Not Garmin – Decent bike GPS that does not require a smart phone

viv wrote:

Jetman – great that yours works, but mine doesn’t. Rather than keep spending time troubleshooting with an atrocious support network I’d rather cut my losses, send it back, and buy an alternative that doesn’t require my time and energy to discover work arounds to access the functions it promises on the box. Rant over.

Apologies … didn’t make my point clear. 

There are clearly issues with the newer Garmin devices, and those with more complex/mapping features, whereas I have always found my older Edge 200 and Edge 500 to be basically bulletproof. I have only lost data on one occasion in 6 years, and have never had issues with synchronising rides to GC or Strava or routes to the device from GC. Neither of them have maps. 

For me the combination of Express and Connect has always just worked … friends with newer devices or devices with maps have always had issues that are difficult to resolve. 

That said, my two buddies with Bryton devices spend most of their time cursing their computers too. The others I cannot comment on. 

HoarseMann wrote:

The Garmin PC software is dire. Sounds like this is the problem rather than the GPS itself.

The connect express application seems to work reliably for uploading rides to strava… but downloading routes using their software is hopeless. Don’t even try to use the mapping tools!

The only way I’ve found that works is planning routes with ridewithgps.com website, exporting as a .tcx and then saving the .tcx in the NewFiles folder on the Garmin SD card.

Trying to get the Garmin to plot a route itself usually ends up a long way round disaster of unsurfaced paths. 

i’ve used garmin eTrexes (eTrices?) for years. I started using the cheapest eTrex as a get-out-of-jail-free device for long-distance walking with map & compass. I’m on my 4th now, having bought updated versions as they come out. The software works, but not necessarily in the way you’d expect… and it takes a lot of suffering and frustration to understand its warped little mind.

One of the things that used to frustrate me was plotting a route with other, easier software, squirting it into the Garmin, then finding that the Garmin wanted to go its own way. When I eventually gave in and started to use Garmin Express I found that you can use it to plot the route with the map that you have in the device, so when you are actually out there, it goes where you told it to.

I have a Magellan (Mio) 505

I have a Magellan (Mio) 505 that I bought used last year from a riding buddy.  Haven’t been super impressed with the navigation (big part I think is that maps aren’t updated very frequently, so unable to keep up with all the changes in the city).  But for all the normal ride/data tracking, it works great.  Doesn’t seem to work with the newer Garmin magnet-less speed sensor (the one that wraps around your wheel hub), but I really only got that to use with my trainer anyways, and I use an app on my phone to track my trainer rides so for me it’s not a problem.  I haven’t had any issues with GPS signal even in bad weather, unlike some guys I ride with that use Garmins.  I also just discovered (even though it’s been available for like 2 years now) that I can get two months of Strava Premium for free with the 505 so I can use Live Segments.  Although I think I’ll go for a computer with side buttons next time (just my personal preference), the touch screen isn’t bad, and I can usually get by even with thick gloves during winter.  Another thing to note, it doesn’t have a lap button/function, so if you like to be able break up sections of a ride or track intervals that way you may want to look elsewhere.  I typically just break things down once I get the ride into Strava, so no issue for me.

That is a strange one! Take

That is a strange one! Take it you’re sending Stava segments to the Edge? That’s not something I’ve tried I’m afraid, so don’t really know what to suggest to help. This ‘might’ help https://support.strava.com/hc/en-us/articles/216918277-Strava-Live-Segments-on-Garmin-Devices-Premium-#edge

What’s your problem with the

What’s your problem with the 820? I’ve been using one for the past year, and after lots of issues early on, the latest firmware update has made it a lot more stable and usable. 

Hearing good things about the Wahoo Bolt, I’ve not tried one personally but Mat Brett seemed impressed judging by his review http://road.cc/content/review/222249-wahoo-elemnt-bolt-gps-cycling-computer

viv wrote:

I’d like a Garmin, but seeing as the Connect platform cannot send anything to the device I doubt an 810 will be any different.

I have an Edge 500, which I moved to from an Edge 200 and have never had a problem sending stuff from Connect to the device … in fact I sent a route to the 500 from GC this very morning. 

Wahoo Elemnt, Ive got one,

Wahoo Elemnt, Ive got one, all my cycling buddies have them now.  World wide maps, easy to configure(via phone), regular updates/firmware. 

A dream to use compared to Garmin. 

Hey if you dont want the best, buy a Garmin

nniff wrote:

I know it’s a Garmin, but a Garmin Edge Touring or Touring plus doesn’t need a phone.  All depends if you want loads of data or a record of where you’ve been, route guidnace, maps and basic data, or the full monty of power and all that.  Mine’s  done me well for years, but has the occasional melt down, which it gets over in due course

No, not this, I woun’t wish a Touring plus on anyone.  Best cycling based decision I ever made was to trade the piece of crashing worthless trash in for a Wahoo.  I would suggest a Wahoo but setting it up with a smartphone is a doddle, but I have no experience of trying to set it up without a smartphone.