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Garmin Edge 500 or 510?

Pick121Pick121
in General Training Discussions
Just got a quarq riken and need a head unit. I was looking at reviews of Edge 510 and they are spotty. But the 510 provides more power data fields than the 500. Anyone have advice on which to go with?

Comments

  • RumpoleRumpole
    The reasons to get the 510 are:
    bigger screen
    touch controls
    phone integration

    I have had the 500 for several years, and have nothing bad to say 'bout it ('cept for the time it takes to zero the wheel sometimes). Since they changed the zero offset to come up immediately once the power meter is detected, if I had to choose between the two I would probably get the 500 again--provided it was cheaper. Check the dcrainmaker review.
  • bkcomiskeybkcomiskey
    I have had the 500 since it was first released. I was checking out EN'r John Molchin's new 510 and I do like the 510 better as bigger screen and improved resolution. The phone integration is a nice feature for giving your SO the ability to track you on rides if that is something important to you.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    The 510 will receive more update support for power users in the future then the 500, IMO....
  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    Never had a 500 but I'm very happy with my 510.
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    I like them both. The 500 has been my workhorse for yrs. I really like the "auto-upload" function on the 510. And having 2 extra cells on the display is nice. I have found the 500 a little easier to setup (given that it has almost exactly the same menu layout as the 310xt or the 910xt) The 510 is also a bit of a P.I.T.A. if the screen gets wet from rain or sweat as it sometimes might try to change screens or do something weird with the touch screen. The "tracking" function for family members is only useful for rides less than ~3 hrs as it kills your battery on your phone to be constantly paired with the bluetooth and be sending info across the phone waves to the internet every few seconds.

    If I could only have 1 going forward it would be the 510, it is the newer technology and will be the way of the future. But if it's a $$ thing, the 500 does everything you actually need for much cheaper.
  • Pick121Pick121

    thanks everybody. John W, the 500 has a few less power data fields available than the 510, do you find it to be an issue?

    plan on buying tomorrow for my first power test!

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    The only power fields I show are 3s Power and Lap NP and the 500 can certainly show both of those. In the 2 extra cells on the 510 I added total elevation gain and average NP, but both of those are really just for when I'm trying to play games with my training self near the end of long rides...

    Btw, there are other whole threads on this topic with lots of different personal opinions, but I also show: total time, cadence, HR, distance, and speed.
    I have a separate page setup on my 500 that I only look at for quick post ride analysis that has things like calories, TSS, elevation gain, and average NP.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    I don't own a 510, but I am not sold on the phone/coupling feature. As John says, it's a battery eater. And besides, if you break down and you have a phone that's capable of doing this, you can phone home and give your exact coordinates from any mapping app...or better yet, just let your spouse "track" you using "find my friends" or whatever the Android equivalent is.

    I'm still hanging onto my completely out of date 705, waiting for the next generation or two to upgrade the bike computer. If mine broke, I'd look for a used 500 to tide me over until the whole tracking blah blah blah part gets that much better.
  • Satish PunnaSatish Punna
    I have a 500 that I bought just after the 510 came out. I think garmin is still working out the bugs with the 510. The 500 is simpler, smaller, lighter, and proven ( and cheaper). Plus if you have an idevice your family can track you easily using the "find my iPhone" feature, so it makes the cell phone pairing of the 510 a bit redundant in that regard.
  • Pick121Pick121
    Thanks all, I ended up with the Edge 500 and did my first test today! Now my wife took the laptop out of town and I am dying to analyze my data! Have to wait until Friday, oh well. I will have to find a better mounting location. I temporarily installed it on the right aerobar extension just so i could get out and use the thing, and my wrist hit the lap button accidentally a couple times
  • cgres123cgres123
    This is a good post. I was picking up my new Tri bike from the shop Tuesday and was looking at both of them. The sales guy was pushing the 510; the few extra dollars was not the issue; more so was functionally. I read above about rain or sweat changing the display, that sentence puts the issue to bed for me. The 500 is looking good. I'm still using the LYC and it is fine anything else would be just a new toy.
  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    David - You have to get rid of the LYC. The Garmin are so much more functional. They also stay on better. My LYC had a habit of popping off while running through transitions.
  • cgres123cgres123
    You are correct Robert and I'm looking at the 500 strongly.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    My joule issue (differing PNorm, Pavg, TSS, IF, etc between the Joule, PowerAgent and WKO+) is strongly leading me to a get a Garmin, and I'm pointing to the 500 as well.
  • cgres123cgres123
    I was looking at the 500 to buy and the guy at the LBS said I could use my HR strap I have for Garmin watch. So this means I can wear 1 strap bike using the 500, T2 keep the same HR strap on click my watch on and go out to run is that right?
  • Satish PunnaSatish Punna
    That's how mine works. Just make sure the strap is paired with each unit.
  • TH3 FRBTH3 FRB

    Posted By John Withrow on 27 Aug 2013 01:40 PM


    The "tracking" function for family members is only useful for rides less than ~3 hrs as it kills your battery on your phone to be constantly paired with the bluetooth and be sending info across the phone waves to the internet every few seconds.



    That hasn't been my Experience.  So far in rides up to about 3hrs it has taken my battery down to 70-75% in my GS3.  You might be in an area with weak reception which drains more battery.
  • TH3 FRBTH3 FRB

    Posted By David McLaughlin on 29 Aug 2013 07:44 AM


    I read above about rain or sweat changing the display, that sentence puts the issue to bed for me. The 500 is looking good. I'm still using the LYC and it is fine anything else would be just a new toy.
    For future reference - just lock the screen to avoid any unwanted "touches".  Just like locking the bezel on the Forerunner 405, the buttons still function to start/stop and mark intervals.  2 taps of the screen and it's unlocked again if you need to do something.  I actually rode in the rain this weekend and didn't have any issues even without locking the screen.
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