Budget 2nd hand GPS unit with decent maps

daniel_b

Afternoon,

My partner is keen to lead some rides for the club we are a member of, and I think this would also get her out more on the bike.

The 500 she has is only capable of breadcrumb route details, which isn't up to the job for a group ride where she might have up to 9 people accompanying her, and venture down some pretty small windy country roads.

I'm looking for a 2nd hand unit that would allow her to achieve this - and was thinking Garmin 520 plus?
One with built in wireless, and or bluetooth would be a nice addition as well, for uploading rides.

Are there any other options out there I should consider?
Not wed to Garmin, but it's the only brand of GPS I have used (Edge 205, Edge 500, Edge 1000) so know the foibles fairly well, and all the mounts we have are Garmin quarter turn.

Budget - up to £140 max I'd say.

Thanks in advance for any replies :-)

N0bodyOfTheGoat

https://www.merlincycles.com/lezyne-mega-xl-gps-computer-115033.html and a £5 loyalty discount gets it down to £148, if you are a gold customer.

I got one ~13 months ago for £136 on Amazon, as a replacement in waiting for my Enhanced Super GPS bought in summer 2017, but I've taken it on rare trips in unfamiliar territory for its excellent offline routing including re-routing after going off course. Nice big screen. Very happy with it to date.

redvision

Check out the bryton range. Some really good value for money units, although the bryton training centre leaves a lot to be desired, even if they have made improvements - but you can just upload to an alternative (eg training peaks etc).

Edit, looking again at your post, most of the bryton's in your desired budget look like bread crumb mapping. A little over budget you can get the 750 which looks to rival the garmin 830 though

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KHLYGGV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_A4T12P8XG2VJ8C6BXKWH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

daniel_b

Thanks both, I will do some research into both of those

me-109

You could pick up a used Garmin 530 for that, which is a better unit than the 520.

super_davo

I just picked up a used Garmin 645 music from an eBay reseller local to me.
Very good second hand condition.
He has lots of choice well under budget such as:
An 820
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384399773021?epid=17027566407&hash=item5980030d5d:g:KtEAAOSwlBphMKXY
An 810
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384643838693?epid=1023913302&hash=item598e8f32e5:g:Va4AAOSwE~thkVyF
A 510 (which has basic mapping)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384440839575?hash=item598275ad97:g:lWcAAOSw0aJg3JuC

He had a 1000 for £80 which I was going to post but looks like it has gone. I'll be going back for more myself - a second Varia for £70 would be very nice.

daniel_b

me-109 said:

You could pick up a used Garmin 530 for that, which is a better unit than the 520.

Intersting - does the 530 have all the 520 plus does, and more?

super_davo said:

I just picked up a used Garmin 645 music from an eBay reseller local to me.
Very good second hand condition.
He has lots of choice well under budget such as:
An 820
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384399773021?epid=17027566407&hash=item5980030d5d:g:KtEAAOSwlBphMKXY
An 810
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384643838693?epid=1023913302&hash=item598e8f32e5:g:Va4AAOSwE~thkVyF
A 510 (which has basic mapping)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384440839575?hash=item598275ad97:g:lWcAAOSw0aJg3JuC

He had a 1000 for £80 which I was going to post but looks like it has gone. I'll be going back for more myself - a second Varia for £70 would be very nice.

Interesting - do you have the device already, and are happy with it?
Guess he must refurbish/factory reset them or something.

I had noticed the 820 could be had for a good price, but reviews seemed to suggest the touch screen, maybe just in the wet, could be very hit and miss.
50/50 - some people saying it was atrocious and the worst experience ever, others saying it was fine
My nervousness with the 1000 is that the side button is reputed to cause issues - mine has been fine, but I treat it with care, and have had it since new.

super_davo

I have the watch, came 2 days after I paid in the Christmas period, and is really nice, very pleased with it. Would definitely buy from there again.

I found the Edge 1000 (which is the one I'd go for based on your requirements) for £80
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384647578703

I've got an Edge 1000 too - I've had mine for about 3 years and have no issues with the side button on mine or any other problems. Battery life isn't great compared with more recent models but is only ever an issue if I'm doing century rides with navigation in bright sunlight (and even then a powerbank blast during the cafe stop gives plenty enough juice to finish the ride).

me-109

Pretty sure the 530 does all the 520 does and then some. Available in touchscreen version too, I think, unless that's only on the 830.
You might find an earlier version of the Wahoo Bolt or Roam, but they might push the budget unless you get lucky. You would have to read up on the pros and cons of each unit / brand to see where your preference lies.

Charlie_Croker

@daniel_b this guy 'DC Rainmaker' does some pretty good reviews on cycling GPS devices if you want to have a read and compare products. It's one guy doing the reviews not a team of people so about as consistent as you can get IMHO

wongataa

daniel_b said:

me-109 said:

You could pick up a used Garmin 530 for that, which is a better unit than the 520.

Intersting - does the 530 have all the 520 plus does, and more?

The 530 is very much superior to the 520. The 520 is not a proper mapping and navigation unit. The 530 is.

daniel_b

Thanks gents, plenty to be looking at.

Would seem the 530 is not a touch screen, but probably not a show stopper - compared to the 500 she currently uses it would be night and day I suspect.

I'm tempted by @super_davo 's 1000 suggestion, a fair few out there with boxes as well, which as I want this to be an anniversary present would make it considerably nicer I think.

Lots to chew over!

PMark

Or another option would be to get a decent phone mount (like quad lock), a map pack for Komoot and then an additional USB battery that can be mounted on the bars (if you are planning rides that last longer than the phone battery). Halfords do lights which double up as USB batteries.

Will give you much better mapping than any Garmin like device. Dedicated bike GPS have their advantages, but when it comes to mapping/navigation, I haven't seen any that can match (even a cheap) smart phone with an App like Komoot.

daniel_b

I can see how that could be an option, but due to all phones getting ridiculously huge now, it would almost be like having a tablet in front of her handlebars

I have some Ravemen lights that offer the powerbank feature, but I'd feel like a destroyer of things if I strapped all that little lot to the bars of her super light custom built CR1

amrushton

On the back of this anyone recommend a unit that doesnt require a smartphone? I got a Garmin 130 to replace my 500 but the time only changes when paired. Not bothered about a smartphone tie in and dont use sensors like power or cadence meters

wongataa

amrushton said:

On the back of this anyone recommend a unit that doesnt require a smartphone? I got a Garmin 130 to replace my 500 but the time only changes when paired. Not bothered about a smartphone tie in and dont use sensors like power or cadence meters

No Garmin unit requires a smartphone to setup, customise, or operate. GPS devices get the time from the GPS signal.

Wahoo units require a phone to set them up/customise the screens.

I don't know about other brands.

daniel_b

Just landed a 2nd hand 1000 with box (nicer as it will be a present), leads, accessories, and a silicone case, for a smidge under £100 delivered.

Looks in very good condition, so hopefully it will be a good buy.

me-109

Not bad!
Was in my local Go Outdoors on Sunday and they actually had a brand new Edge 500 marked down to £85. Mapping not what you want, obviously, but I was surprised that you could still find them new. I've been using mine until recently and may still use it on the MTB to protect the 530.

shirley_basso

amrushton said:

On the back of this anyone recommend a unit that doesnt require a smartphone? I got a Garmin 130 to replace my 500 but the time only changes when paired. Not bothered about a smartphone tie in and dont use sensors like power or cadence meters

Get another 500. I still have mine from about 10y ago.