Wondering if anyone on the forum uses a GPS computer by Garmin? Perhaps the 500? I'm thinking of getting one so I can use Strava. Don't want to spend a bunch of money, but do want one with GPS and one that can record power readings when I eventually acquire a cycleops power meter wheelset.
The 500 is around $250, which seems pretty reasonable...
Let me know what you think.
Awesome. I have a 500 since late 2010. I have several Garmin products and love them all plus I have map software so I can really take advantage of its data. It is a bike computer with a memory and the ability to transfer it to a computer for analysis. It works very well and is well made. I have a cadence sensor and wheel pickup on 2 bikes I might ride indoors and the MTB. The computer works surprisingly well even in the woods. I went from a polar 710 and by comparison the 710 is a watch with a couple of bike things thrown in. It can show too much data. I keep records of my rides but don't Strava or post them online. I stopped racing a long time ago. I think this is about the best bike computer I have used or seen. The 510, 800 and 810 have more gps functionsand I think the 800 and 810 also can route for you. They can find stuff and show a map. I have heard the 500 can follow a preprogrammed route but I have not tried it.
I've a 500 that I've had for a couple of years synched up w/ a quarq PM crank - works fine. Not needing a magnet is nice for using it on different bikes (lose the power function obviously) but still does time & speed which is fine for my MTB rides. I've never needed direction GPS mapping for rides = i'm happy w the 500.
great data, can get an extra mount set, use on all of your bikes, the heart rate monitor function sucks, but that is due to a bad strap design, not the fault of the computer
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. This year I decided to get more scientific with my training and make the workouts count more since there are less of them.
Supposedly the new 510 and 810 can use different satellites so will track better offroad than the 500 and 800.
I know a lot of people have experience problems with the Garmin's HRM strap; I am not one of them. It has actually been the most consistent HRM I've used.
Right now I'm having a different issue with my 500. No matter what I do my PC will not recognize it. Which means I can't share my feats of strength on Strava [boohoo ;^)]
As long as I wear my skinsuit or a very snug jersey the HR strap works fine. When I use a loose jersey that flaps a bit the reading go bonkers.
CB, if you're wanting to share feats of strength be sure to ride an aluminum bike-- there's no provisions for carbon, Ti, or steel in the protocol.
Pascal - Garmin 500 here with 1 1/2 years of use. Love it! Have mounts on four bikes, road, back-up road, tandem, and MTB. Tried it on the track bike but LA Velodrome is too encased with concrete to get a signal. Probably would work at San Diego and Encino but for now I'm enjoying riding the track with no data other than split and lap times from the facility timing system.
HRM strap is a bit of a bother. Most mornings it starts out reading fine in the garage, keeps tacking out the driveway and first few hundred feet then it drifts steadily north from 90 - 100 all the way to 240+. It will then drift around for quite a while, as long as ten minutes, then once my chest is good and sweaty it will magically start recording properly and be spot-on the rest of the ride. Well unless I catch some serious cold-dry air on a long downhill run then it dries out and starts the process all over again.
However, if I start the ride with a vest, windbreaker, or jacket it will read properly the entire time.
No amount of pre-wetting the contacts seams to make a difference for me. If it isn't warm enough to have good body sweat at the start expect to have some issues.
Welcome to Strava. Now you will need to get one of those tee shirts that says - Strava made me Dope!
JP
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