Garmin cycle computers anyone?

[red_flanders]

I'd love to be able to download elevation and road maps of my rides. Anyone have a Garmin or like device they recommend?

Don't care about power meter. Too old for that crap now.

 

[mikeNphilly]

I use the Garmin 705, works great. I don't like the 805(or 800..whatever the model number is) model because of the touch screen feature. I upload my rides to map my ride website. Of course you can use Garmin's site for the same thing, or any site that accepts Garmin's file type.

One of the guys at work has one as well, its good piece of equipment.

 

[ozerulz]

I have a 500. it's comparatively cheap for what you get and it gives you all the info you want without the frills. Oh and it's funny to see all the people at the group ride talk about their fancy garmin this or that and when all the local pros show up what do you think they ride with?

 

[Spider1964]

I use a Garmin Edge 705, there are newer models available now.

Looks complicated, but as with anything electronic is very easy to use when you actually read the instructions! Purchased the unit with a CD that loaded maps.

Also a very easy exercise to download all of your rides on Garmin Connect website (http://connect.garmin.com), shows Map / Time / Elevation / Heartrate / Cadence for your ride. There is also a feature called the "Player" which takes you to a screen where, when you press "play" all of the features previously mentioned are shown on screen in a graphical display, check the website, but it's a really cool feature. You can also easily email your rides to friends, family etc.

I ride with a lot of older guys (Roadies & MTBers) who also use various Garmins (500/605/800) and they all download their rides. All the units seem to do the same job, screen size seems to be the only difference?

 

[biokemguy]

Android phone

I use an android phone and My Tracks (free app from google).

I 'reviewed' it in this post

That's only worthwhile if you have a smart phone of some sort.

The updated version of that app is supposed to communicate with a HR monitor, but I don't have one so I haven't tried that out yet.

 

[lancaster]

I use an android phone and My Tracks (free app from google).

I 'reviewed' it in this post

That's only worthwhile if you have a smart phone of some sort.

The updated version of that app is supposed to communicate with a HR monitor, but I don't have one so I haven't tried that out yet.

+1 i was thinking of buying a high end garmin, but "MY Tracks" is really good so that stopped me.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Hi

i have a Garmin 500. Really happy with it and the interconnectivity with their site (as posted above). Less fancy than the newer Map included versions, but gives you the essentials, never needed the GPS guide gadget, as I know normally my way around where I ride.

Pat

 

[elapid]

I have a Garmin Edge 705. It is a very good bike computer, but probably has more than you want it for. The Garmin 500 or smartphone apps like Cyclemeter or My Tracks are probably more than sufficient for your needs.

@ Ozerulz: Does it matter what the local pros use? They get paid to use certain products and hence do not get a choice. While I admit that I don't need to use a powermeter or need a Garmin 705 (or, for that matter, an expensive bike), I get a lot of enjoyment out of all of these things. Why should I or someone else be guilted out of buying something because I am not a pro and because it is not what pros use?

 

[Winterfold]

+1 for the Edge 500 - lovely minimal 'does all it needs to and no more' bit of kit. 3 customiseable screens so i have setup one for regular riding, a TT one and a climbing one.

i have various apps on the iphone for MTB and some of the 'wikitrails' ones are good for sharing/finding hidden singletracks but for roadying the Edge 500 is waaay better.

Worth getting the speed sensor if you regularly ride in wooded areas and want your speed readout to be 100% accurate. It doesnt bother me, but it might some.

 

[Sprocketboy]

Garmin 305

I have used a Garmin Edge 305 for the last six or seven years and generally been happy with it. Unfortunately, this week it has decided it does not want to load courses anymore and Garmin says that it is not worth it to try and repair it. I am considering going to a 605, although I will lose the HR and cadence functions, but I don't think these are really worth the extra money that I would need to pay to get them in a 705. Everyone complains about the Garmin software but it seems to have worked well enough for me. I load the rides onto the GarminConnect website and use http://www.gpsies.com for developing courses. The 305 has a very simple interface--a great big arrow pointing out the course--but it saves a lot of time compared to stopping and reading maps. I would recommend the Garmins.

 

[Andy99]

Use a Garmin 705. very easy to download rides and view profile etc.

My only gripe would be that the maps on the device are poor, and the maps used to view the downloaded rides aren't great either (bing maps).

I guess you're in Belgium, so not sure what maps are available for the new Garmins over there, but in the UK, Ordnance Survey maps are available for the 800 which is really tempting me. If you could also view the downloaded rides on an os map it would be perfect.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Mobile Phone App for the Win!

I've used two mobile phone apps and was satisfied with both.

Nokia has something called sportstracker that might be native to their OS. They've even got a bluetooth heart rate monitor. Nokia smartphones are losing their appeal unfortunately.

GPSLogger is totally free. No strings attached! It works great for the crackberry. It's a mobile java app, so it will work on more than just a blackberry.

 

[bc_hills]

garmin fortrex 401

I use the garmin fortrex 401. I don't think it shows up on the radar when people are looking for cycling computers, but it pretty much delivers what the 500 does, but without the option for +ANT. I like it because it's got the barometric altimeter in it and a wrist strap so that it can (hopefully!) do double duty in the winter for ski touring.

If I trained seriously though I'd prob get the 500 for the +ANT.

I've also used an older gen garmin from way back... I've never had issues with the garmin technology, but then I've never used their more sophisticated stuff. On a side note, I like GarminConnect, it makes even the simplest garmins seem richly featured

Regarding phone apps, it would stress me out too much to always have my phone in my face on a ride! What a drag it would be to get a work call in the middle of a good ride!

 

[Notso Swift]

I guess it depends on if you want to record your rides or to look at your rides as you do them

If it is recording then a smart phone app does everything you need, i use endomondo which talks to my HR monitor on Blackberry
I have a Polar CS200HR (which is pretty ship...) for on the road and the same HR signal goes to both, so I have instant on the Polar and the log (with all GPS functions) on the Phone

Since I am always riding with a phone it works for me and the phone does drop out any where as much as the Polar (sucks battery though)

 

[bc_hills]

I think all the garmin cycling computers provide a log that you can later map via GarminConnect. I guess with the lower end garmins that leaves you reliant on the web which could be seen as a drawback.

Sounds like someone should make an +ANT app for the iphone...