Garmin Edge

aindriu80

hi,

I was looking for an upgrade to a bog standard pedometer on my race bike and was looking at the Garmin Edge 500, 510 and 800. There is a new 810 but its too expensive. I am considering the 800 but the 510 or 500 might do just a good job?

The reviews give the 500, 510 and 800 pretty good 4 out of 5 stars but I have never used them before. From what I can gather maps are extra but I don't know if there is some kind of map with them.

Can you recommend one over the other ?

monkeyslayer

I hummed and hawed about buying my 500 for ages, couldn't decide if I needed one especially if I could track rides with my phone anyway... but its great, website tracks all the rides and my stats and its all very simple and keeps things interesting... on the bike it has loads of info too, so much more than regular than speedo. Just buy one, if you think you need one you probably do

aindriu80

I do it manually writing what I have done and there are websites that you can note what you have done but its a bit of a pain. Plus the only info I record to date is speed & distance. I think I might go for the Garmin Edge as it does it all automatically but some of the stuff I am not sure about like the maps. Is there much difference between the 500 and 800 ? It might be over kill

mick121

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057007694&page=5.
copy and paste into your browser.A great piece of kit.Upload info from garmin to strava.Takes less than 30 seconds.You get all the stats and can track your progress over the same circut to see if your improving.I only got mine reciently(see thread above) and love it.I only usually do a 40k circut and through strava my garmin uploads about 20 different segments which can show my time/speed/cadence/heartrate and more.The next time i cycle the same route i can compare my times etc.Get one its class

winterwarden

You can pick up a Garmin edge 200 for just over €100 from halfords. I'm loving mine, only issue is it doesn't show the time while tracking.

07Lapierre

I have the edge 705 and I will be upgrading to the 810...great piece of kit!

aindriu80

I guess its probably one of the most common threads here. Are the different versions worth it ? I'm looking at the 800 with heart rate strap on amazon.

How do the maps work ? Do they come with basic maps or do you have to purchase them ? Plus I see a MicroSD card, why would you need one of them ?

laraghrider

aindriu80 wrote: »

How do the maps work ? Do they come with basic maps or do you have to purchase them ?

Not sure about the 800 but my 500 doesn't come with maps. When I design a route using say mapmyride I upload that route to the garmin and I'm away. The 500 is basic follow the line mapping but works perfect for cycling .

07Lapierre

aindriu80 wrote: »

I guess its probably one of the most common threads here. Are the different versions worth it ? I'm looking at the 800 with heart rate strap on amazon.

How do the maps work ? Do they come with basic maps or do you have to purchase them ? Plus I see a MicroSD card, why would you need one of them ?

You can buy maps from Garmin ( they come on a microSD card)

Muckers

The 500 and 800 don't have maps, and they connot be downloaded to the device, while the 510 and 810 do have maps included.

07Lapierre

Muckers wrote: »

The 500 and 800 don't have maps, and they connot be downloaded to the device, while the 510 and 810 do have maps included.

Not quite...if u buy the "navigation" bundle, then yes u get a map. If u buy the standard bundle, the unit comes with a very basic map, which is very, basic!

With Map:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-810-gps-performance-navigation-bundle/


Without Map:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-810-gps-cycle-computer/

Muckers

07Lapierre wrote: »

Not quite...if u buy the "navigation" bundle, then yes u get a map. If u buy the standard bundle, the unit comes with a very basic map, which is very, basic!

With Map:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-810-gps-performance-navigation-bundle/


Without Map:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-810-gps-cycle-computer/

My error

kingoffifa

hi,

i have the 800. the only difference between it and the 500 (i think) is that it can display maps and is a full gps system. so when i get lost in wicklow this things gets me home. it beeps at me before i have to make a turn and an arrow appears on the screen pointing which direction to take at the junction.

i have free legal maps on it - open source maps, which with a bit of fiddling, are easy to put on. the garmin offical maps are easier though and can be found "online"

if maps are not important to you then get the 500

derealbadger

I have an 810 havent a clue what it is capable of but hey it was the Fred thing to do

rab!dmonkey

The Edge lineup explained:

