iphone app, garmin 200 or sigma,strada??which one

mosa

I may be answering my own questions here but just would like a few thoughts to ease my mind or help me make the right choice.

I currently do my riding and record all on my iphone (sat in my pocket) on my strava app. I like to upload & share etc when i return. I would like to see how far ive done how fast my average is at the the same time but dont want to mount my phone to my bars. I was thinking of the sigma 1009 sts computer or the cateye strada (soem issues apparently at times with them) The other option i noticed was the garmin edge 200 which seems to show what im after on the front screen. The question is am i wasting £106 (garmin) when all i need is a small computer or should i just continue with app????

Your suggestions or thoughts would be apreciated. Thanks

turnerjohn

Simple computer and use the app you already have is the obvious cheapest version which (depending on your riding) is all the info you need. I've an 800 and love it (even though its overkill really) as I didn't want to mount my iPhone on the bars got a proper mounting case and everything but thought it looked silly !) Garmins also weather proof and far easier to use . I tried a few apps but to be honus they were never accurate (tho fitting to the bars they worked ok) the screens aren't easy to use on the move or with gloves either...aka near impossible in winter.I'm also a little concerned of a) having the phone on view....far to easy to have it pinched (I live in London !) b) running the battery out and not being able to use the phone as erm a phone !
So basically it boils down to money :-) ....would highly recommend Garmin tho :-)

Gizmodo

The other thing to remember is battery life. I don't know how long your rides are, but if you are going to be out all day with your phone recording GPS data then you're not going to be left with any battery to make that emergency phone call should the worst happen toward the end of the ride. Some people will say turn everything off on the phone apart from GPS but then what happens is someone is trying to phone you in an emergency?

godders1

The cateye and sigma don't have GPS so they'll record the data you want but you can't upload to Strava like you can with the strava app or GPS devices.

I have the 200 and like it a lot. Aside from the display and recording of data (and ability to upload to Strava/Garmin connect) you can also plot courses on the garmin connect website and download them to the 200. You can then follow the course using the device. Not exactly sat nav but it's got me around several previously unknown routes without getting lost.

Great review here that takes you through all the features:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/08/garm ... eview.html

If you think you'll ever want cadence, HRM or a power meter then it might be worth going for the 500.

wheezee

Another 200 here. Very happy with mine, and can only endorse Godder's post.

mikeabanks

Amazon have the Garmin 500 with HRM and cadence sensor at £201.01 at the moment.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Heart-Mo ... 049&sr=8-2

The other day it was only 189.99 and I got Cycle Surgery to price match

mosa

Cheers gents...great review link also thanks...ive made my choice Garmin it is thanks!