Cyclist0812

I'm planning on doing the Pacific Coast Route in September / October, taking my time, and want to bring along the Garmin Edge 500 to upload my rides daily. The problem I'm running into is I need to be able to plug the edge 500 into a usb device and most tablets won't work with it. I've read some tablets using Windows 8 like the Surface will work, but I don't necessarily want to buy a surface primarily because it will work with the edge 500. I know this is a pretty techy problem but does anyone have any advice?

My other thought was to buy a Garmin Edge 510 so I can use the wireless upload feature with my iphone. Anyone had success with this?

The only other reason I can see bringing a tablet or equivalent is to upload pictures from my digital camera and do some minor photo editing, but in reality I don't know how much I would actually do this while on the tour.

Any advice / experience appreciated!

texbiker

Carry the Garmin USB cable and stop at libraries or other places with computers. Upload to Garmin Connect or some other website. All you need is a GC account. If you will stay in hotels many have a "business center" with a computer.

Bezalel

If the USB port on the tablet supports USB OTG, you can get an adaptor to connect the edge to the tablet. Many newer tablets have chipsets that support USB OTG but they don't use the standardized micro-AB connector so you need to use a proprietary adapter.

Cyclist0812

The problem I've read with some of these is since many tablets don't usually accept full usb devices the Edge 500 actually draws too much power and the tablet cant power it. I've read of some people using an extra usb power adapter to get them to work using the micro usb connector but that's another piece of quipment to carry.

Prefer to use my own device instead of public computers to avoid malware, virus etc. and it should be easier to find wifi than a public computer these days.

BigAura

Personally I'd go with the 510 (blue-tooth to iPhone) option. Less power and everything fits in your pocket. I would assume it works as advertised, although I have no first hand experience. I'd buy one from REI and try it out. If it doesn't work return it.

bike_boy

Garmin Edge 510 use Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone. You'll need to download the free GarminConnect app
to phone. The 510 also has the capability to do LiveTracking; wherein, it will allow you to email folks a web link that can go to and watch your progress + see stats. (HR, Power, Speed, Cadence, etc.)

Plus, the 510 also allows you to optionally utlize GLONASS satellites as well as GPS. This allows for a faster "lock on"
at startup and less chance of losing your position.

sstorkel

Why bother with daily uploads? Are you really going to analyze the data and adjust the way your ride during the tour? I used my Edge 705 when I rode from SF to LA, but I didn't bother uploading any of the data until I got home.

If you just want to give people a sense of what your tour is like or where you are, there are probably more convenient ways to do it. I found that posting quick updates, photos, and positions to Twitter was enough for me. There may be other smartphone-enabled apps or websites that do a better job these days. If you want people to have a more complete picture of where you've been, perhaps an external battery for the phone (ex: Mophie Juice Pack) and an app (or a Spot tracker?) are easier options than trying to upload the data from the Edge 500.

bruin11

I thought you need to have the Garmin plugin for it to be able to upload your data. Don't think you would be able to install that on a public computer.

texbiker

The Garmin plugin is not needed. You can do a manual upload. I use that all of the time since it is much faster.

BigAura

The Garmin 510 has new connection features through bluetooth to your smartphone.

#at=27

tastest

I am looking for similar information, but for the opposite reason - while on tour I would like to be able to create a route on a tablet and download to a Garmin Edge 800. I would prefer to do this than try and create all my routes ahead of time, to accommodate flexibility in where I go. A small computer like a chromebook seems like it might work, but is at least twice the weight of a tablet. Also I would use the tablet for other purposes. Ipad definitely will not work, I would told at the apple store. Microsoft table may work, but my last choice. Anyone know of an android tablet that would work? Much appreciated.

Walter S

Let people track your tour with photos and a map of where you've been with the iPhone app trackmytour. It will upload waypoints online or save the info and upload later if you don't have a good cell signal.