Cycling computer recommendations

coopsman1

I am in the market for a new cycling computer.

I currently have a Polar CS500 that has cadence and HR functions. I am now looking to find a computer that has these functions plus a navigation function. The reason being is I would like to see how little or much I climb and also be able to download routes that other people have done to explore more local routes.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I have seen the Garmin Edge 800 but £380ish is a bit much...don't you think?

slowhand44

I believe the Edge 500 also has a limited mappoing function. You don't get a mapo but you can download a course that displays as just a breadcrumb line on the unit, and an icon displaying your position relative to the course. I have the 500 but have not used this function, so I can't tell you any more, but it certainly has all the other functions you mention, plus lots of others. Good bit of kit.

TheEnglishman

I gotta ask, just because...

For not significantly more you could get a smart phone which does all that and obviously so much more. Personally I'm loving my iPhone and I don't know about others, but can get 5 hours out of it without resorting the additional chargers. More if the screen is turned off.

Just sayin'

Mike39496

TheEnglishman wrote:

I gotta ask, just because...

For not significantly more you could get a smart phone which does all that and obviously so much more. Personally I'm loving my iPhone and I don't know about others, but can get 5 hours out of it without resorting the additional chargers. More if the screen is turned off.

Just sayin'

I have an iPhone but i'm considering getting a Garmin 500. You have to put an adapter onto the iPhone to be able to use the ANT+ devices such as cadence and HR, this is another £100 for the adaptor cadence and HR strap, plus not many people want to mount their £500 phone on their bike (you also need the mount!) due to rain etc. I'd much rather have a £200 GPS unit on there that is durable than have to replace my £500 iPhone if it gets wet or falls off my bike.

Also, screen off kind of defeats the point of having a cycle computer in the first place.

derbygrimpeur

Edgo 800 is awesome. Well worth the money IMO (assuming you want navigation)

derbygrimpeur

TheEnglishman wrote:

I gotta ask, just because...

For not significantly more you could get a smart phone which does all that and obviously so much more. Personally I'm loving my iPhone and I don't know about others, but can get 5 hours out of it without resorting the additional chargers. More if the screen is turned off.

Just sayin'

yes, but GPS isn't as reliable as speed sensor on bike. Plus, as you say, the battery life on the phone is not as good as an Edge 800. What happens if you're out for a long ride - or do you only ride short distances?

Pkjwharton

I have recently purchased the edge 800 and love it. I did consider using iPhone however the battery life is poor and if you also listen to music whilst out you end up with wires everywhere. Also the garmin is fully waterproof and designed for the job unlike the iPhone.

ctc

Just bought a Edge 200 yesterday for £80 after the £30 cashback offer

I don't need a full scale GPS system - just something to prompt when to turn left or right
I don't really use HRMs. I've tried it before but my training is never that scientific.
I'm not going to use it on a turbo trainer, and I'm not too bothered by the extra accuracy of using a cadence sensor. I also wouldn't know what to do with the data :-)

I had been using endomondo on my phone before (Galaxy S2)

Advantages:
Better battery life
Much smaller
Garmin connect website is (IMO) better that Endomondo in terms of functionality
You can create a course online, download it onto the Edge and use it to follow as you go. In fact you can do this with any gpx file

Disadvantages:
When I was stopped it didn't detect it that well. I can see the cadence sensor would have helped there as it said speed was between 0 and 0.01 mph
It doesn't load up automatically like endomondo on my phone does

NGMTB

Check out halfords website, 20% off allready reduced garmin 800, got mine with trail maps for £320

stueys

I just picked up a garmin 800 from handtec for 330 inc. that included premium HRM, cadence and maps of Europe. Was using my iPhone, delighted with the garmin it's a different league. Navigation irrespective of phone signal or battery life plus the detailed information that's always on is great.