diphthong

so i've finally had it with garmin. bought an edge 510 about 3 years ago for essentially 2 reasons.
my (then) iphone 4 drained the battery to high heaven when running strava to track rides and
that particular phone had gps issues...esp in canyons or metropolitan dtown areas...so wanted
something more accurate.
the garmin edge 510 has been accurate, has been great with battery life and has an easy,
adaptable readout. no issues there. the issue is the uploading of rides-whether via bluetooth
or plugging into the computer. the garmin express/connect thing is a pita and doesn't always
work, resulting in "dropped" rides that i hafta enter manually. The ride always registers on the
actual 510 unit with all applicable stats when i check "last ride." the inability to transfer rides to
strava (or even the garmin connect app) happens about 25% of the time and doesn't seem to be
influenced by ride length, distance, terrain or time.

this is my 3rd edge 510. it is my 2nd replacement one after contacting the company about the
originally purchased one and its subsequent replacement. the other two had different issues
(no backlighting, randomly turning off, long periods of freezing). so it's been 3 years with essentially a
new or refurbished (no charge) one every year. none of the units has suffered what i would call a
compromising incident of water immersion, dropping, crash, etc. have already performed the various
"boots" to reset the unit without avail.

really dislike the entire garmin connect/garmin express interface. seems hokey and laborious.

looking for something to replace the garmin so as to be able to easily upload rides to strava but also
has good battery life and is accurate. weatherproofing is nice but lack of is not a dealbreaker.
will continue to rock the garmin as a during the ride computer but have little faith in it transferring info.
in the few solely strava rides i've done with the newer phone-iphone 5s-the gps seems more accurate
but battery drain still is an issue. really like to do one 5+ hour ride a week so considering adding a
portable recharging unit for the phone.

anyone really like their non-garmin setup for accuracy, battery life, dependability and ease of info
transferral to strava? i'd love to hear about what works for you. thanks!

Jofu

Surprised to hear this! And I'm now curious if many others have been experiencing this as well...

For my part, my Garmin 810 has worked nearly 100% of the time, uploading rides to Connect and automatically to Strava without problem.

It has crashed twice on me over 3 months or so, however, during rides...

Geoff

adamhenry

I've never experienced dropped rides or crashes with my 820. I've only used BT to sync once since you have to connect USB to charge anyway.

RoadLight

Hi ooga-booga,

I'm considering the opposite. I've been using my Samsung Galaxy Note II as my cycling computer for four years now. I was using the Android "Ride With GPS" (RWGPS) app because it has excellent navigation and claimed to support all of the Bluetooth devices that I wanted to use (Scosche Rhythm+ HRM, Topeak PanoBike speed+cadence, Wahoo RFLKT). The Wahoo RFLKT serves as my display. I have it mounted on a Garmin wrist strap and it shows my metrics during a ride so I can leave my smartphone screen turned off during the ride (navigation prompts appear one the RFLKT and are announced audibly by the smartphone). I can ride a 100-mile century and use only 50% of my battery.

But one of my requirements was support for power meters and the RWGPS app claimed to support the Stages Cycling power meter. However, when I purchased one a few months ago, the app could not connect to it even though other apps could. So I was forced to switch to using the Wahoo Fitness app while the RWGPS developers sort out the power meter problem. I just finished one of my most important century rides of the year with the Wahoo Fitness app and everything seemed to go fine during the ride. Then, when I stopped logging the ride, the app errored and it cannot display my ride details nor upload its data to another service. This makes me distrust Wahoo---so I won't consider their new ELEMNT cycling computer even though it has great-looking specs because I don't trust the company.

Connection issues and buggy software is what is driving me to Garmin. I don't like Garmin and thought I would never want to buy one of their cycling computers but I'm now seriously considering an Edge 1000. I just want something that works!!! I'm tired of fussing with tech that has intermittent problems.

I may wait till 2017 to make a decision because Stages Cycling is introducing their new Dash cycling computer then. It doesn't provide navigation like the RWGPS app and Edge 1000 but it may be a superior choice for everything else. Then I would use my smartphone for navigation only.

