Originally Posted by
Hermes
I think the 500 records GPS data for mapping on the computer but it is not clear that it does from a cursory review of the technical data.
The 500 does record your ride using GPS. When you upload the ride data on the computer, you can see on a map exactly where you rode. There is some complaining going on at the moment because Garmin has switched from using Google Maps to Bing Maps for the display on their Garmin Connect website. It seems that this is a bigger issue outside of the US. Something to note regarding the 500 (and I've been told it's the same on the 800). If you're not using a powermeter with the 500, it records your GPS track using "Smart" recording. This means that it takes GPS checkpoints according to some Garmin algorithm. I believe that the 705 offers 1-second recording, which many 500 users (myself included) want. The downside to the smart recording is that if you change your course frequently such as mountain biking, when you upload your ride data it may not show the exact route...and when it can't it simply draws a line from the last checkpoint recorded to the next one recorded.
Originally Posted by
az_cyclist
For those of you using Garmin bike computers, how often do you have to recharge them? In the winter I basically ride only on the weekends (62 on Sat, 30-40 on Sunday). Mid may thru August I have enough light for a training ride before work of 11-14 miles. For the past several years I have used either the cateye Astrale 8 or Strada computers.
I have the Garmin Edge 500, and it has a claimed battery life of 15 hours (IIRC). I've never had it die on me and I frequently do 2-3 rides before recharging it. I've done long rides back-to-back on weekends (century one day, 60-75) the next and still had battery life remaining.
One of the complaints about the 500 particularly by long distance riders is that you cannot charge and use it at the same time. The Edge 800 is supposed to be able to work around this by using the official Garmin external battery pack, but I don't know if anyone has actually verified this yet.