 2 years (thus out of warranty) and when it stopped picking up HR I went in to Navworld and they offered me the 810 and I only had to make a ridiculously small payment for the new upgraded unit and they gave me the full bundle. 

 

My 800 lasted for 17500km. I never had to change any of my HR strap's batteries in this period either. Unit was used on both road and MTB rides/races.

 

Garmin has my vote.

[AngryAustrian]

I'm waiting for the Wahoo Elemnt...

[AllAboutRides]

Navworld just replaced my Garmin Edge 800 with a 810. Loving it thus far!

 

If your mot worried about having maps on your device then I would recommend you look at the Edge 510 or the new 520.

 

I am impressed with Garmin's backup/support/warranty. I had my 800 for over 2 years (thus out of warranty) and when it stopped picking up HR I went in to Navworld and they offered me the 810 and I only had to make a ridiculously small payment for the new upgraded unit and they gave me the full bundle. 

 

My 800 lasted for 17500km. I never had to change any of my HR strap's batteries in this period either. Unit was used on both road and MTB rides/races.

 

Garmin has my vote.

I will deffff not looking furhter than Garmin.

 

Can you import an old activity (race) on the 810 and race against it?

[Hennie VR]

I will deffff not looking furhter than Garmin.

 

Can you import an old activity (race) on the 810 and race against it?

 

I'm not sure. I know you can save/import a race/route as a course very easily but I'm not sure if it updates the virtual partners speed as you do the course again. I have not tried this but will try and find out for you. 

 

You can import the route and set the virtual partner's speed at the avg you achieved previously and then just try and beat that time. The virtual partner keeps a avg speed in normal mode thus it will pull a gap on uphills but you will make up time on level and downhills. It will show you how much time and distance you are ahead or behind. Very nice little feature if you aim for a certain time/agv on a race.

[mecheng89]

Garmin 500. Anything above that is just fluff. 

[Christian van Zyl]

I'm waiting for the Wahoo Elemnt...

Hey Someuser, 

 

We just received confirmation the the ELEMNT will be in our warehouse in January 2016. 

 

We will confirm pricing when it ships from Europe. 

 

Please feel free to contact Wahoo Fitness SA if you'd like additional info. 

 

Cheers

 

Christian van Zyl

[Pah Bear]

If your mot worried about having maps on your device then I would recommend you look at the Edge 510 or the new 520.

 

Garmin has my vote.

 

 

Garmin 500. Anything above that is just fluff. 

 

Was considering the Garmin 800 or above when the salesman asked me if I'm riding in areas I don't know, i.e. do you really require live maps to show you where you are on your course? Obviously the answer was an emphatic NO, so the decision was save the money for more useful things and buy the Garmin 500.

Link to PC via cable and would have liked to have the Blue Tooth facility, so ... agree with mecheng, anything above the Garmin 500 is fluff, other than a nice to have Blue Tooth link and per Hennie's comment above.

Enjoy your purchase. The 500 series have all the info you need. Only look at 4 things live, cadence, distance, ride time and heart rate. The rest I look at after download.

 

Must admit the one thing I hate about Garmin is the inability to edit the course (cut/split segments, etc) after capture. Believe you have to send them the file and ask them to edit. Nuisance. Wish Garmin could change that.

[mecheng89]

For the simplistic. Budget concious, I can recommend the Edge25.

 

Does all of the above, without unnecessary features. Great little unit.

No ways, that's a pricy little bugger! But a good one nonetheless. 

[Hennie VR]

Was considering the Garmin 800 or above when the salesman asked me if I'm riding in areas I don't know, i.e. do you really require live maps to show you where you are on your course? Obviously the answer was an emphatic NO, so the decision was save the money for more useful things and buy the Garmin 500.

Link to PC via cable and would have liked to have the Blue Tooth facility, so ... agree with mecheng, anything above the Garmin 500 is fluff, other than a nice to have Blue Tooth link and per Hennie's comment above.

Enjoy your purchase. The 500 series have all the info you need. Only look at 4 things live, cadence, distance, ride time and heart rate. The rest I look at after download.

 

Must admit the one thing I hate about Garmin is the inability to edit the course (cut/split segments, etc) after capture. Believe you have to send them the file and ask them to edit. Nuisance. Wish Garmin could change that.

 

I have used the map feature plenty of times.

 

I do quite a bit of mtb and have got lost on more than one occasion and I have used the map feature to track my way back to a route I'm familiar with. But if you don't intend to be as adventurous then yes I agree you do not need more than the 500. I do enjoy the slightly bigger screen of the 800 though as well as the tough screen.

[Spez247]

I have used the map feature plenty of times.

 

I do quite a bit of mtb and have got lost on more than one occasion and I have used the map feature to track my way back to a route I'm familiar with. But if you don't intend to be as adventurous then yes I agree you do not need more than the 500. I do enjoy the slightly bigger screen of the 800 though as well as the tough screen.

I'm with you Hennie. 810 is a great GPS tool. The one time, a group of us got so lost trying to link up Fourways with Harties... When its getting dark, and some guys have lost their sense of humour, it was great to be able to ask Garmin for help...

I also use the virtual cyclist feature, when I am out there on my own.

Ticks all the boxes.

[Velouria]

I have the old Edge 500, which is a great little device. Just keeps on going and going and going. Battery life is this little fellow's strong point - something in the range of 17 hours, which is perfect for something like 36One, Baviaans etc...

 

I also have the Edge 810 - pretty much the perfect GPS/cycling computer out there. It's tough, robust, packed with features which help pass the time on those long and lonely summertime rides. Battery life isn't bad - you'll get around 14 hours if you set it up correctly.

 

Finally, I have the Edge 1000 - very much the Ferrari of head units - sleek, sexy, and oozing style. A few more features, some cool integrations with your phone etc. Nothing says pro wannabee better than sitting with this baby on the table at a coffee shop. Twelve hours of battery life should be enough for coffee shop to coffee shop hopping.

 

The last two both have the new Strava integration, which is a total pain in the butt - turns every ride into a race (so much so that I've turned mine off).