I don't think there is any "perfect" solution on the market to do everything I want. But many folks use Garmin and don't appear to have the connection trouble that you've reported. So maybe there is a solution. If I where in your shoes, I'd thoroughly search for a fix for your existing connection issues before making a major change.

Kind regards, RoadLight

HazeT

I'm waiting for the Stages Dash to come out this fall, there is also the magellan cyclo, you have find them pretty cheap online.

Steve B.

Ditto my experience with my 810. 78 rides since April, crashed 3 times, 2 in the beginning with a bad SD card, then I had a problem 2 weeks ago when I started a course navigation, then stopped it when I realized it was the wrong one, then started another, then forgot to press the start timer. I had gotten about 50 ft., noticed the unit was powered down, stopped and restarted and all was well.

The BlueTooth download of courses as well as upload of an activity has worked flawlessly and I've never had to manually enter a ride.

Note that the 810 might have the worst track record of any Garmin, yet maybe has stabilized with recent updates. I still see problems posted on the Garmin site but no longer on bike sites. The 520 seems to be much more stable as a replacement to the 500/510 but that's typical of Garmin as they use owners of existing older models to beta test the current OS releases, LOL.

Problem is not much out there is better. Wahoo stuff uses the phones in continual operation, so phone battery life becomes an issue, which is why you get a Garmin in the first place. And Wahoo stuff is also going thru updates to fix and add features. Hard to say which works better.

Marcus_Ti

Good luck...I've yet to find a Garmin replacement simply in ruggedization and battery-life. Garmin unfortunately has the market cornered. Which with how badly they've FUBAR'd their firmware over the years, and how stereotypical a joke Garmin is WRT firmware and updates, you'd think a competitor would have toppled them. After an Edge 305, an Edge 705, and an Edge 1000 I'm so done with the clowns at the first real opportunity. I originally bought the Mio/Magellan Cyclo 315, sent it back because the Edge 1000 was better.


I keep hoping for the day when cellphones are all waterproof in a driving rain. Keep being disappointed.

MagicHour

Probably super barebones in feature set , compared to most/all Garmin models, but my Cateye Stealth 50 has been very reliable for the past 3 seasons. I think I've lost maybe 2 rides out of hundreds because of bad syncs during that time. As far as uploading to strava and syncing with ant+ sensors and my Stages PM it just does what it needs to. Might not be for everyone though, depending how robust features you need. You can find them for less than $100 now

Carbonfiberboy 

Never had a problem with my 800 in its 6 years of use; never any data loss or failure to upload. I use mine a little differently: I put my map and the Garmin file structure on an SD card, so my course, if any, and data are all on the card. The card then goes into a USB card reader for data exchange. I've never plugged the 800 into a computer except for updates. The ride data is transferred from the card to a folder on my desktop and uploaded to various websites from there. I have a permanent repository for all my TCX and FIT files on my desktop. I can swap multi-GB map files simply by putting in a different card.

I realize that sounds a bit anal. An early-adopter software engineer got me doing it, and sure 'nuff, never a problem. At the worst, I could only screw up the card, but never have.

The only Garmin software which I use, other than what's internal to the 800, is Garmin Express. I use RWGPS, TrainingPeaks, and Strava.

Bah Humbug

Garmin is crap. There's the Wahoo ELMNT, but that seems to have some issues as well. It's very slick, though.

black_box 

For uploading to strava, I do it manually instead of using garmin software. Plug in via USB, log in to strava, upload activity, then choose upload files directly. You can browse to the garmin as a USB thumb drive. At least on my Garmin 500, the files are stored in an Activities folder.

TimothyH

I use a Polar V650.

It has a bug where it will terminate recording randomly if auto pause is enabled. This is very common, has been reported many times on the Polar forums and Polar is aware. Not sure if it is a firmware or hardware problem but I'm hoping there is a fix soon.

