Anyone got a Garmin Bike Computer?
Discussion
As I am doing more road miles and getting out on the bike more often, I am considering getting one of these but they are obviously not cheap and struggling to justify one over just using a phone at the moment.
However my idea of using komoot and a cadence app in split screen didn't go to well the other day, when rain gets on my phone screen it starts going crazy and means I have to stop to get everything back on the screen, other annoyances like google assistant randomly activating etc. is making me think I just want to get the right tool for the job.
Anyway, what I want to know is can say a Garmin Edge 530 have the route, average speed, current speed and current cadence all on the screen at the same time or would you have to switch between screens to get that sort of information? If it can then that would be enough for me to take the plunge and ask for one my birthday next month. Oh and one other thing, can it get speed from GPS or does it need a dedicated sensor for that, I already have the garmin cadence sensor but not the speed one.
At the moment komoot on my phone gives me everything I need apart from cadence so have been using that in split screen with a cadence app and while it does the job ok it's not what I would call an elegant solution. I also have a samsung note 10 plus which is a very bulky phone to have parked on top of the stem.
However my idea of using komoot and a cadence app in split screen didn't go to well the other day, when rain gets on my phone screen it starts going crazy and means I have to stop to get everything back on the screen, other annoyances like google assistant randomly activating etc. is making me think I just want to get the right tool for the job.
Anyway, what I want to know is can say a Garmin Edge 530 have the route, average speed, current speed and current cadence all on the screen at the same time or would you have to switch between screens to get that sort of information? If it can then that would be enough for me to take the plunge and ask for one my birthday next month. Oh and one other thing, can it get speed from GPS or does it need a dedicated sensor for that, I already have the garmin cadence sensor but not the speed one.
At the moment komoot on my phone gives me everything I need apart from cadence so have been using that in split screen with a cadence app and while it does the job ok it's not what I would call an elegant solution. I also have a samsung note 10 plus which is a very bulky phone to have parked on top of the stem.
I have a Garmin Edge 820, and yes, like the 5xx series, it has built in GPS that will record your speed / distance. You will be able to configure the screen to show the data items you want, and you should be able to get multiple screens as well - for example, you might have a screen that has gradient and heart rate zone on it for when you're on a long climb, but have a different screen for riding on the flat with different data on it. I can get 7 different data items on the screen at once - Speed, Distance, Ride time, Time, Temperature, Gradient and Heart Rate.
So, it can probably do what you want it to.
However.........I am very disappointed with the battery life in my 820. It only lasts around 4 hours when I'm navigating a route before going into 'battery save' mode where it has no display apart from alerts (and alerts to tell you that alerts use battery!). This is despite disabling a load of functionality, and setting everything to minimise battery impact apart from an HR monitor and Varia rear radar. The Garmin rear radar is awesome in my opinion, and I think competitors can also integrate with it.
Other competitor units are also on the market, most notably from Wahoo and Hammerhead - I'd suggest getting some views from others, especially those who've used Garmin and/or Wahoo and Hammerhead.
There are different units depending on whether you primarily want to record data, navigate (on or off-road), link with friends etc. It would be worth thinking about what you want to use it for and making sure it can do that before buying something unsuitable.
So, it can probably do what you want it to.
However.........I am very disappointed with the battery life in my 820. It only lasts around 4 hours when I'm navigating a route before going into 'battery save' mode where it has no display apart from alerts (and alerts to tell you that alerts use battery!). This is despite disabling a load of functionality, and setting everything to minimise battery impact apart from an HR monitor and Varia rear radar. The Garmin rear radar is awesome in my opinion, and I think competitors can also integrate with it.
Other competitor units are also on the market, most notably from Wahoo and Hammerhead - I'd suggest getting some views from others, especially those who've used Garmin and/or Wahoo and Hammerhead.
There are different units depending on whether you primarily want to record data, navigate (on or off-road), link with friends etc. It would be worth thinking about what you want to use it for and making sure it can do that before buying something unsuitable.
Edited by Gin and Ultrasonic on Friday 21st May 16:13
Wahoo all the way for me. No probs at all with my Elemnt Bolt over the last 4 years. I used to use my phone, but found in cold weather the battery would die, so having lost a few rides bought the Wahoo and never looked back. Paid £250 brand new at the time and it came with heart rate monitor (still on original battery!) and cadence sensor too.
