Which GPS/computer... Garmin perhaps?

Morris Cat

As people in the know or able to point me toward the topic if already discussed... what cycle computer would you recommend? Was looking for something with GPS, link to Strava etc. Not sure I need maps?? What makes sense for weekend and occasional commutes circa 100 miles / week? Am I going to have to have something else delivered to work!?

Sprool

I recently bought one of these: http://www.o-synce.com/en/products/navi ... 2move.html

Theres a German outlet [bike24: http://www.bike24.com/p218417.html] selling them for 59 Euros plus P&P, which is a real bargain for a neat little gps unit. It can be uploaded with rotes from mapping software so give you turning directions and distance to waypoints, has built in compass as well as the usual speed, altitude, time, odometer, etc. You can export recorded routes as gpx files into strava and it has about 9 hour battery life.

sharky1029

I use an edge 500 which is great as it is nice and compact with a very clear screen and a battery life which lasts ages. You can upload routes to it for instructions but it does not have maps so relies solely on the mapping software's instructions from a .TCX cue sheet and sugar trail. Compatible with ANT+ speed/cadence/ heart rate/power meters and easily uploads directly to strava. Has much more reliable GPS than most cheaper unit and mine has never lost signal on a ride or outdoors. Also allows you to customise the display to show up to 8 pieces of information from altitude, ascent, speed, time (of day and elapsed), temperature, distance, cadence, HR etc and have about 5 pages you can customise for that. If you don't want any nav features or the ANT+ for HR sensors etc, then the 200 is good but can only use GPS.

If you need any more persuasion, it is the one most of the pros (which are not on SRM) use as they don't need mapping.

RidingSeed

Another alternative would be the Edge 705. Its display makes it really fun to use, despite the fact that it doesn't have a touchscreen - still easily usable. The colored screen is easily readable and it can last about 14 hours on a single charge - I find it quite okay if you ask me. One feature that it doesn't have is the temperature reading, but I don't think you'll find it crucial for weekend rides though. It has many good reviews, but I wouldn't personally choose it. I'd stick to sharky's Edge 500. I find it more accessible and it is used by many professionals.

jotko

Edge 500 all day long.

Does not have maps but you can still load a course and follow a breadcrumb trail - I use this quite a lot, it works fine.

slowbike

I have the 800 - the only time I tend to use maps is when I'm off somewhere I don't know. It's been useful for that - riding in France or even just when I was elongating my routes around home.
The unit is on for the commute as I record my times & routes for later casual comparison - but the map function is not needed for that at all.

Temperature is "interesting" - especially in the winter, but it's no more than an interest.

When it comes to replacing it I'll get another mapping device - it can be handy for me - and my wife has experienced a couple of riders who often stop for 10 minutes to examine the paper map ...

arran77

I'd go for a Garmin Edge 200 as you don't say you need heart rate or cadence features, other than this it does all that the 500 will do but for less money.

rolf_f

arran77 wrote:

I'd go for a Garmin Edge 200 as you don't say you need heart rate or cadence features, other than this it does all that the 500 will do but for less money.

Or, if you like the idea of HRM and/or Cadence, but don't need breadcrumb trail navigation there is the very small and neat Bryton 20 as a good value alternative to the 200.

And the 40 as a bargain alternative to the 500 - much the same functionality, sometimes better than Garmin, sometimes worse but pretty close and cheaper.