Just another GPS thread
 

I did a search, but couldn't find much relevant recent information, so here is my own, personal GPS thread. (:

I currently have a regular old computer with wired cadence sensor and have Strava running on my phone in one of my pockets and am thinking about upgrading my setup.

• The major reason for upgrading would be for live heart rate tracking so that I can train better/understand how I ride better.
• Cadence is still important. Though I can almost tell now how fast I'm spinning, I still want that data to be presented to me live.
• It would also be very nice to not have to tax my phone's battery, so going with a GPS computer would be ideal, but perhaps not 100% required.
• I would like the GPS data to be uploadable to Strava, although this is distant in terms of priority. If I had to start using another app/website for logging rides, I could deal.
• Of note, I use an Apple computer, so any software that the new bike computer has to run through would need to have compatible software. I'd rather not install windows just for this purpose.

I looked through Garmin's line, and it looks like I'll need the 500 bundle at the minimum to satisfy all my requirements. Is that your understanding as well, from what I've presented? What would be the major reason to step up to the 510?

I haven't looked at any other company's lines of GPS units. What would be comparable from someone else? Would I save significant money by going with another company? It seems Garmin is far and away the most preferred, at least in the Road forum.

Lastly, are there any non-GPS computers that would give me heart rate and cadence that you would recommend that would save me enough money to convince me to keep using my iPhone for logging the rides via Strava?

I realize that's a lot of questions. Sorry about that. (: Thanks for all the help!

If you have at least an iphone 4S, then you can use the current generation of Bluetooth LE sensors to monitor/log HR, speed, and cadence on your phone. That might be the most affordable way forward. I think you need a different app than Strava to log speed and cadence, but I believe all the data will be uploadable to Strava.

Thank you for the idea. I should have mentioned in my original post that I'd rather not mount my phone to my bike and have the screen on all the time. Since live heart rate and cadence data is important, the screen would have to be on all the time. I'd rather not tax the battery that much. Again, thank you for the idea.

I previously had the same setup as you...old computer an strava on phone in my pocket. When I got my second bike, I actually opted not to get Garmin or similar as it was too expensive after getting my new bike (maybe sometime in the future).

I use my iPhone but I don't mount it on the handlebar or use the display, instead I use the Wahoo RFLKT+ with the Wahoo RPM cadence sensor and Wahoo heart rate monitor. The RFLKT acts as the display on my handlebar, and the iphone GPS with the screen off gets much better battery life (i keep it safely hidden away). The only thing I would probably do different is get the speed and cadence sensor for those rare times where GPS signal gets weak as it might give me better speed output on the display. All this will work with Strava, but I like the way the Wahoo fitness app works with the RFLKT better, and it only takes a few seconds to share it to strava after my workout. You can also get the base RFLKT, but I wanted the altimeter and temperature of the RFLKT+ (also as an ANT bridge that I haven't tried yet).

Another suggestion is to look at the Cateye Stealth 50 GPS bike computer - it will do everything you want with ANT and much cheaper than the Garmin. Another option is the Sigma ROX 10.0, which is between the Cateye and Garmin in price and generally features.

Thanks for the reply, especially your experience with Wahoo.

Pricing out these options...

Garmin 500 + accessories: 277.75
Wahoo RFLKT+ + accessories: 239.97
Cateye Stealth 50 + accessories: 205.91
Sigma ROX bundle: 254.50

(Prices all from Amazon...I'm sure I could find some of the pieces cheaper, but the overall comparison might be comparable.)

Hmm, interesting. I didn't know you could pick up the Garmin 500 that cheap now.

Curious what accessories you were including in that?

When I made the decision to try Wahoo route the Garmin was definitely more $ and I got the wahoo stuff all 20% off thanks to a sale.

I do like the ease of uploading to Strava with the Wahoo route, vs syncing a device, but you could still use Strava on your phone in your pocket with the others too.

Here's the link. It would be buying the Edge 500, the GSC10 cadence/speed sensor, and the Premium heart rate strap separately, as seen just below the main product listing. Looks to be cheaper than buying it as a bundle.

+2 for the RFLKT+. My wife and I both have them on our bikes. I have the Wahoo ANT+ speed and cadence sensor and a Garmin ANT+ hr strap. My wife has a Trek Madone, so she is using the Bontrager DuoTrap speed and cadence sensor (it fits into a special slot on her chainstay) and a Motorola ANT+ HR strap. The RFLKT+ is an ANT+ bridge for the sensors, and connects to the iPhone by Bluetooth. The Wahoo App syncs with many bike apps, so you can upload your data using whatever platform you are already using- MapMyRide, Strava, etc.

VDO has a new lineup, you can get the M5 with HRM and wireless cadence sensor for about $110.
I think you would still need to use your phone for strava, as it doesn't appear to record the data.

Coming from a similar situation as yours, I opted for the garmin 500 bundle. Very satisfied.

Check out the Magellan Cyclo computers...

Look on ebay for a used Garmin Edge 305. It does HR/cadence etc, that you want, and if Garmin software is apple compatible, then it will work. Also can be had a LOT cheaper!