I never have bike computer, but have decided to have a better tracking of my time and miles.

What should I look for? Brand, model, features?
What is a price range?
Are they rain proof?

Is it a good idea to get a Garmin gps device that can be used in a car too?

Any advice is appreciated!

It depends on what you want. Is this something you want just for biking or are you going to be running/swimming/etc as well? I have a garmin 310xt which is very similar to the Edge 500 but the edge is just for bike. The Garmin Edge 705 is the flagship model that lets you get the turn by turn stuff.

If you are serious about training, all you need is a basic computer and a heart rate monitor. If you want all out data I would go with the Garmin 310xt or Edge 705. Polar was not recommended to me by the LBS and one of my friends has some issues. Plus the Garmin gives you ANT+ capabilities. Again...Garmin user and very happy!

If you just want the basics, Walmart has a Schwinn for about $12 Which I have one bie and I just got on a Planet BIke 9.0 wired which I like as it has a temp line.. Go through bike catalogs and read the different brands and fucntions. Do you really need GPS?

No...but if you can afford it you might as well get something good. I rode a long time with my Trek bike computer which cost about 50 bucks. Then I wanted to do some more training so I started riding with a heart rate monitor. But then I wanted all out detail so I could meticulously track my improvements. It depends on what you need. If all you want is something to tell you how fast you are going then get something basic. You can even get a HRM included in a basic bike computer for under 100 bucks. But if you foresee yourself being a data junkie, do it right the first time.

Just my 2 cents.

I have a $40 Sigma and a $10 Schwinn... Besides a backlight on the Sigma (which I never use) they pretty much do the exact same things (and are tracking miles identically). If you just want total number of miles and time any run-of-the-mill odometer will do.

+ 1 for the Schwinn. Simple no frills easy to use and happy user here. Had wireless Ascent which runs wildly specially next to my wireless laptop. Would never go back to wireless again. I used Garmin for recording the data that I needed basically but Garmin ruins all reading after passing through high powered lines that runs parallel to the MUP.

I'm not pimping this for personal gain. Here's a link to what I bought ($20):

https://greenfishsports.com/product/4...-computer.html

I find the HRM to be accurate. The clock runs a bit fast. Cadence is OK as far as I can tell. The speedometer sometimes misses a rotation or three (like when you're doing 20mph and the display says 8, then jumps to 12, then to 20) and is subject to magnetic fields (there are sections of road where it will read 80mph - don't know what's underground, but something certainly affects it). I ignore the calories burned number. And the HRM doesn't work with the Precor equipment at my gym.

Is it perfect? Not even close. The installation instructions are horrible, and you'll definitely have to replace the batteries. But for $20 (edit: I just noticed they increased the price to $30), you might find it worth a try.

If the sensor is mounted away from the hub, it might be more reliable moved closer to the hub.

This problem is radio interference with the wireless transmission from the wheel sensor to the head unit.

try and buy used if you can.

i picked up a sigma rox 9.0 a few days ago for 50 bucks

Thanks for the tip and web link. I just finished my first test ride after installing this and everything seems to work. Even though the website says to replace batteries, all mine were fine. Although I have new ones here ready anyway.

The built in zip tie for the cadence sensor didn't want to hold very well, so I clipped it and used one of my own. Other than that.. not too shabby for $35 including the shipping.