Why is shopping for a Garmin 800 so difficult?

deanyboy

Hello

I'm looking to buy a Garmin 800. I would like to compare the packages/bundles. I'm struggling to find out the difference between some of them. Are there any decent web-sites that can do this for me?

Wiggle have a Garmin Edge 800 GB Discoverer and Silicone Case Bundle

Halfords have a Garmin Edge 800 Trail Bundle with GB Discover Map

Both at a similar sale price, but what is the better buy?

dodgy

You're in the road section, so I assume you're a road rider. The discover package is basically OS style mapping, not much use to a roadie.

If I was buying, I'd go for a basic Edge 800 and install free Open Source maps from Talkytoaster or similar.

deanyboy

Thanks

So what would be the best bundle for a road biker?

bigpikle

what he just said - buy the most basic one with no extra bits and put the free maps on it...

only other add-on you might want is the HR strap if you use that, or maybe the cadence sensor but frankly I dont see any point in that although no doubt loads would disagree!

Buckled_Rims

I agree with dodgy. I've also installed Open source maps from Talkytoaster on my GPS60CX (for hiking) and my Garmin SatNav (so I don't have to pay for upgrades. It's an old Satnav). These maps are first class and are totally free.

Heart rate Monitor (HRM) is good in my opinion, but the cadence sensor is a waste of time for me as I spent more time looking to keep a steady pace then watching the road, probably better to have a metronome clicking on your smartphone and keeping up with that.

deanyboy

Cheers

Yeah, i'm not fussed about the heart rate monitor and cadence sensor.

I'm being swayed more to the Enduro bundle now.

My only worry about buying a basic 800 and downloading free maps is the quality of the maps. Just looked at some comparisons and the Garmin maps do look better.

northpole

Depending on how you go about your riding, I'll put my hand up and say that the cadence sensor is a brilliant piece of kit to accompany the 800. The HRM is good too, but I must confess to not using it nearly as often as I should.

If you think buying one is difficult, wait until you try using one for gps - Garmin developers should be sent on a vacation to TomTom land for Christmas....

Peter

deanyboy

Yep, not so difficult now. Found a website that explains the bundles clearer.

The Enduro bundle is basically the Trail bundle but with the heart/cadence sensor.

So if i'm not fussed about the sensors, I might as well get the Trail bundle.

bigpikle

maps are fine and I've used free maps for 3 years in the Uk and also spain, france, gran canaria and never had a single issue.

essjaydee

I recently bought this as a trail bundle, from Halfords, as I wanted the OS mapping

I love having the OS map on it, and prefer it to the open source maps, which I have used before. But if your not fussed with having the OS map, buy the bare unit and use the open source maps.

jimmythecuckoo

www.handtec.co.uk usually has all your Garmin needs covered...

fish156

I've just been forwarded what looks like a decent Garmin 800 deal - £270 for a GARMIN EDGE 800 (INCL. 1:50K GB DISCOVERER MAP) from SportPursuit. Equivalent package is £360 at Wiggle (although I don't think SportPursuit give away Haribo).

Note, SportPursuit are a bit different. You need to register. They state Estimated Delivery of 16 Jan 13 - 30 Jan 13 so you have to wait a little while, and following the link means I potentially get referral rewards . They've other bike stuff at what looks a good price too.

deadhead1971

I've tried most mapping options on the Garmin Edge 800 and my preference, as a roadie, is the city navigator. Having said that, the OS Discoverer is preferable if you ever go off road, and it is far cheaper to obtain the Discoverer map as part of a bundle rather than buying it as a standalone item later.

I've written loads of articles showing screenshot comparisons of the different maps, including the free OSM maps.
Here's one that compares City Navigator with Discoverer
http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/2012/03/ma ... iscoverer/

Strith

Handtec usually do pretty good deals if you're buying in the uk. As for maps I use open source for uk, Europe and Asia. Much better than anything you buy IMO and free and they're always being updated.

deadhead1971

Strith wrote:

Handtec usually do pretty good deals if you're buying in the uk. As for maps I use open source for uk, Europe and Asia. Much better than anything you buy IMO and free and they're always being updated.

I'd agree in principle, but in practice I think it depends a lot on where you live.
Highly populated areas = more chance that there are people who contribute to the maps. I live in North Wales and have noticed some pretty major omissions, such as sections of road which simply do not exist on the map.
But you're right, they are updated frequently, and it's easy to amend them yourself. If more people got involved, the quality and reliability would be even greater.

p1tse

Anyone upgrading from an edge 500 wanting to get rid, please PM me

arthur_scrimshaw

I bought the trail bundle 18 months ago from Evans on promotion - came with the OS map, cadence and HRM strap for £340.

I ride off road and on, although more on road now, the OS map is good for navigating on both. Fitted the cadence sensor to the road bike and use the HRM on training rides. TBH I could survive without either but far cheaper buying in a bundle than afterwards.

fish156

fish156 wrote:

I've just been forwarded what looks like a decent Garmin 800 deal - £270 for a GARMIN EDGE 800 (INCL. 1:50K GB DISCOVERER MAP) from SportPursuit. Equivalent package is £360 at Wiggle (although I don't think SportPursuit give away Haribo).

Note, SportPursuit are a bit different. You need to register. They state Estimated Delivery of 16 Jan 13 - 30 Jan 13 so you have to wait a little while, and following the link means I potentially get referral rewards . They've other bike stuff at what looks a good price too.

Garmin 800s back on offer at SportPursuit (33%off).

carl_p

fish156 wrote:

fish156 wrote:

I've just been forwarded what looks like a decent Garmin 800 deal - £270 for a GARMIN EDGE 800 (INCL. 1:50K GB DISCOVERER MAP) from SportPursuit. Equivalent package is £360 at Wiggle (although I don't think SportPursuit give away Haribo).

Note, SportPursuit are a bit different. You need to register. They state Estimated Delivery of 16 Jan 13 - 30 Jan 13 so you have to wait a little while, and following the link means I potentially get referral rewards . They've other bike stuff at what looks a good price too.

Garmin 800s back on offer at SportPursuit (33%off).

So did yours actually turn up, or have you not ordered yet?

fish156

Carl_P wrote:

So did yours actually turn up, or have you not ordered yet?

Not personally after an 800 Carl (I enjoy getting lost occassionally), just on their mailing list.

mallorcajeff

I know I'm looking for the bet price for an 800 right now but the standard unit I will try the free maps

VTech

Wait till you own one then its gets tougher