Garmin Edge 500

[John D9395]

Hi

Thinking of getting a Garmin Edge 500 c/w heart rate monitor off Father Christmas.

Reviews on Amazon seem mixed but generally good, anyone got anything to say about them good / bad etc.

Looking mainly as a tool to say how far / how hard I have worked etc.

I am also assuming if I go for a run, I can put it in my pocket and see the results when I get home?

Any guidance appreciated

[matt-ITR]

You can use it when running, but it isn't ideal as you can't view anything if its in your pocket.

As a cycling tool it is brilliant though, but more of a training tool, which may or may not be what you are after?
If you just want a GPS to see how far/fast you are going/gone then maybe the Edge 200 will be better?

I have the Edge 500, it is brilliant and I'd recommend it and other Garmin products to anyone.

[John D9395]

Hi Matt

Thanks for such a quick responce!

I take on board what you are saying, but I love hills, and was attracted to to the 'barometer altimeter' within the 500

Thanks for the recomendation!

[fromage]

John D9395 said:

Hi Matt

Thanks for such a quick responce!

I take on board what you are saying, but I love hills, and was attracted to to the 'barometer altimeter' within the 500

Thanks for the recomendation!

Would recommend getting one with a cadence/speed sensor otherwise the speed displayed can be a little inaccurate and delayed

[itsnotarace]

Forerunner 910 also has the altimeter and is designed with running and bike use in mind, can also connect speed/cadence sensors

[Raoul Duke]

Haven't tried a Forerunner myself, but if its got all the same functions then it may be worth a look if your using it for running as well. Got to agree with making sure that you get a speed / cadence sensor at the same time, as the speed readout gets a little confused otherwise by tall buildings / trees if you dont use it.
Otherwise they are a geektastic means of analysing your workout data.

[TonyHetherington]

Just an FYI - the 200 can't connect any accessories to it (i.e. cadence/HRM/wheel speed sensor), so though it's still a good unit by all accounts, it's limited in it's expandability and (let's be honest) - we're all geeks at heart. I need to know my average cadence on my ride to work!!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

JFDI. The best bike computer I've owned. You can easily retro buy the cadence / speed sensor for £30 if beyond budget. It just does everything you need and the Garmin Connect software is pretty good too.

[Kermit power]

I've got an 800. As far as I know, the only difference between that and the 500 is the ability to add OS maps and the like for GPS, so assuming you don't need that, then I'd definitely recommend the 500.

If you want to take it running, you can get a wrist strap for it.

[Chicken Chaser]

I love mine, its Brilliant. Its Brilliant for following a pre-determined course (That you've plotted prior to heading out), its brilliant to measure HRM in a structured training program, and the website and ease of use is just brilliant.





Did I mention it was just Brilliant? Buy one, look for a deal after Xmas. I paid £150 inc HRM strap & Cadence monitor.

[GSP]

I have an edge 800, fantastic amount of stats it give you, great for navigating with the 1:50000 OS map pack.

Got covered in mud on the first ride with it, the buttons are a bit dodgy now so will reserve judgement for a month or two.

[Barbarossa]

I've had one for about a year now and it is really good.

If you want it for running too and don't need power or routing (which I don't think works very well) then you might be better off with a Forerunner 410.

[John D9395]

I realise that one 'gadget' doesn't tick all the box's for both cycling and running.

I have the problem of needing reading glasses (it's an age thing!), so whilst I am running I never wear glasses, so whatever 'gadget' I use, I won't be able to read the results till I get home, whereas with a 'bike gadget', the screen is a little bigger, and I always wear vari-focal glasses when out on the bike.

So as you will see, I am prioritising on a 'bike gadget' in the hope that it may have some benefits of recording performance / distance whilst running.

Many thanks for the running / 'watch' style suggestions though.

[Chicken Chaser]

I cant see why this, with some kind of arm strap or even wrist strap, couldnt be a piece of kit which could be used for running. Gives you all distances, times and HRM and its light too. Can also provide permanent backlit function if running in the dark

[whatleytom]

I'm fairly sure you can get a wriststrap for the edge on ebay.

I just got one last week and took it on a long ride on friday. Fantastic bit of kit.

[Kermit power]

whatleytom said:

I'm fairly sure you can get a wriststrap for the edge on ebay.

I just got one last week and took it on a long ride on friday. Fantastic bit of kit.

I would imagine you can. It's probably similar to the one you can get on Amazon, the link to which I posted on Friday.

[John D9395]

Wife has pushed the necessary keys to get Father Christmas to deliver an Edge 500.

Many thanks for all the feedback, it made the choice 'more reasuring!'

[oyster]

Couple of questions:

Is it waterproof; a. for rain whilst cycling, b. for swimming?

And can it be used on different bikes, or would I need 2 cadence/speed sensors etc?

[itsnotarace]

Yes, you can use it on multiple bikes. I updated the firmware on my 800 a little while ago and you can have 5 bike profiles now, I am guessing but I expect the 500 firmware allows similar, but at least 2 anyway. If you want cadence on both bikes you will need two cadence sensors. Speed can be picked up via satellite but it's more accurate from the wheel magnet. I think you also need to pair the speed/cadence sensor again when swapping bikes

[Rocksteadyeddie]

oyster said:

Couple of questions:

Is it waterproof; a. for rain whilst cycling, b. for swimming??

The headunit is fine. You wouldn't want to swim with it though. The cadence sensor seems a little sensitive. I've gone through a few now.

oyster said:

And can it be used on different bikes, or would I need 2 cadence/speed sensors etc?

Yes. Itsnotarace summarises above.