GPS Do you need a speed sensor?

[oldgreyandslow]

Probably a daft question, I'm considering a Garim 200 or Bryton 35, do they need a speed sensor magnet thing like a wireless computer?

Any thoughts on the best one? I guess that's the $64,000 question.

I'm considering one when I get back on the road

 

[musa]

in short NO

 

[defy-one]

I have the 200. You need nothing else. Turn on,wait 20 seconds for a satelite lock and away you go

 

[Alsajosora]

How accurate are they? I only ask because I use the one on my phone (with Endomondo) and it is a bit hit and miss, it can be up to 300ft out compared with the computer I have on my bike.

 

[Sittingduck]

Some utilise a wheel mounted speed sensor, which can be more accurate and the sensor unit on the chainstay might also have cadence measuring. Others have no sensor and simply use GPS position to calculate speed, etc. My Edge 605 being the latter but my Edge 705 is the former variation. The 705 will work off of GPS only, if desired, for example if I use it one one of my bikes that does not have a speed/cad sensor installed.

 

[Hacienda71]

How accurate are they? I only ask because I use the one on my phone (with Endomondo) and it is a bit hit and miss, it can be up to 300ft out compared with the computer I have on my bike.

I have a Garmin 200 and would say it is more accurate by quite a lot than my HTC Desire is when logging on Endomondo and Strava.

 

[amaferanga]

Only time you need a speed sensor is if you're riding on a turbo trainer. But with the Edge 200 you don't have the option to add one. With the Edge 500 you could add one if you wanted to.

 

[StuAff]

No, but....
(i) If you want cadence as well, yes you do- for the cadence part.
(ii) Go through tunnels etc and the GPS signal can and will drop on occasion- the St Thomas Street tunnel in the smoke always causes this with my Edge 705. In such cases the sensor will continue data recording regardless. According to Garmin, use of the sensor also improves accuracy compared to GPS (speed data is handled by the sensor, not GPS, if it's fitted).
Edit: Bit of a cross-post with SD here.

 

[Berties]

my bryton 40 uses a giant sensor on my bike and a speed sensor on my wheel and gps,it then gives me a speed reading and distance cadence when i use my turbo

 

[zizou]

You dont need one but it is useful to have as it can smooth out the data and give you more consistent speed readings and also cut out potential errors like having a top speed of 200 mph etc.

Having the cadence data i find to be really useful too

 

[ufkacbln]

Even with cadence a wheel sensor is not required.

On my recumbents there is a long distance between the cadence sensor and the wheel.

I have aligned the crank sensor, but simply tucked the speed sensor away underneath the frame. It works fine.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Get the Garmin Edge 200, cracking piece of kit IMO.

I had a Bryton Rider 35 and it was just not nice to use, the Garmin is a doddle

 

[frayBentos59]

I have a 200 and I''ve hooked a speed sensor up to my 800 to compare and there's almost nothing in it. The 200 is a stonkingly good computer, I've not seen the Bryton in action so I can't compare but you can't go wrong with the 200.

 

[Aushiker]

Only time you need a speed sensor is if you're riding on a turbo trainer. But with the Edge 200 you don't have the option to add one. With the Edge 500 you could add one if you wanted to.

Or where there is a lot of tree coverage and the signal drops out, e.g. mountain biking or riding in tunnels.

Andrew