• Edge 200
  Cheapest and smallest. No barometric altimeter, so elevation data won't be great. No ANT+ either, so it will never do cadence or HR. No maps. It's intended for casual riders.
• Edge 500
  Same size as the 200. It has a barometric altimeter and ANT+, so much more capable. No maps. Bike profiles. Probably the most suitable for racers and cyclists who mainly do one type of riding with a computer.
• Edge 510
  Bigger than the E200/500. It does everything the E500 does. Additionally, receives GLONASS signals, so better tracking performance. It has a resistive touchscreen (less responsive than capacitive, but works with gloves and in the wet). Bike profiles and activity profiles. The activity profiles let you set different data screens and alerts (time, distance, HR, etc.) for different types or riding. It has basic connected features with smartphones via Bluetooth, nothing too spectacular. If your riding is varied and you don't need turn-by-turn navigation, get this one (I have one ).
• Edge 800
  Bigger than the E510. Does everything the E500 does. Touchscreen, navigable maps, micro SD slot. If you need turn-by-turn navigation, but not activity profiles or smartphone connectivity, get this one.
• Edge 810
  Same size as the E800. Does everything the E800 and E510 do, except GLONASS. If you need your bike computer to do EVERYTHING, get this one.
• Edge Touring (Plus)
  Same size as the E800/810. Similar capabilities to the 810 (only the Plus version does ANT+, barometric altimeter), but includes better maps and routing options at the expense of some sportier features (no power meter compatibility).

With the non-maps devices (E200, E500, E510) you can still plot courses using various online tools (or your saved rides) and download them to the device. You'll get a GPS trace ('breadcrumb' trail) to follow and you can add notes to direct yourself at junctions, but the devices themselves are not aware of roads and junctions.

Check out DC Rainmaker for comprehensive reviews on every GPS sports device ever made.

NS77

You could also consider an Edge 705. A bit old now, but does all of what you'll need, for a fraction of the price of the newer models. Should be easy enough to pick up second hand / refurbed..... I have one and am very happy with it :-)

The bundled map is useless... but you can add free online maps:

http://ridewithgps.com/help/garmin-edge-605-and-705

For route planning and uploading to the device, I find ridewithgps to work well with the 705 http://ridewithgps.com/

DaithiMC

Is there a way to have these units automatically update Strava? Can't be going backwards now and have to look for cables and plug it into a PC when it is done automatically from the app on my phone!

The problem I have with the Garmin GPS model (car, bike, or trekking) now with the advent of reasonable navigation on Google or other maps is the expense of the maps, I feel I am paying money for nothing.

Hatcho

I have a Garmin Edge 305. Doesn't do maps and navigation but it covers all the stats (including elevation) you need whilst out on a ride. Works great with HR monitor and cadence sensor for that extra bit of info and dead simple to upload data to Strava etc once your home. Can be used to set zone alerts for HR, speed, distance and interval training etc. for the more serious trainer. But to be honest most of the high end features go unused almost all of the time. I'd say the same is true for 90% of Garmin type devices out there.

You'll find them going dirt cheap on ebay along with the HR strap and cadence sensor.

aindriu80

Thanks for the posts. It breaks them up a bit for me.

I definitely want the heart rate monitor and speed sensor and as much information as possible on my ride both on the bike and analysis afterwards. Most of them seem to do that bar the 200 model. After that connectivity to upload data. The biggest wonder is probably the maps. I don't mind planning out a trip before I leave but I am not sure need directions or high quality maps but I'm still unsure.

07Lapierre

aindriu80 wrote: »

Thanks for the posts. It breaks them up a bit for me.

I definitely want the heart rate monitor and speed sensor and as much information as possible on my ride both on the bike and analysis afterwards. Most of them seem to do that bar the 200 model. After that connectivity to upload data. The biggest wonder is probably the maps. I don't mind planning out a trip before I leave but I am not sure need directions or high quality maps but I'm still unsure.

