Garmin 500

goose06

I'm thinking of getting a Garmin 500 the only thing putting me off at the moment is that it has been out for a couple of years so does anyone know if Garmin are going to be bringing out a new model, if so I'd probably hold off for that.

johnk123

Been wondering the same thing myself. But to be honest, I don't think they will. They brought out the 200 at a lower price point, and there is the 800 which has the navigation function.

Surely a logical upgrade to the 500 would be to include maps, but they'd hardly do that if they have the 800 designed for that too? I don't know. I'm most likely going to buy the 500 tonight!

thebourke

why are the garmins so popular?do you have to update the maps on these devices?

loinnsigh

I was thinking the same thing but I went ahead and got the Edge 500 a couple of weeks ago (when I saw it for a decent price). I'm glad I did. I was using iPhone + Strava before that, the data is a lot more reliable and accurate from the Garmin, also I find the speed/cadence info really useful during my cycle.

I also ordered a spare 305XT watch strap and a quick-release kit so my wife can use it as a running watch. Looks goofy but it works great.

ednwireland

thebourke wrote: »

why are the garmins so popular?do you have to update the maps on these devices?

the 200 and 500 dont have maps

as to the popularity they work ! long battery life, also ant+ compliant for cadence HR and power meter

just dont drop it on a rock on the drive and crack the casing (like i did)

billyhead

Anybody know where would be the cheapest place in Dublin to get a Garmin 500?

mcgratheoin

billyhead wrote: »

Anybody know where would be the cheapest place in Dublin to get a Garmin 500?

eurocycles (in town) did me a great deal on the bundle - I can recommend them heartily (no connection to the place beyond buying a Garmin there)

thebourke

so the garmin has a built in gps signal then?

Seve OB

loinnsigh wrote: »

I also ordered a spare 305XT watch strap and a quick-release kit so my wife can use it as a running watch. Looks goofy but it works great.

Mind me asking where you got this and how much it cost?

loinnsigh

stevieob wrote: »

Mind me asking where you got this and how much it cost?

CRC was the cheapest I could find. Total ~€50 for the strap and the quick release kit. Not cheap but my wife is already getting good use out of it

colm_gti

billyhead wrote: »

Anybody know where would be the cheapest place in Dublin to get a Garmin 500?

Cycle superstore, even cheaper if you sign up for the loyalty club. Although I bought mine in cycleways during the week as I was tied for time and couldn't get out to tallaght, but they were happy to price match cycle superstore.

Seve OB

loinnsigh wrote: »

CRC was the cheapest I could find. Total ~€50 for the strap and the quick release kit. Not cheap but my wife is already getting good use out of it

Ouch €50 blibs for a watch strap! makes this looks like a good deal so... cept they wont post to Ireland!!

Think I might just try this instead for now. with the spare mount that came with the Edge 500 I just need to buy something like this

colm_gti

stevieob wrote: »

Ouch €50 blibs for a watch strap! makes this looks like a good deal so... cept they wont post to Ireland!!

Think I might just try this instead for now. with the spare mount that came with the Edge 500 I just need to buy something like this

Jeez that's a pretty nifty idea! Not that I ever plan to run anywhere :pac:

goose06

Ended up getting a 500.
Going for 251 on Merlin Cycles

Plastik

Could've just bought one of these instead. Works perfectly.

Lemag

It's a little cheaper on handtec. Every now and then they can be beaten for price with garmin products but they are quite consistently the cheapest so always worth a look.

goose06

was coming in at 258 for me all in from Handtec

Max_Charger

Lemag wrote: »

It's a little cheaper on handtec. Every now and then they can be beaten for price with garmin products but they are quite consistently the cheapest so always worth a look.

It works out cheaper with Merlin when you factor in postage. about €5 cheaper but it all helps!

AaronB

If you have a smart phone use that no? all the software are great and you can run 2+ gps apps if you want.
Also now cycling apps now have very nice web interface for looking over your data.

Biologic have bike mounts that are weather proof from 40-50 euro. I have one for 2years now and not one leak after some of the worst weather i have cycled in this summer.

www.sports-tracker.com
www.mapmyride.com

just to name a few of many, defo worth looking into before splashing out on a garmin.

Surinam

AaronB wrote: »

If you have a smart phone use that no? all the software are great and you can run 2+ gps apps if you want.
Also now cycling apps now have very nice web interface for looking over your data.

Biologic have bike mounts that are weather proof from 40-50 euro. I have one for 2years now and not one leak after some of the worst weather i have cycled in this summer.

www.sports-tracker.com
www.mapmyride.com

just to name a few of many, defo worth looking into before splashing out on a garmin.

I would concur that the sports-tracker app works very well both on the phone and on computer. The mapmyride app isn't so great and I don't like their fiddly online interface (it's only good for planning a route in advance).

I don't mount the phone, just leave it in my jersey pocket (in a zip lock bag). I have compared it against the data my cateye records and so far the max speed, distance and average speed statistics have been pretty much completely in line with one another. Just remember to press start and stop on them both at the same time.

AaronB

Sports-tracker is my main app. its really good, very clear for lap times etc, also it can be used for so many other activities like walking, running, MTB, hiking. Which is handy for keeping everything in one app.

oh and the auto-pause is great i have it set to 2km, so you really do get a true movement time for your routines.

Surinam

AaronB wrote: »

Sports-tracker is my main app. its really good, very clear for lap times etc, also it can be used for so many other activities like walking, running, MTB, hiking. Which is handy for keeping everything in one app.

oh and the auto-pause is great i have it set to 2km, so you really do get a true movement time for your routines.

Ye it's dead handy; my cateye is supposed to pause automatically when the wheels stop but I find I have to force it to stop counting sometimes :rolleyes:.

So at least I have the sports-tracker as a back up for accurate stats if I ever forget to pause the other one.

Lemag

goose06 wrote: »

was coming in at 258 for me all in from Handtec

Fair enough. I hadn't taken the shipping costs from either site into account. It's a great little device. Enjoy!

loinnsigh

stevieob wrote: »

Ouch €50 blibs for a watch strap! makes this looks like a good deal so... cept they wont post to Ireland!!

Think I might just try this instead for now. with the spare mount that came with the Edge 500 I just need to buy something like this

Ah cr@p, now you tell me looks like it could even be a better solution too

goose06

Typical buy the Garmin 500 and the exhaust breaks on the car and I need 2 new tyres, guess I'll be cycling a lot more for the next few weeks :rolleyes:

brayblue24

stevieob wrote: »

Ouch €50 blibs for a watch strap! makes this looks like a good deal so... cept they wont post to Ireland!!

Here it is on their UK site:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009PUJV6/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

I got it and then sold my CR405 so now use the 500 for both

billyhead

Can the Garmin 500 be used on the strava website

Beasty

billyhead wrote: »

Can the Garmin 500 be used on the strava website

Yes

johnk123

Max_Charger wrote: »

It works out cheaper with Merlin when you factor in postage. about €5 cheaper but it all helps!

Bloody Handtec with their delivery charges!

And you have the option to choose the black one with Merlin!

Black and red one nice, but no way it's worth the extra!

High Nellie

Whats the best / value extension mount for Garmin 500? I've seen one recommended on Cycling Weekly but it was nearly 60 quid!

GT_TDI_150

I'd love one of these ... but computer (esp. online banking) says no!

Seve OB

Plastik wrote: »

Could've just bought one of these instead. Works perfectly.

yea, but like I said before, they won't send it to Ireland