I want to get power this season and I’ll also need a device to view and record the data.
I want to buy a 920xt because of the mumtisport functions…
Will this be sufficient as a bike head unit? Or should I look into something like a 500 or 510?
I realize the watch can estimate bike VO2 max and I know the 510 allows for tracking. I like both of those features.
The 910 will work just fine.
The 500/510/800/810 is just a little easier to read
The 910 does not estimate VO2 max. The 920 does.
Both the 910 and 920 have smaller screens that can display 4 fields at a time. The 500 and 510 can display 8, or more importantly: fewer fields with bigger text. I started with using a 910 on the bike for a year and was occasionally annoyed that the numbers were tough to read if the whole bike was rattling down a chipseal road. Bigger numbers on the 500 took care of that.
The rule of specificity is big here. A device made to multi-task (910/920) will be a compromise to several functions, but a specific use device (500/510) will do that one function better.
Need? No. Want? Yes.
Need? No. But it is sure nice to have. For most of the reasons stated above, I have both a Forerunner and Edge. I like the larger font and more fields that the edge allows on my bike.
I did the last season with just my 910xt on the bike (with power). During the cyber monday deals I picked up a Garmin 500 for the reasons described above. A bit more screen real estate and more fields if I choose. Also, then I can leave watch on wrist entire race and not worry about quick release failing, etc.
The 920XT also has live tracking. I use both the 920XT and the 510. I really like having a big screen of the 510 with all the fields that are specific to biking right down in front of me. but it is really not necessary. I know many people who don’t have a bike computer, they just have a 910XT or 920XT.
Just got the 920 with the quarter turn adapter and I have been very happy with it. Granted Im a little less of a data driven cyclist so 4 screens works great for me and with the quarter turn I just pop it off after the ride and put it back on my watch band. 910 also has adapter or you can go with a fugly band adapter attachment for the handlebar.
I only have a 910xt to get my powermeter data. Don’t see the need fo a separate bike computer. I wear it on my wrist as well in training and racing.
I only have a Garmin 910.
For races it’s great, I only have to push lap at transitions in multisportmode, and I do not want to watch at
values as often as in training. The BIG advantage to use it in training too, is that
you have only one device. That’s not only cheaper, but you also only have to maintain one
device and you only have to know how this device works.
At biketraining I see the following disadvantages, which makes me maybe buy a
separate bikecomputer anyway:
But the whole thing is very, very personal: everyone uses his devices in a different manner.
I used to only have a 910xt, but when I added Vector power to my bike, I found I was getting intermittent drop outs in signal between the Vector pedals and the watch (could be an indicator time to replace batteries in the pedals). Put an Edge on the bike and no more drop outs.
The additional display size is very nice too.
Need? No. When Triathlons started fancy GPS devices didn’t exist so you don’t “need” one.
But, I find it convenient. I have a 920 on my wrist and a Garmin 800 on the bike. The 800 has a much larger screen and can display up to 8 fields. Works great while training and when out riding. I’ve set the 800 up with an indoor profile so that it has the indoor fields I want (no elevation, no distance, no speed) as I don’t get any of those with the equipment I have. But for outside rides I have those fields.
One thing I recommend is that, if you have the same field(s) showing on your 920 and bike computer, put them in the same place (so timer is always top, cadence is always lower left, average cadence is on screen 2 and is lower left etc.).
Trisuppo.
Not trying to hijack, but can a power meter send a signal to both the 910xt AND the 500 at the same time. As in, keep the watch on my wrist as you said to keep the constant timer going and reading power, but simply using the 500 that’s mounted between the bars to read power output during the bike leg… Can that work? Thanks
I believe so. I currently am sending the ANT+ signal from my sensors to the garmin 500 and a Garmin ANT+ receiver in my laptop to inetrface with trainerroad. It has no problems.
I got a 500 to have something on my bike that is easier to read, and also will stay there. I still use my 920 for data capture, but the 500 is really just a display only thing. I didnt want to get the quick release kit since i wear my 920 as an everyday watch. I also, at IMAZ this year, left my 910 on the bike at T2, disaster was averted when a volunteer kindly went and grabbed it for me, but I determined that I wouldnt leave that opportunity out there again.
ANT+ sends a broadcast signal out, so it can send to many devices at once. on the same note… Bluetooth can currently only send to a single device.
Garmin uses ANT+, but if you are looking at other devices, such as newer devices from Polar or Suunto, they use Bluetooth and you can not have a bike computer and a watch at the same time.
If cost is a factor you can go even cheaper with the 310XT. I use this for all my training and races, with it providing all the metrics I need, including power, cadence HR etc. - it is all you need. Now, do I want a 920XT and a 510 - sure, that would give me a better view of things. Approx $120 for the 310XT versus $800 for the 910XT & 510. Either setup will work.
I like the Garmin 220 and edge 510 setup.