Garmin 500

wishitwasallflat
wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
edited December 2012 in Road buying advice
Just got a Garmin 500 and the screen protector is printed to show the size of the numbers when the screen is configured for displaying three data points - the top numbers are about 8-9mm tall but in both of the two lower sections the numbers are only 4mm tall. The 4mm numbers are too small for me to read (old age and can't afford bifocals as well just now!).

Would someone who has one of these please set a screen to show only two data fields and measure how tall that setting makes both top and bottem field numbers and post that info (a pic of a two data screen would be great as well if that's not too much of a favour to ask?).

What I am thinking is if the two data screen setting splits the whole screen equally then the numbes in both displays should be at least 9mm tall and I should be ok (till I get the bifocals that I need). Mine came from CRC today (50th birthday present to me!) so I can't charge it up and check myself and send it back for refund. I would be very very grateful if anyone could check this for me
.
PS I have trolled web and YouTube and cannot find any pics or vids of a 500 set up in two data field mode.

Comments

  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I'm sure you can set it up that way but, if you can't, the Bryton 40 (and 35) can be set up that way giving number height of about 9mm as per the 500 so you have that as a fall back option.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Cheers Rolf you can defo set the edge 500 to only show two fields on a screen but I can't find out how big that then makes the numbers ? If it doesn't make both 9mm high I will send it back and check the Brytons.
  • davem399
    davem399 Posts: 269
    Just tried 2 data fields on my 500 and the digits are both 9 mm tall.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    DaveM399 wrote:
    Just tried 2 data fields on my 500 and the digits are both 9 mm tall.

    Brilliant DaveM399 that's really helpful

    I reckon if I set mine up with Current cadence and heart rate on one screen, then speed and distance on next and maybe gradient plus average cadence on third and set it to scroll through each screen automatically while rdiing that would do me fine. I will have to get bifocals next set of specs so multiple fields should be ok then.

    Searching around for this I found a few sites that seemed to suggest the bryton riders screens are clearer though regardless of font size - anyone tried both - how do you find your edge DaveM399?
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Just noticed edge can be set up to show only one data per screen is the font even bigger then or is 9mm max? Sorry to keep asking but this is big purchase for me and don't want to set it up, lose my return for refund option and not be able to use it.
  • davem399
    davem399 Posts: 269
    I've just tried 1 data field, but it is also 9 mm, same as having 2 data fields displayed. I recently found out using this forum that an Edge 500 can actually diaplay 5 pages of data fields. (Only 3 are switched on by default - you have to go into the menus to switch on pages 4 & 5). So you could have 10 fields displayed with 9mm digits.
    I have had mine for about 18 months and am well pleased with it. It is easy to swap it to another bike as you only need a cheap mount. Also, I have put the speed/cadence unit on the bike I use on the turbo for a bit of added interest to turbo sessions.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    DaveM399 wrote:
    I've just tried 1 data field, but it is also 9 mm, same as having 2 data fields displayed. I recently found out using this forum that an Edge 500 can actually diaplay 5 pages of data fields. (Only 3 are switched on by default - you have to go into the menus to switch on pages 4 & 5). So you could have 10 fields displayed with 9mm digits.
    I have had mine for about 18 months and am well pleased with it. It is easy to swap it to another bike as you only need a cheap mount. Also, I have put the speed/cadence unit on the bike I use on the turbo for a bit of added interest to turbo sessions.

    Excellent - great tip re the extra pages I think I will be fine with scrolling pages to check the data I want and with 10 item option will be spoiled for choice. I also got the cadence and speed sensor for added sufferfest humiliation!

    Thanks again you are a hero!

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