Garmin Alternatives

[W@nted]

Wahoo elemnt bolt v2. Mine has not missed a beat in 2 years. Battery life still around 14 hours +-. Navigation is good and all settings/screens can be changed on your phone app while you are riding.

[andydude]

If you like reading then check out this review by DC Rainmaker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/05/bike-bike-gps-2024-garmin-hammerhead-karoo-review.html

Edit: and more for what you are looking for https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/11/cycling-computers-recommendations.html

Edited March 19 by andydude

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, andydude said:

If you like reading then check out this review by DC Rainmaker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/05/bike-bike-gps-2024-garmin-hammerhead-karoo-review.html

Edit: and more for what you are looking for https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/11/cycling-computers-recommendations.html

 

Do you possibly have a similar link for their watches ?

 

I have watched a couple (many) of his reviews.  Typically it would compare the VivoActive 5 to the Venue 3, especially in terms of functionality ... battery life normally a 30 second side note.  His one video comparing the range of watches looked at how it goes from "smart" watches to "runners" watches to the top of the range....

 

Appologies for the tangent.

[mecheng89]

6 hours ago, NGM said:

Ya I'm sort of in this ecosystem too. To be fair, I've liked all of the Garmin stuff I've owned and most of it has worked very well. I have a Garmin Fenix 3 that I bought in 2016. While the straps have needed replacing, the body is indestructible. I've made very little effort to look after it and electronically I really can't fault it. But my 530 would occasionally provide very dubious elevation readings (it was not the result of a low pressure system). Essentially it just wouldn't pick up changes in elevation on some rides. I asked Garmin to take a look at it (it was still under warranty) and the best I got back was a badly worded email about 4 weeks later asking for proof of purchase. Correspondence was so slow thereafter that the warranty actually expired during that period. 

I have a FR955 that I use simultaneously with the 530, and the 530 always reads less elevation gain. 

[LOGAN BROWN]

If i were you I'd stick to garmin perhaps scale down to a 530..... till today this thing impresses me with battery life training plans and even preload tour maps via komoot .... so personally dont settle for anything other than a garmin device.... also should the device break during a crash or water damage during rain for what ever reason.... there is a garminSA that can fix. And if not the give a major discount of the new device bought via them directly.

So yeah just my 2 cents.....

Edited March 19 by LOGAN BROWN

[andydude]

44 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Do you possibly have a similar link for their watches ?

 

I have watched a couple (many) of his reviews.  Typically it would compare the VivoActive 5 to the Venue 3, especially in terms of functionality ... battery life normally a 30 second side note.  His one video comparing the range of watches looked at how it goes from "smart" watches to "runners" watches to the top of the range....

 

Appologies for the tangent.

No problem. They do a massive annual review every year. This one includes those two you mention. But not sure into how much detail they go.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/12/massive-sportswatch-review.html

[ChrisF]

5 minutes ago, LOGAN BROWN said:

If i were you I'd stick to garmin perhaps scale down to a 530..... till today this thing impresses me with battery life training plans and even preload tour maps via komoot .... so personally dont settle for anything other than a garmin device.... also should the device break during a crash or water damage during rain for what ever reason.... there is a garminSA that can fix. And if not the give a major discount of the new device bought via them directly.

So yeah just my 2 cents.....

 

4 hour CTCT = 17% battery use on the 530.  Have done many 8 to 9 hour rides with it.  

 

Seriously impressed with mine.

[HdB]

My 530, that I've had for a few years now, also still has good battery life. It (barely) made the TransBaviaans last year. I will have to turn off some things for this year though, I expect at least 2hours more with a different teammate.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, andydude said:

No problem. They do a massive annual review every year. This one includes those two you mention. But not sure into how much detail they go.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/12/massive-sportswatch-review.html

 

The 2024 version of this review .... 2 hours .... 

 

To be watched after the Epic 👍👍

 

 

Thank you

[RossTopher]

Something new and different to consider is the Coros Dura.

It didn't seem to gain much traction at first, but I see they have done a lot of updates and I see a few people using it at the Epic.

Looks like we'll get it here soon. I am intrigued. A smallish computer with full compatibility and solar for what should be Bolt money.

[Nancy Drew]

9 hours ago, RossTopher said:

Something new and different to consider is the Coros Dura.

It didn't seem to gain much traction at first, but I see they have done a lot of updates and I see a few people using it at the Epic.

Looks like we'll get it here soon. I am intrigued. A smallish computer with full compatibility and solar for what should be Bolt money.

I just came across the Coros Dura watching a Youtube bikepacking video. It claims to have 120 hours of battery life on a single charge, which can be extended with the solar option. 

It's a lot more cost effective than Garmin and gets really great reviews. My Garmin's battery is tired now and I'm not keen on Garmin forcing me to buy another unit when there's nothing wrong with my existing one (apart from the battery life)

[Dexter-morgan]

One thing that I must mention, recently I started putting my Garmin 540 to "sleep" instead of switching it completely off after each ride, now I get more than a week on a charge, I typically ride 3 times during normal weekdays and Saturday long ride 2-3 hours and some Sundays.

[RossTopher]

18 minutes ago, Nancy Drew said:

I just came across the Coros Dura watching a Youtube bikepacking video. It claims to have 120 hours of battery life on a single charge, which can be extended with the solar option. 

It's a lot more cost effective than Garmin and gets really great reviews. My Garmin's battery is tired now and I'm not keen on Garmin forcing me to buy another unit when there's nothing wrong with my existing one (apart from the battery life)

i initially saw some reviews complaining about certain aspects, but these reviews are a bit unfair in that Coros does regular updates across their offerings, and and more recent user reviews, like on reddit, are far more positive. i am very interested in try this.
i know i am killing my wahoo's battery life by always charging it, but i dont feel comfortable going out on a long ride at anything less than 65%.
the solar is a huge win.

[capediver]

3 hours ago, RossTopher said:

i initially saw some reviews complaining about certain aspects, but these reviews are a bit unfair in that Coros does regular updates across their offerings, and and more recent user reviews, like on reddit, are far more positive. i am very interested in try this.
i know i am killing my wahoo's battery life by always charging it, but i dont feel comfortable going out on a long ride at anything less than 65%.
the solar is a huge win.

Reviews...when first released so buyer beware...but if it has been updatede to match Garmin/Wahoo/Hammerhead, then battery life is a winner

 

[Brighter-Lights]

My 2c. Edge 830 user here. Before that had two Edge 530s which were replaced under warranty as the altitude/barometer sensors packed up. Recently got my hands on a Magene C606, which has a nice touch screen and seems to function well, but does not integrate so well with ie. my Garmin Varia. User interface frustrating in that you can't change any settings on the device itself.

IGS800 seems like a proper device with similar feel/function to Garmin - that's what I would look into if I had to buy again, without spending the premium of the Karoo 3. 

[Jaco Steyn]

The older you get, the less you want to make changes, or you are willing to get used to a new system. That's probably why I am still making use of the Garmin Edge 705 that I got in about 2008/9. Still getting about 16 hours of battery life and also still using the same HR monitor that was included when I got the Edge 705. The only thing wrong with the Edge 705 is that the small piece of rubber connecting the USB port cover to the body of the device broke off from the rubber/silicone deteriorating from age. I still plug the cover over the USB port to protect it, but keep it in place with a small piece of insulation tape.

At a later stage I also got an Edge 130, mainly because of me wanting to have temperature measurements on the device itself. That one I am using on my road bike, and the Edge 705 I am using on my commuter MTB. I can probably get temperature on the Edge 705, but then I have to get a Garmin Tempe sensor, which I always had difficulty getting hold off, so I eventually just gave up on that.