Who needs a Garmin these days?

[mountain_lion]

It's an interesting question. You can now use an iPhone (and some other smart phones, I think) with ANT+ devices. This means these phones can work with power meter, cadence sensor HR strap etc.On the hardware side I want a bike computer than I can mount on my handlebars, that will work with a cadence sensor, HR monitor and power meter, has an easily readable screen and that can work in all weather and light conditions. These are pretty much fixed once you buy the device.On the software side, I like to be able to customise what data I see, I like having interval training features and I need to be able to record the data and download it to the analysis software of my choice. These may be current limitations of a device but could be changed by software updates.Generally, I think a Garmin is better for me because:- It's more water resistant.- It's more robust and more likely to survive drops, bumps, scratches etc. I'm also less likely to care if it suffers scratches etc., so long as they don't affect the functioning.I wouldn't use my Nokia because:- It doesn't have ANT+ support.- To be visible in bright sunlight, the backlight has to stay on. I don't know what this will do to battery life.- The buttons are too small for me to use in cold weather with full-fingered gloves.The major reason I wouldn't use an ANT+ smart phone is cost. If I lose or break it, it'll cost me a lot more to replace than a Garmin (I also wouldn't ride with it in my back pocket).

 

 

+1

There is much more real time data available on an Gps like the Garmin Edge 500. Most of the software and apps mentioned here only give you the chance to view that data after you get home and log on to the web.I want to see the data while on the bike! Not keen on mounting a phone on the handlebars either.Mud, water, sweat, operating a smartphone with a touchscreen will not be fun or easy. Recording laps, cant be done on a phone as far as I know.Current gradientCurrent decent/accent lap speeds all the averages not instantly available - nope not for me thanks - GPS all the way!If you dont have a GPS cycling specific unit - yea then these apps are not to bad

 

Another +1

Edited November 5, 2010 by mountain_lion

[udxcob]

Phones are not waterproof (as far as I know) end of story for me, I am also an amateur and not at all competitive except with myself and I consider a heart rate monitor important to know where I am at (perhaps its an age thing)

[david16v]

Like what downgrades?

Interval training is the only one I know of.

That is one function I never used on the 305 anyway.

305 cant take power meter, doesnt have temp, battery life and all those flippen disconnecting issues. Ant+ Whoever told you the 500 is a slight downgrade is smoking something or works at Avnic!

 

From what I can see, the Edge 500 does not have elevation profile.

The Edge 305 maps the elevation profile which is quite handy, but it does not have temp!

[Minion]

The Edge 500 has most of the features of the the Edge 705 with the most noteable exlcusion being the mapping functions. It does have an altimeter and they added the interval training function with a firmware update in February. It can also do HR-based calorie calculations.

 

There's a whole lot of info in this review:

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

[kosmonooit]

The Edge 500 is really just a good bike computer with a GPS data logging feature, and its a great appliance.

 

I have played with GPS's ever since they first came out for consumer use (Garmin Aviation 19 voetsak model the size of a brick was my 1st) and am highly impressed with the functionality and utility of the Garmin 500 for the specific purpose of cycling, given that I don't need or want moving maps etc which is what most people now think of if you mention 'GPS'.

Edited November 6, 2010 by kosmonooit

[Azonic]

From what I can see, the Edge 500 does not have elevation profile.

The Edge 305 maps the elevation profile which is quite handy, but it does not have temp!

 

Temperature? Seriously?

 

Who needs temperature? What can that possibly tell you that you wouldn't know already?

 

1) Its *** warm

2) Its not *** warm

 

If the Edge 500 does not have elevation profile, take its exported file to GPSVizualiser and generate it. Free.

[david16v]

Temperature? Seriously?

 

Who needs temperature? What can that possibly tell you that you wouldn't know already?

 

1) Its *** warm

2) Its not *** warm

 

If the Edge 500 does not have elevation profile, take its exported file to GPSVizualiser and generate it. Free.

 

Interesting to see how you rode & coped in the specific weather conditions (temp) and how you felt. If this was not important then Polar and Garmin would exclude this feature from there devices!

 

Nice to see the actual profile being logged of the specific race you doing.

If you have seen the profile of the race the day before, then you can remember the total climbing/ascent/profile. Very handy when doing marathon racing!

 

You want to see the profile while you riding, not when you get home!

