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Recommend me a GPS computer…

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  • January 30, 2015 at 3:46 pm #23137
    sergius

    Hey,

    I’ve been looking at treating myself to a GPS computer, I’ve been using my phone for the last year or so and was fairly happy with that until Strava broke their auto-pause function recently. The main issue I have with using the phone is that I basically have to stop and fish it out of my pockets if I get lost or want to know how late I’m going to be getting home (one has to weigh the grief I will get versus the extra mileage).

    I’ve been looking at the Garmin Edge 1000 (performance bundle) versus the Mio 505 (HRM + cadence bundle). If I’m going to treat myself, I may as well get access to data I didn’t have previously (HRM and cadence specifically).

    Both units got pretty good reviews and should cover the basics of what I’d like it for without too much drama. From hunting around the internet/forums; I see a lot of people moaning about the Edge 1000 and various glitches/bugs – most of it’s 6+ months old though.

    So, for someone who wants the following features:

    – Ability to see where I am (map)
    – Cadence/Speed/HR display + recording for Strava giggles
    – Waterproof
    – Integration with Strava
    – The ability to be used on two bikes without too much hassle (I have a N+1 itch which I’m planning on fulfilling soon), I don’t mind buying two sets of sensors as required as long as they aren’t extortionate.
    – Reliable (half the reason I’m doing this is that the Strava app has gone downhill a bit)

    Is there anything to really point me in one direction or the other? The Mio is slightly cheaper, the Garmin seems to have better sensors and more aftermarket parts available (i.e. a second mount for example).

    Personal experiences welcome/appreciated.

    Thanks,

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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  • February 2, 2015 at 3:53 pm #829927
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    sergius

    I’ve plumped for a Edge 1000,
    I’ve plumped for a Edge 1000, will see how I get on!

    February 2, 2015 at 1:29 pm #829925
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    amazon22

    I had the Mio 505 HC – it was
    I had the Mio 505 HC – it was problematic with a Mac for a while but they’ve overcome all of that with ‘CycloAgent’ application. The screen is larger and better definition than Garmin 800’s. I only used it for navigation so can’t comment on the heart rate and cadence functions. A couple of recent firmware updates fixed and improved a slew of things and it’s now very usable and friendly. The GUI is pretty intuitive, and its easy to drop a gpx file into it, which it will follow flawlessly – you can start anywhere along the route and it won’t send you back to the start. Rerouting if you changed your mind or took a wrong turn and carried on only took a few seconds. Uses OSM maps or another (can’t remember the name) – I wasn’t impressed with the presentation of either but they did the job. I don’t think you can upload others. The MioShare web portal is a crock of shite – basic and clunky but it works sufficiently to push files on and off the Mio. Its also supposed to push them through to Strava. Has Di2 compatability and a load of other stuff. It is pretty much the equal of the Edge 1000 for a lot less less money (mine was ‘ex-demo’ for under £300). My one big concern was battery life – after about 6 hours or so it was down to 25% and no amount of adjusting settings would improve it. How quickly it would drop from that I’m not sure as that would usually cover my days riding.

    There is a good forum at http://cyclogps.com where the current thinking by many is that Mio have pulled back from developing it any further, which may or may not be the case.

    After touring through the summer, I sold mine as I couldn’t justify keeping it. I probably wouldn’t buy another, nor would I buy a Garmin. Phones are developing so fast that they must be the future, with an out front monitor of some sort – if Wahoo could get maps displaying that would do it!

    February 2, 2015 at 7:47 am #829923
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    wellcoordinated

    I have had the 1000 since it
    I have had the 1000 since it came out, and yes it did have quite a few problems in the early days. However I don’t see any problems with it now, except it does not send an email to my other half when I start a ride as it’s supposed to do.

    February 1, 2015 at 12:30 pm #829921
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    sergius

    Thanks bikemadjo (and
    Thanks bikemadjo (and everyone else).

    I’m leaning towards just getting the 1000. The updated sensors + the fact that it’s a new device rather than 4+ year old hardware are swinging it for me.

    The key concern is the glitches I’ve seen, I looked at the firmware releases for the 1000, they have made 6 major releases so far – from the sounds of it the real show-stoppers have been resolved now.

    February 1, 2015 at 11:48 am #829919
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    bikemadjo

    I have the Garmin 1000 and it
    I have the Garmin 1000 and it is amazing. Admittedly when i first tried it (Straight from the box) it was a bit glitchy but after i downloaded the latest software, I’ve had no glitches and it has runs like a dream and i’ve never had to worry about it on the long rides (i.e ridelondon 100 last year). I also like that if it is paired with a phone family members can track you on your ride and it will auto upload once your ride is ended.

    Sergius is right above the new sensors with the 1000 are so much better to measure cadence & speed and are very easy to switch between bikes, i regularly take the sensors off and switch them to the turbo or winter bike.

    I love my Garmin and other members of my family have a 510 (GF) & 800 (parent) and never had any problems.

    Feel free to get in contact if you have any specific questions and i’ll answer them based on my experience so far.

    February 1, 2015 at 9:21 am #829917
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    geekinthesticks

    I have a 510, which has been
    I have a 510, which has been very reliable. Regarding the HRM make sure that you get some gel, which greatly improves its reliability. Also second the crapness of the premium HRM strap, I use an old Polar one.

