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New bike computer advice – updating from a Garmin 800

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  • February 14, 2018 at 3:34 pm #28136
    paulrattew

    I’ve currently got a Garmin 800 which I think is brilliant. It does all that I need it to do in terms of data measuring and the metrics it can display. Its mapping is very good, whether doing turn by turn directions from pre-planned routes or on the fly A-B route planning.

    It does have a number of issues though. It take ages to find a GPS signal. It’s measurement of elevation changes is frankly laughable. Because of its age there is no bluetooth connectivity, so I can’t upload data without plugging it into my computer. Also, the battery life is starting to degrade a bit, to the point where it may struggle to survive through really long days. 

    So, I’m looking for an upgrade, but I’m not really sure what is the best to go for. I don’t need many more features than those that the 800 already has- so I don’t need any of the fancy training, fitness testing, group tracking, text message reading type stuff that the range topping garmin 1030 has. I do want to be able to upload my data via bluetooth and my phone, I want the mapping and routing to be at least as good as the 800, and I want the battery life to be able to survive long rides without me having to take a power pack.

    Recommendations please!

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  • February 19, 2018 at 3:58 pm #912381
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    CanyonCycler

    I want to get the vector 3

    I want to get the vector 3 pedals but I’m hearing that they aren’t necessarily compatabile with the Wahoo bolt.  Can anyone confirm this?

    February 19, 2018 at 9:56 am #912379
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    cdamian

    I replaced my 800 with a 1000
    I replaced my 800 with a 1000 and it works pretty well. I mainly got it for the Bluetooth. It has most of the features of the 1030. It is more reliable for me than the 800 and battery lasts a bit longer too.
    At the time the 820 didn’t exist, otherwise I would have gotten that one for the smaller size.

    The Wahoo stuff sounds good too, maybe I have a look at the next generation.

    February 18, 2018 at 10:33 am #912377
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    Spangly Shiny
    paulrattew wrote:
    risoto wrote:
    Dump anything Garmin. I replaced my Edge 1000, worthless navigation, shut-downs etc, for a Lezyne Super Gps. 1 year in, completely satisfied. The Wahoo I think is another brilliant option.  The business strategy of Garmin is to use the cheapest hardward possible to ensure that at least the product can do the basics. Add to that bug-ridden software and then look at the prices they charge.  Never again will I touch a Garmin product – the Edge 1000 was by far the most disappointing purchase of my life – I still get angry when I think about it:)

     

     

    problem with the wahoo units is that they don’t do genuine mapping and routing. You get breadcrumb routes, but can’t reroute if you go off the prescribed route and can’t do on the fly routing. Proper routing is the thing that I said I need, so no matter how good the wahoo is in other ways it doesn’t fit the bill. 

    Does the Lezyne do proper routing?

    I just had a try to get an on the fly route on the Bolt. You can create a route on a smartphone using the Komoot app, then upload it to the bolt. That gives the same functionality as Garmin. The downside of this though is the need to carry a smartphone, oh! and a connection.

    The Lezyne uses a breadcrumb trail for navigation not full tbt navigation.

    February 17, 2018 at 9:37 pm #912375
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    paulrattew
    risoto wrote:
    Dump anything Garmin. I replaced my Edge 1000, worthless navigation, shut-downs etc, for a Lezyne Super Gps. 1 year in, completely satisfied. The Wahoo I think is another brilliant option.  The business strategy of Garmin is to use the cheapest hardward possible to ensure that at least the product can do the basics. Add to that bug-ridden software and then look at the prices they charge.  Never again will I touch a Garmin product – the Edge 1000 was by far the most disappointing purchase of my life – I still get angry when I think about it:)

     

     

    problem with the wahoo units is that they don’t do genuine mapping and routing. You get breadcrumb routes, but can’t reroute if you go off the prescribed route and can’t do on the fly routing. Proper routing is the thing that I said I need, so no matter how good the wahoo is in other ways it doesn’t fit the bill. 

    Does the Lezyne do proper routing?

