Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 23445243)

I use my Garmin watch when running around town on my commuter bike, since I don't usually keep a computer mounted to that one. And yeah, when I am using a computer, I leave the watch at home and wear a chest strap HRM. So, why did I pay $538 (wholesale cost) for the Garmin watch? Here goes:
1) Overnight data on HRV, Resting HR, sleep quantity/quality/stages.
2) Training Readiness score.
3) Recovery time predictor.
4) And all of the other smartwatch/fitness watch data that you would expect, much of which has been mentioned above.

For me, 1-3 above have had the largest impact on my training quality and overall fitness of anything I have purchased or done in years. In particular, the overnight data showed very clearly the effect of alcohol on my body (as well as late-night screen time and snacking), which led to dramatic behavioral changes: within a few months of purchasing the watch, I had cut my alcohol consumption about 95% -- which, within about four months, saved me more money than I had paid for the watch. At this point, I have (at most) 1-2 drinks per week and am considering quitting entirely.

Bottom line: If my Garmin watch broke or was lost today, I'd buy a new one ASAP. Though I can acknowledge that other people's use-cases may be different than mine; if I weren't trying to race as competitively as possible, I might not want so much data.

Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN (Post 23445717)

There is nothing wrong with paper maps, I always have one on the top of my handlebar bag on bike tours. It can help a lot to get the big picture when you are wondering where you should stay that night on a bike tour, or where to go after ran into a road closure.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3e322e3d49.jpg

That said, the topic of this thread is heart rate monitors, we are a bit off topic. My heart rate monitor watch above has the red wrist watch band, but I have not activated it at the time of the photo, so it is only showing the time as early afternoon.

Originally Posted by prj71 (Post 23446818)

paper maps have been replaced by google maps on your phone or the navigation feature on the garmin edge computer.

I can't imagine carrying around a paper map anymore. Even the gravel race events I have been in lately have eliminated paper cue sheets. They just provide a GPX file now.

Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN (Post 23447073)

I have not used a cue sheet in years and the group that I have ridden brevets with no longer provides them. Not sure what cue sheets has to do with a map. A couple years ago on a brevet, one rider that relied on a cue sheet had gotten lost and he found me by accident. I backtracked to get him to a control so he could get back on track. I do not remember if his phone ran out of battery or what, but all he had was a cue sheet.

Having a GPS and a phone with a couple apps (I use Komoot and Maps.Me) is great, but also having the paper map for planning and for discussing where to go with others is the way to go on a bike tour.

But, if you never do any bike touring and only ride routes that had a GPX file available, I can understand not having any interest in paper maps. Riding around near home on group rides with others, I don't bother to carry paper maps either.

Originally Posted by prj71 (Post 23447457)

You had stated that paper map can help you find a place to stay on a bike tour. I'm saying our phones and google maps do that already which eliminated the need to carry around a big piece of paper.

Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 23448150)

I can literally type a location request into a page on my Garmin 1040 computer; e.g., if I type "restaraunt,' it'll show me nearby restaurants and give directions to any of them. Ditto for campgrounds, hotels, etc.

If someone is more comfortable with a paper map, that's cool with me. But the nicer cycle computers are pretty amazing.

Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 23448150)

I can literally type a location request into a page on my Garmin 1040 computer; e.g., if I type "restaraunt,' it'll show me nearby restaurants and give directions to any of them. Ditto for campgrounds, hotels, etc.

If someone is more comfortable with a paper map, that's cool with me. But the nicer cycle computers are pretty amazing.

Originally Posted by prj71 (Post 23449307)

Interesting!! I never new that the Garmins did that. I know there are a slew of features I'll never use but didn't know about that one. I have a 530 and 540.