You probably know this but the 200 does not have heart rate or cadence. It also only can be set up for 1 bicycle. It really just does speed, distance. It will track you and you can upload the ride to Garmin Connect, Map My Ride and Strava etc. You get altitude from the GPS files. Garmin Connect says they use data from very detailed maps to get altitude when you upload the ride. The 500 and higher use barometric altimeters.
If you also want navigation the 200 is also a bit limited. You can download courses but you don't get a real map. It will show you turns coming up but just bread crumb maps. I'm not sure of the navigational capabilities of the 500.
I have a 200. I wish that I had gotten the 500.
Bill
Last edited by LongT; 07-28-14 at 08:14 PM.
Reason: clarification