I have been reading through a few of the post about the Garmin Edge 500, and thinking about buying it with the cadence and heart monitor, I think they call it the Team Garmin Bundle, anyone have experience with it?
Nope, no one hear uses the edge 500.
Seriously though, the Edge 500 is pretty much the benchmark of cycling computers. It has just about everything you could want. The cadence sensor is a very nice additional. Can’t go wrong the the 500. But it’s only for cycling.
If you’re looking for a multisport computer (running, biking, and swimming) the Forerunner series is your best option. The 310XT is a really nice setup, and has many of the same functions as the Edge 500. The 910XT is the newest Forerunner computer (has some really cool swimming features) but just came out and appears to have a couple of early launch glitches (probably no big deal in the long run).
Great thanks for the info…
I have several Garmin bike computers. But the 500 is what I use. Big things for me
- I prefer the 500 mount over the 705 and others. I have had times where my Garmin’s that have the slide mount have gone flying. The plastic clip gets bent down so it does not clip securely any longer. The twist mount of the 500 is much better
- The 500 battery last a long, long, long time.
- It is small. So easier to fit with my hydration, etc.
- I prefer baraometic altitude over GPS. It is more accurate
- Has every function I need. A big one is it interfaces with my Quarq
- Relatively inexpensive.
I purchased mine on sale with discounts for $160. It was $199 and 20% off coupon. Tough to get this deal but I bet able to pick up if patient for $199.
IMHO, the Garmin 500 is a no-brainer. I honestly can not think of one negative thing about it.
I’ve had the 705 for years and just bought a 500 a few days ago. So far I like it better in almost every way… for everything bartburner said. It also allows you to setup 3 data screens instead of just 2 on the 705.
The only con’s so far are:
- The screen is smaller so it’s harder to see the numbers when you’ve got 8 things showing at once.
- The 705 interface makes it easier to browse through your history and look at your lap stats.
But I bought specifically so it’s smaller, lighter and more convenient mount for the race bike, so those aren’t really problems. But I’ll probably keep using the 705 for training rides or intervals where I might be looking at the numbers more often.
I just got one and took it for my first ride yesterday. I love it. The mount is great and the interface is very intuitive. Simple to set up and customize to my preferences.
Thanks for everyone’s input so far, looks like there are pros and cons, will run to the garmin store this week to play with al the toys they have and check them out.
i use my edge 500 for both cycling and running. I just carry it while i run. It still tracks everything you need while running (HR, speed, distance, lap time, etc.)… no need in having two expensive GPS units in my book.
If you can deal with speed instead of pace and you don’t mind having to either actually carry it or having it your pocket, it’s a good device. A run-specific GPS in addition to the Edge is vastly superior.
and you don’t mind having to either actually carry it or having it your pocket
I wear it on my wrist, like this:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wo8yCZ1eTVw/Syc4WVZPteI/AAAAAAAAUHI/j8Zp77faux8/s1600-h/IMGP84202.jpg
(from the superb http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review.html)
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1233
During a run, I only refer to it for heart rate and occasionally distance; it’s mainly for data analysis later. I have one of the three screens set up with three fields for running, from top to bottom: HR, distance,elapsed time. I wear a Timex Ironman for timing purposes (e.g., intervals) because it’s hard the Edge on my right wrist (being oriented at a 90 degree angle). I suppose a run-specific device would be more useful, but I don’t know what I’m missing.
My only suggestion for the OP is to avoid the “premium” soft HR strap that comes in the Team bundle. It never really worked for me, but the “regular” rigid HR strap works perfectly every time, with no noticeable discomfort.
that’s what I do too… but i use an old ankle band for race chips and super glued the mounting plate to the band and click the garmin in it when I run. You should be able to see pace… just have to change the display options. I have my garmin set up on screen one for biking, screen two for running.
love the 500 works great moves easy between bikes and ANT + for the power tap what more do you need in a compact GPS!!
Thanks to all, I just ended up ordering one today…
Only thing that makes me a bit nervous is the mounting bracket. I did see a review of it on competitive cyclist and they showed the functions, as well as how it mounts to the bars, seems a bit archaic, like the old Polar rubber band mounts. I am sure there is a way to try and zip tie it though, we will see. If anyone has any pictures or ideas on the way you mounted it on your bikes, suggestions would be welcome.
Just saw the other thread on mounting ideas, some more radical than others. One from the site: abovecategorycycling.com seemed to be the best option, but they are sold out until April it says. Anyone have other ideas?
yes you can zip tie it as well. But the rubber bands don’t break, I’ve had the edge 500 ever since it was released (3 years maybe?) and its preformed flawlessly in every way.
Cut your number of metrics on the primary screen.
Solid mount.
Well I just discovered the first mjor negative of the 500. It doesn’t seem to be able to get satellite lock while you’re moving. If you don’t get a lock before you start biking / running, it will go the whole session without getting a lock. WTF?
At first I was wondering if mine was defective. Then I googled and found others complaining about it as well.
Not sure about the gps lock while moving…
But… while I love the 500 as my bike computer (train & race) (also have a 310xt for racing & running), I am annoyed a little that it doesn’t do ANT downloading. Breaking out the cable isn’t a huge deal, but better would be to not have to even take it off my bike and it would just download. And I don’t trust the little rubber USB cover thing to have a long life span.
We’ll see.
Otherwise, I love it. Elevation, GPS, power, cadence (use Quarq with it), temperature. No complaints otherwise.
I’ve had a 500 for a few months, and I’ve had this problem too. Although, I think it’s a little more complicated. My description of it is this:
Usually I have no trouble getting a lock while stopped or while moving. However, when I power the 500 up while leaving from a narrow alley between tall buildings it often takes me a long time to get a lock. (This isn’t surprising.) What is sort of surprising is that if I turn on the unit in one of these “bad GPS” locations and then ride off while it’s getting a lock, it continues to struggle to get satellite lock, even when I ride to a good location.
However, if I leave the unit off until I’m in a good location and then turn it on there I get lock right away, whether I’m moving or not. It’s sort of like the initially crappy lock data it acquires continues to prevent it from getting good lock until you reset the unit. If you don’t have easy access to tall buildings, I’ve noticed I can reproduce this behavior just by powering up the unit inside. When I take it outside it will either not get lock, or will take forever. And I’ve noticed the same behavior with my Forerunner 405.
Anybody lurking from Garmin know what the satellite lock algorithm is actually doing? Maybe if it’s taking a long time to get lock it could start throwing out old data?
-Mud