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how good is the garmin edge 500

gubber12345gubber12345 Posts: 493
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
hi guys

been hearing a lot about how good these are,but also read a few reviews about them having some flaws in the software that makes them prone to freezing and a few other minor things.

although the reviews were a couple of yrs old i'm just wondering have garmin sorted them out (i'm thinking they must have done after that amount of time) and what your opinions are of them now....apparently they are one of the best on the market at the minute.

any thoughts?
Lapierre Aircode 300
Merida

Posts

  • amaferangaamaferanga Posts: 6,789
    The issues I had were with courses were:- the breadcrumb trail would randomly disappear for a bit, usually at key moments like just before a turn and for also courses > ~40 miles it'd freeze up. Garmin seem unable to or can't be arsed to fix it as it's been well documented for a long time now. I'm not certain though if every Edge 500 has these problems or if it's only some. You can avoid the freeze-up issue by splitting courses, but that's a pain. Apart from these 2 issues I'd say they're a fantastic bit of kit and bear in mind that they're not really designed specifically for navigating anyway.
    More problems but still living....
  • chris_basschris_bass Posts: 4,913
    i've used one for over two years now and can't fault it, never had any issues with freezing or anything.

    it depends what you want it for though, assuming you don't want any turn by turn navigation it should do all you want it too.
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Mikey23Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    By best friend after my bike. In my opinion an excellent bit of kit and have never had any problems with it. I don't need any navigational features from it though
  • kayo74kayo74 Posts: 299
    No issues with mine can't fault it.
  • njd37njd37 Posts: 162
    Had one for 16months, never had any issues with it, no freezing or anything. Excellent bit of kit. Only got ride of it to get an Edge 800 instead.
  • bernithebikerbernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    How good is the garmin edge 500?


    Very.
  • s@intsteves@intsteve Posts: 90
    The best piece of equipment I have bought for my bike - I haven't experienced any issues with mine.
  • gubber12345gubber12345 Posts: 493
    Chris Bass wrote:
    i've used one for over two years now and can't fault it, never had any issues with freezing or anything.

    it depends what you want it for though, assuming you don't want any turn by turn navigation it should do all you want it too.
    no dont need it for the turn by turn navigation although i do like the courses part of it which is prob why i want one,like the idea of racing myself and seeing if i'm improving.

    thanks for the help guys.
    Lapierre Aircode 300
    Merida
  • macleod113macleod113 Posts: 560
    Just fitted mine with the cadence bits too. it works well as a computer but im not sure i like the look of several pages of data. i can probably fettle to get HR, Cadence, speed and distance all on one screen though. so far i am pleased.
    Cube Cross 2016
    Willier GTR 2014
  • p1tsep1tse Posts: 694
    Do edge 500 owners take advantage of extra features over the edge 200 such as high rate and cadence?
    Wanted: Cube Streamer/Agree GTC Compact / Pro/ Race : 53cm
  • Mikey23Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Not yet but I intend to... Was hoping that Santa was kind. I think heart rate and cadence would be needed to fully take advantage of all those extra premium strava features
  • snowleysnowley Posts: 149
    As above, go for it. You won't regret it.
  • mwaltersmwalters Posts: 21
    Recommended - I use mine with a cadence/speed sensor and, occasionally HRM. I plan new rides using bikehike.co.uk and download the courses to the unit. Works pretty well although it does have a tendency to lose the course for a few seconds every now and again. You soon get used to ignoring the Off Course warnings unless they go on for any period. I also find the automatic zooming of the course sometimes doesn't display the track on the screen for short periods but it's not been a big issue.

    It can store settings for three bikes, which is handy, until you forget to set the correct one until you're well in to a ride.

    In summary there are a few niggles but I'm happy enough with it. I can't comment on how it compares to the other makes as I haven't used them.

    Mark
  • backobacko Posts: 167
    had problems with mine freezing when using routes, got to the point where it wouldnt switch on.

    did a software update and it works better than when I first bought it....uploading speed and also time it took to reset after a ride vastly improved after the update.

    never used HR or cadence and with hindsight should have bought the 200 really but got a good deal at halfords of all places with the 500
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