Garmin - Worth it?
Discussion
I've been looking at getting something like a Garmin for a while after 2 years running I've had two wireless cycle computers fail on me. I haven't cycled much this year due to illness, weather, work, buckled wheel, the whole year has been a disaster cycling wise. I'm no TDf rider and I only cycle to keep fit, to lose weight and for fun so I'm not sure what model would be best. I can't justify the top of the range model but would like one with a cadence sensor (last two haven't had one) and something that still logs all my miles and times. I'd like a satnav built in but this is a want rather than a need and only if reasonably priced. What does everyone else use?
I have the bottom of the range Edge 200, and apart from the cadence sensor, it would be perfect for your needs, especially at the ~£80 you can get them for.
Good: Price. Massive battery life. Tracks miles, speed, calories. Saves courses and you can re-ride them against an on-screen ghost of yourself. Create courses on a map in GarminConnect, export to the 200, and follow an on-screen breadcrumb trail. Adjustable backlight for nighttime.
Bad: Slower GPS meaning off-road twists and turns aren't as accurate as the 500/800 models. No cadence or HR. No maps.
For your needs, the 500 with a cadence/HR bundle would be ideal, around £175. Thinking of that myself now im cycling more, though still im wondering if I will use that functionality over my trusty 200.
Good: Price. Massive battery life. Tracks miles, speed, calories. Saves courses and you can re-ride them against an on-screen ghost of yourself. Create courses on a map in GarminConnect, export to the 200, and follow an on-screen breadcrumb trail. Adjustable backlight for nighttime.
Bad: Slower GPS meaning off-road twists and turns aren't as accurate as the 500/800 models. No cadence or HR. No maps.
For your needs, the 500 with a cadence/HR bundle would be ideal, around £175. Thinking of that myself now im cycling more, though still im wondering if I will use that functionality over my trusty 200.
t. Carry om/tjdixon911 said:
I've got the 200, had no problems with it on / off road over the past couple of years.
When I say "off-road", I mean dedicated mountain biking trails. In my local haunt (swinley forest) there are countless hairpin switchbacks which can confuse the garmin at speed because the slower GPS intervals makes it think it hasnt moved from the entry and exit to the corner.It took me ages to work out that when I ride alone and go for the record times, the garmin records less distance than when im out with mates and taking it slower, even though the pure route is exactly the same. Doesn't matter really, because the recorded time is accurate, its just the distance is slightly off.
The 500 & 800 have GPS on a 1-second interval, rather than 5 seconds for the 200.
You wouldn't notice it on the road or on more "flowing" off-road courses.
MartynVRS said:
I'll always be on road so sounds perfect. Is the speedo accurate or does that update every 5 seconds too?
The speed is constantly updating - I assume its working off some sort of average over the past few seconds, but don't worry, its very accurate when you look down at it, and ive tested it in my car too.*- oh man, and I accidentally uploaded all my data to strava - the amount of frothing hatred I got when people sent me messages saying I was cheating because I had suddenly jumped to the top of the segment leaderboards by doing 60mph on their favourite stretches!
Been using my 200 for a couple of years and it's pretty good off road but it does have an issue with the polling frequency being too long.
When I compare my Strava maps with mates I've been out with you can tell the difference - both in shorter distance and just by looking at the maps - lots of straight lines and sharp corners when you zoom in on a 200 map. As mentioned above - loves Stickler at Swinley .... you wonder why it takes 10 minutes to ride such a short distance
Still, doesn't seem to have an adverse effect on Strava segments etc (even Stickler) so it's not worth the cost of upgrading for me.
When I compare my Strava maps with mates I've been out with you can tell the difference - both in shorter distance and just by looking at the maps - lots of straight lines and sharp corners when you zoom in on a 200 map. As mentioned above - loves Stickler at Swinley .... you wonder why it takes 10 minutes to ride such a short distance
Still, doesn't seem to have an adverse effect on Strava segments etc (even Stickler) so it's not worth the cost of upgrading for me.