    When I was considering which Garmin to get, I discounted the 810 as the screen was simply too small to be useful for my purposes. I do almost all of my riding in country lanes. If I need a map I want a general overview of a reasonable sized area. My phone 5″ screen is just about OK for this, but a Garmin sized screen would be a complete waste of time.

    Maybe it’s just me, but following a route seems to be utterly useless. I have created routes from tracks of some of my regular rides. I get constant errors e.g. if I am at a crossroads where I literally need to go straight over, the Garmin will often tell me to take a left turn and then after a hundred yards tell me I am off route. I get enough of this sort of error for me not to rely on the Garmin for any sort of turn by turn navigation.

    January 31, 2015 at 7:36 pm #829915
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    ianrobo

    the only issue I have with my
    the only issue I have with my 810 is that once every 6 months I lose the backlight and have to do a factory reset to get it back.

    January 31, 2015 at 7:35 pm #829913
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    Beefy

    Kadinkski wrote:I have the
    [quote=Kadinkski]I have the garmin 810, using openstreet maps.

    “Most of the time its fine, but I do find it infuriating at times. Once it just switched off mid-ride (seemed okay once I switched back on but half my ride’s data was gone), and recently the connection to my phone just stopped working and it won’t reconnect now no matter what I try. The heart rate monitor that came with it is temperamental at best – I need to have cycled about 5 miles before it connects and when I wear certain clothes like a big winter jacket it doesn’t connect at all.”

    Take it back to retailer! My 810 is fab! No problems at all. I had a cateye GPS which I replaced once then out of gaurentee battery stopped holding a charge despite me following manufacturer guidance. The importer were shit, basically if the battery goes on a 14 month old cat eye GPS its for the bin.

    I would only use garmin from now on they are the market leader for a reason

    January 31, 2015 at 6:13 pm #829911
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    devoid99

    I got a Garmin 800 a couple
    I got a Garmin 800 a couple of years back, has done everything I’ve needed it for so far, no problems and still going strong. If the 800 bites the dust, I’d probably go for the Garmin 1000.

    January 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm #829909
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    Yorkshie Whippet

    Recently got a Garmin 810 for
    Recently got a Garmin 810 for mapping and ride recording. Not too bothered with heart rate and mess about with cadence etc later. So far it took a while to sync with Connect once updated it’s been fine. The rolling map is quite good as the screens are customisable. So I have speed and distance overplayed the map. Direction are spot on with both time and distance countdown. Directions are turn left onto what’s it street.
    Mine came with three mounts. If you want cadence on all bikes, the sensors seem to be £45 each. The countdown as you ride toward a segment can get a touch annoying.

    Overall, so far I’m happy.

    January 31, 2015 at 1:52 pm #829907
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    sergius

    Had a quick look on the
    Had a quick look on the Garmin site:

    The two sensor sets are these ones:

    https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/shop-by-accesories/fitness-sensors/speed-cadence-bike-sensor/prod1266.html

    (Edge 1000)
    https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/shop-by-accesories/fitness-sensors/bike-speed-sensor-and-cadence-sensor/prod146897_010-12104-00.html

    The second one definitely comes with the 1000 and looks easy to swap between multiple bikes. The first one I guess is a magnet + windspeed device.

    January 31, 2015 at 1:49 pm #829905
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    big mick

    The Garmin 800 810 etc are
    The Garmin 800 810 etc are the top dogs in the GPS cycle computer world with one strange problem,the Premium heartrate monitor strap is shite and the cheap Garmin plastic strap is excellent works perfectly with the 800/810 and Garmin would do better supplying it with ALL there gps computers really.I’ve had an 800 for 4 years works perfectly still and once I learned about the chest strap fix the HR readings are perfect all the time.Happy days. 🙂

    January 31, 2015 at 1:38 pm #829903
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    sergius

    Kadinkski, did it come with
    Kadinkski, did it come with three separate sensors?

    HRM (is this a strap around the chest jobby?)
    Cadence (straps onto the crank arm, no magnet just accelerometer)
    Speed (attaches to the hub, again no magnet required)

    Thanks,

    January 31, 2015 at 1:09 pm #829901
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    Kadinkski

    I should add that the cadence
    I should add that the cadence sensor works perfectly every time.

    January 31, 2015 at 1:07 pm #829899
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    Kadinkski

    I have the garmin 810, using
    I have the garmin 810, using openstreet maps.

    Most of the time its fine, but I do find it infuriating at times. Once it just switched off mid-ride (seemed okay once I switched back on but half my ride’s data was gone), and recently the connection to my phone just stopped working and it won’t reconnect now no matter what I try. The heart rate monitor that came with it is temperamental at best – I need to have cycled about 5 miles before it connects and when I wear certain clothes like a big winter jacket it doesn’t connect at all. I’m looking to get a polar heart rate unit and connect it to the device instead. The garmin connect app for tracking your data is a joke, but you can just upload your rides to strava anyway so that’s not really an issue.

    Like I say, most of the time its fine, but I’ve made my mind up that when it needs replacing i will try something else like the Mio.

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