You will understand when doing 100km/day over 3 or more consecutive days of racing!

 

Don`t really need this function if your average ride is 50-60km. (once off ride)

[chris_w_65]

I enjoy my Garmin Edge 500. User friendly and the battery life is great, 15 hrs + It has so many readings you can choose from. The Garmin Connect website is extremely useful as well, especially the reports future.

 

I have managed to open my exercise file in Google Earth. How do I change it from aerial view to 3D like you have it?

[Tankman]

From what I can see, the Edge 500 does not have elevation profile.

The Edge 305 maps the elevation profile which is quite handy, but it does not have temp!

 

What do you mean? From my 500

elevation profile

 

elevation profile with tracking points:

[Tankman]

oh, you talking about the one on the unit.

Now I remember.

 

That profile is logged as you ride. Show over half of the screen.

That never looked anything like the real profile, especially over longer distances, cause it tried squeezing it into the screen. Frankly that is a crappy attempt at a live profile, I would hardly call removing crappy stuff a "slight downgrade"

Edited November 6, 2010 by Tankman

[linnega]

You hit the nail on the head Edman, when I'm racing I want two things: Elapsed time and Distance, everything else is really irrelevant and like you point out a distraction, I'll occasionally check my Heart Rate when I'm hammering it or maybe chasing a break down so that I can watch that I dont end up bonking later on in the ride but generally your body tells you when you're pushing too hard and you should be able to pick this up without an electronic device.

This is why I use my Garmin Forerunner 305. GPS always gives me my distance wherever I ride or run, and obviously elapsed time. Also very easy to swap between bikes or my wrist. Occasionally I use my HR strap but not often. Easy to download and analyse to my hearts content in either SportsTracks or Garmin Connect. You can pick one up these days for less than R1500.

[Tankman]

 

Nice to see the actual profile being logged of the specific race you doing.

If you have seen the profile of the race the day before, then you can remember the total climbing/ascent/profile. Very handy when doing marathon racing!

 

You want to see the profile while you riding, not when you get home!

You will understand when doing 100km/day over 3 or more consecutive days of racing!

 

Don`t really need this function if your average ride is 50-60km. (once off ride)

 

I want to see the profile before I get on the bike!

Dont you study the profile the day before?

 

It would be much cooler if it was able shown you the profile that you still needed to in a race!

What you have already done doesnt help much.

As I said before, the longer your ride the worse the profile started looking.

A 200km ride profile would look kinda flat on the unit, once downloaded on a pc you will see the difference.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Tankman

[Azonic]

Interesting to see how you rode & coped in the specific weather conditions (temp) and how you felt. If this was not important then Polar and Garmin would exclude this feature from there devices!

 

They include it because its an electronic device, its something you can do with an electronic device. If they could fit a dishwasher in there they would have. Its for sure not an important feature, its a selling point to hook people.

 

Nice to see the actual profile being logged of the specific race you doing.

If you have seen the profile of the race the day before, then you can remember the total climbing/ascent/profile. Very handy when doing marathon racing!

 

Can't remember when last I did a race without the route profile not being available a few days prior. The VAST majority of rides we all do, we pretty much know the area you will be racing.

 

You want to see the profile while you riding, not when you get home!

You will understand when doing 100km/day over 3 or more consecutive days of racing!

I understand. I have done many marathons, like in MANY. Never needed any toys while riding and I can't think that it would have made me go any faster

 

But as you've said a few times, different strokes for different folks. Some people need gadgets to go fast, others, like me, don't.

 

This thread was to point out that I'm getting a sh1tload of information from my phone in my back pocket that can record just about everything about my ride, generate all kinds of graphs etc that I can analyze afterwards, and all for free. Personally, I don't need a laptop on my handlebars while I race to tell me that I'm kakking off or that its hot.

[david16v]

I want to see the profile before I get on the bike!

Dont you study the profile the day before?

 

It would be much cooler if it was able shown you the profile that you still needed to in a race!

What you have already done doesnt help much.

As I said before, the longer your ride the worse the profile started looking.

A 200km ride profile would look kinda flat on the unit, once downloaded on a pc you will see the difference.

 

if you read my post carefully, I said that you can check the profile the day before, remember the important climbs and the check it out on the garmin as you ride. there is also a zoom function to see the climbs if riding as you say, 200km?