To Garmin or not to Garmin....

[HelsBells Cambs]

Well, it did say no question too stupid....I'm relatively new to "proper" cycling, just four months, but already one of the worst kind of converts - loving it and trying to convince everyone else to do it! Anyway, I'm considering a Garmin or something similar. And I'm confused by online reviews. Thought Garmin Edge 200 was for me, but then it doesn't have navigation aids, and I want to use it to cycle to places I might not be familiar with. Any tips much appreciated!!

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

For actual maps you need an Edge 800 810 Touring Touring + or 1000

Most people have positive reviews of open source maps available online.

 

[ianrauk]

You can actually use the 200 to navigate routes. Though it's just a black line that you follow, called a breadcrumb trail. It beeps if you go off course. It actually works very well. If you want full mapping, then as what that chap above said.

For great review of each of the Garmins, DC Rainmaker is your man for info. HERE

 

[HelsBells Cambs]

Cheers guys, much appreciated. New to the forum, but think I'm going to get hooked very quickly...

 

[Joffey]

The navigation on the Garmin 200 is fine, when I had my 200 I would regularly use it.

 

[Crandoggler]

I'm in the same boat. Would love an edge 25. They seem to be exactly what I want and have course navigation, you just download the route through your phone apparently. Good if you want to try a preloaded route.

 

[Yazzoo]

I have an edge touring plus as I'm geographically challenged (amongst other things) and I think it would suit what you want if you want maps rather than breadcrumb, they're surprisingly easy to read given the small screen and travelling at speed! It also has a round trip function if you like not knowing where you are going - you tell it how many miles you want to do an it calculates 3 different circular options that are roughly that distance, you can look at them as maps before deciding and see a summary. Pleased with mine, served me well so far!

 

[Gez73]

Touring here too. Dead easy to read and use. Had a 200 but never used the 'breadcrumb' option on it. Quite Resaleable if unsuitable anyway. Welcome to the forum and your new hobby! Gez

 

[Pat "5mph"]

The Garmin 200 is adequate for a beginner imo, I have had one for a couple of years now, the breadcrumbs routes are easy to follow .
I have followed it from routes made by others, and from routes I planned myself, can't even read a map
You can always upgrade in the future if you find you need more.

 

[Cuchilo]

I bought the 500 and navigation is rubbish . It cant find the course as soon as you hit a junction and then tells you you're going the wrong way , then finds the course and tells you to keep going the way you where before you turned around . It then loses the course again .
Now upgraded to the 1000 and its BIG ! But hopefully for mapping and following courses its what i want . I've just been too busy to test it properly .

 

[bikeman66]

Well, it did say no question too stupid....I'm relatively new to "proper" cycling, just four months, but already one of the worst kind of converts - loving it and trying to convince everyone else to do it! Anyway, I'm considering a Garmin or something similar. And I'm confused by online reviews. Thought Garmin Edge 200 was for me, but then it doesn't have navigation aids, and I want to use it to cycle to places I might not be familiar with. Any tips much appreciated!!

I have an Edge 510, which I have been extremely happy with. It will navigate with the so called "breadcrumb trail" and once I have inputted a route it is very reliable with the directions.

I guess the Edge 200 will be adequate,and I did look at buying one myself. However, I went for the 510 because of the vast amount of features and training feedback it gives. Another feature I really like is the fact that it uses the American GPS system and the Russian GLONASS one too. When both are working together the reliability of the positioning signal is fantastic. No drop out in signal when under cover of forests or very built up areas etc. positioning accuracy with both satellite systems running is typically about 3 metres. You can use it with just GPS, which will give a better battery life, but I've never flattened the battery yet on a ride with GPS & GLONASS running.

I suppose some of the features might be overkill, but personally, I like the fact that the 510 can give you live tracking if you Bluetooth it to your phone. This means people can see your location when you are out riding. When paired to your phone it will also give you weather updates (which I've never used, but could be handy I guess). All the usual information is displayed, as well as elevation and gradient. You can also customise the display to show the information you think is relevant and hide the bits that aren't.

Really glad I purchased a Garmin and it is an integral part of my cycling now. The Garmin Connect website can be a bit twitchy sometimes, but it's also a great tool for formulating routes and training plans to transfer to your device.

Paid £195.00 for my 510 (without the cadence and heart rate sensors) from Wiggle, but I would imagine you'd be able to find one considerably cheaper on the net these days.

 

[outlash]

Not cycling specific but Garmin do the Etrex 20 that does full mapping & basic stats for less than £100.

 

[Broadside]

I have an edge 800 and can't rate it highly enough. I use it a fair bit for new planned routes but also find it very handy for making up a route on the go because the moving maps are good.

The acid test for me is that if it got lost or broken would I replace it? Yes I would in a heart beat, it gives so much information i think its brilliant.

 

[mjr]

Any tips much appreciated? Tip: use a smartphone app like osmand~ and save lots of money for cooler bike bits

 

[mjr]

Aldi will sell a few 500s at £79.99 later this month, in case that's interesting: http://road.cc/content/news/163151-get-garmin-edge-500-7999