If your unsure go for the 810 so!:P

("Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it")

kingoffifa

aindriu80 wrote: »

The biggest wonder is probably the maps. I don't mind planning out a trip before I leave but I am not sure need directions or high quality maps but I'm still unsure.

do you get lost often? do you intend on going cycling abroad? if yes is the answer to either of those question and cash is not an issue then go with the 800/810.

i use it when i get lost in wicklow, and used it in tenerife. it works well for guiding you to point x, or getting you home from point y.

you have to plan routes really at home on the computer if you want to use it for that.

aindriu80

I don't cycle elsewhere (like another county or country) so I don't get lost. When I am on my bike its usually pretty regimented as I don't want to head off somewhere I don't know or lose time. Having the map function or not having it might be a plus or minus. I guess I could go off in one direction for a set amount of time and then ask for a way home and it might prove an interesting cycle. The other side of it is that since I don't change my route too much its a bit of an overkill.

I use mapmyride.com as it offers free mapping and I can see elevation and compare how I am getting along. But punching in the stats on my pedometer each sessions is a chore. Plus the technical info seems a bit limited. The 800 doesn't have some of the connectivity the 510 has. Turn by turn navigation I don't really need but a map on a screen where I am is useful.

kingoffifa

hehe.

we're getting closer.

that map onscreen of where you are - well it is not great for that. at best you will be able to figure out the road you are on. when you zoom out to see where you are you will find that you are not really able to tell because of the 2 inch screen.

someone gave a mention to the lad who reviews all the gps computers. he was not blown away by the new connectivity features. it lacks some of the key features you would expect from being able to connect to your phone, things like you have got a text message and so forth. best to read his very extensive reviews:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/

aindriu80

I was checking out the video and the reviews you put up and the smaller screen on the 510 is quite a bit smaller.

They both support power data but I don't know where to get the third party item ? *********Edit forget the power meter its crazy!

I guess when I get to the bottom of the massive review you posted I might be able to part with the extra cash for the 810.



***Edit

Reading through those reviews both the 510 and 810 do get a bit of a hammering. It sounds like they could have pushed the boat out a bit more to what was there before 500 & 800. Anything less than the 500 is a bit of a waste of time as you could probably bring your phone with you now seeing all the apps that have become available like strava.

The Garmin 500 seems to offer a solid package without the cost. Live tracking is not much use to me as it and would also mean having to lump a phone with me.

MB Lacey

I have the edge 800, it's great, I like the maps.
If I were you, I would get the 510/810 if you're used to and want the fast connectivity from your ride when you get home.
It's ridiculous how impatient we've become, but plugging in the garmin, waiting for my comp to find it then recognise it, download the data takes that extra bit of time that I imagine the garmin 510/810 wouldn't.

I kind of also like the safety function the 510/810 offer in that you can email a link to your OH/partner when you think you're going to be going really far away solo and they can follow the gps of where you are.
I dont know if would ever Really be useful, but I cycle alone a lot and it might be a nice 'ease of mind' thing.

The maps aren't perfect (you have to pay an extra €45 for detailed irish maps if you dont fancy downloading free online ones).
I got lost a few times on tiny country roads and the garmin couldn't tell me where I was, it was just a blank screen - frustrating when you come up to loads of junctions and it doesn't show any (this was in yorkshire last week).

But for the most part (95%) I really like following a route I've created on the map.

Just get an edge 810

rab!dmonkey

DaithiMC wrote: »

Is there a way to have these units automatically update Strava? Can't be going backwards now and have to look for cables and plug it into a PC when it is done automatically from the app on my phone!

The problem I have with the Garmin GPS model (car, bike, or trekking) now with the advent of reasonable navigation on Google or other maps is the expense of the maps, I feel I am paying money for nothing.

If you get one with Bluetooth connectivity (E510/810), you can use the Garmin Connect app to automatically upload to Garmin Connect. If you use Garmin Sync, it will bring the activity from there to Strava.

aindriu80

MB Lacey wrote: »

I have the edge 800, it's great, I like the maps.
If I were you, I would get the 510/810 if you're used to and want the fast connectivity from your ride when you get home.....

Just get an edge 810

I think I will have to go for the 510 over the older models because of the speed. The extra price for the 810 is a lot though.