Garmin for Bike
Hi, I have a 910xt but was looking to get a garmin for my bike, for a bigger display, 910's a little small.
Can I get a recommendation - from the website for cycling there are multiple options:
Edge Touring (& plus), Edge 810, Edge 510, Edge 800, Edge 500, Edge 200
Thanks, John S.
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x2 what Rich said. However, I have a Garmin 800 and found the map stuff helpful negotiating a course I didn't know (IMTX camp recently). If you don't need map display, then there's really not much to gain with an 800/810 over 500/510. I think the main difference in the newer 510/810's is the ability to wirelessly download your ride to your phone immediately.
Check the classified forum
Someone posted a garmin 500 late last week for sale
Good luck
x2 on the previous comments. I have been using a Garmin 510. Like the functions and also find that the smaller footprint gives you more mounting options. I have it between my aero bars on a Barfly TT mount - fits nicely between my Speedfil and the handgrips.
I've got the Edge 810 in addition to the 910xt, because the 910's screen is so small. I didn't know if I would use all the features of the 810, but I like the live tracking for my longer rides. Live tracking sends my wife an email that she can then click and see where I am on my ride. It makes her feel good knowing I'm still moving and she's able to determine when I might be done. Also, the ability for my workouts to be instantly uploaded to my iphone keeps me from having to plug the 810 up to my computer. The 810 also has turn by turn maps and works just like a car GPS. You can create a course in Garmin Connect and then through your iphone you can upload it to the 810. I think the 510 has similar features but is a little smaller. The 810 has a nice size screen which allows for a lot of different metrics to be displayed and easily viewed. All in all, I'm glad I purchased it. For a real detailed review of all the Edge series GPS's go to dcrainmaker.com.
I too have mine mounted on a Barfly TT and it fits nicely in front of my Speedfil.
I am using a 310XT and funny enough, have been thinking about getting a cycling specific computer the past couple of weeks. Was never a problem before, but now that I use power it would be easier to have a bigger screen in front of my face, and always looking at my watch becomes annoying. I dont want to get the quick release kit because the wrist strap is kinda flimsy. So I was deciding between a Joule GPS or Garmin 500. Similar price, but not sure which one I should go with. I know a lot of people use the Garmin products, what about the Joule?
The Garmin's are setup to alert @ 15 minutes to remind me for nutrition and reset the lap on the Joule. The 310 vibrates and the 500 beeps to make sure I stay in my little box.
I prefer to look at the Joule for power because of the Lap IF that Garmin doesn't have. Garmin IF is overall, not lap.
I get GPS / power from one of the Garmin's but load the Joule data into WKO+
What I did was put a PVC pipe held by zip ties in between the aerobars and mounted the garmin on the pipe. It puts the garmin right in front of you and it cost almost nothing.
Profile Design makes, and TriSports sells for $10, this universal computer mount. It's a simple design: a clamp which fits around one of the bars, wherever you like, and a round piece which screws onto the clamp. You can then use the mount which comes with your head unit intended for handlebars. No need for zip ties or any special skills, just a credit card.
http://www.profile-design.com/profi...mount.html
Prefer the 510 over the 500 because you can upload the data to garmin connect without hard wire connection to your computer.
But I chose the 500 over the 510 because I prefer the smaller size (fits better in between my aero bars) and I've heard that the display on the 510 can be hard to read in some light conditions (maybe in the sun / with polarized shades?).
Either the 500 or 510 are much better than the 910xt on the bike... especially during a race.
I have my Garmin 800 mounted similar to Carlos, but it's on a piece of carbon tubing. The bike shops usually have some laying around after cutting off seatposts and such. They kinda rounded the the edges so it fits nicely b/w my aero bars and I have it wayyyy out front, with just enough room for my hands beyond it on the ends of the aero bars. I drilled holes in it and zip-tied it, but it is very stable wedged b/w the aero bars and it's probably just a belt with suspenders. The bike shop just gave it to me. Al's reference sounds good too, though, and might be more adjustable?
I think Garmin made a big mistake in "updating" the 500 with a larger form factor. The small size is one of the great advantages of that unit. It is small, yet readable even when showing 5+ data fields on a screen.
I use the 500 for racing and 90% of my outdoor training. The other 10% of my outdoor training is in unfamiliar places and new routes, so that's when I use the 800. It is just awesome for that with the maps. The 500 is no comparison.
Strangely, I also use the 800 for virtually all of my indoor training, because I find it really bright and readable in a darkened room (love the automatic color scheme inversion based on time of day, btw).
The concern about readability of the newer screens with polarized lenses is overblown. I use polarized lenses and have no issue with the 800. Yes it looks a bit different from certain angles. But no it is not unreadable...not even close.