Now that YOUR head likely hurts, is there ANY reasonable competition for a Garmin gps computer?
No.
Due to bad experiences with Garmin's buggy software I was unhappy to learn there are no comparable computers for following routes.
No other bike computers have the same support for routes including
- Custom cues like "food, safeway" from .tcx files
- A switch to the map screen 0.1 miles before a turn
- A turn arrow differentiating between multiple options which is accurate even when a left road wiggle before a right turn tells you to go the wrong way
- Maps with street names you can pan
- Turn instructions when your software omitted them
The Wahoo ELEMNT is getting close (they just released turn-by-turn for .tcx routes from ridewithgps) and has a more legible screen, although I wouldn't bet on the software being comparable until Q1 2017. Now it's like an Edge 520 with maps and a more legible screen. Unfortunately roads suitable for cycling are invisible when you zoom out, and there's no way to pan the screen to see where they go.
Android phone battery life isn't enough to get through rides long enough to require navigation, and software support for ANT+ sensors like power meters is spotty even on Samsung phones with the hardware.
Excuse the rant. I really want a gps computer with maps and downloadable direction capability (ridewithgps etc) and will likely buy another Garmin if there is nothing else out there.
You want an Edge 800 which has the best turn-by-turn support with the fewest bugs. You can buy a factory refurbished one for $170 which includes a new battery and case. I bought one after returning an ELEMNT due to bugs and missing functionality, and an 810 due to software bugs.
Use a leash to prevent loss.