Garmin Edge 800 V Endomondo and other Apps

[Ady138]

Hi, I have a question about the Garmin Edge 800 .

I am contemplating whether to buy the Garmin Edge 800 but was wondering if I brought a good Iphone bike handlebar mount does Endomondo (or another app) do the same thing. Ie Once I have downloaded a route can I follow it in the same way that the Edge shows you the route (Tomtom style)

I already have a Polar heart rate monitor and I realize that Endomondo doesn't have the virtual partner function.

So I guess my question really is: Is the Garmin Edge 800 worth the money or can the iphone and the variety of cycling apps available match it. If so which one

Ady

 

[Edwards80]

I started off with the apps and now have an 800 - Probably overkill for me but I wanted the navigation features. It's more reliable than the apps and more accurate, but I doubt that a few missing metres here or there would bother most folks.

Battery life will be an issue on longer rides too if you use the apps/phone, as the gps will constantly be on and it uploads your progress to the web as you go.

Setting a route on the 800 itself can be a pain but uploading GPX files is a doddle and it also means you can use bike routeplanners to create bike friendly routes/customise them to your liking. I think there is an app called cyclestreets for the iphone that allows navigation etc. too.

I think phone apps can do most things the 800 does, but it's less convenient than just strapping the device to your bars and pressing start. If you don't mind a little fiddling with the phone before a ride then you'll probably get on fine. That said, I do love the 800 and wouldn't want to switch back!

 

[Ady138]

Thanks for your replys.......Looks like I could be getting an Edge pretty soon then

 

[daSmirnov]

I've been using Endomondo since it first came out. And it's great. I have never wanted to have it handle bar mounted however, just in case my phone ends up smashed. Endomondo doesn't navigate itself, or at least the version I have doesn't, but you can leave it on the map screen.

Recently got an Edge 800. I still use Endomondo as well (as their stats seem a bit more friendly/usable than Garmin Connect), but the Edge battery can last all day while navigating with the screen on (backlight off), which is what I wanted, since I've only just recently moved here and don't know where I'm going, and at some point this year want to make a 120 mile ride to Somerset.

Only trouble with the Edge 800 (with the Euro explorer maps at least) is it likes bike routes a lot, and likes to take me 10 miles out of my way so I can use a bike path - of unknown quality - since I can't get the Google Street car down there to check - for a couple of miles. So it is very much a case of plotting courses yourself if you're going long distance.

Obviously my phone would only survive 3 or 4 hours with the screen on, if that. And if it did die than I might have lost my only source of a map/emergency pick up.

So yeah its expensive, it does a few extra bits. Some of which may or may not be massively important.

 

[yello]

Battery life will be an issue on longer rides too if you use the apps/phone, as the gps will constantly be on and it uploads your progress to the web as you go.

Battery life is a factor (possibly a major one, depending on your needs) in the decision.

Personally, I'm not a fan of mutli-function gadgets (though do recognise the convenience factor) so prefer my mobile phone to be only that and my GPS is separate. Multi-function can introduce unwanted compromise.

 

[bucksgill]

I have Endomondo on my phone which I have running in my pocket and as its free I cant really complain. However I do find the altitude tracking way off and pretty rubbish, thankfully I dont really care about it and it is probably my phones GPS anyway. At some point I will get a Garmin I would imagine.

 

[deckertim]

I love my 800. Although I very rarely use the route finding facility, instead I prepare my rides using bikehike or similar then download them to the unit. Battery life is good, waterproof and tough (i dropped my down the stairs with no ill effect)

 

[Ady138]

Obviously my phone would only survive 3 or 4 hours with the screen on, if that. And if it did die than I might have lost my only source of a map/emergency pick up.

So yeah its expensive, it does a few extra bits. Some of which may or may not be massively important.[/quote]

Some interesting points , thank you

 

[alci4]

dont know about the 800 but i got the edge 705 and i love it

keeps me cycling as i love my stats and i upload them to garmin connect, endamundo, strava, map my ride lol

takes me longer to upload data than to ride

 

[albion]

The weirdy weirdyness of this site might mean you missed the mention of this but Sustrans now has the National Network map available on both Android and iPhone. It has in fact been on iPhone nearly a year now.

I think they, for commercial reasons have not made the network data available to stuff like OpenCyclemap and the likes so it looks good.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Hi, I have a question about the Garmin Edge 800 .

I am contemplating whether to buy the Garmin Edge 800 but was wondering if I brought a good Iphone bike handlebar mount does Endomondo (or another app) do the same thing. Ie Once I have downloaded a route can I follow it in the same way that the Edge shows you the route (Tomtom style)

I already have a Polar heart rate monitor and I realize that Endomondo doesn't have the virtual partner function.

So I guess my question really is: Is the Garmin Edge 800 worth the money or can the iphone and the variety of cycling apps available match it. If so which one

Ady

I got a second hand garmin 705 edge and it's one of the best things I have ever bought - the turn by turn directions are way better than any app I have used, paid or other wise.

In the meantime, Cyc;emeter is good for recording data and you can upload it all to daily mile

 

[Ady138]

The weirdy weirdyness of this site might mean you missed the mention of this but Sustrans now has the National Network map available on both Android and iPhone. It has in fact been on iPhone nearly a year now.

I think they, for commercial reasons have not made the network data available to stuff like OpenCyclemap and the likes so it looks good.

Good site , thanks

 

[al-fresco]

Another vote for the Edge 800 - I was lucky enough to pick one up with OS mapping for £232 (Halfords sale believe it or not) and it's a joy to use. (Though I guess the map screen can be difficult to see when the sun is out.) I usually prepare my routes in advance so I've only used the 'satnav' capability once (when I decided to bail out and head directly for the pub). I was impressed with the route it chose - avoiding the A5 and selecting quieter roads that were still fairly direct. I wouldn't say that I 'trust' the satnav yet but it did seem a useful feature.

 

[Ady138]

Hi, I have a question about the Garmin Edge 800 .

I am contemplating whether to buy the Garmin Edge 800 but was wondering if I brought a good Iphone bike handlebar mount does Endomondo (or another app) do the same thing. Ie Once I have downloaded a route can I follow it in the same way that the Edge shows you the route (Tomtom style)

I already have a Polar heart rate monitor and I realize that Endomondo doesn't have the virtual partner function.

So I guess my question really is: Is the Garmin Edge 800 worth the money or can the iphone and the variety of cycling apps available match it. If so which one

Ady

Update for you chaps: I've just ordered a Edge 800 Performance and Navigation pack with city mapping SD Card.

Thanks to everyone that replied to this Thread

 

[Jmenorton]

Can you upload gpx routes into Endomondo or similar apps? Looking at the prices of batterys for my phone (couple of quid each) id be quite happy carrying a few of them on longer rides.