Garmin or IPhone
- Thread starter fraz101
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I was wondering when someone mention Wahoo and the thread descended into a Garmin vs Wahoo thread
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
I have both and find Wahoo much more reliable. But I do not have have the Garmin 1030 which may be an improvement . There is also the Hammerhead unit which get good reviews. But Wahoo is my choice.I was wondering when someone mention Wahoo and the thread descended into a Garmin vs Wahoo thread
I personally wouldn't use a smart phone of any flavour as a GPS/datra tracker thingy, and certainly not bar mounted. I need the darned thing to work as a phone and so would not want to risk it getting trashed by rain or crash etc.
With the price of smartphones/iphones (eye watering IMHO) I don't think it makes any kind of sense to take the risk. Not when you can get a cheap Cateye kind of dodacky. And, as said earlier, a purpose built device from a company that specialises in that tech is always a better option than a smartphone with an app.
It's pleasing to me to see the price of that Edge, and the Lezyne, because I've long been of the opinion that GPS devices have been getting too expensive by adding additional functionality, all whilst forsaking the budget end of the market. A good solid basic device at an attractive price must have been possible (I think the same of cars BTW!)
I'm still using my Edge 305 (now nearly 15 years old) and that's not only testimony to its robustness but also to the fact that there's not been another device that's taken my fancy (fortunately) at a price I found acceptable.
With the price of smartphones/iphones (eye watering IMHO) I don't think it makes any kind of sense to take the risk. Not when you can get a cheap Cateye kind of dodacky. And, as said earlier, a purpose built device from a company that specialises in that tech is always a better option than a smartphone with an app.
It's pleasing to me to see the price of that Edge, and the Lezyne, because I've long been of the opinion that GPS devices have been getting too expensive by adding additional functionality, all whilst forsaking the budget end of the market. A good solid basic device at an attractive price must have been possible (I think the same of cars BTW!)
I'm still using my Edge 305 (now nearly 15 years old) and that's not only testimony to its robustness but also to the fact that there's not been another device that's taken my fancy (fortunately) at a price I found acceptable.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
One consideration is phone battery. If you rely on your phone for navigation and recording you can use your phone battery up. Then you are left with no navigation/recording device and no phone. That's not good, your phone could be an important emergency tool. But if your rides are not so long this won't be a problem.
Then there is resilience. If you mount your phone on the bars you are exposing it to the elements and vibration. A Garmin (or, yes a Wahoo or Karoo or Cateye or Lezyne or whatever ... we have more than enough Garmin v Wahoo threads) is designed with this in mind. A phone isn't. But if the amount of use it gets is low, and you don't ride for long distances in foul weather this won't be a problem.
And there is connectivity. Most (but not all) phones don't have ANT+ sensors. Many (but not all) cycle GPS units do. So if you want to use speed sensors, heard rate monitors and so on, then a cycle GPS is the way. If you don't use these, then this is not a problem.
Phone is the cheaper (assuming you already have a phone), quicker and easier way. But does have drawbacks and lacks features of cycle GPS units.
Then there is resilience. If you mount your phone on the bars you are exposing it to the elements and vibration. A Garmin (or, yes a Wahoo or Karoo or Cateye or Lezyne or whatever ... we have more than enough Garmin v Wahoo threads) is designed with this in mind. A phone isn't. But if the amount of use it gets is low, and you don't ride for long distances in foul weather this won't be a problem.
And there is connectivity. Most (but not all) phones don't have ANT+ sensors. Many (but not all) cycle GPS units do. So if you want to use speed sensors, heard rate monitors and so on, then a cycle GPS is the way. If you don't use these, then this is not a problem.
Phone is the cheaper (assuming you already have a phone), quicker and easier way. But does have drawbacks and lacks features of cycle GPS units.
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PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I'm another who wouldn't use a phone because of lack of features, battery issues, physical damage, weather resistance etc. Although I've used Garmin and now Wahoo for many years I can recall being perfectly happy with a decent Cateye before then. It really depends on what info you need. I use my Wahoo for navigation first and foremost the other features are a bonus not an essential.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Buy a used "Garmin edge 500 cycle computer" (an example, easily within that price range) and that will give you all your data needs, give GPS as well, and offer 'expansion' opportunities in due course (HR and cadence). 15 hour endurance and can download rides to computer etc.
OP
OP
fraz101
Senior Member
vickster
Legendary Member
Downloads are only via cable on older units like the 500, 800 which may be a consideration. Newer units use Bluetooth to transfer to Strava etc
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
and battery life is liable not to be brilliant if its been well used, dont get me wrong i loved my 200 and 500 and even put a new battery in the 200 but its a consideration
Time Waster
Veteran
A lot of bike gps units have ant+ and BT connectivity.
I have a garmin 25 and a vivosport. They both communicate with each other and my phone. I read somewhere that garmin connect takes both gps tracks and data to get a more accurate track. The vivosport can send heart rate to my edge 25 unit. It means I get an extra screen for HR data that I can m see as I'm riding. It also connects too BT and ANT sensors. Great little unit.
I have a garmin 25 and a vivosport. They both communicate with each other and my phone. I read somewhere that garmin connect takes both gps tracks and data to get a more accurate track. The vivosport can send heart rate to my edge 25 unit. It means I get an extra screen for HR data that I can m see as I'm riding. It also connects too BT and ANT sensors. Great little unit.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
You get a year of battery off the basic bike computers. Sound great if you only want the data whilst riding.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
In my experience 15 hours from Garmin would be astonishing. My 800 rarely managed 5-6 hours.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
My assertion of 15 hours is based on different Garmin 500s and determined by being able to complete a 300 with it saying 'Low battery' on the final miles. Or London (Loughton) to South Cave (Hull) in 14 hours without the warning (etc).
People's MMV and will depend on (speed and) position sampling frequency, any navigation use, any backlighting, and the type of Garmin.
Edit to add: After a ride I just (USB lead) connect up to download the ride into Garmin Connect or reach in to the Garmin itself to extract a .fit for audax validation by GPS, and recharge, ready for my next ride. This auto-upload to phones and Starver is something I have heard others enjoy, and sink their time into. Not really on point for this thread's topic, mind.
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Spartak
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- Location
- Bristolian
Garmin or iPhone
WAHOO....
WAHOO....
