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Lucas N.
Lucas N. Sendmail

Garmin Edge 500 reviews

posted about 2 years ago | Report

Has anybody worked with the new Garmin Edge 500 yet?
I'm about to decide whether to buy or not. Happy about any kind of review.

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5 posts

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  • Kv
    Kv Sendmail

    It's a pretty slick unit. It's smaller in size than the 305 or 705 and looks more like a traditional bike computer. It has more customizable screens than the 305 and does temperature measurement as well. The calorie counter has a new algorithm which is supposed to take heart rate into account for more accurate measurements than the 305. The mount is very slick, and seems much more secure than the previous versions. The unit is now installed and removed with a quarter turn. The real advantage though is power meter compatibility. If you're planning on purchasing a Powertap or Quarq the 500 is the way to go. It is a substantial improvement over the 305 if you have a power meter and don't need mapping software.

    posted about 2 years ago

  • John F.
    John F. Sendmail

    Mine arrives the day after tomorrow. It will be my first HRM and cadence monitor. Can't wait to mount it up!

    posted about 2 years ago

  • John F.
    John F. Sendmail

    So after 3 days and a few rides with my 500 I love it. Set up is easy, installation is easy and the screen is sweet.

    I'm still fiddling around with setting up the pages (I'll probably be fiddling all year actually). It supports 3 pages of data - each with up to 8 data points. The default has a general bike computer page, a lap page and a climb page. The lap seemed less interesting to me so I turned that into a HRM and Cadence page specifically with the intent of zone training.

    The HRM is comfortable enough but freaked me out a bit when it hit 244 bpm on a test ride. Uhm I am suddenly super human? That's happened twice and Kv pointed out in a comment elsewhere that the HRM can be susceptible to interference.

    The GPS is accurate although Garmin Connect isn't fantastic. Training Center is pretty good though.

    One caveat is that the 500 uses a new data format so most software and websites will need an upgrade to sync directly. Until they catch up, you can sync with Training Center and then export a TCX file which is well supported.

    For the money I don't think this can be beat.

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Kevin C.
    Kevin C. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kv said:It's a pretty slick unit. It's smaller in size than the 305 or 705 and looks more like a traditional bike computer. It has more customizable screens than the 305 and does temperature measurement as well. The calorie counter has a new algorithm whi... read more

    Yea, I have the 500 and love it. It's really amazing with the ascend/descend, etc. I also have the Forerunner 305. I don't know too much about these power meters yet and am trying to find out more information on it. Do most power meters only work outside? I just bought the Kinetic Fluid trainer and not knowing my power and HR only isn't really helping me cuz i don't know what speed I'm moving at. Any advice on power meters? The ones I have seen are thousands of dollars.

    Thanks,
    kevin
    www.10e3.com

    posted over 1 year ago

  • Kv
    Kv Sendmail

    Most runners need to break themselves of the lure of speed when converting to cycling. Speed is a virtually worthless way of measuring cycling performance. For example, what's a tougher ride - 20 mph on a flat against the wind or 11 mph up an 8% grade with the wind? The answer could be either. This is doubly true on a trainer. Having heart rate or power meters allows you to measure effort which is how you can improve. The advantage of power meters are greater accuracy and less effect from the variables which plague heart rate.

    If you're starting out on a formal cycling plan, heart rate is not a bad way to learn and build a base. It's well established, you already have all the required tools, and it's cheap.

    In the mean time, I would get the book "Training and Racing with a Power Meter." It's the cyclists bible and the best book to learn about training with power. It's a difficult concept to explain in few words, and the book does a tremendous job of explaining the ins and outs of power meters. They're fantastically expensive, but there is really no substitute for the serious cyclist.

    posted over 1 year ago

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