Everything you could ever want to know about Garmins is here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin
I have a 500 and it is brilliant; but equally the 200 is just as good with some lesser features.
The only gripe I have with the 500 (this might actually be a GPS thing) is that the bread crumb/ghost trail is utterly useless, period.
3 times I have tried it, 3 times at the beginning of the route it said I was off course (when I wasn't) - it then took a good 10 mins to 'find me' again (2nd time I had to re-start the unit)
This was really annoying as it messed up my ride.
Having been on the Garmin forum, I believe a lot of others have had a similar issue. But apart from that, the 500 is awesome piece of kit with bucket loads of features and analysis after the ride.
In summary, buy one :-)
The only gripe I have with the 500 (this might actually be a GPS thing) is that the bread crumb/ghost trail is utterly useless, period.
3 times I have tried it, 3 times at the beginning of the route it said I was off course (when I wasn't) - it then took a good 10 mins to 'find me' again (2nd time I had to re-start the unit)
This was really annoying as it messed up my ride.
Having been on the Garmin forum, I believe a lot of others have had a similar issue. But apart from that, the 500 is awesome piece of kit with bucket loads of features and analysis after the ride.
In summary, buy one :-)
I have had both the 200 and 500. Bought the 200 as an upgrade to a cateye micro wireless to allow me to do basic pre-set route directions (it is capable of turn by turn directions for this)and for the virtual partner to add interest on solo rides. I then managed to wangle a 500 with HR and cadence for just £25 shortly afterwards - very lucky and definately a one off.
The 200 was fine for what I wanted but the 500 does offer a whole lot more and is much more customisable. The functionality for pre-set routes is also superior with the ability to scroll between the breadcrumb map as well as a route card style page which counts down distance to next turns as well as graph page showing the approaching elevations. I have it set up to beep 200 feet before a turn - it will tell you what is coming up eg 'Turn Left' with an arrow - it then beeps and repeats the instruction when you reach the waypoint. It is by no means like a car sat nav but has navigated me round a 50 mile route (I had to split it into 2 courses as it didnt seem to like one big course). You might miss the odd turn but if you do stray off course it lets you know and is pretty easy to turn back and rejoin (although it doesnt navigate you back).
You can also plumb in pre-set routes which notify strava segment start/finshes as well on the 500.
I have read a few similar comments to one of the previous posters about the route planning being problematic but have found it has worked pretty well for me. It does however require you to manually map out a route on a mapping website so requires a little effort in advance.
I'm surprised that Garmin dont make more of the 200's ability to do a very basic turn by turn pre-set route - it was what convinced me to buy one. It is very basic but is more than adequate especially if you have a phone you can fall back on if all else fails.
NB my only experience of using these for pre-set routes is for road riding.
I'm a garmin convert !
The 200 was fine for what I wanted but the 500 does offer a whole lot more and is much more customisable. The functionality for pre-set routes is also superior with the ability to scroll between the breadcrumb map as well as a route card style page which counts down distance to next turns as well as graph page showing the approaching elevations. I have it set up to beep 200 feet before a turn - it will tell you what is coming up eg 'Turn Left' with an arrow - it then beeps and repeats the instruction when you reach the waypoint. It is by no means like a car sat nav but has navigated me round a 50 mile route (I had to split it into 2 courses as it didnt seem to like one big course). You might miss the odd turn but if you do stray off course it lets you know and is pretty easy to turn back and rejoin (although it doesnt navigate you back).
You can also plumb in pre-set routes which notify strava segment start/finshes as well on the 500.
I have read a few similar comments to one of the previous posters about the route planning being problematic but have found it has worked pretty well for me. It does however require you to manually map out a route on a mapping website so requires a little effort in advance.
I'm surprised that Garmin dont make more of the 200's ability to do a very basic turn by turn pre-set route - it was what convinced me to buy one. It is very basic but is more than adequate especially if you have a phone you can fall back on if all else fails.
NB my only experience of using these for pre-set routes is for road riding.
I'm a garmin convert !
Edited by Pot Odds on Wednesday 25th September 00:02
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