bianchi10

Anyone gonna be getting one? Retailing for $149, I'm interested. I currently have a cateye wireless strata and have been wanting a garmin 500 but couldn't pull the trigger on spending the money. At half the price, I'm more interested. I am at work and searching from my phone so not as easy to look up from the laptop. Anyone know if there are some real differences between the 200 and 500 that would make one choose the 500 over the new 200?

kj5423

it looks like the 200 provides meaningless data for someone who "trains seriously" for racing and such.

"speed, distance, time and calories"

besides time, i don't even look at those other categories on the 500. heart rate, heart rate zone, cadence, % grade, laps, elevation, etc is what i like to have

but if you just like to ride your bike for whatever reason, then this would be a good buy IMO

calories has to be the most worthless thing ever. who gives a crap. that number doesn't matter one bit

dayday82

I was just thinking about this. www.dcrainmaker.com has an excellent in-depth review on it. He also compares it with the 500. I think it would be a good device for my gf who isn't as serious as I am to make use of the 500.

Unless you are a casual rider, try to go with the 500. If you can wait it out, after Thanksgiving sale on Performance Bike is usually 20% off. Brings down the 500 without the bundle to $200.

adriano 

heart rate is not a big deal. once you know, cadence too is not a big deal. money can be a big deal.

bianchi10

Again I'm on my phone so I'm not gonna try to research, but does the 200 offer cadence, HR, speed, av time, max speed, total mileage? I saw you can upload your info like most other garmins.

dayday82

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/08/g...th-review.html

Direct link so you don't have to research. Speed, avg, time, max speed, mileage YES. No HR, cadence.

dayday82

20% off the Garmin 200 during the sale would bring it down to $120. Not bad either!

K&K_Dad

the biggest difference is that the 200 doesn't support ant+. so remove all the ant+ capabilities from the 500 and you have a 200. other than that the only difference is the 500 has a barometric altimeter. If you are thinking about one Performance has them(do a search) with 15% off bringing it to ~$125. I'm currently fighting myself to get a 200 or 500, and the 500 would allow me to ride the rollers in the winter but is that really worth it? When it all comes down to it you have to ask yourself if you'll ever want the ant+ stuff. Hope this makes sense.

bianchi10

So really it wouldn't give me anything not than what I already have on my carry wireless strata other than look better?

dayday82

well you don't have to worry about sensors on your wheel and you can take it from bike to bike easily, or even for walks or runs. You don't have to use your phone and kill your battery. Also the GPS on your phone is not as accurate as on the Garmin.

bianchi10

I dont bring my phone on rides. I only ride my bike and I only have 1. I hate running. The sensor .....eeeeh, not sure if thats a big enough selling point to spend money on it. I think I will keep saving for a 500

dayday82

Wise choice.

tagaproject6

Yup!

K&K_Dad

well strata's don't save your ride info like GPS units do.

bianchi10

dont take this as me being a sarcastic arse, but...so what. I see the ride info being a nice option to have but I honestly dont think I would use the option all that much.

Elvo

It's like tickling fat chicks. You won't know how it's like until you try it.

K&K_Dad

And most people would never use it, I completely agree. There are times it's nice though. Imagine I had ridden a route that I wanted my brother to ride with me on. Right now I would have to make the route in google maps or something like and then upload/email it to him. With this it's already done and I just send a link. It has it's pros and cons and unless you really just want a GPS unit that records there are always other options. Me personally, I like to see the data. If you're not into it then you'd be better off with what you got. No sarcasm intended. :-)

azwhelan

The altitude data and temp on the 500 are nice perks the 200 doesn't have.

Nachoman

Is it 20% off of their sale price ($249), or is it 20% off the regular price ($274)?

edit: never mind, i'm dumb. it's 20% off sale price.