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Dnnnnnn.
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January 23, 2019 at 9:56 am #29306
Baga
Dear all,
I wanted to ask for your opinion and ask to share your experience. I would love to purchase a GPS tracker for my bike. Normally people go for something like Garmin dedicated bike computer, however I am hesitant. I have purchased the Garmin Felix smartwatch a couple of years ago and saw how it quickly bacame outdated. I am under no illusion that this thing is happening to dedicated bike computers. I would just go and use my iPhone, but I think the issue is the battery.
What is the approach you have? How do you invest wisely? What is working, what is not?
THANKS!
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L3gion
Baga wrote:I have to say that I am more like you. If I see a product that is awesome, I will have no issues spending money. For now, I just do not see anything that is impressive. There are good products, but I read that Garmins have many issues. Wahoo is not as good when it comes to mapping. But there is the competition and it might lead to one company improving dramatically to get the competitive edge.Agreed, thats where I am. Waiting…
I have to say that I am more
I have to say that I am more like you. If I see a product that is awesome, I will have no issues spending money. For now, I just do not see anything that is impressive. There are good products, but I read that Garmins have many issues. Wahoo is not as good when it comes to mapping. But there is the competition and it might lead to one company improving dramatically to get the competitive edge.
L3gion wrote:I’ve been using my phone for 6000 miles with no problems. Initially in my pocket, then as I started to actively train more and push harder on improving my times on segments I started mounting it out front where I can see it (live segments on strava etc).Only became a problem a month ago when the battery was deteriorating such that it could just about manage 4 hours with strava and komoot (for navigation) running. I’ve since upgraded the phone and am using it the same way.
I’d like a dedicated unit but right now I’m not impressed by whats available and too many stories of garmin issues. Wahoo looks the best bet but I’m in no hurry.
JimD666 wrote:
JimD666 wrote:If you’re really worried about things being outdated then cycling is going to cost you a bucket load. Your bike is probably already out of date!I would not go as far as this. Some things do not change every day. I am a photographer and I am invested into a DSLR system. FF camera are not updated every year, but every 4-5 years and even then it is not always a big step forward. So sometimes I skip the generation. I have a cross bike that I have purchased in 2005, which still runs great and I am not sure that many things have changed since then. Phones, smart watches, GPS computers are different. I update my iPhone every 3 year. Smart watch I had one, Garmin, but it was an expensive and cumbersone devise. Big and not very useful. You can have an apple watch with 10 times more functions today for the same price. GPS computers – I see that they look strange, as if this technology is from 90th:-) My Fenix Garmin watch experience is something I do not want to repeat with the GPS computer. It is highly likely that because of Fenix I am very careful here. So sure will not want to purchase something that will be updated 2-3 months from now and will cost same money. Typically I try to purchase products as soon as they are released, not at the end of the cycle.
I’ve been using my phone for
I’ve been using my phone for 6000 miles with no problems. Initially in my pocket, then as I started to actively train more and push harder on improving my times on segments I started mounting it out front where I can see it (live segments on strava etc).
Only became a problem a month ago when the battery was deteriorating such that it could just about manage 4 hours with strava and komoot (for navigation) running. I’ve since upgraded the phone and am using it the same way.
I’d like a dedicated unit but right now I’m not impressed by whats available and too many stories of garmin issues. Wahoo looks the best bet but I’m in no hurry.
Nick T
No one uses all the “features
No one uses all the “features” on newer devices. My old edge 800 was faultless, I’m still not sure why I “upgraded” to an 820. I spent half a day figuring out how to turn off all the pointless rubbish off. Live segments? Stop beeping and turning the map on for goodness sake. Off. Text messages and email on screen? No thanks, I’ll check when I’m finished. Touchscreen is a source of endless frustration at this time of year. It does mapping and routes well, but so did my 800, which did all I needed it to do and all I want the 820 to do. I gave it do a friend then my 820 broke. At least the warranty claim was painless
Anonymous
If you’re really worried
If you’re really worried about things being outdated then cycling is going to cost you a bucket load. Your bike is probably already out of date!
hawkinspeter
I started off with using a
I started off with using a phone app which was fine for a while – start your ride, pop your phone in your pocket and you’re good to go. However, that doesn’t let you see time/speed etc whilst you’re riding.
I got a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt last year and it’s superb. Works a treat with connecting to other sensors (which are also Wahoo as it happens) and it’s got more battery life than I’ll ever need (12 hours?).
CycleCommute.CC
Stop worrying about it
Stop worrying about it getting outdated!Buy what you want now at the best price you can. I’ve been using an Edge 1000 for 4 years and it’s awesome. Yeah outdated and a few quirks but no regrets.
Also use fenix 5 for 2 years and love it.
PRSboy
I was very excited about live
I was very excited about live strava segments when they came out, and disappointed that my Edge 800 couldn’t do them. Then I got an 810, which as far as I knew couldn’t either, but it was cheap and my 800 had broken.
I found out a couple of weeks ago the 810 actually can do strava segments but since then I haven’t even tried it yet.
