Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
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Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby nandystam » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:08 am
My trusty Holux GP Sport 245 has developed a nasty habit of randomly shutting off during rides, so I'm looking for a replacement.
Normally I'd probably aim for a Garmin 500/510, but since there are now more than a few alternatives that are cheaper than the Garmins, I'm wondering if anybody has any experience with these other units and can provide some feedback or recommendations?
Ideally what i'm looking for is something than:
- Has an accurate GPS. I know the nature of GPS means it can never be 100% accurate, but something that is as accurate as possible would be nice
- Supports ANT+ for cadence/speed & heart rate sensors (the sensors don't necessarily need to be part of pack, I could buy them later)
- Can have it's data easily uploaded to Strava, or has software that can accurately convert its data to a Strava-friendly format, but will include HR data (I think Strava ignores for speed/cadence data?). I use a Mac, so Mac-friendly software would be good, but if it's Windows that's OK too.
The units I've been looking at include:
- Mio/Magellan Cyclo 105
- Mio/Magellan Cyclo 505 (this looks like a much cheaper alternative than the Garmin 800/810 range? Having map support is a nice bonus)
- Timex Cycle Trainer 2.0 (same as the Cyclo 105 , on sale at Harvey Norman atm, Seems it's data files are not so easily converted to a Strava-friendly format)
- Garmin Egde 500/510
- Motoactv (although there seems to be concerns about battery life?)
I don't really have a set budget, but as long as the unit represents good value for money, I'm happy to spend whatever is necessary.
I know most of you would probably have a Garmin, but if anyone uses something different I'm keen to hear your views
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby Duck! » Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:38 pm
The software can sometimes be a little flaky (usually following updates), but for the most part I've had very few problems. Battery life can be up to 10 hours with no backlighting and minimal screen-switching.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby vikramranna » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:48 am
I am not sure if it is because of my bikes dimensions. Probably your bike does not have that issue.
The unit has never been used and if you are interested then i can sell it for quite cheap as i have no use for it.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby ball bearing » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:56 am
Have you tried a rare earth magnet on your pedal?vikramranna wrote:I bought the Magellan Cyclo 105/HC and for me it was a waste of money. The reason being that the unit does not even fit my bike. When i install the cadence sensor on the the rear there is not enough room left for me to install the magnet on to the crankarm.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... p=17681572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby simonn » Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:07 am
The most important thing, IMHO and for mapping GPSes, is that you can also use OpenStreetMaps maps which saves a lot of money. Bryton sort-of-claimed they could, but they cannot.
*I have had one glitch, once, in ~2 years of heavy use (almost daily for a while).
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby vikramranna » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:55 am
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... n#p1104111" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby Xplora » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:57 pm
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby uMP2k » Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:09 am
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby RonK » Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:23 pm
I have these sensors fitted to two bikes. One (roadie) has quite tight dimensions and the cadence pickup sits more to the top of the chainstay. The other (tourer) has more generous dimensions and the cadence pickup fits right on the side of the chainstay.vikramranna wrote:I bought the Magellan Cyclo 105/HC and for me it was a waste of money. The reason being that the unit does not even fit my bike. When i install the cadence sensor on the the rear there is not enough room left for me to install the magnet on to the crankarm.
These sensors would have to be the easiest I've ever fitted - and I've fitted quite a few. I could fit one on any bike in less than 10 minutes.
If this is the reason for selling your unit, you should go back and take another look. I can produce pics if you need them.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby RonK » Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:01 pm
After a bitter experience with Garmin I was very reluctant to buy another GPS unit - and I will never buy another Garmin. But since its focus is on navigation the Cyclo 505 HC offered pretty much everything a cycle tourist could need so I finally bit the bullet. I've had mine my since they were released in February so I'm just coming to terms with its features and some idiosyncrasies.uMP2k wrote:Not so much a recommendation (you cannot recommend something you don't have ), but I am very interested in the Magellan 505. I currently have a Garmin 800 which is great, but the screen and UI on the Magellan looks clearer and possibly easier to read. I read somewhere, although I cannot find the review now, that the map screen has better daylight visibility than that on the Garmin, which I find pretty much impossible to read once I have sunnies on.
Here are a few observations:
- the map screen is indeed quite clear and easy to read, as long as you are not looking from too much of an angle - but the viewing angle is easy to adjust since the unit is supplied with an out front mount in addition to the standard handlebar/stem mount
- despite not being focused on training, the 505 has quite a useful set of workout functions and can integrate an Ant+ power meter - and there are plenty of stats
- even with the bike profile set to use only roads, route finding tries to take on-road bike paths, which in Brisbane are a shemozzle, so the generated routes can be quite convoluted - this may be fine if you're a bike path rider but I'm not, however I'm sure it will be quite useful should I loose my bearings in a unfamiliar location
- loading your own routes is easy, and route following is fantastic - quickly recalculates if you stray from the route, and there is plenty of warning before turns
- love the elevation function which tells me how far to the next climb, the grade, and how much further to the top, although on flattish routes the start of the "climb" may not always be apparent to the rider
- if you're a Mac user, there is only the web app, which doesn't have the functionality of the PC app
- the wifi sync function is fantastic
- I'm still a little uncertain how best to pause and resume reliably after an extended stop for lunch or a coffee break when the unit powers off.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby GH » Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:18 pm
on the Garmin 800/810 via an uploader.
