So my LBS is having a sale on the Garmin Edge 500. $150 for just the unit, or $225 for the bundle which includes the heart rate and cadence gadgets. My needs are as follows: speed, time, distance, with the ability to track how far I've gone and what my mile split times were. The associate at the store was also telling me about uploading the data online and then comparing with others who travel my routes as a way to 'compete' and push myself. The new model replacing the 500 is out of my price range.

So bikeforums, what say you all?

Many of us who don't require street maps are happy with the Garmin 500. It's certainly a good value if you're interested in the GPS path and performance recording. Its performance is stable and the hardware (for most of us) has held up for years now.

$150 is the lowest price I recall, so it might be nice to get that price while shopping at your LBS.

Get it!

The 500 has a nice screen, better contrast than the 800.

I am happy with my 500; I don't need maps. I can always get out my phone if I get lost along the way. $150 for the base unit is an excellent price. $225 sounds about right for the bundle. Except that I like the newer speed and cadence sensors! No more horrible magnets! If you don't want HRM or cadence, look at the price of unbundled accessories.

So I pulled the trigger on the bundle. First the cost of getting the unit only then buying the individual accessories (heart rate monitor, and new speed/cadence version) was $310 with tax, vs $240 with tax for the bundle. Second, they only had blue and silver in the unit only, which wouldn't go with my bike. The red and black bundle version I got actually comes with the better upgraded heart rate monitor, but the cadence and speed is still the old magnetic variety. I'm going to work with the magnetic speed and cadence until I get sick of it, then upgrade to the most recent magnetic-less version if I feel so inclined to spend $70. Thanks for the help!