Advice on Garmin 520 - what do you like/dislike?

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09-24-16, 09:34 PM

#26

dim

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve B.

You do realize the question was about the 520, which is 2 generations later then the 500. Possibly some of the functionality has changed ?.

Sorry you hated the 500 but kind of useless to the OP, 'ya think ?

not really .... I'm telling him/advising him to get the Edge 1000 (more features, bigger screen etc) .... the 520 is very similar to the 500 in screen size.

09-25-16, 08:26 AM

#27

TakingMyTime

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chong67

The screen resolution on the 520 and 820 is bad/low that I think is only good for text and to have a map on there

This may be partially true but I personally have never had any problems reading the screen. I think in today's world of HD and 4K media, everyone expects something to be as crisp as that. It's a bicycle computer, it is what it is.

09-25-16, 08:57 AM

#28

gregf83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dim

not really .... I'm telling him/advising him to get the Edge 1000 (more features, bigger screen etc) .... the 520 is very similar to the 500 in screen size.

The problems you complained about with the 500 don't exist with the 520.

The 520 is fine for navigation if you pre load it with a route. 99+% of the time I have an idea of where I'm going ahead of time so having turn indications and a small map is fine for me. If I do happen to get lost or too far off track I can stop for a min and look at my phone. I don't need a 4 or 5" screen on my bars.

09-25-16, 03:49 PM

#29

jeromephone

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If you are looking at an entry level unit I just got the specilized double wireless it has cadence and mph and will work with a HRM I have the Mio fuse comes with the cadence sensor It is just a bike computer but way smaller than the gps unit and way cheaper.

09-25-16, 04:17 PM

#30

Steve B.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TakingMyTime

I find the screen on the 810 perfectly readable and I don't carry reading glasses.

When the device is giving turn-by-turn directions, the font and map detail is easy to read.

There have been times when not navigating that I scroll to the map screen to just figure out about where I am and if there are alternative roads I might want to take. The device is easy enough to zoom in/out and I'm one of those who likes touch screens and have mastered this units screen response. Touch screens are not liked by some folks and I understand that, I just can never remember which buttons if I'm not using them a lot.

09-28-16, 03:18 PM

#31

v402872

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Garmin 520

Quote:

Originally Posted by illusiumd

I can't believe I'm considering dropping 3-400 for a cycling computer. I've got a 30mi daily commute and have been using Strava on an iPhone - but lately I think I may be suffering from overtraining - I've never really had anyone teach me proper cycling technique or thought about varying my speed/cadence - I've never tried to formulate a training regimen.

I'd like to be able to bike my 30mi/4 days a week commute and still be able to do a ride on the weekend. Right now I can barely make it through the commute - I've never given thought to what my cadence is before ...

I'm wondering if a good cycling computer like the 520 with the speed and cadence sensor can help me better map out a good biking rhythm that will keep me healthier...

Just bought been using it. takes time to figure it all out. I just found out directly from Garmin you cannot upload maps to it. You can with the 820. The speed and cadence sensors are xtra so budget for it. They do work very well. It is the top of the line. I had a CAteye Strata and screen was too small.