Training/Touring computer/sensors advice.
 

Hey all. I've been training with just the Strava app on my smartphone (no paired sensors) and my Sigma computer/sensors for cadence and speed.

I'm about to get a power meter, most likely the Stages 105 crank arm, which as I understand also handles cadence.

I realize that this, along with an HR and speed sensor will be more accurate than letting Strava "guess" my output from GPS and topo data.

However, if I'm going to be using all these sensors, is there much of a difference between the Strava Android app and using a Garmin Edge 1000?

In other words:

Stages, HR sensor, Speed sensor w/smartphone's Strava app

VS. Stages, HR sensor, Speed sensor w/Garmin Edge 1000 and then loading to strava

Offline navigation, weatherproof, high operating temp range, all things I like about the Garmin. But if I could get some accurate numbers in REAL TIME with my smartphone mounted to my handle bars, would save me $600 for now to just use my phone.

Knock your self out Touring was not a performance quest but a Place I wanted to see By Bicycle .

A simple computer counted the miles .

Yea I know this thread section is a well of Gizmo lovers spend liberally then.

The Garmin won't be (much?) more accurate than your phone if it has a good GPS chip. You can take a close look at some of your tracks to see...

Bluetooth hits the battery on your phone pretty hard and that's how your phone will communicate with all those sensors. BLE is much better, get that over BT when possible if you go this route. Having the screen in is also a huge battery drain. So is GPS. But if you want to see your speed and power and HR you'll have your screen on to do it. People use the Wahoo head unit to have their phone screen turned off.

The Garmin will give you real time data, there's no difference from your phone there. Battery will last much longer, but if you're touring neither one will get you across the country without being charged. The Garmin battery will last through a weekend with a lot of riding though. And of course it does maps and nav when you don't have cell coverage.