Garmin 800 vs 510 vs 810

[jamin100]

Im looking at getting a dedicated bike computer (currently use a forerunner 310xt) I already have hear rate and cadence meters so will be buying just the computer etc.

I think I've settled on the 510 or 800 as I can get the 510 for about £180 (maybe £165 if they let me use BC discount too) and the 800 for £165 (refurb)

Out of the 2 which would you go for?

I plan on creating rides on the computer and uploading them to the garmin etc. I may (very very rarely) want to use it as a GPS, which is why the 800 is there, But if I got the 510 then I would just use my phone anyway.

I considered the 500 but its years old now and i think the screen on the 510 looks better plus the addition of the bluetooth features and live tracking appeal (so the wife can know where I am i suppose )

 

[Deleted member 18052]

Have an 810 - Awesome - Does everything

 

[Roadrider48]

I have an 800- brilliant piece of kit for me.

 

[Andrew_P]

Depends on how much you value Bluetooth, plus you will need your phone for the tracking anyway!

The 800 will do everything you need, plus a fair bit that you don't need but might want in the future.

If it were me I would get the 800, and if the wife needs or want to track you just download Endomondo on to your phone and leave the phone in your jersey pocket or saddle bag.

Reading a map on the 800 with directions seems less cumbersome than a phone, at the end of the day if you were/are prepared to use a phone for mapping, the phone will do everything the Garmin will anyway, just not as well IMO.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

All roads lead to garmin 800 you just haven't realised it yet

 

[John the Monkey]

I bought an 800 recently, and I'm very impressed with it.

I use it to follow pre-plotted routes (usually set up on ridewithgps.com) on free Openfietsmap maps.

I've also used the mapping to do ad hoc rides (one of my usual routes was flooded, so I used the Garmin to follow roads I didn't know, and find my way back home again). The navigation (again, ime) is good enough to use in an area you don't know, and I used it a lot on a recent French holiday. Mostly for pre-planned routes, although I used a "get me home" route it calculated for me on one occasion that I ended up running too late to complete a course.

I bought the performance pack, and think that's worth considering, even if you sell the bits on to decrease the cost to you a little (personally, I've always liked having cadence, and I'm looking at HR monitoring as a way of getting a bit more out of my riding).

If you haven't already, the Garmin pricewatch mailing list http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/best-prices-on-garmin-edge-800-in-the-uk/ is well worth signing up for, if you can wait a little while for the best deal. If you end up buying from Wiggle or Amazon, Quidco can offset the cost a bit too. Edit, also this; http://www.satnav-discounts.co.uk/gps/product/cycling-garmin/garmin/garmin-edge-800/

The 800 is, for me, a LOT of money, and I kept the original packaging for a bit, not convinced it was going to be much better than my phone. That one ride with the flooded road convinced me though - much more convenient, no heat build up, and no bodges or £40 mounts to get it on the bars (although I would recommend an "outfront mount" - I use a barfly). Mapwise, buy a microsd card, and use the OpenFietsmap maps.

 

[jamin100]

Ok, so her indoors has let me increase the budget a little so now the option is

800 - £165
810 - £230

Is the 810 worth the extra???

 

[bpsmith]

The 510 uses GPS and GLONASS satellites and is therefore more accurate and quicker to pick up satellites than the 500 and the 800. You also get the smartphone linked features, although this doesn't always appeal to everyone. The satellite thing alone made me get the 510.

 

[jamin100]

I think the only thing I'd be interested in is the live tracking. But I suppose there are ways I could do that with my iPhone anyway .

 

[John the Monkey]

I think the only thing I'd be interested in is the live tracking. But I suppose there are ways I could do that with my iPhone anyway .

Yup. I get that by setting Endomondo going, and leaving the 'phone (albeit Galaxy S4, not an iPhone) in a jersey pocket.

It ended up being moot for me, as the deal I got on the 800 (£229) pushed my budget to the limit anyway. Get the 800, an out front mount, and an 8Gb or so micro-sd card for your maps.

 

[jamin100]

Yes I think that's the way I'm leaning at the minute

 

[bpsmith]

Are the out front brackets worth it @John the Monkey ?

 

[John the Monkey]

Are the out front brackets worth it @John the Monkey ?

I'd say yes, if you're using the Garmin to navigate. Maybe less so if you're using one primarily for the bike computer functions.

The Barfly places the garmin directly in front of the stem faceplate, which doesn't seem like a huge amount forward of the handlebars, but I think it's a better location for something you're looking at reasonably frequently.

 

[bpsmith]

I'd say yes, if you're using the Garmin to navigate. Maybe less so if you're using one primarily for the bike computer functions.

The Barfly places the garmin directly in front of the stem faceplate, which doesn't seem like a huge amount forward of the handlebars, but I think it's a better location for something you're looking at reasonably frequently.

Ok, cheers. I have the 510, so navigation not so important, but will consider it again closer to Christmas gift time.

 

[Basil.B]

As I don't need maps, I got the 510. Mainly for the Bluetooth connectivity.
Didn't pay £180 for it though, just under £100.