Originally Posted by
tadawdy
1st question: Do current Droids possess ANT+ compatibility? I've seen the option in mapmyride, but I have not ANT+ things to try it with...
You'd also need something which exports data in a format amenable to the training software you'll be using (Golden Cheetah which is free and Windows/Mac/linux compatible; WKO+ which was first; Training Peaks which is on-line and makes it easy to share data with a coach). I'd punt on trying to make that work.
As a tangent there if you haven't already done so you need to pickup a copy of
_Training and Racing with a Power Meter_
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Racin.../dp/1934030554.
2nd question: I would like something like a Garmin 500, but if similar features can be had cheaper with older devices, that's good. Not worried about maps. It just has to do the basics plus tracking and displaying power (and HR would be nice). Which older Garmin, or models from another company, will accomplish this?
You can get a used wireless Cervo (aka Little Yellow Computer) for about $75. It has no back-light, displays power + speed + a third line (one of interval time, interval distance, heart rate, cadence, etc.), and downloads via a dedicated USB cradle.
The Garmin 500 is back-lit so on evening rides you can see time remaining on intervals and power for pacing, displays up to 8 (that gets crowded, although 5 fields work great) fields at once, and downloads via a ubiquitous mini-USB cable which is more convenient if you're feeding some rides into your laptop at work (lunch hour ride) and some at home. I got an Edge 500 for those reasons.