I'm debating between using a bike computer like the Garmins or my iPhone. I've sorted through the numerous debates about which is better but haven't seen much on what's very important to my old eyes: Readability. I went and looked at the Garmins today and even standing still I had to squint to read them. I should note that these computers weren't turned on--they just had a sample display overlaying the screen. My eyes at distance are still good but I'm wondering if any of the computers might allow me to increase font size or limit displays per page? Thanks...

I have two older Garmins...the edge 705 and the edge 200.
Neither allows me to increase the font size.
Both allow customization of displays per page.
And both allow the display to be backlit at various intensities...most useful.
Of the two, the 200 is easiest to read.

I have no experience with the more recent garmin models.

The text on the Garmins I've used (Edge 500 and 800), the size of the text depends on the number of items you have on the screen. With up to five screens, you have a lot of flexibility. Take a look at a real screen, I think you'll be able to read the screen.

I'm interested in all the Garmins right now, especially the ones you've mentioned, so I need to see one in use with limited screen info. I suspected I might be able to see more so that's good to know. The bike shop owner I visited today said I need the Edge 1000 for largest font on any page. But I think that model costs about as much as an iPhone and is probably way more than I need.

I'm not sure I understand the problem.

Using a dedicate cycling computer saves the battery on your phone.

If you can't read the Garmin, maybe its time for reading glasses. I have no problem with my progressives.

Depends what you want to display.

My Garmin Edge 800 (a refurbished model bought on-line, now being phased out by Garmin, so significantly less $$$) can certainly be tailored to help legibility:
(a) brightening the screen (while this impacts the battery life, I have not found battery to be a problem even on a long one-day ride);
(b) vary the number of items (speed, gradient, heart rate, time, cadence etc) displayed on a single page - font sizes adjust to fill the page. One can also specify exactly what is displayed on a page, and how many separate pages are displayed.

However, other aspects seem to have a fixed font size - such as:
(a) main menu
(b) direction cues when being used in 'navigation' mode - albeit one can 'zoom' the navigation to change the scale of the map (and again the map changes to fill the page so legibility increases).

I need glasses - my prescription sun glasses seem to make the navigation display harder to read - perhaps the 'anti-glare' properties are a factor.

My recommendation if you are concerned - go and try it out. If you are uncomfortable 'using' your LBS if 'on-line' purchase being contemplated, there are lots of cyclists using Garmins, most love to talk about their equipment. The web-site operated by DCRainmaker has very detailed assessments of bike-related equipment

Cell phone can certainly be used - but if you keep the display on you likely want an extra battery pack for longer rides.

There is also a separate forum for electronic stuff - some of the folks there are very knowledgeable, and can also fill in on all the alternatives

I do wear reading glasses at home but usually wear sunglasses on my rides. They make the screens hard to see so I'll lift them to read. My eyes are still excellent at distance so I haven't considered progressives. I do read DCRainmaker but I've missed info about readability. I decided to ask this question on the 50+ forum because I knew many of you could relate. Thanks for the alert about the Edge 800 at a good price--I'll check that out. I'll also see if I can view an Edge computer with less info per page. I bet that would make a big difference.

If you can't find a Garmin where you can't read the fonts, take a look at the Wahoo RFLKT ($99.00). I noticed you mentioned an iPhone. If this is what you have, the RFLKT may be what you are looking for. It isn't a bike computer, per say, but connects to your iPhone's cycling app (via Bluetooth) and displays all the data you want available in as many pages as you feel like having. It allows you to use your phone without having to keep the screen on in order to see your ride metrics. Depending on the cycling app, each page and font size is user created, or you can select from default screens or templates. I don't know about some of the other cycling apps because I use Cyclemeter, but I can have as many screens as I need with over 114 different ride metrics to select from. Cyclemeter also allows you to have your display show white letters on a black background, if that makes it easier for you to see the numbers.

I don't know how long your rides last, but my iPhone 5c uses 10% battery life/hour connected to an RFLKT+, a Whaoo Tickr and a Wahoo BlueSC. I've been using this system for over a year and I have yet to end up with a dead battery on my phone. My normal, daily rides are around 3-3.5 hours and I end up with 70% battery life at the end of the ride. More than enough battery left if you need to make phone calls.

I will definitely check out the RFLKT+. I've looked at it briefly in the past and it's interesting. I really like what you've said about it displaying data exactly as I create it. Also John_V, I read one of your posts yesterday recommending Cyclemeter. I had never heard of it and immediately downloaded the app to my iPhone. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but the iTunes screenshots looked great. Thanks for the advice!

