Cateye Stealth 50 vs Garmin
 

Looking between the Stealth 50 and Garmin. I want to spend the least amount to accomplish what I want.

Ability to track the following: gps points, average speed, max speed, altitude, distance, cadence, heart rate, time riding, start time, and end time.

I'd like the ability to log each trip in a CSV file so I can import it into my database and trend my stats. I'd like to also import it into one of many online sites for cyclists as well.

Finally, I don't need to view maps on the device. My iPhone will navigate me while riding, however, I want this device to log GPS points so I can load it into a map to see my ride history.

Your iPhone will do that for you as you're already running it for Nav anyway. Just find a suitable app and compatible sensors.

What devices do you recommend that will work with the iPhone? I thought if I use the bluetooth on my phone for calls/music it wouldn't let me connect to other devices simultaneously?

I'm not sure if there's a limit on how many devices can connect at once. Wahoo fitness makes a bunch of goodies for iPhone users, check 'em out. Products

I have been trying to determine a solution for very similar requirements. I have considered the two you are (Garmin 500/510, Cateye Stealth) as well as a Sigma ROX 10.0 (as the bundle with sensors is less expensive the then Garmin).

I don't think any of them are perfect, so I decided I will try the iPhone route for a bit on my new bike. I have previously been using my iPhone with Strava while riding, but a separate bike computer for instant feedback on speed, cadence, time, etc. (iPhone is in a pocket). One time I tried with my iPhone mounted and screen on (using MapMyRide to follow a route. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the case I got and having the screen on plus GPS ate battery really quickly (GPS only with screen off wasn't so bad). This is a problem for anyting but shorter rides where you can charge when done.

For my new bike, I am going to try the Wahoo route, using my iPhone as the brains. I got a Wahoo RFLKT plus, a bluetooth cadence sensor, and Wahoo HR monitor. It should be no problem connecting multiple BT LE devices to a newer iPhone (4s or newer). The RFLKT is key as it will give me a display without running my iPhone battery down so fast. Cadence sensor was also a requirement for me. Heartrate was a nice to have.

I just got my new bike but unfortunately have also been healing from an injury and traveling so I haven't gotten to try setting it all up yet. If all works well, I won't be buying a computer for this bike.

Ended up purchasing the BLUE HR and BLUE SC. Hopefully it works great with the Strava app. My only concern now is getting this data into a CSV file so I can load it into my own database for reporting. I don't trust my data with one company. If they quit, all my history is gone. Most sites let you import your own csv file of data.

I saw some external batteries that you can plug into the iPhone. I'm thinking of purchasing one and they range anywhere from 79-129 depending on size. The $129 has the same size battery as the iPhone where as the 79 version is 30-40% of the iPhone battery size and much lighter.

Once I get my bike and have the iPhone mounted, I will see how long battery life I'll get and determine if I need an extra battery or not. I usually charge my phone at work so by time I'm home I'm at 97-99% full. I'd hope I can get more than 60 minutes with screen and GPS on.

I've been in the same boat and trying to figure out what I want for a while. Today nashbar has 15% off and plus the rebate on the 810 has me suddenly thinking that direction but I don't really need nav.

In the end I need clock/timer, mph, & cadence. GPS would be sweet but with map my ride running in the background I don't know if even gps is needed. Oh the pontifications ahead!

Interesting.

Fyi, on my android phone using the gps on my phone (but with the screen off) doesn't burn nearly the battery life that using my phone with the screen on all time. I assume you need the screen on for various other reasons, just saying if you end up needing to buy a separate item for displaying cadence, that you could probably still use the iphone for tracking your route with gps and wouldn't need an extra battery. Just my thoughts.

I'm sure my iPhone could have BT and GPS running and last more than 2 hours with the display on. It's not like I will be looking at the screen continuously anyway so I can always put the display to sleep.

As far as strava goes, if that's the site you're using to collect your data you can do a mass dump (as often as you want) to back up the files. It's in your profile, and then the "my performance" tab, and then you can get it that way. It probably downloads them as GPX files, which are a pretty universal standard for this kind of thing, and you can reupload them to the ride tracking site of your choice.

Map My Ride eats cell batteries. It kills my phone (crappy battery) in under 2 hrs. Using a Garmin 510 + LiveTrack is a hardly noticable drain compared with normal having the phone on but inactive.

So I just found the Cateye Stealth 50 for just over $100 during the Mike Bike's mega sale this weekend (CatEye Stealth 50 - Mike's Bikes - Road and Mountain Bike Shop, components, parts, accessories, service and repair) and I think i will bit the bullet for that price. Of course still need to get a ANT+ speed/cadence sensor, but that isn't to expensive.

Not sure if I will use this on my new bike, or my old bike yet, or maybe get two sensors and move back and fourth, though I hate moving things between bikes as I seem forget occasionally and get annoyed.

I am leaning towards trying this on my old bike (road bike) to replace my old wireless computer that doens't seem to work well recently, and using iPhone plus Wahoo rflkt and cadence sensor on my new bike (commuter), but maybe I will change my mind.

If interested in the Wahoo stuff, like RFLKT, this is onsale at mikes Bikes this weeknd as well.