Forgive me for not posting in Electronic subforum. I have gotten good advice here but if mods see fit to move this post I understand.

So i have my first bike and want a good training aid. I am looking at Garmin 500 or Polar 500. I use a Polar unit for my Concept 2 erg and have had no problem at all.

I have read that Garmin is "better" (more info) however also have read that the Garmin display gets washed out in the sun whereas the Polar display is crisp and clear.

So in the end what do you folks think? Has the display issue with the Garmin been corrected?
Lastly, any issues with the sensors on the spoke or crank coming loose and being lost on the road? Zip ties don't last forever.

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks

Polar uses a proprietary system that only works with Polar. A problem if you want to add a Ant+ power meter at some point. Polar has no GPS. Ireally don't see how Polar continues to sell $200 plus HRM's without GPS.

I'd take the Garmin every single day.

Thanks. BTW: Any point in looking at Cateye products?

My take on cyclecomputers/ hrm's is to get a Garmin if your willing to spend $250 plus.

Failing that, find the cheapest thing out there. Going that route, there are some cheap cateyes that will do all the basic functions.

I'd go with Garmin. I get all I need with the Edge 500. I use Strava and Veloviewer to keep track of stats and segments.

This sounds like somebody was viewing the display at a bad angle with the contrast not set appropriately. I don't ever have this issue.

I'll recommend the Garmin, specifically the Edge 500. I dithered a long time about whether I really needed it, but I am glad I bought it.

No issue(s) for me re:sun angle affecting display clarity.

Also, I do not use zip ties for the cadence sensor. I bought the magnets linked below, and everything works beautifully. The only caveat is that your pedal axle has to be made of steel. The magnets won't work with Ti spindled pedals.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/400339190132...84.m1497.l2649

Of course the Polar 800cx and Polar RC3 GPS have GPS. I like and have both a Polar watch-style and a Garmin 800. They serve different purposes. I wouldn't get a bike-specific Polar. Too limited. But the watch style ones are great. Very easy to read, long battery life, multi-sport. The Garmin 500 is also limited in its own way - cycle only, and no mapping. The biggest downside to the Polar is software. Most web software now is Garmin-centric. If you are going to use web-based analysis like Strava or TrainingPeaks, you have to have Garmin. OTOH, most gym equipment is Polar-centric. I haven't seen any gym equipment that responds to the ANT+ HR transmitter, though that's probably just a matter of time. Still, that equipment is long-lived. Anyway, I like both. I use the Garmin for road cycling, the Polar for trainer and all other workouts. Bit of a PITA because of the incompatible software issue, but life is like that sometimes. If you only do road cycling, get the Garmin, just because of the software.

GPS can be a wonderful thing to have in a bike computer, even if you never use it to navigate.

New Garmin 510 and 810 are coming out shortly. Pretty sure I would hold off on purchasing an expensive computer for a month or two.

The 510 and 810 are on the website already. $120.00 more for the 810 to add bluetooth connectivity.

Hey there,

seems like you already have some good advice but ill throw in as well. I just got the edge 500 and like others have said could not be happier. I also like that I can use it on the trainer. I also like that you can program the look of each screen. I haven't had the problem with the sun that you mention but I will say that with my smallish frame 53cm top tube) along with a 90mm stem that the stemming is awkward to read from above. No problems with mounting forward though with a barfly or similar attachment.

heart rate all work flawlessly and there are some great deals out there!

OK. I'm sold on the Garmin 500. Now after looking around on Ebay it seems they sell magnets to fit the pedal which allegedly eliminates zip ties. What is the story on this ? Go with the OEM Garmin sensor or spend the $5 to get a special magnet ??

This is a great idea. Never thought of using a magnet on the pedal axle itself. Thanks for sharing. That's what I love about Bikeforums.

I've used the Polar CS600 and now the Garmin 800. The software is superior on the Garmin side. The display on the Polar is slightly easier to read but not so much as to write off the Garmin at all. The display on the Garmin is more configurable. The Polar does have a GPS Sensor that you can buy but it's only good for viewing after your ride, not during (like the Garmin 500). Which probably means that you can't load courses on Polar like you can on the Garmin. If you plan to buy a power meter at some point, then you want a bike computer that supports ANT+. As CFBoy mentioned, Strava & Training Peaks support Garmin. Map My Ride does support Polar though.

^^^^

This says it all. Have had both. Regardless of any Garmin nitpicks I've dealt with with the 705 and 800, I for one will never buy Polar again.

I also got one of the magnets from eBay no worries so far with a few rides on chip and seal.