My eyes are like yours, great at distance but bad up close. I never ride without glasses and all of them have a bifocal reading lens. I do not have a bike computer but I've been challenged using my multi tool to fix a chain, adjust a seat etc. Actually, just changing a tube is nicer with reading lenses. Stopping at a store or reading a menu at the cafe, makes me glad I wear readers. I buy a darker polarized model from a site called "Boomers in the know". I also have a yellow pair for cloudy/rainy days that are just safety glasses with bifocal lenses. Its a little odd as bifocals bother me and I don't like to wear them during the day, but on the bike they're fine.

Bifocal sunglasses are available. I had a pair of these before I had cataract surgery. Don't need them now. Or you can look online (Amazon, etc) or try wallyworld and other places that sell "sunglasses with readers".

You've won me over on the bifocal issue. I had no idea that I could order some decent looking cycling glasses at such good prices. And you're right, it's about more than reading the computer. almost any on-road repair would be so much easier with some readers. Thanks you guys.

Go to dualeyewear.com for great bifocal bike glasses. I have two pair and wear their dual SL2 Pro glasses for biking and running. They perform well, are comfortable and are fairly priced.

Like you, I have a hard time reading my sport computers.

Those are nice sport glasses on dualeyewear.com. I also noticed that I can order them through Amazon and get free shipping with Prime. Thanks for the recommendation...

Using a phone, you won't see the large fonts very well in bright sunlight. Garmins and other bike computers are designed for sunlight visibility. And their adjustable backlights are great at dusk or at night.

I added stick-on bifocals to my older single vision inserts (Rudy Project glasses). It's actually one bifocal cut in half with a razor knife and trimmed. An area the width of my handlebars is in close focus. They stay on my inserts even when rinsing under the tap.

I have no-line bifocals on my regular glasses. It took a couple of rides before I adapted to the stick-on's line. Since then, they've been fine.

You might try here as well, Bifocal Safety Glasses Help You See What You've Been Missing

I wear the Elvex Sonoma.

"I added stick-on bifocals to my older single vision inserts (Rudy Project glasses)."
I am really getting an education on eyeware. I had a hunch I was asking this question in the right forum. Thanks

Tifosi also makes cycling sunglasses with readers in them and the lens are replaceable and not very expensive. You can pick up Tifosi glasses at many local shops. The Performance Outlet Stores carry them so if you have one near you, you can go in and try them on.

You're welcome! Cyclemeter is extremely rich in features and settings that can get quite intimidating if you rush the learning process of the app. My suggestion is to go through each item in the More section and see exactly what you can set there. Select everything you can to see where it leads to and what it sets. After going through it a few times, it becomes very easy to set different parameters and thresholds that you want. If you don't really care about customizing the app, use the defaults. If you are going to use a RFLKT or RFLKT+, I would spend some extra time in the More>Devices>RFLKT Settings section to learn how to create and customize and set the viewing order of the output screens for the RFLKT and RFLKT+ devices. You will need to purchase the Elite version of Cyclemeter for those features to be available to you, but the cost is only $4.99/year, which is what you pay per month for some of the other cycling apps with much less customization and features.

I need reading glasses to read books and computers, but can see my Garmin 805 display on my handlebars just fine.
I set between 4-6 items per page.
I can't read the tiny writing on each block that says what it actually is, but I know what they are because I set them up.

Wow, you took a big risk getting crushed by the computer purists. I not only agree with you but I applaud your bravery. There's so much misinformation about cell apps versus computers on this forum its ridiculous.

Garmin software is pitifully bad. I'd like to toss mine. But it is reliable enough that I can go to an unfamiliar location and expect to navigate it with my Garmin and no backup map.

What is the current phone app state of the art? Some years ago, iphones only lasted 4 hours or so. What's typical now? And how do the screens handle bright sunlight? Or are phones more for staying in the pocket and recording to strava or the equivalent? Do you use offline map tiles stored in the phone?

I just bought the Cateye Padrone (the basic one), and it touts the largest screen of any cycling computer. The Padrone also comes in various "Smart" versions for cadence, heart rate, etc. and Cateye free smart phone App. It's wireless and I can see it very clearly.

Thanks again for the info on Cyclemeter. I've used it a few times now and it has become my favorite bike app. I upgraded to the elite version today and set it to upload my rides to Strava and iPhone Health. I still haven't selected a new computer but I've gotten lots of great recommendations here.