bike computer
Garmin Edge 500
The garmin 500 is Garmin’s mid range bicycle gps. While it doesn’t show maps your data can be uploaded to your computer where the computer can create a map from the data. Essentially the Garmin 500 came about because there was a demand from some serious Athletes for an advanced training tool that didn’t include the hassle of maps.
The garmin edge 500 will record your elevation and your rate of climb or dissent, it can also records your heart rate, and determine your rate of calorie burn, and much more. This data is recorded in easy to read charts which can later be uploaded to your computer. It is definitely a GPS/computer made for the bicycle. If you’re doing laps the Garmin 500 has an auto lap feature which will keep track of up to 1000 laps, recording data which can be then analyzed later.
The unit is water resistant and easily mounts on your bikes handlebar. The unit is very dependable
but it does have the drawback of having poor screen contrast according to some users.
The neutal or silver model.
Let’s take a moment and see what some of the users of the Garmin 500 had to say about it:
“This is the best cycle computer I’ve ever owned.
“My observations:
- it is very small and light
- It has a backlight, so you can read it at night.
- It has a programmable display so you can choose what info to show.
- It does heart rate and cadence, important to cycling effectively.
- It also does power, if I ever get a sensor
- The mount is excellent, and clipping and unclipping it is very smooth.
Garmin
- The gps is quick to lock on the satellites” Read the full review.
- “Poor screen contrast- very difficult to read if you are not in direct sunlight. Wearing sunglasses and riding under some tree shadows or just cloudy days make seeing the screen a challenge. Using a screen protector or the built in light doesn’t help much.” Read full Review.
- “I have my display showing Elevation, Time, Direction, Miles, Speed and calories.
I like that i can move the Edge from one bike to the other with ease and that I can see all the information on one screen.
However i am disappointed that the battery is permanent and cannot be replaced without sending back to the factory.” - “This is a great bike computer if you use the cadence sensor with it. The edge 500 uses the wheel sensor to supplement the GPS if the GPS signal is lost under tree cover. Without the wheel sensor it can read as much as 20% low on mileage if you ride in tree cover. With the wheel sensor its spot on no matter what.” Read full review.
- This little GPS system takes all the best elements of a bicycle computer and puts it into one small, easy-to-use device. It’s basically ready to go once you get it out of the box and put it on your handle bars, and it being a GPS system is much more accurate than any bicycle computer.
- “I was looking for a reliable, water resistant, bike computer that has no wires and actually works. I have used a variety of wireless units in the past with mixed results. I bought two of these to put on a new, high-end, tandem. We didn’t want wires hanging on the bike. The functionality of a GPS can be difficult for many. I understand that. If you want maps and route guidance and such, you might want the 605 or 705.”
This unit has mostly positive reviews. I included some of the negative reviews here, because it is important to look at both the good and the bad, in order to ensure that you will be happy with your purchase. If you are researching a product you need to know both the pros and cons in order to make a wise decision. For this reason I suggest that you read all of the reviews!