Originally Posted by
banerjek
What is the point of riding with a computer if you can't monitor your performance in real time?
Aside from the fact that smartphones won't work where there is no data connection, will be destroyed if used under a lot of normal cycling conditions, are harder to operate, less accurate than regular computers, are practically useless on trainers, have far less battery life, and cost way more, I can see why people would want to use them.
banerjek, after reading your informative posts in this forum, I cannot believe you are asking this question. I do not race, nor do I wish to. I use the number to get in progressively better shape. The numbers really don't mean anything to me until I get home and see how I did. Can you believe there are people out there who don't use a computer at ALL?
And for what it's worth, I sold my 500 after testing it alongside my HTC Incredible and SportyPal for three weeks. The numbers were so close the 500 became obsolete.
The Edge500 cost $200, my phone, $99. Apps are free. I sold the Edge for $175. Win.
My phone is rooted, and has three times the battery it used to. As stated, I can run TWO GPS apps for an hour and be down only 15%. It's not like I ride a century every day. Win.
I have never lost signal. Not only is the Incredible a great phone, it performs flawlessly for this application. I am also at 6,000 ft. and wide open Colorado sky. Win.
I don't need to operate it except to press 'go.' Win.
You are wrong on all of your counts. These are my experiences. If you all wish to make blanket statements about how swell Garmin is, please take into account the exception. This is what my post represents.
Garmin is like Di2 when it comes to Kool-Aid.