Do I really need an expensive GPS bike computer?
 

I currently have a Garmin 305 bike computer, it is OK but I think I lack the patience to wait for the satellites to sync, etc. I am thinking of going back to a basic computer, (wireless or not) with cadence and speed and just hanging my polar watch on the handlebar (Polar has a mount). Has anyone else had this issue? Do the new Garmins sync faster?

The 500 is much faster and the display is much easier to read than the 305. Is it really that big a deal to wait for the minute or so that it takes for the 305 to find a satellite?

I don't use my Garmin 305 any more. I went with a Cateye wireless and like it much better. For one thing my bike looks much better without it. It's huge and literally is 2/3rds the size of my blackberry. You have to remember to constantly charge it as well. I used to use the cadence function but now I know what my cadence is by feel and can predict almost exactly what the display will show.

I agree the 305 is a brick. 500 is much smaller/less obtrusive and the battery is now a non-issue. 305 battery was a weak point, especially on really long rides like R.A.I.N. Do you need an expensive GPS? Absolutely not, but I do enjoy mine.

GPS vs GPS
 

If the 305 actually did something useful for a recreational rider like myself, I would give it another thought. But it is big (I did once mount it and my Garmin hand held gps map on the bike) and I would like to go smaller and simpler...will take a look at the Garmin 500.

I'm not into all the technical stuff like cadence, heart rate, etc. I just would like a decent sized screen on a GPS that's bright enough to see on a sunny day, and a battery that doesn't die in an hour or two. Which would that be?

My 2 Cents,,,Get rid of the ,,"bike" GPS all together and get a much cheaper Etrex Legend with bike mount. I had the spendy 605, when I saw what the Legend does, I sold it.
I need to add I DO NOT use my bike as an exercise machine, I do use my GPS to find roads and stuff, store places, find stuff.

Im by no means a "numbers freak" but i love my Garmin 705 as it allows me to record where I went and how far I went for years. Im trying to lose weight and my biggest enemy is myself telling myself i have worked "hard enough" this week/month. The 705 records dont tell lies - I can see in an instant my actual mileage and destination - I love it :)

A GPS is definitely not necessary, but I am so happy that I have mine. I started with a Garmin forerunner 305. It uses a heart rate monitor and I bought a speed/cadence sensor for $35 to sync with it.

I used the heart rate reading and cadence reading to select the appropriate gearing. I easily downloaded data from the ride. I also used the Cateye Strada wireless and was happy with it. The Garmin was never impacted by my Magicshine, but the Cateye would go crazy whenever I turned my headlight on.

I upgraded the Garmin to an Edge 800. It was worth every penny to me. It was compatible with my 305 heart rate strap and the speed cadence sensor. I really like the color touch screen and the maps I downloaded for free. I can see the data much more clearly on it than I could on the Cateye or Forerunner.

I have been monitoring my cadence for many years. I know when mine is low or high, but I can not guess it within 10 rpm.

I like to do intervals where I push my heart rate into zone 5. I shift to a higher gear and watch my cadence and heart rate. I can't do that with the Cateye.

Do I really need an expensive GPS bike computer?
 

I believe there are many gps system, according need users. I train with a small, simple gps that allows me record my tracks and watch them in Google Earth. Is the datalogger gps Mainnav MG-600, easy to use, small, and cheap-

Whether YOU need it depends on what YOU need. Some people, myself included, don't NEED any computer at all. I'm just going to work and back, what to I care how fast I'm going? I actually do have a computer but I actually use it primarily for time and temperature. I can't remember the last time I looked at the speed, and I had one that did cadence for a couple of months but sold it because I NEVER used that. I do use the odometer because I like to keep track of how much life I get out of tires and other components.

I'd say it just depends on what you like to do with the data after the ride.

I waste enough time on the computer already without mulling over GPS data (or speed, HR, cadence, power output, yadda yadda). My commuter bike, then, has no computer; neither does my MTB. I've got a Shimano Flight Deck on my road bike, though. I got it because the shop was liquidating everything (they couldn't sell it over the four years I saw it in their stock), and I still use it for the gear display and because I can put the cadence number in the biggest spot.