    February 17, 2018 at 9:23 pm #912373
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    risoto

    Dump anything Garmin. I

    Dump anything Garmin. I replaced my Edge 1000, worthless navigation, shut-downs etc, for a Lezyne Super Gps. 1 year in, completely satisfied. The Wahoo I think is another brilliant option.  The business strategy of Garmin is to use the cheapest hardward possible to ensure that at least the product can do the basics. Add to that bug-ridden software and then look at the prices they charge.  Never again will I touch a Garmin product – the Edge 1000 was by far the most disappointing purchase of my life – I still get angry when I think about it:)

     

    February 17, 2018 at 3:34 pm #912371
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    700c

    I’m yet to be convinced there
    I’m yet to be convinced there’s a better alternative to the 800, it just works. Maybe the degrading battery will kill it in the end but I’d say in the meantime hang on to it and get the BT solution mentioned by others.

    February 17, 2018 at 2:48 pm #912369
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    EddyBerckx

    Loads of people in my club
    Loads of people in my club have or are switching to the wahoo, they’re fed up with Garmin bugs and the ever increasing price.

    I’m happy enough with the 810…just. but wouldn’t mind a better, maybe bigger screen (not enough to pay £500 for the 1000 etc)

    February 17, 2018 at 12:26 pm #912367
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    paulrattew
    TrippyZ wrote:
    You don’t need bluetooth, just plug the 800 into your phone using and OTG connector 

     

    i know that’s possible, if a tad awkward, on an android phone, but I’m not sure it works with an iPhone (which I have)

    February 17, 2018 at 10:47 am #912365
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    TrippyZ

    You don’t need bluetooth,

    You don’t need bluetooth, just plug the 800 into your phone using and OTG connector 

    February 16, 2018 at 2:51 pm #912363
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    alansmurphy
    Scottish Scrutineer wrote:
    alansmurphy wrote:
    It’s really cut and dry, if you want a colour screen then don’t buy the Bolt…

     

    If you don’t need a colour screen, but want a decent intuitive GPS/Bike Computer, buy a Wahoo Bolt or Elemnt

     

    I need one that works when my phone isn’t with me…

     

    February 16, 2018 at 2:46 pm #912361
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    Scottish Scrutineer
    alansmurphy wrote:
    It’s really cut and dry, if you want a colour screen then don’t buy the Bolt…

     

    If you don’t need a colour screen, but want a decent intuitive GPS/Bike Computer, buy a Wahoo Bolt or Elemnt

    February 16, 2018 at 2:32 pm #912359
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    alansmurphy

    The 505 is pretty much the

    The 505 is pretty much the 1030 (or at least the 1000) at under half the price. Certainly worth considering.

     

    I have an 820 and a Mio 315 – I don’t have an issue with the Bolt, I just have an issue with people telling me that the Bolt is better than other products without any real justification đŸ™‚

     

    February 16, 2018 at 2:01 pm #912357
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    paulrattew
    part_robot wrote:
    Color screen or one that’s highly readable in all lighting conditions (including bright sunlight) and has a battery life of 18 hours. Hmn… Not sure it’s quite as cut and dry as you think…

     

    alansmurphy wrote:
    It’s really cut and dry, if you want a colour screen then don’t buy the Bolt…

     

    Colour screen isn’t a must have for me. Good proper navigation though is. The ability to reroute when I go off of a pre-planned route and the ability to Generate a good bike centric A to B route on the fly are te things that I am more concerned with. 

    I’m not really sure if these are things that the Elemnt / Elemnt Bolt can do. I’m pretty sure the Garmin 520 can’t do these, whereas the 820 and 1030 (the latter being more than I would want to spend) seem to be able to. Not sure about other makes

    February 16, 2018 at 12:58 pm #912355
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    alansmurphy

    It’s really cut and dry, if

    It’s really cut and dry, if you want a colour screen then don’t buy the Bolt…

    February 16, 2018 at 11:58 am #912353
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    part_robot

    Color screen or one that’s

    Color screen or one that’s highly readable in all lighting conditions (including bright sunlight) and has a battery life of 18 hours. Hmn… Not sure it’s quite as cut and dry as you think…

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