Which GPS do you use and why?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Secteur Sport
Which GPS do you use and why?
Thinking about adding a GPS device and looking to see what reasons others have for selecting the one they own.
Also, did you buy one only to return it and replace it or do away with them all together?
thanks
Frank
Also, did you buy one only to return it and replace it or do away with them all together?
thanks
Frank
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 304
Likes: 5
I use a Garmin 910XT watchband unit for it's multi-sport capability (triathlon). It works well with Strava (for biking at least).
If you want a dedicated bike mounted unit, Garmin has some good units of that type as well (Edge 500/510/810...).
If you want a dedicated bike mounted unit, Garmin has some good units of that type as well (Edge 500/510/810...).
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, SC
Bikes: Lynskey R240, 2013 CAAD10
I used to use a Garmin Edge 500, until it was damaged when I was hit. I'm still trialing the RFLKT+, so I'm using my phone. I like a lot of the features but there are still some bugs in the system, so I'm eyeing up an Edge 520.
#4
Garmin Fenix 3. I like that it's a watch, so I can't forget it. Works very well with my power meter, tells me at the end of the ride if I've broken my 20-minute average power record. Counts laps and strokes when I swim, records HR while swimming. Tells me how long to rest after a workout based on HRV. Good navigation features for backpacking and peak bagging. Saves weight on multi-day hikes vs a hand-held GPS. Looks great.
Also an Edge 800. Keep that one on the stem so I can see how many watts I'm putting out. The watch stays on my wrist.
Also an Edge 800. Keep that one on the stem so I can see how many watts I'm putting out. The watch stays on my wrist.
#9
Administrator

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,655
Likes: 2,701
From: Delaware shore
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
I've got a Garmin 500. This is one of many Garmins I've owned between cycling, running and tri's. But I'm going to try something else. I've never been pleased with Garmins support and introduction of new products not well tested first.
#11
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 12
From: Western MA
I got a Garmin Edge Touring. I have absolutely no interest in my heart rate or any other measurement of me. I want the GPS for keeping me on track, just like with a car GPS. I have Garmin for my car and find it acceptable, so the bike Garmin seemed appropriate. I wanted a map and audible turn indication, elevation and speed along with distance, and was pleased to see that the Edge Touring supported Open Street Maps. It was inexpensive and didn't have what I was not interested in while having what I cared about. It's been pretty much what I was expecting. The Garmin trip planning software (Garmin Connect) is actually nicer than I thought it would be. The one disappointment was that you need to buy a larger SD card in order to download the map updates. That's not much money -- it was just a pain to find out after an hour of downloading that I needed a larger card. But I am thinking of bringing the unit to southern France with me this spring, and I can download free OSM maps for there with this unit (DCRainmaker explains how here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/download-garmin-705800810.html ) BTW, I find the auto rerouting on the bike GPS a complete pain, so I disable it. This was the main difference I found between how I use my bike and my car GPS. FWIW
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
- Recorded power, heart rate, and cadence every second
- Displayed those plus time and distance on one screen
- Had a back light
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 11-06-15 at 04:25 PM.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 136
From: Peoples Republic of Brooklyn
Bikes: Pinarello Dogma F8 Giant TCR Advanced 2 Jamis Coda
Edge 810 for the reasons listed above plus current speed/ lap time and average lap speed. Maps and GPS are rarely called on. Recently Garmin had a firmware update that links Strava live segments and can display them in real time. I played around with it but honestly I found it annoying after a short time and turned it off. But it is nice to have options.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: BH RC1, Bianchi Volpe, Orbea Avant
I have the Edge 1000. I bought it for the mapping and routing. I use it with my speed, cadence and heart rate sensors as well. I also like the Strava Segment feature.
I previously used my phone, but keeping the screen on chewed through the battery, plus it was kind of a pain to put in the waterproof case every time.
I'm liking the Edge 1000, though it can be a little buggy.
I previously used my phone, but keeping the screen on chewed through the battery, plus it was kind of a pain to put in the waterproof case every time.
I'm liking the Edge 1000, though it can be a little buggy.
#16
Non omnino gravis
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 8,552
Likes: 1,739
From: SoCal, USA!
Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
That too. I've never used the GPS on mine other than the fact that it uses GPS to track my ride
#19
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and IpBike app.

Rich
Rich
__________________
..life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ― Andy Rooney ...enjoy what's left!
..life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ― Andy Rooney ...enjoy what's left!
Last edited by Rich Gibson; 11-06-15 at 06:21 PM.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
I got a Magellan Cyclo100 because it was stupidly cheap. It was stupidly cheap for a good reason, worst GPS ever made. Buggy as hell. If you turn it on and don't press a button it will lock up. That's just one of the numerous bugs.
So I got a Garmin 500. Reasonably reliable but it's not perfect. You do need to remember to press the Lap/Reset button for 3 seconds to save your ride before you connect to a computer to upload the file otherwise it might randomly decide to mess your files up.
So I got a Garmin 500. Reasonably reliable but it's not perfect. You do need to remember to press the Lap/Reset button for 3 seconds to save your ride before you connect to a computer to upload the file otherwise it might randomly decide to mess your files up.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 465
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL build, CAAD10, Bianchi Pista '13, Litespeed Antares '03
Used Garmin Edge 510, but recently switched to Pioneer SGX-CA500. In general I think the edge 510 is a very decent device, but the pioneer is better fit for my power meter and has wi-fi. The only thing I miss is the GLONASS GPS. It's not a big deal, but there is slight difference.
If I didn't have the pioneer power meter I'd probably ride with the edge 520.
If I didn't have the pioneer power meter I'd probably ride with the edge 520.
#22
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Endicott, NY
Bikes: De Rosa R838, Focus Culebro, Planet X Stealth Pro Carbon TT bike, Moto Fantom 29er Pro SL
Magellan Cyclo 505 because it had all the features I wanted and works with both Ant+ and Bluetooth sensors. Does everything I need it to and I don't have to have my cellphone mounted to the bars anymore.
#23
1000, the screen is by far the easiest to read and the menus are easy to operate.
I also have a 510 that I use for mountain biking since the start and lap buttons on the 1000 can get sand around them which stops the buttons from working.
I also have a 510 that I use for mountain biking since the start and lap buttons on the 1000 can get sand around them which stops the buttons from working.
#25
It seems like them all at some point. Got an Edge 200 and it worked fine untill I wanted to add HR and cadence. Got a 500 and it worked well until I started to do 150 mile rides all over the place and wanted some mapping so I got an 800 on sale and with a $100 Garmin rebate. Got a 1000 after someone offered me way too much money for my 800 the week before performance had a double points weekend. Was worried that it would be buggy and there were a couple at first. later updates have fixed all issues I have noted with the 1000.
I have to say the Edge 800 was the most usable and trouble free of the bunch. The 1000 is now trouble free and very capable if you want the added functions of phone and Di2 integration.
The 500 and 800 were both good solid devices. the 1000 is now but is a bit overloaded with overall unneeded "features"
I have to say the Edge 800 was the most usable and trouble free of the bunch. The 1000 is now trouble free and very capable if you want the added functions of phone and Di2 integration.
The 500 and 800 were both good solid devices. the 1000 is now but is a bit overloaded with overall unneeded "features"







