Garmin confusion

[nathanicola]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the different Garmin 800 packages, I have ANT+ so dont need the sensor for cadence or speed and not fussed about heart rate. I just need one for my own training and to use with Strava. As far as i can tell i just need the cheapest option at about £314.
My LBS says i need the performance package as there is no maps on the cheapest one, but surely it has GPS maps and shows your position on a segmant, why else would you buy it.
If someone could give me some advise before i part with cash would be cool. Thanks.

 

[Sittingduck]

Do you care about plotting courses to follow and using it as a navigational tool or just about post ride analysis of data? If it's the former then you can get free maps off the internet (Google: Open Street Maps), if it's the latter, then it doesn't matter and Strava will still work fine.

 

[mchunt]

The included maps are useless so you need to get additional maps - see this thread

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/garmin-gps-maps-or-not.99269/#post-1794401

 

[amaferanga]

What do you mean by "I have ANT+"?

 

[Peteaud]

I have the cheap 200 series with no maps etc.

Just download it to strava or garmin and it shows all the data

Route, speed, map (on google earth) elevation.

 

[ufkacbln]

ANT+ is the communication between the Garmin unit and sensors.
Nominally if you have an ANT+ heart rate or cadence sensor then it will work with the Garmin unit and you will not need to buy new ones

 

[amaferanga]

ANT+ is the communication between the Garmin unit and sensors.
Nominally if you have an ANT+ heart rate or cadence sensor then it will work with the Garmin unit and you will not need to buy new ones

If you're replying to me then I'm well aware of what ANT+ is. What made no sense to me was someone saying that they 'have ANT+'. If he meant he already has ANT+ HR and cadence sensors then that'd make sense I guess.

 

[ufkacbln]

If you're replying to me then I'm well aware of what ANT+ is. What made no sense to me was someone saying that they 'have ANT+'. If he meant he already has ANT+ HR and cadence sensors then that'd make sense I guess.

That was not the way I read the post....

 

[nathanicola]

Amaferanga. I said "i have ANT+ so i dont need the sensor", because the sensor that comes with the garmin package is worth £40 and i dont need it. Just trying to keep cost down

I have the cheap 200 series with no maps etc.

Just download it to strava or garmin and it shows all the data

Route, speed, map (on google earth) elevation.

But when you are out cycling how can you tell where segmants start and end?

 

[Sittingduck]

But when you are out cycling how can you tell where segmants start and end?

That's where 'Strava Research' comes into play!

 

[Peteaud]

But when you are out cycling how can you tell where segmants start and end?

No idea as i dont use them, but you can set a route as a course (on the garmin software) so you can monitor it. I guess you can then work out the segments.

 

[fossyant]

The OP has a Trek Madone and it already has an ANT+ sensor built into the chainstay if he has the right model (geek alert here).

Worth getting the HR sensor though - just gives you better data when comparing rides - it's very useful in guaging fitness over a set route/climb.

Maps - if saving money get the Free OpenMaps. You can obtain the Garmin maps on-line if you know where to look. I bought the full shebang with cadence/HR and City Nav Maps when I ordered my 705 a couple of years back, but found a 'map' update on-line recently.

 

[nathanicola]

Thanks for the reply's, had a chat with my local bicycle chain, the standard maps don't look very good not showing a lot of the roads so they are getting me the standard unit with the extra 1:50 OS maps and said i could get HR cheap from ebay when i wanted one. Roll on Friday when i pick it up.