For bikinkg purpose.
What would you prefer:
Garmin Edge 500 (new for 250$)
or
Garmin Forerunner 310xt (used with HRM and Ant+ stick, for 200-250$).
Heart rate is not necessary.
310XT.
With the latest firmware, the only differences between it and the Edge 500 are:
Edge 500 has barometric altimeter, 310XT has GPS based
Edge 500 can display 8 data fields at once, 310XT is 4.
If you run at all (even casually), then the FR310XT is a better bet.
Strictly for biking purposes it looks like the Edge 500 is pretty sweet.
But if you ever want to get the details on some runs, the 310xt is awesome when it comes to being versatile for biking and running stats. It is kinda bulky, but it gets the job done very well. I’d say if you have zero intention of running, then go for the Edge 500. That’s my opinion.
If using strictly for biking I would go with the 500. I have both and almost never use my 310 for biking. I mostly prefer the 500 for the large screen.
If using strictly for biking I would go with the 500. I have both and almost never use my 310 for biking. I mostly prefer the 500 for the large screen.
You use the 500 because the screen is larger?
I used to have a cateye, which the screen is smaller than the 310xt.
So, if I read correctly, there is no reason to use the 500 over the 310xt?
So, if I read correctly, there is no reason to use the 500 over the 310xt?
There are a couple of reasons to use the 500 over the 310XT for cycling (both of which were already mentioned earlier in the thread):
- the barometric altitude reporting (which is much more accurate than the GPS-based reporting of the 310XT);
- the ability to display up to 8 data fields rather than 4.
But if you plan to do any run training at all, then the 310XT is the way to go.
The fact that the screen is larger on the 500 makes a big difference when you are really pouring on the hurt doing intervals. I’ll often customize the displays to show me just two data points… such as 3 second power and lap time for interval purposes. When you only display one or two fields the numbers are quite large and easy to see when you only take a quick glance at it. With the 310xt I have a harder time reading the numbers quickly. I think the real answer to this question is that if you are just looking for the bike then buy the 500. Its more flexible in its data displays and layout and much easier to read at a glance. Also consider the fact that each device has 4 pages of display info. 4x4 for the 310 is only 16 data points… and that means you have to have all 4 screens with 4 data points each. With the 500/800 you can have 4 screens of 8 points or 32 data points. Realistically I use 2 screens of 4 points each, and 2 screens of 8 each and find having all of those pieces of data at my fingertips very usefull. Its also convenient with the 500 that you have enough display real estate to setup each screen for a different training purpose… I have one screen for power intervals, one for heartrate based workouts, one for speed/cadence work, and one summary page with lots of data on it. I’ll often have some data fields (such as cadence) repeated on multiple screens. With the 310 I found I was always changing the displays around to get what I wanted for different workouts.
If you can only have one and you want to use it for swimming and running as well… then get the 310xt or the new 910. If you want something for just cycling, get the 500. In a perfect world you’d get both which is what I did. I have a 310xt I use for running and open water swimming and an Edge 800 (similar to the 500 but adds GPS maps and directions) I use for cycling.
The fact that the screen is larger on the 500 makes a big difference when you are really pouring on the hurt doing intervals. I’ll often customize the displays to show me just two data points… such as 3 second power and lap time for interval purposes. When you only display one or two fields the numbers are quite large and easy to see when you only take a quick glance at it. With the 310xt I have a harder time reading the numbers quickly. I think the real answer to this question is that if you are just looking for the bike then buy the 500. Its more flexible in its data displays and layout and much easier to read at a glance. Also consider the fact that each device has 4 pages of display info. 4x4 for the 310 is only 16 data points… and that means you have to have all 4 screens with 4 data points each. With the 500/800 you can have 4 screens of 8 points or 32 data points. Realistically I use 2 screens of 4 points each, and 2 screens of 8 each and find having all of those pieces of data at my fingertips very usefull. Its also convenient with the 500 that you have enough display real estate to setup each screen for a different training purpose… I have one screen for power intervals, one for heartrate based workouts, one for speed/cadence work, and one summary page with lots of data on it. I’ll often have some data fields (such as cadence) repeated on multiple screens. With the 310 I found I was always changing the displays around to get what I wanted for different workouts.
If you can only have one and you want to use it for swimming and running as well… then get the 310xt or the new 910. If you want something for just cycling, get the 500. In a perfect world you’d get both which is what I did. I have a 310xt I use for running and open water swimming and an Edge 800 (similar to the 500 but adds GPS maps and directions) I use for cycling.
I totally agree with the above. When I am going flat out, especially on a bumpy road, it is really useful to be able to have the ability to put big digits on the screen