What are the joys of Garmins?

GarethS wrote:

From memory Tony got himself some wheels recently so that point might be moot.

Andy, with regard to battery/backlighting, most of the commentary I've seen are from 705 users who upgraded to the 800 and were underwhelmed. Same as a discussion I think we had about going from 800 to 810 perhaps? Minimal feature creep between those particular generations?

Dave, your warp speed to Brighton and back was likely down to phones using wireless access points partly for their location accuracy before firing up wireless. Likely you passed somewhere with the same SSID as a place listed in the database as being in Brighton. Used to have similar with my tablet as a wireless access point/modem, no matter where I was in the UK for a while my phone always thought I was in Sunbury. then would bounce back and forth on the map swapping between fine GPS fix and coarser wireless ap fix.

This what I thought but the jump point was at the ford between little paxton and hail weston, weird!

GarethS wrote:

most of the commentary I've seen are from 705 users who upgraded to the 800 and were underwhelmed. Same as a discussion I think we had about going from 800 to 810 perhaps? Minimal feature creep between those particular generations?

Anyone who expects to be overwhelmed when upgrading by one generation will quickly find themselves familiar with disappointment, in my view. It's about understanding what we want and/or need, rather than assuming an upgrade will automatically bring significant improvements/benefits.

If wheels or other bike upgrades aren't necessary right now, and putting aside the Garmin discussion, how about clothing upgrades? Windstopper tights (3/4 length for me!) and jerseys are worth the money. Good shorts, gloves?

Or what about a turbo trainer or some rollers?

-- Andy Mc

Thanks everyone , still not convinced but I'm torn because I like the idea of having the info it gives but riding 'au naturel' so to speak.

Other than that, I'm not sure and open to ideas! I've got a while yet anyway, the Turbo/rollers might be necessary if we have another carp summer.


Tony.

If you're not worried about cadence, HRM, navigation, etc, you're welcome to borrow my Edge 205 and see what you think. Newer Garmins are obviously much improved over the 205, but it will give you an idea.

UK Cycling Events also do free Garmin hire at their events, although I believe the next local event isn't until September. Might be worth searching online to see if anyone else hires them out, though?

-- Andy Mc

Cheers mate, I may take you up on that at some point .


Tony.

Personally looking through Andy's suggestions/thoughts above I'd look at a turbo trainer, borrow Andy's 205 and try that with heart rate/cadence on the turbo and just ride recording on the road ...


If you got a second hand 705 or 800 at a later date I believe there are sites where you can download Garmin compatible maps on to an SD card.

I think the 800 is a great piece of kit - I picked mine up for less than 300 quid new. Dont bother buying the maps, you can download free OSM maps for it.

The GPS is more accurate and sensitive than Smartphones.

I have never found the battery life to be an issue with the 800 and using a separate device allows you to keep your mobile fully charged on long rides.

Rearding the comment about forgetting to turn back on the timer and missing chunks of your route, David Lindsay showed me a good tip - turn on Auto Pause and set it to about 3mph. Everytime you stop, it stops the timer for you and when you start again, the timer restarts. You only have to remeber to start the time once when you set off.

Basically what Joe said.


I charge before everyride anyway, just in case. Makes life easier and when you get dropped you always can find a route home - which I may add I have had to do once when under the weather!

You can currently buy the 800 of sports persuit for about 270.

If your a tight arse like Gaddy then a map, some chewing gum and a pointy stick will do you just fine!

GarethS wrote:

Personally looking through Andy's suggestions/thoughts above I'd look at a turbo trainer, borrow Andy's 205 and try that with heart rate/cadence on the turbo and just ride recording on the road ...

I have to admit, I'm not keen on the idea of a turbo/rollers as for me the whole idea of riding is getting out and about/exploring so to buy something that keep me stationary doesn't appeal!

The GPS is more accurate and sensitive than Smartphones.

Now that is something I have noticed on club runs, the data on strava from someone using a garmin compared to my data is sometimes very different. Mainly on altitude rather mileage happily .


Tony.

Is a Garmin GPS really more accurate than a smartphones? I've had a google and can't find an authoritative article to support this assertion. Personally I'm yet to be convinced, yes, there will be software differences but they're all using the same satellites...

I remain to be convinced £200+ on a Garmin will improve my riding experience. Besides, best way to load up a route map is write down the villages you're riding through and tape it to your top tube. No battery life issues...

Tony wrote:

The GPS is more accurate and sensitive than Smartphones.

Now that is something I have noticed on club runs, the data on strava from someone using a garmin compared to my data is sometimes very different. Mainly on altitude rather mileage happily .

That might be down to different elevation models used. gb.mapometer, mapmyride, garmin all given different elevations when you plot a route. But if they agree on mileage it suggests the GPS isn't much different.

Tony wrote:

The lurch towards my 40th draws nearer and my lovely wife is asking my present ideas. I like the idea of a Garmin but other than being able to follow a route and the sensors, what does it offer that say, Strava on a smartphone doesn't?


TIA

Tony.

Hi Tony i had a 705 which was not street cred all the yuppies had 800's so i bought one, now i am suffering again, my street cred is the same, all my mates have 810's, but wait the 910 is due, i am not sure what to do, do i wait, do i loose £250 on a 810 or wait for the 910,, but hey i heard through the Garmin twaddle site the 910 is only a stop gap until the 1010 garmin is released...oh i wish i had bought a map from smiffs and saved a £1000 on junk..just ride the bike my man. Geoff ..