It's all set up via a phone app interface and you can have multiple screens and I quite a few data points on each one. Think there is 7-8 on my main screen, miles done, climbing done, speed, average speed, direction heading and temp and can't remember the others without switching it on.
It's all set up via a phone app interface and you can have multiple screens and I quite a few data points on each one. Think there is 7-8 on my main screen, miles done, climbing done, speed, average speed, direction heading and temp and can't remember the others without switching it on.
Edited by towser44 on Friday 21st May 16:17
A piece of advice, if you like intuitive tech, do not buy anything from Garmin. Clunky to set up, unreliable and generally trying to be too clever.
Get a Wahoo Elemnt or Roam if you want better mapping. My Elemnt has been faultless over the past 3 years ... I swore as soon as credible alternative to Garmin was available I'd jump ship.
Its been uses on road, trail riding and on the Wattbike and hasn't missed a beat. Very simple to configure with the companion app, long battery life.
Get a Wahoo Elemnt or Roam if you want better mapping. My Elemnt has been faultless over the past 3 years ... I swore as soon as credible alternative to Garmin was available I'd jump ship.
Its been uses on road, trail riding and on the Wattbike and hasn't missed a beat. Very simple to configure with the companion app, long battery life.
Ive had a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and replaced it with a Garmin Edge 530.
The Garmin is a significant step up IMO;
Better integration with Strava live segments
Routing is much clearer, with a passable attempt at auto re-routing if you go off course
Climb Pro feature is excellent
Better (colour) screen
Integrates well with the wider Garmin eco-system for fitness metrics across sports - if you have a Garmin watch as well for example.
No reliability issues, battery life is excellent. I believe from friends that the older Garmin could be troublesome, but no issues for me so far.
The Garmin is a significant step up IMO;
Better integration with Strava live segments
Routing is much clearer, with a passable attempt at auto re-routing if you go off course
Climb Pro feature is excellent
Better (colour) screen
Integrates well with the wider Garmin eco-system for fitness metrics across sports - if you have a Garmin watch as well for example.
No reliability issues, battery life is excellent. I believe from friends that the older Garmin could be troublesome, but no issues for me so far.
I don't get the point of a cadence sensor I just use Kamoot and it's great for planning or just recording.
Tell me why you need a cadence sensor?
I have my phone attached to a quadlock mount. it is secure, streamline (LOL WTF) and manages to do more than my old cateye. Unless you are a pro-cycler looking at your wattage or other nonsense stats for amatuer then why bother?
My and 3 others are doing JOGLE in 9 days and all we care about is average speed over our daily training rides.
Perhaps I'm missing something but..........mea culpa
Tell me why you need a cadence sensor?
I have my phone attached to a quadlock mount. it is secure, streamline (LOL WTF) and manages to do more than my old cateye. Unless you are a pro-cycler looking at your wattage or other nonsense stats for amatuer then why bother?
My and 3 others are doing JOGLE in 9 days and all we care about is average speed over our daily training rides.
Perhaps I'm missing something but..........mea culpa
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Friday 21st May 21:35
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Friday 21st May 21:36
Wahoo here. It works a hell of a lot better than phone for all the reasons above, plus if you do get into Strava segments.
Monitoring my cadence was first step into monitoring everything , so the multiple (easy to use) screens help, as does staring at the elevation chart hoping it'll end the hill sooner!
Just broke my Bolt (entirely my fault) and replaced with Roam that is a bit easier to use because of bigger colour screen, and really like the new auto reroute.
Looked at the Dcrainmaker reviews of them all and was considering the Karoo 2, but not got on with Garmin in the past.
Monitoring my cadence was first step into monitoring everything , so the multiple (easy to use) screens help, as does staring at the elevation chart hoping it'll end the hill sooner!
Just broke my Bolt (entirely my fault) and replaced with Roam that is a bit easier to use because of bigger colour screen, and really like the new auto reroute.
Looked at the Dcrainmaker reviews of them all and was considering the Karoo 2, but not got on with Garmin in the past.
smn159 said:
Ive had a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and replaced it with a Garmin Edge 530.
The Garmin is a significant step up IMO;
Better integration with Strava live segments
Routing is much clearer, with a passable attempt at auto re-routing if you go off course
Climb Pro feature is excellent
What's the climb pro?The Garmin is a significant step up IMO;
Better integration with Strava live segments
Routing is much clearer, with a passable attempt at auto re-routing if you go off course
Climb Pro feature is excellent
TheDrownedApe said:
I don't get the point of a cadence sensor I just use Kamoot and it's great for planning or just recording.
