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I am waiting on my new bike to arrive and have started looking at bike computers. Would like to be able to see the grade of the climb and my cadence along with the time, speed, distance. Thoughts on the Garmin 500 or any other computer that you like?
I have the Garmin Forerunner 310XT and love it. It's easy to use, gives you the info you want & lets you track it online. To get cadence, you'll need to get a duotrap (I'm assuming your new bike has this option) to sync it to your Garmin.
The Garmin 500 has all of that and works great. I love mine. I was going to get the 800, I'm glad I stuck with the simpler option.
I also use mine out walking my dogs (my cadence is always zero when walking for some reason, LOL).
Slight thread jack: Does your 310xt take a long time to acquire satellites? I have to put mine outside about 20 minutes before an activity for it to have time to think....I wonder if I have a bad unit, but would love your impression!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
If I were buying new: I would look at the 910xt. But - I also swim and want to run. If I just wanted to bike, I would probably go with the 500 (assuming no maps required).
I got the 500 right after it came out and I'm still very happy with it (wasn't so happy with the 305). Highly recommended!
My 310XT acquires satellites very quickly. IIRC there have been some issues with that - take a look at the Garmin forums. I want to say there's some kind of reset you can do that fixes it, but I don't remember for sure.
Also, all you need is a footpod to get walking/running cadence with the wrist computers. :)
ETA - not familiar with the Duotrap, but Garmin's own cadence/wheel sensor works fine too.
Another happy Edge 500 user here. I don't have the speed/cadence sensor though, so I sometimes get inaccurate readings due to satellite interference.
The Duotrap snaps into the chainstay of certain Trek frames.
http://bontrager.com/model/08298
I got a 500 from Santa, and really like it. It is also ANT compatible, so works with my new PowerTap wheel as well. I have 8 different data fields displaying at once, and don't have any issue seeing the one I'm looking for. The download is easy online.
I'm coming from a 305, and like this better.
SheFly
Hey SheFly,Quote:
Originally Posted by SheFly
Are you saying that you can display 8 data fields at the same time? I went online & didn't see this in the owners manual - but I know that having the device in my hand is WAY different than reading about it.
Do you have to actually disconnect the Garmin & connect it with the computer? My 310 transfers data automatically, which is nice. Maybe the 800 series transfers automatically?
My only downfall with the 310 is the fact that I can only get 4 data fields & I really want six: Time of day, time elapsed, cadence, heart rate, mileage, and speed.
Yup - 8 data fields at once. I have ride time, time of day, speed, distance, hr, power, elevation and something I'm forgetting (maybe cadence?) :D. DH set it up for me, so not exactly sure of the steps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
You do have to connect the unit to your computer to download, via a USB cable. I have to do the same thing with either my 305, or the Power Tap head unit, so it's no big deal for me. I have a Polar HRM that I don't have to connect to download, but it can also be a pain.
SheFly
Can I have the name of your Santa? :cool:
REI will be sending out their 20% off coupons in about a month. I know where mine is going!!!
You can, but I'm not sure he will visit your house ;). Yes, I am spoiled, and I know it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
Watch the REI 20% coupon - they often have exclusions on the GPS-type items. I searched online and saw that the price was reasonably consistent across vendors, but DH managed to get me mine for $100 cheaper before the holidays at Nashbar - it was on sale to begin with, and he had a coupon.
SheFly
I have the 500 and am very happy. Like SheFly I use it with my powertap.
I do not have the cadence/speed sensor and have had no issues with the satellite readings for those fields.
The Garmin training software is a bit lacking in what it can do but there are other programs if you want to be able to break down your workouts into greater depth.
Emily - what other programs do you use? Have you had any luck downloading the Garmin data to your Power Agent software?Quote:
Originally Posted by ehirsch83
SheFly
I upload the file into the Garmin software, save it and then reopen it in Power Agent.Quote:
Originally Posted by SheFly
That way I can take samples and look at #s for actual efforts instead of just the whole ride.
I haven't been able to upload it directly into Power Agent though-which if I could- it would make life a lot simpler!
You can set it to scroll automatically between two to four screens. I'd never be able to see more than four on that tiny screen, anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
Thanks! I am going to give this a try. I need to update my Garmin software. I tried downloading to connect.garmin.com and then exporting from there to Power Agent, but got an empty file when I tried that.Quote:
Originally Posted by ehirsch83
SheFly
Add me to the "happy Garmin 500 users" list. I've had mine for almost a year. Bought it on sale at PBK last March, with all the extras (HRM strap & cadence/speed sensor) in the neutral color scheme (which I preferred over the blue) for a dirt cheap price. Think I paid $226 for everything...best money I've spent on a bike computer. I have it set up with 4 data items on each of the screens, because my old eyes wouldn't be able to see anything smaller than that.
You know you can set up a 2nd screen, right? And then have them scroll (or not).....Up to 3 screens; 4 fields each, iirc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
I just verified it on my 310XT - four screens, four data fields, choice of three scrolling speeds.
It seems to me the data fields you wanted would lend themselves to manual switching anyway - cadence, heart rate and speed you'd want all the time; mileage, ET and time of day you could check periodically.
Personally I do not like to see time of day, ride time or distance while I'm riding. If I'm suffering at all, I find them disheartening because it seems like time is passing too slowly and I'm not making enough progress. With my current Polar computer, I like to see cadence and current speed while I ride.
One of these days when I come up with the cash, I want an Edge 800. Hopefully I'll be able to set it up so the "psych-out" fields do not have to be visible.
Oak - Thanks!!! I'll check this out!Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf