N0bodyOfTheGoat
Über Member
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
Cycling watch or computer
- Thread starter CentralCommuter
- Start date
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I had a look and was interested when I saw Campagnolo at "up to 50% off". Bollocks. They are at least 10% higher than elsewhere.
Not only that but the descriptions were written by the worst available AI or a complete buffoon. Avoid at all cost!
Psamathe
Über Member
I think for OP so much depends on the detail of use and potential future use, budgets, other uses (eg for hiking, swiming, etc.)
eg. What sensors (cadence, Heart rate, radar, etc.)
eg. Turn by turn navigation?
eg. Training vs utility vs recreational
etc.
I use mine to record ride and as a cycle computer *(speed, av. sepps, distance, etc.) when day riding from home but on tour (couple of months in Europe camping) I use turn by turn directions every day.
So I use a Garmin Edge. For me benefits are turn-by-turn and good mapping display (I use/have had 1030, 1040 and 1050 which are larger screen versions). Has quite a few features that I find great for touring beyond the just navigation. Does all the recording everything and automatically loading to Strava.
Before buying a dedicated GPS I tried a phone but found it useless. Even with a brand new battery in my iPhone It wouldn't last a reasonable ride with screen on.
I did try a top of the range Garmin watch but after a few months (and arguments with Garmin) sent it back for refund as it was little more than an inaccurate toy. But it never was a replacement for the dedicated cycle GPS as it's functions are very different.
It's a complex question and the answer is different for different people and those different answers are "right" as those different people want/need (slightly) different functions and emphasis.
eg. What sensors (cadence, Heart rate, radar, etc.)
eg. Turn by turn navigation?
eg. Training vs utility vs recreational
etc.
I use mine to record ride and as a cycle computer *(speed, av. sepps, distance, etc.) when day riding from home but on tour (couple of months in Europe camping) I use turn by turn directions every day.
So I use a Garmin Edge. For me benefits are turn-by-turn and good mapping display (I use/have had 1030, 1040 and 1050 which are larger screen versions). Has quite a few features that I find great for touring beyond the just navigation. Does all the recording everything and automatically loading to Strava.
Before buying a dedicated GPS I tried a phone but found it useless. Even with a brand new battery in my iPhone It wouldn't last a reasonable ride with screen on.
I did try a top of the range Garmin watch but after a few months (and arguments with Garmin) sent it back for refund as it was little more than an inaccurate toy. But it never was a replacement for the dedicated cycle GPS as it's functions are very different.
It's a complex question and the answer is different for different people and those different answers are "right" as those different people want/need (slightly) different functions and emphasis.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Im using the same although i plan my rides in garmin connect , everyone has their own preference
, I actually liked the strava route planning more but i recently went to the free version as i can manage without all the extra stuff .For commuting i have a refurbed edge 130 .
OldShep
Veteran
- Location
- South West Scotland
The last couple of years has seen me, unintentionally, migrate from a gps computer to purely watch and phone.
I began using the watch on a couple of occasions I’d failed to charge the head unit. Discovered I liked all types of workout data going to the same place.
using the watch for tracking I’d use the head unit for longer rides in unknown territory where I relied on a map and directions. That changed earlier this year when the unit would no longer stay in the mount as the plastic engaging lugs had worn away. Hummed and ahhed about a replacement and decided I no longer need one. Last month cycling in an area I didn’t know I used CT on my phone and got the spoken directions through Bluetooth earphones. It worked really well and no longer have to keep glancing down at a screen.
I began using the watch on a couple of occasions I’d failed to charge the head unit. Discovered I liked all types of workout data going to the same place.
using the watch for tracking I’d use the head unit for longer rides in unknown territory where I relied on a map and directions. That changed earlier this year when the unit would no longer stay in the mount as the plastic engaging lugs had worn away. Hummed and ahhed about a replacement and decided I no longer need one. Last month cycling in an area I didn’t know I used CT on my phone and got the spoken directions through Bluetooth earphones. It worked really well and no longer have to keep glancing down at a screen.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Good to know it'll last and the watch could be a good backup to the computer. I'd still rather follow a map and read stats from a screen in front of me rather than on the wrist but for a recent 15h ride I carried a smaller garmin 130+ as back up for the 1030, I could have relied on the watch 👍 How good is the watch for tracking accuracy ? I think the computer just tracks at points and fits the track to the road.
OP
OP
CentralCommuter
Über Member
Thank you for all the advice. I’m leaning towards an Apple Watch - it records the distance, heart rate etc which is all I’m really looking for. Not sure if it does Strava but to be honest as long as I know what it is I don’t need to share it with my 3 followers!
To be honest, I’m of an age (45) where sadly all the technological options overwhelm me and I end up not getting anything because I can’t be bothered ploughing my way through reviews etc. I think it’s called getting older.
To be honest, I’m of an age (45) where sadly all the technological options overwhelm me and I end up not getting anything because I can’t be bothered ploughing my way through reviews etc. I think it’s called getting older.
You are but a child. 😉
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I've found both my old Garmin Vivoactive and current Xiaomi track exactly as my Wahoo does. They're perfectly accurate. Afterall both the watch and the computer are receiving the same GPS signal.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
With respect for the functions you have described you're throwing away money if you buy an Apple watch. Do you have an iPhone? From the little I know there's not much point to an Apple watch without an iPhone.
Have a look at the Xiaomi Smart Band Pro 9. I have one and in terms of health and sports it more than covers everything the average person needs.
The cheapest Apple watch at £219 offers you 18 hours battery life. The Xiaomi at +/-£60 offers 480 hours (21 days). I would urge you to look at this. It's far, far better value.
OP
OP
CentralCommuter
Über Member
This does sound interesting. I’ll have a look. Would it load to Strava or just keep a record? How does that work?
OP
OP
CentralCommuter
Über Member
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
As with most of these things ... it has an app (called mi Fitness). You install the app on your phone and pair the watch thingy with the app. You then authorise the app to forward your activities to Strava.
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Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
I think that's an Edge 200 (or similar). The charging cable is any mini USB cable plus a bog standard USB charger. But you'll need to connect it by cable to a PC to do any uploads.
No reason why it shouldn't work. Go on, dig out a mini USB and give it a new lease of life.