The main factor in my choice is the ability to remote track the device via the
Live Track feature. Very useful when on a ride but I also use it when travelling
long distance so the wife and select others can see where I am with an updated position every
minute via phone data.
Good battery life is another bonus, I can not comment on battery life for
anything other than the Garmins.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby nandystam » Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:23 pm
Thanks for the feedback - I am a Mac user, but can use the PC software in a virtual machine so no biggie (I already do this now with the Holux GPS) - does the software allow exporting to TCX for the HR data? I think I read somewhere it can export GPX, but iirc the GPX standard doesn't support HR info?RonK wrote:After a bitter experience with Garmin I was very reluctant to buy another GPS unit - and I will never buy another Garmin. But since its focus is on navigation the Cyclo 505 HC offered pretty much everything a cycle tourist could need so I finally bit the bullet. I've had mine my since they were released in February so I'm just coming to terms with its features and some idiosyncrasies.uMP2k wrote:Not so much a recommendation (you cannot recommend something you don't have ), but I am very interested in the Magellan 505. I currently have a Garmin 800 which is great, but the screen and UI on the Magellan looks clearer and possibly easier to read. I read somewhere, although I cannot find the review now, that the map screen has better daylight visibility than that on the Garmin, which I find pretty much impossible to read once I have sunnies on.
Here are a few observations:
- the map screen is indeed quite clear and easy to read, as long as you are not looking from too much of an angle - but the viewing angle is easy to adjust since the unit is supplied with an out front mount in addition to the standard handlebar/stem mount
- despite not being focused on training, the 505 has quite a useful set of workout functions and can integrate an Ant+ power meter - and there are plenty of stats
- even with the bike profile set to use only roads, route finding tries to take on-road bike paths, which in Brisbane are a shemozzle, so the generated routes can be quite convoluted - this may be fine if you're a bike path rider but I'm not, however I'm sure it will be quite useful should I loose my bearings in a unfamiliar location
- loading your own routes is easy, and route following is fantastic - quickly recalculates if you stray from the route, and there is plenty of warning before turns
- love the elevation function which tells me how far to the next climb, the grade, and how much further to the top, although on flattish routes the start of the "climb" may not always be apparent to the rider
- if you're a Mac user, there is only the web app, which doesn't have the functionality of the PC app
- the wifi sync function is fantastic
- I'm still a little uncertain how best to pause and resume reliably after an extended stop for lunch or a coffee break when the unit powers off.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby liamw » Sat Mar 22, 2014 2:29 pm
I have also ridden with people who are Magellan users and they say that they are happy with those as well - I think it just comes down to personal preference.
PS: Oh, and being both a Mac and PC user, the web based approach of the Garmin means that they are reasonably OS agnostic - updates work on both, as do uploads if you want to upload to things like Strava or don't want to use the mobile app.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby RonK » Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:25 pm
I've been unsuccessful in installing the desktop software to my Mac using Crossover. I'll install it on my Netbook, but as yet I haven't seen it and don't know what exports it can perform. But exporting HR data holds little interest for me.nandystam wrote:Thanks for the feedback - I am a Mac user, but can use the PC software in a virtual machine so no biggie (I already do this now with the Holux GPS) - does the software allow exporting to TCX for the HR data? I think I read somewhere it can export GPX, but iirc the GPX standard doesn't support HR info?
The web console is a simple tool to upload and view your recorded rides and find tracks others have made.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby WITHND » Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:35 pm
It has a HR monitor and Cadence sensors, is this easy to set up the cadence sensors & also is this a good value unit that I can add a power meter to down the track?
Cheers
Scott
2015 Jamis Xenith Pro
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby AUbicycles » Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:32 pm
No issues on the mac, setup was not quite as straight forward but once you work it out it is simple and also has a wireless capability to connect to your network and upload your data (incl to strava).
Nice looking unit, comes with a mount that works well. On the default settings I turn off the screen sleep - so I can always view my data and also the 'beeps' which i found distracting when using the navigation.
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby Xplora » Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:23 am
The sensors work to a standard wireless transmission protocol. The 500 will be able to manage all that fine enough. Worth bearing in mind that if you've got cash to pony up for a power meter, you have cash to upgrade from a cheaper GPS unit... even cheap power meters aren't cheapWITHND wrote:Hi all, I'm thinking of buying a Garmin500 bundle for $275
It has a HR monitor and Cadence sensors, is this easy to set up the cadence sensors & also is this a good value unit that I can add a power meter to down the track?
Cheers
Scott
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby WITHND » Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:27 am
I could hold off all together till December but I think I can really benefit from a cadence meter & HR monitor now..
Might pull the trigger later today...
Is setting up / installing the cadence sensors hard?
Cheers
Scott
2015 Jamis Xenith Pro
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby Xplora » Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:29 pm
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Re: Buying a Bike GPS/Computer
Postby trailgumby » Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:40 pm
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