Originally Posted by
patentcad
So I find out yesterday that Garmin units calculate speed via GPS (no wheel sensors needed). Didn't know that before, that's logical.
I was hoping the Fred Brain Trust here could answer a few questions about Garmin units:
• Will they recognize my Cycleops HR strap?
Yes. I use a Cycleops ANT+ HR strap with mine all the time.
• I presume they will recognize the Ant+ Powertap hub: will that include the cadence and speed calculations? Does the Garmin speed calculation over-ride the Ptap hub speed data?
Yes, without the GSC-10 the Garmin will take power, speed, and cadence off of the PowerTap. If you have a GSC-10, it will take power and speed off of the PowerTap, and cadence off of the GSC-10.
• If Garmin units calculate speed via GPS, then why do they sell a separate cadence/speed sensor? Is that just for speed?
Cadence and accuracy. As I understand the precedence it's PowerTap>GSC-10>GPS for speed, and GSC-10>PowerTap for cadence.
If I get a Garmin it would probably be the cheaper 500, I could give a fark about GPS maps. Pcad knows where the eff he's going when he's on a friggin bicycle for crissake.
I agree. The 800 is overkill for the vast majority. I only use my 500 for data collection -- I don't touch the course features or the imaginary opponent features. One thing I wish it had is an interval timer so I could get audible interval start/stop indications.