Tell me why you need a cadence sensor?
I have my phone attached to a quadlock mount. it is secure, streamline (LOL WTF) and manages to do more than my old cateye. Unless you are a pro-cycler looking at your wattage or other nonsense stats for amatuer then why bother?
My and 3 others are doing JOGLE in 9 days and all we care about is average speed over our daily training rides.
Perhaps I'm missing something but..........mea culpa
A cadence sensor just tells you rpm of the pedals? Its handy to know you are spinning at an efficient rate but I only use one on the turbo, not on the road. Tell me why you need a cadence sensor?
I have my phone attached to a quadlock mount. it is secure, streamline (LOL WTF) and manages to do more than my old cateye. Unless you are a pro-cycler looking at your wattage or other nonsense stats for amatuer then why bother?
My and 3 others are doing JOGLE in 9 days and all we care about is average speed over our daily training rides.
Perhaps I'm missing something but..........mea culpa
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Friday 21st May 21:35
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Friday 21st May 21:36
To the OP - I'd go Wahoo or Hammerhead I reckon. The more elaborate the Garmin the bigger the issues in my experience!
Currently trialling an 830 after my 810s reliability has got even worse than usual.
I wouldn't say it's much better. I've had touchscreen freeze up on occasion. It's OK but still not really a finished product. Bluetooth connectivity always temperamental too.
Tempted to try Hammerhead Karoo 2.
I wouldn't say it's much better. I've had touchscreen freeze up on occasion. It's OK but still not really a finished product. Bluetooth connectivity always temperamental too.
Tempted to try Hammerhead Karoo 2.
I switched from Bolt to Garmin 530 a year ago and it's a useful upgrade. Only real downside is complexity of set-up for those not used to the Garmin eco-system and unhelpful manuals. Wahoo just works out of the box while Garmin tries to be all things to all riders so has so many extra options. Battery life fine on both - Garmin slightly better. Only real downside for me is Garmin navigation overrides RWGPS or whatever you used to create a route and tries to direct you down alleyways, mixed use paths etc even when you've clearly told it you want to follow Roads! Mainly a problem in urban areas and solution is just to turn-off re-routing and visually follow the map. Also changing the map scale on the fly on the Wahoo takes one button press compared to 7 on the Garmin - so not something I do often! Perhaps the touch screen versions are easier.
Yes I've seen good reviews of Hammerhead. Apart from its bulk my concern would be are they big enough to gain critical mass or will they fizzle out a couple of years down the line? I've no idea what their current sales are like but I thought one racing team might be using them?
In response to OP's question, I'm not sure it's that easy to display on a single screen the map and meaningful data fields. It's not something I'd want to do as it detracts from the map but have a vague memory the Wahoo allowed a couple of data fields at the top of the map screen. Best study the manuals if that feature is key.
Yes I've seen good reviews of Hammerhead. Apart from its bulk my concern would be are they big enough to gain critical mass or will they fizzle out a couple of years down the line? I've no idea what their current sales are like but I thought one racing team might be using them?
In response to OP's question, I'm not sure it's that easy to display on a single screen the map and meaningful data fields. It's not something I'd want to do as it detracts from the map but have a vague memory the Wahoo allowed a couple of data fields at the top of the map screen. Best study the manuals if that feature is key.
Edited by millen on Saturday 22 May 09:58
I've run a 530 (after a 1000, 520, 510, 500 and a Wahoo Bolt) for a few years now and it's a great computer. I've got Di2 with the box that enables screen change via buttons on the shifters, sounds a gimmick but really quite useful.
Battery lasts for ages and syncs with Di2 / HR / PM fine
Battery lasts for ages and syncs with Di2 / HR / PM fine
millen said:
In response to OP's question, I'm not sure it's that easy to display on a single screen the map and meaningful data fields. It's not something I'd want to do as it detracts from the map but have a vague memory the Wahoo allowed a couple of data fields at the top of the map screen. Best study the manuals if that feature is key.
On the Bolt you can have up to 4 fields of data on the map screen. I have power, speeds, distance and heart rateEdited by millen on Saturday 22 May 09:58
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