Need a new computer Garmin Vs. Polar?

[geoffp]

Time for a new computer on my bike, any opinions between these two(or other suggestions?):

Garmin Edge 500


Polar CS600X


any experience with these guys? open to other suggestions as well, thanks for the help!

[the brit]

No idea on the Polar, but I have the Garmin 500 and LOVE it. It seems like it's the industry standard, and it just works. You can force it to do breadcrumb nav if you really want it to, but I don't really bother. The configurable screens and ANT+ sensors work awesomely.

[BsickPassat]

My wishlist is the Garmin Edge 800

....would benefit me both on the road, and especially on the trails

[Saintor]

Best IMO; a smartphone.
http://www.wahoofitness.com/products...for-iphone.asp

I use my Iphone with Runkeeper. For now I have a separate chest heart monitor but plan to buy the Wahoo one as soon as I know if I upgrade my Iphone 3gs to a 5. I could download offline Garmin maps too.

Those Iphone are incredibly tough. Two times I dropped it from the bike riding and nothing serious, just minor scuffles. The first time happened in the middle of an access ramp. It was screen down. For a second I had a grin that there was no car. Then to my total disbelief, one female biker passed on it *klunk* *klunk* and then she say "Oooops".

[mammothcar1]

Just a thought.
The Edge 500 was introduced in 2009, therefore you might see a new refreshed version introduced at interbike in September this year.
I'm waiting to see what might be coming down the pike.

[merckx56]

Rule #74

[BrownBear]

Edge 500. I have the 705 and its so not worth it. My main use is to log data from my work outs including power.

[climbingcue]

I have been running the Edge 500 since Late June of 2010. It has been great and now with Strava it has made it fun hunting for KOM's...

[crawford]

I had the Edge 500 and loved it. At least until I left it in a parking lot after a long ride.

So now I'm trying to decide whether to replace it with the same thing, change to a Forerunner 610 or wait to see what new toys Garmin might have on offer later this year (per mammothcar1's advice).

[J-Tim]

Best IMO; a smartphone.
http://www.wahoofitness.com/products...for-iphone.asp

I use my Iphone with Runkeeper. For now I have a separate chest heart monitor but plan to buy the Wahoo one as soon as I know if I upgrade my Iphone 3gs to a 5. I could download offline Garmin maps too.

Those Iphone are incredibly tough. Two times I dropped it from the bike riding and nothing serious, just minor scuffles. The first time happened in the middle of an access ramp. It was screen down. For a second I had a grin that there was no car. Then to my total disbelief, one female biker passed on it *klunk* *klunk* and then she say "Oooops".

As much as I like using iPhone, it runs out of battery after a 5-6hr ride even if you keep the screen switched off. When you're out and about, the last thing you need is a dead mobile phone.

I a proper bike computer.... still yet to buy one.

[VWAddict]

While I adhere to rule 74 in terms of bike display, I always have the iPhone with me anyhow, so that means I can at least run a logging program for my later curiosity.

With that in mind, you can't use Polar sensors (I have a set to sell; speed and cadence if anyone wants one) with the iPhone. -You need ANT+ sensors, so one of my bikes has the in-frame speed/cadence sensor, and my backup has the Garmin speed/cadence mounted on the frame.

ANT+ is becoming a sort of de-facto 'standard', although bluetooth is one other option which means that you can use Android phones, if you have one of those (I do... but I'm damned if I'm going to buy a whole other set of sensors... plus there's no in-frame fit for bluetooth sensors on Treks that I'm aware of.

ANT+ means Garmin-type. Elevation graphing however is an immediate rule 74 violation. -I only look at speed, distance and heart-rate, and only the latter because I've got some medical stuff which I need to monitor.