Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Yes, Garmin stinks. They're all buggy at some point, and have piss-poor user interfaces that are more akin to late '90s PDAs (remember those?) than modern smartphones, which absolutely make Garmins look ridiculous.
Anyway, there are options to the 500 line type units, primarily Powertap Joile GPS and Timex CycleTrainer 2.0, both of which have been out almost three years. No turn-by-turn nav, though, if that's what you're after, and Timex's breadcrumb is pretty marginal, too, the Joule's being much better, but still breadcrumb.
many find a way to live with a Garmin, though, so it's not the worst money you'll ever spend, but it is far from satisfying.