salreus

I don't have a bike computer and my sensors all support BLE and ANT+. And I see the Garmin Vivoactive is being released with a MSRP of $249. I don't really care about turn by turn riding but really just like to keep track of my activities. Looks like a wearable will do all the bike computer around the same cost would do plus more flexibility of offering step/running plus swimming. So what would you do if you were shopping for a bicycling device that provided GPS?

Spend $50 less and get the Edge 500
Spend the $250 and get the wearable
Spend an extra $70 and get the 510

I like the look of all the other wearables they offer, but they are all 2x the price of the vivoactive

Compatible Devices | Connect IQ | Garmin Developers

fietsbob

IDK , a $20 wired computer gives speed and distance by counting wheel Rotations, after My inputting the wheel Size.. that's all I Need

salreus

Oh sorry. forgot to mention I was wanting GPS. lots of devices to select from. Just trying to narrow down the ones that offer GPS.

JReade

I like having my 510 out front. I don't need to take my hands off the bars to see whats happening, and I can change data fields on the fly. I like the idea of the wearable, and I know that garmin sells a watch mount to put a forerunner on the bars. Perhaps that would work?

dr_lha

What's the benefit of one of these watches for cycling over just using your phone (assuming you have a smart phone with GPS)? I suppose that you can look at the screen easier while riding, but IMHO you'd be much better off with something handlebar mounted than wrist mounted for cycling.

TrojanHorse

I think this horse has been beat to death, and there are people who want to use their phone because, hey - they already paid for it and it will do everything you need, and those who want to use a dedicated cycling computer because the screen's always on, battery life is significantly better and they don't have their $700 phone strapped to a flimsy bracket on the handlebars and they want their phone available in case they need a phone.

Either method works, it comes down to personal preference. I was going to get all the wahoo rflkt stuff so my wife could use her iPhone as a bike computer, but the price difference between that and a garmin 800 wasn't so dramatic that it made it worthwhile, IMO. (got the garmin on sale, that helped)

I also agree with JReade's comments above.

salreus

yeah. I read the forerunner does have the mount. not sure if it's an accessory for this one.



I don't have a smartphone now but I could still use my wifes. I do have a cellular ipad mini. but that might be a bit big to mount on my handlebars. but that is what I have now on the trainer when I do my TR training. Multi use would be a benifit. Using it to track steps while doing other stuff like hiking or walking. Also, wearing the watch back into the house and having it auto sync to garmin connect also good vs having to remove the bike computer and syncing. but maybe they auto sync also. Not sure. I used my smart phone last year but sold it to my daughter after the biking season. So, want to get something before the outdoor season starts.

dr_lha

Well, sounds like VivoActive would work for you then if you want a "do it all" device. For me that's my phone, but if you don't have one, this seems a good device. As I don't do running/walking, I'd prefer a Garmin 500 type device myself, if I were going for a stand alone bike computer.

dr_lha

BTW have you read this:

Hands-on with the new Garmin Vivoactive GPS smartwatch, and the Garmin Vivofit2 | DC Rainmaker

It seems to me that a lot of the Vivoactive functionality ties in with a smartphone (even if it's not "necessary").

dr_lha

Right, and this thread is about neither of those things. My point was I didn't think the VivoActive was any better for cycling than a phone (which most of us already have). Then I suggested a handlebar mounted device would be better (by which I was implying a Garmin 500 or its like). I'm not someone who believes that using an iPhone is better than a Garmin, even though that's what I do myself.

jsigone

done the watch garmin, it was bike mounted 98% of it's active life. Largest downside was taking it off after each ride to upload to the PC. the straps wore out and broke a few $15 sets, pins got lost have to get replaced from the garmin store. Using a bike garmin now (Edge 800), simple half twist and it's off the bike, no parts wear out, easier too look at with bar fly mounts while in the drops.

When i did run with the garmin watch it was big and clunky and very sweaty. Now when I run, I just have the edge 800 in my pockets. Yes it swings back and forth but so does the loose shorts so it's never been a problem.


I'd say the 500 or refirb'd 800 with HRM straps.

79pmooney

If you have a wrist computer and want to mount it on the bars, 2 inches of pipe insulation is all you need. Keep the tape on the adhesiver and you can take it on and off in seconds as many times as you like. (And when it gets tired, you will have enough spare to make a few dozen more. $6 for a lifetime supply at Home Depot.)

Ben

RomansFiveEight

Some of us use old smartphones, just throwing that out there. By not using cellular data you save a lot of battery, and even though mine happens to be in a pretty tough case; if it ends up in pieces; whatever. There's also super-cheap, leftover stock cases and mounts for older smartphones. I paid $30 for mine and it came with a speed/cadence sensor and the case itself connects to the phone and adds ANT+ support. Regular price was $199!

For ME; I'd rather have the Garmin unit. Logging is important and I'm not sure how well those watches will do; but having it up on the bars out of the way, to me, seems better. I can see the info at a glance. That will be my 'next step', not for a while, but eventually I'd like a Garmin unit. I do want one with turn by turn though; for pre-planned starve routes. To each their own on that one though.

If turn by turn isn't important than the Garmin 500 seems like the best value, especially a used one. Cheap, logs everything, and shows everything you want! You've already got the sensors, so go for it! Though, if you upload to Strava, etc., you'll have to plug the garmin in. Whereas the 510 can do it automatically via your smartphone using Bluetooth.

IBOHUNT

I have the Garmin Edge 500 then a Garmin watch strap that it hooks into for running... if I ever take up that nonsense again.

gjhsu

I have a Garmin 510, and use the HRM. The Connected features, like live tracking, is a nice extra for the newest Garmins (510, 810, 1000...), and the instant uploading is great.

salreus

The wearable also auto syncs to garmin connect.


looks like all the connect IQ wearables offer live tracking, and push notifications from a connected smartphone.

Ronno6

Thru Saturday, Active Gear Up has the Edge 500 for $148 + reasonable shipping, and if you spend $1.99 more for a temp Advantage membership, you can save an additional 15%.
Best deal I found.....

dr_lha

I'm almost tempted at that price!

Ronno6

I couldn't pass it up....besides...I have a birthday coming..
The temp membership must be cancelled in a specific time period,tho, or you will automatically be billed additional for a regular membership.
Just remember........................

bassjones

I just picked up a Garmin 910XT with the full triathlon bundle - includes quick release kit so you can mount it on your bars. Also tracks swimming and running, and included the heart rate monitor and speed and cadence sensors. $350 NIB. Can probably pick up a refurb, maybe even brand new, watch only for $250 or so. It was their top of the line triathlon watch until they released the 920 this year (which adds BlueTooth connectivity). BIG screen, especially for a wearable, bigger than a lot of regular bike computers.