Originally Posted by
bonz50
i've been using a garmin 800 now for a couple seasons. truthfully, I rarely look at the damn thing while I'm riding anyway so the display just doesn't matter that much to me. on my primary screen I have 2 things, cadence and heart rate. that's all I need while on the move, everything else I can see after the fact on the upload of the ride. so while I ~kinda~ get roadlight's point, to me its such a non-issue as to not even matter, so take that for what its worth. I like my garmin computer, it has fulfilled my expectations and then some. I use it on the trainer in the winter and I use the data to keep track of miles, calories burned, etc. to me it was worth it. I reckon everyone has to decide that for themselves, color me a fan. but I won't upgrade to the 1000 until the 800 breaks, it just fulfills my needs completely at this time.
Counterpoint to what you write is I need to see my speedo display well and I don't with my Edge 500. I find the display quality poor.
Reason I do is because I ride with different groups who ride different speeds. For example, if I start to ride too fast in the B group while pulling, then I normally hear about it from those behind me...say if pulling 23 mph if there is no head wind. Similarily I need my HR monitor when riding in the A group. On my last group ride my HR started to blow up because there were some very strong guys really laying it down. So I need to see what is going on with both my speed and HR. I also ride with individuals who won't ride or can't ride over a certain speed. One friend, 18 mph is about the limit. Another its 20 mph and another it is 16mph if the wind is calm. I try to respect others with the speed I ride as there are racers I can't stay with either for many miles. To me Cateye makes the best displays but Garmin probably makes the best computers. When Cateye makes that new Padrone with oversize display computer WITH HR, I will buy one to replace my Edge 500. I figure in the next couple of years Garmin or Cateye will smell the coffee and come out with a big display with speed, GPS and HR for aging boomers who can afford it with less than perfect eyes.