The only feature I might want to add is HR, but I do so much exercise off-bike that it's pretty pointless to have a bike-only HRM.

I have a non-biking Garmin GPS (Oregon) that I use for geocaching, but it's larger than I want to use on my bike, so I want a bike computer. Are the wireless ones the way to go, or the wired ones? I'd like to avoid "clunky" but I've never seen either one installed. I'd just like distance and speed, don't care about HR, cadence, etc. Any recommendations? Just trying to get started doing a little riding for fun, haven't even bought a bike yet but have researched them alot and waiting for the bike shop to get one in in my size. Thanks

I checked out Garmin Edges and all those and was stunned by how expensive they are. I just use free Endomondo on my free Android phone to track my rides. And free Google Maps.

Thats a fine setup for shorter rides but if you are riding 4+ hours - the constant GPS pinging will flatten the phones battery. Then when you reach for your trusty phone to call for SAG backup your between a rock and a hard place - ask me how I know ;)

My 705 will go 12 hours on a charge. Best gadget I own and if it broke tomorrow I would buy another in a heartbeat...

My Edge 500 is supposed to go for 18 hours between charges, although I've never tested that claim. I'm glad lithium-ion batteries don't suffer from the same memory effect that the old NiCads had. You had to discharge those all the way to avoid it.

I have a $10 special from Target or Walmart, forgot which -- it has speedometer - odometer - adverage speed - top speed - time riding - total current trip and the time.

Yeah, I'm thinking about buying a backup and/or extended life battery for my phone -- still way cheaper than an Edge. ;) My phone lasted for nearly 6 hours with the GPS on the entire time the other day, and still had about 25% power left.

Yeah I use RunKeeper on the iPhone (simply because I was already using it for running). It definitely drains the battery fast, but lasts long enough for my current needs. I did have the battery die on a hike one time on the way back, I think it lasted around 4 or 5 hours.

I'm looking for a GPS that will work for roads and highways, plus off road trails. Is there a GPS that works for hikers-bikers-road bikes?

For years I've used the tiny little Garmin 101 (90.00). Granted, it's not a mapper but it will provide good accurate GPS data such as speed, avg speed, trip times, max speed, altitude, compass and a bunch more. It used to sync quite quickly but by the sounds of it the GPS traffic is making them all a bit slower. Not sure if they are available anymore.

I said this, in part, earlier:

Two things that I've been thinking about since then:

Post-exercise data needs to be useful, and it ain't useful if it can't be imported to my computer (a Mac laptop, that is). My Blackburn Neuro was at least interesting to look at after a ride, but I didn't want to create my own spreadsheet and enter everything manually. Polar's Mac support is nonexistent, Suunto might be okay, but it appears that Garmin takes the win. So that's one category win for Garmin.

I had forgotten that several of Garmin's GPS watches also read bike sensors. So, on-bike, I wouldn't have to use a 500.

For me, it's pretty much settled. IF I get another bike/exercise computer, it'll be Garmin.

Garmin forerunner 305 with GSC10 sensor and the bicycle quick release kit is relatively inexpensive and you don't have to wait for speed and cadence since the sensor provides data when GPS signal is unavailable.

Best thing is although its small inobtrusive it allows me to document my workouts, collect/track my performance and physical fitness.

Mike

Oh yes, you most definitely do need a Garmin GPS. Specifically you need the Garmin Montana 650t. Go ahead and buy one, and when you realise you don't actually need it then send it to me and I'll dispose of it on your behalf.

Seriously, unless you've got an ancient unit (I don't know what chipset the 305 has) it shouldn't take all that long to get a satellite lock. When I go for a ride I carry my bike through the house, prop it against the wall while I lock the front door and in the time it takes me to lock and check the front door it's usually got a satellite lock.

What do mean by GPS traffic?