Be slightly careful where you buy your garmin from, I bought my edge explore from a Euro site for under 200 and, logically enough, it came with maps of the EU. Garmin doesn't seem to appreciate people saving money by buying from overseas and upcharges significantly for a US map. I ended up finding regional maps of the US that include more details than the garmin maps have so I upload those as needed and rides that use mapping to tell you where to go always have their own garmin file to download to it anyways so haven't needed the garmin US map. I do have had an updated map of Europe that been waiting to be downloaded for the last 5 years, hoping I get to use it next sept.
Originally Posted by
roadcrankr
This thread keeps giving!
Okay...I'll play.
I never understood the need for a Garmin. Just mount your smartphone on your stem and use Strava.
My setup uses a Quad Lock for the phone, with an accessory battery bar extension.
Got it on Amazon for less than twenty bucks. Both USB-A and USB-C plugs.
Never got around to buying a shorter cable. Someday will do it. lol
It keeps my phone 100% charged for five hours, with my screen full on the entire ride.
That blue-lit button allows me to turn off the charger, for whatever reason.
My attached integrated-battery headlight can likewise accept a charge or give out a charge.
Just see rain as the main issue as someone else mentioned. I have never been someone who bothers with computers for general riding or heading off without caring where I'm going or how long I plan to take. So I only bother with computers when I'm doing something long distance or multi-day, in which case rain can be a significant issue and the phone has to be locked in a ziplock bag which won't work well with a handlebar holder. A garmin on the other hand doesn't seem to care about spending 2 hours riding through a warm summer rain to the camp site.