I'm thinking of finally spending some money on GPS toys, but don't know where to start.
First question: Are refurbished Garmins reliable? I'm seeing refurbished Edge 500s for $140 and various forerunner watches for $85+(210, 405-thoughts between the two?). If I could count on those, I would probably just buy a bike computer and a running watch both.
But if they aren't reliable,
Would that be the cheapest way to enable reliable, hassle free GPS tracking without having to drag my phone around? Could the lower end watches or a garmin 500(don't want the 200; it doesn't display cadence)
As far as to what data I'm interested in: Just idle curiousity towards mileage, and to track general trends(am I doing my bike commute any faster than I was 3 months ago? How does my common 3 mile run compare to 3 months ago?). I might start training by heart rate. Probably not. I don't have a power meter(but I'll probably get one at some point later in the year or next year. I'm waiting for the 4iiii, watteam powerbeat and powertap chainrings to hit the market in hopes of price wars.). At this point, I'm not likely to really dig into the data to analyze it, though I might in the future. I generally only look at data at the end of a workout, not during. If I do decide to start purposefully training instead of mostly aimless exercising, It'll likely only be for 1 workout on the run and 2 on the bike, per week. I try to be conscientious about my swimming, but that's because swimming is still fucking hard and I'm adult onset, so I can't afford to be lackadaisical.
I'm also seeing the 310xt on sale for $140(http://www.amazon.com/...0WXWVSVPZFRRA2Q05V7C) Should I just get that and not worry about anything else?
Am I going to see a difference in capability/usability between a bike gps+running watch compared to a multisport watch that costs the same as both separate devices?
Are there any other brands I should be looking at?
Strangely, I'm really torn up about this. Normally I do tons of research before any purchase(because I'm poor and want to make sure I'm spending wisely, I like doing research and dislike buyer's remorse). But ultimately I exercise because it manages my mental health issues better than therapy, drug regimens, or anything else I've tried. Oh, and vanity-I didn't like looking in the mirror when I was fat. ;) Races and absolute fitness metrics aren't actually that important, even if I do enjoy progress. But I've delibrately been trying to keep exercise simple, instead of getting caught up in the analysis and it turning into work(which I've done with previous hobbies). So I'm kind of at odds with wanting to research, but wanting simplicity. Wanting data, but being scared of too much data. etc.
That and Garmin's product labels not necessarily making any sense, heirarchy wise. They're almost as bad as intel/amd/nvidia. Makes research more annoying than fulfilling.
So. Garmin/GPS advice. Is using a watch on the bike frustrating, or manageable? Do I really need to spring for a multisport watch-how much of a difference is there, comparing ease of use? Could I throw an Edge 500 in my pocket and use it on a run, adequately? Or should I just go for an edge 500+a cheap watch? If I actually start being serious about training(B/R especially. Swim I'll just use the giant clock at the pool), will I regret going cheap on electronics? Should I look at other brands?
Right now I'm leaning towards that 310XT watch.
I'm not too worried about needing actual navigation features. If I get lost, I'm totally okay with, 'okay, I know home is roughly southwest from here, let's just go in that direction until I see some landmarks'. Or I'll ask directions.
In case it matters: my riding is generally transportation downtown(I don't really track these...), a relaxed 8 miles down a MUP(and back), or riding that MUP to some semi-rural, wide shouldered sparsely trafficed flat roads. Or into the Texas Hill Country. Running is usally downtown or on the MUP. I keep meaning to ride out to some parks to run on trails, but never get around to it. I run 20-30 miles per week(at a 8:45-9:30 pace, with no attempt at speedwork) and ride ~200 miles per week. The commute is 100 miles minimum, most of the remaining miles are tacked onto the commute.
Thanks y'all.
First question: Are refurbished Garmins reliable? I'm seeing refurbished Edge 500s for $140 and various forerunner watches for $85+(210, 405-thoughts between the two?). If I could count on those, I would probably just buy a bike computer and a running watch both.
But if they aren't reliable,
Would that be the cheapest way to enable reliable, hassle free GPS tracking without having to drag my phone around? Could the lower end watches or a garmin 500(don't want the 200; it doesn't display cadence)
As far as to what data I'm interested in: Just idle curiousity towards mileage, and to track general trends(am I doing my bike commute any faster than I was 3 months ago? How does my common 3 mile run compare to 3 months ago?). I might start training by heart rate. Probably not. I don't have a power meter(but I'll probably get one at some point later in the year or next year. I'm waiting for the 4iiii, watteam powerbeat and powertap chainrings to hit the market in hopes of price wars.). At this point, I'm not likely to really dig into the data to analyze it, though I might in the future. I generally only look at data at the end of a workout, not during. If I do decide to start purposefully training instead of mostly aimless exercising, It'll likely only be for 1 workout on the run and 2 on the bike, per week. I try to be conscientious about my swimming, but that's because swimming is still fucking hard and I'm adult onset, so I can't afford to be lackadaisical.
I'm also seeing the 310xt on sale for $140(http://www.amazon.com/...0WXWVSVPZFRRA2Q05V7C) Should I just get that and not worry about anything else?
Am I going to see a difference in capability/usability between a bike gps+running watch compared to a multisport watch that costs the same as both separate devices?
Are there any other brands I should be looking at?
Strangely, I'm really torn up about this. Normally I do tons of research before any purchase(because I'm poor and want to make sure I'm spending wisely, I like doing research and dislike buyer's remorse). But ultimately I exercise because it manages my mental health issues better than therapy, drug regimens, or anything else I've tried. Oh, and vanity-I didn't like looking in the mirror when I was fat. ;) Races and absolute fitness metrics aren't actually that important, even if I do enjoy progress. But I've delibrately been trying to keep exercise simple, instead of getting caught up in the analysis and it turning into work(which I've done with previous hobbies). So I'm kind of at odds with wanting to research, but wanting simplicity. Wanting data, but being scared of too much data. etc.
That and Garmin's product labels not necessarily making any sense, heirarchy wise. They're almost as bad as intel/amd/nvidia. Makes research more annoying than fulfilling.
So. Garmin/GPS advice. Is using a watch on the bike frustrating, or manageable? Do I really need to spring for a multisport watch-how much of a difference is there, comparing ease of use? Could I throw an Edge 500 in my pocket and use it on a run, adequately? Or should I just go for an edge 500+a cheap watch? If I actually start being serious about training(B/R especially. Swim I'll just use the giant clock at the pool), will I regret going cheap on electronics? Should I look at other brands?
Right now I'm leaning towards that 310XT watch.
I'm not too worried about needing actual navigation features. If I get lost, I'm totally okay with, 'okay, I know home is roughly southwest from here, let's just go in that direction until I see some landmarks'. Or I'll ask directions.
In case it matters: my riding is generally transportation downtown(I don't really track these...), a relaxed 8 miles down a MUP(and back), or riding that MUP to some semi-rural, wide shouldered sparsely trafficed flat roads. Or into the Texas Hill Country. Running is usally downtown or on the MUP. I keep meaning to ride out to some parks to run on trails, but never get around to it. I run 20-30 miles per week(at a 8:45-9:30 pace, with no attempt at speedwork) and ride ~200 miles per week. The commute is 100 miles minimum, most of the remaining miles are tacked onto the commute.
Thanks y'all.