Bmxovich

Unless you want mapping, grab the 510 bundle and don't look back. I've owned a 705, 500, and now two 510's. I love the auto sync and seamless download to my iphone, and use the live track for my wife. I have every ride I've done since purchasing my first one over a year ago, at my fingertips. Instant data access. And I've had no issues with either unit.

BlazingPedals

I think if I were a Strava-er, I'd have a different opinion; but I only see three advantages to my 500.
1. it's wireless. Certainly not the only wireless option out there.
2. easily swappable between bikes.
3. gives me feet climbed.

On the other side of the coin,
1. charging while on tour can be a real pain.
2. pretty much requires having a PC while on said tour.
3. no instant-on; it takes a while to find satellites.
4. as mentioned, no odometer for yearly mileage

I'd take one for free; but chances are I would not buy another one. All of the 'for' arguments can be countered, at least in my case. I don't climb enough to worry about, other wireless options are less expensive, and for the price I can outfit several bikes with their own computers.

longbeachgary

Quick question. Is there any difference between the actual computers in the 500 ($199) and the 500 bundle ($299)? I know that with the bundle you get the heart transmitter and the cadence sensor but are the computers the same?

goldfinch

They are the same.

Bmxovich

"BlazingPedals" Have you owned one, or actually used one for any length of time? I know you haven't from your comparison to the 500. If you like your 500 that's great, I liked mine for the better part of 3 years and still have it. And I am thrilled with the advantages the 510 has over it. The OP was asking advice on 2 units, not a comparison to the 500.

Timtruro

I recently bought a Garmin 800 and got it for a decent price as it was reconditioned. I'm not familiar with the 510 but I really am enjoying the 800. Some reasons:
-through a post on this sit I am able to go to a website with free maps, since I often ride out of state I download maps for the various areas ahead of time and have them to use when I visit.
-I can easily use the unit on all my bikes. The mounts are so inexpensive that i put one on each bike and I'm good to go.
-It immediately picked up my garmin heart rate monitor that I had from a garmin wrist watch unit.
-I ride solo a lot and the "go home" feature helps me if I get lost.
-I have fun with the "virtual trainer" and it improves my motivation while riding alone.

These are a few of the reasons but bottom line I'm glad I got it and use it regularly.

longbeachgary

Thanks.

Cychologist

Love my 800 and recommend it. I recommend you get the bundle even if you pick it up later on eBay. RPMs and heart rate are more important to me that speed/distance when riding alone and training.

i use the maps regularly, especially planning new routes or on vacation. And the gps display helps when you take a wrong turn and decide to keep going, even if you're not sure where...

Badgerfog

I bought a Garmin 510 bundle since it cost the same as buying the 510 and a hart strap.
If you are using Windows XP the 510 will not work. I am not sure about Vista.

Good luck,
Wayne

jppe

I love my Garmin 500. you can simply upload the information to Garmin Connect and stop entering the data into spreadsheets. I was doing the same as you until I got the 500 about 5 years ago.

Altbrewer

I have the 810 and the best feature for me is LiveTrack. Makes my wife worry less when I am out alone as she can check my progress, plus, if she is alert, she will open the garage door as I get close to home

One person commented on charging while on the road - I just take along the USB cord and a small iPhone charger cube. Many hotels have USB charge ports, and if not, the Garmin will charge from the iPhone charger.

I don't understand the comments about lack of odometer for annual milage tracking. Maybe the 810 has this and other models don't or I just do not get the issue, but each bike profile keeps a separate log of total miles. Reset the odometer each year and add the totals for each bike and I have my annual milage, as well as knowing how much I did on each bike.

Rick@OCRR

Another vote for the 800. All of the plus points have been covered above, so no need to repeat here, but I have been very happy with my 800, no problems, no issues, all good.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

How long does the battery on the 800 last, Rick? Does using the mapping and route guide cut down on the battery life?

Rick@OCRR

I tested the battery on an "almost" double and it died at 178 miles into a 192 mile ride. That was with the light and cadence turned off, but everything else on.

Yes, mapping, route guide, etc. will all reduce battery life some, but I have no way of telling how much . . .

For doubles, I have an Eveready charger card that I plug in at lunch (~100 miles). The 800 recognizes it, tells me "Aux. power installed" or something like that, and then again (about an hour later), "Aux. power depleated" at which point I un-plug the aux. power. At the end of a double century it still has about 50% charge showing if I use the aux. power.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

I have an external power source. I plugged it into my 500 at the lunch break at Solvang, but it created a new ride. As soon as I plugged it in, the Garmin shut down. I would love to have the entire ride saved, and not two halves. I will read up on it before Hemet.

CommuteCommando

Hmm. I rode Solvang, over 9 hrs total time, and battery state still read 35% at the end. I don't worry about battery life, and as far as data storage, It will store months of daily riding.

Rick@OCRR

This is 2nd hand but a friend of mine Laurettafetta on bikeforums.net, has a 500 and used to have that same problem but she told me there is a fix for it and it's a no-charge upload to your Garmin 500 from the Garmin site. If that doesn't work for you, message Lauretta via bikeforums for better (more complete!) info.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

Thanks for the info, Rick. I will check that out.

Rons

I have an Edge 500 and really like it. I have the bundle and really like the heart monitor. It gives you an accurate calorie burn and I think it helps me ride a little harder. Is it necessary, probably not but enjoyable to use yes.

longbeachgary

I want to thank the United States government for spending billions of dollars to send satellites into space so that I can track how slow I am on my bike. You guys rock(et).