My point… what seems very exciting in the latest model press release probably isnt.
You will be fine with a 520. Or even a 510 for that matter…
CarlTV
Baga wrote:Thank you. Do you think it might be updated to 530 or something like that in the next 1 year?I wouldn’t have thought so, the 520 Plus has only just come out… that means there are good deals about on the older 520, which I think you’d probably be fine with.
Honestly, speed is going to be speed, cadence is going to be cadence, heart rate, etc, in 3 years time… this is what you’ll focus on, the main metrics.
You do get live Strava segments on the 520 too, that’s quite fun to use and push yourself with.
Thank you. Do you think it
Thank you. Do you think it might be updated to 530 or something like that in the next 1 year?
CarlTV wrote:Speaking as a tech-nerd, who’s got/tried all options you mention, my advice would be to go straight to a version of the Garmin Edge 520 (either the older one or the Plus would be fine, the latter being better for navigation).I was in a similar position to you last year, started off using my iPhone, then went for the Edge 25, then got a heart-rate monitor, then a speed/cadence sensor, then the Edge 520 (because the Edge 25 quickly showed it’s limitations)… I stayed with this set up until last month when I upgraded again to the Edge 1030 (because I wanted the best navigation).
Along the way I picked up a Forerunner 235XT watch which I now use for other sports, as a daily watch (which it’s great for) and the odd cycling commute, but it would in no way compete with the Edge units… you just get so much more back from a dedicated GPS head unit, it improves cycling and makes you do it more.
Also, for Strava, it’s way cleaner… auto-pausing for one, and general accuracy, it gives you way better feedback in every area.
So, if I could go back and speak to myself, or you, I’d say get an Edge 520 bundle with the HRM and speed/cadence sensors… you can thank me later.
Speaking as a tech-nerd, who
Speaking as a tech-nerd, who’s got/tried all options you mention, my advice would be to go straight to a version of the Garmin Edge 520 (either the older one or the Plus would be fine, the latter being better for navigation).
I was in a similar position to you last year, started off using my iPhone, then went for the Edge 25, then got a heart-rate monitor, then a speed/cadence sensor, then the Edge 520 (because the Edge 25 quickly showed it’s limitations)… I stayed with this set up until last month when I upgraded again to the Edge 1030 (because I wanted the best navigation).
Along the way I picked up a Forerunner 235XT watch which I now use for other sports, as a daily watch (which it’s great for) and the odd cycling commute, but it would in no way compete with the Edge units… you just get so much more back from a dedicated GPS head unit, it improves cycling and makes you do it more.
Also, for Strava, it’s way cleaner… auto-pausing for one, and general accuracy, it gives you way better feedback in every area.
So, if I could go back and speak to myself, or you, I’d say get an Edge 520 bundle with the HRM and speed/cadence sensors… you can thank me later.
AKH
Baga wrote:I will try to observe this space in 2019. These devices looks like from 20 year ago. No edge to edge screens, expensive. I think for me the Edge 25 is the best…small and light and I would just want to see it updated.Regards,
Alex
I had an edge 25 before a 520. The 25 is a fine little device for what it is, but it’s very limited on how much information it can get on its screen at one time. From memory it can only show two metrics at a time, and the range of metrics to choose from is far more limited that with the larger devices. If you have an idea what data you want you should be able to find out online whether the 25 will meet your needs. For me it didn’t and I didn’t have mine long. My own fault for not doing more research.
Regarding your criticism of the screens, they’re fine for what they are. You’re not going to get a beautiful, high resolution, edge-to-edge screen without it making the device significantly more expensive, more fragile, and consuming way more battery power. I don’t think 2019 will change that. Unless you want the device for mapping, you really don’t need such display quality anyway. These devices are designed to be small, light, waterproof, and still significantly cheaper than anything other than a bottom of the range phone. Look at an image like this…
https://road.cc/content/review/166422-garmin-edge-520-heart-rate-and-cadence-bundle
That’s realistically all you’re going to be viewing on the device during a ride.
**edit** I don’t mean those exact metrics, but a bunch of simple numbers/times/percentages like that.
kil0ran
I’ve got an Edge 25 (passed
I’ve got an Edge 25 (passed on to my son) and an Edge 130.
Edge 25 is still a superb device for doing the basics well – the only reason I upgraded was because I use a power meter and wanted navigation and better integration with other apps
The screen on the 130 is excellent and very configurable – a noticeable improvement over the Edge 25. And I’ve had zero issues with either unit in terms of lost rides etc.
Both will do the job – personally I’d go for a used Edge 130 (always loads on eBay) rather than a 25, simply because Garmin will/should support it for several years.
Prior to the Garmins I had a few Wahoo devices – starting with the bike case which let me stick an iPhone on my bars. They were good, but somewhat geeky, and I started to get issues.
I wouldn’t use my phone on my bars unless it was cheap/disposable.
I will try to observe this
I will try to observe this space in 2019. These devices looks like from 20 year ago. No edge to edge screens, expensive. I think for me the Edge 25 is the best…small and light and I would just want to see it updated.
Regards,
Alex
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