Polar FlowSync provides the same functionality as Garmin Express - it allows the device to upload rides to the internet and downloads firmware and settings from the internet to the device. FlowSync on Windows however, never recognizes the device when it is plugged in. Instead the device has to be removed and rediscovered using Windows device manager and then it works every time. I'm not sure if this is Polar or Windows issue. Workaround is to upload to the Polar app on the phone and the phone uploads to the internet automatically.

The touch screen does not like sweat or raindrops and drops will change the screens or even terminate the ride. There is a "lock screen" feature which I just turn on whenever I ride. It still allows you to scroll through the various screens but you cannot end the ride or change settings unless you unlock the screen.

It is bluetooth only.

Having said that, it works wonderfully apart from the auto pause bug and the screen is absolutely gorgeous. $169 on Amazon make it an amazing deal if you don't need ANT+.

I'm actually thinking of moving to a Garmin 820 however. Polar used to be a serious heart rate training tool and the wearables still are but I believe Garmin has passed Polar in this regard. I'd like to explore what Garmin has to offer in terms of interval training on the Edge. Cost is the only thing holding me back.


-Tim-

rms13

I have a 510 and sync directly to Strava on my phone via Bluetooth. Only problem I ever had was one day when there was a problem with Garmin servers that effected a lot of users.

CaptKelly

Garmin is THE standard. If you think Garmin is bad then you are in for a big surprise using anything else. Your only other viable alternative is Polar which has its own host of issues and quirks. Having spent years on both Polar and Garmin... Garmin is the lesser of two evils.

Heathpack 

I have similar (but not as bad) experiences with my Edge 1000. Randomly it stops uploading via BT regularly and I have to call Garmin and spend 40 min on the phone with them getting it to work again.

Wired syncs by plugging the unit into a desktop are less glitchy but I still routinely have Garmin Express/Connect fail to recognize my device and I have to jump through hoops to get it to work.

Interestingly, I also upload data to WKO+ and I never have any issues with that, it just works 100% of the time.

I also have a PC7, made by SRM. I've never used it because I did not realize when I bought it that it has no back light and I do most of my interval workouts in the dark. Also no GPS, so no mapping, and I use the mapping when I travel or do long rides on unfamiliar routes.

However, the PC8 does have a backlight and GPS. It seems to mostly be used by racing people who have unique priorities but it seems to be well liked by its users. You might check it out.

aggarcia

I have been using the Edge 800 since 2011. Only had a few issues over the years where device lockups and needed a hard reboot. Most issues with device are user caused - forgot to manually start/stop or reset once activity is completed.

I have been very happy with my Edge 800 that I am considering replacing it with a Edge 820.

Marcus_Ti

Don't forget the time that Garmin broke the ANT+ pairing of its own HRM in an official firmware update. It only took them over a month to fix their own screw up in supporting their own hardware.

CaptKelly

SRM PC8 is a purpose built professional $800 unit. We are talking about consumer units half the price. Completely different ballparks.

Heathpack 

I'm not sure what you mean by "purpose built". It's built to record data? Same purpose as the Garmin.

Professional? As in "professionally and competently made"? Yes. Or as in "only for professional cyclists"? Sorry, no. Plenty of amateurs use PC8s, likely there are far more amateurs using these units than pros.

As to cost, well that's a decision that each of us must make on our own. Sometimes it's worth the expense of having a product that actually works. A great example for me is power meters- I used to have two Stages power meters and they were nothing but trouble. I spent countless hours troubleshooting what was wrong and had an 80% failure to collect data on key event rides of mine (these were long endurance events). So I ditched them and switched to SRM. Guess what? I've not spent one second troubleshooting bad data in the 1.5 years since I made the switch. Was it expensive? Yep. Do I regret it? Nope, that's some of the best cycling $ I've ever spent. In fact, I now have three SRM units on my various bikes.

I'm no pro, just a serious amateur who does some racing. My time is valuable and good reliable data is very important to me. So YMMV and OPs likely will too. He didn't ask for the cheapest solution, he asked for things that work. I'll show him enough respect that I won't filter my answer based on what I assume he wants to spend.

And with most SRM products, residual value is held, so often you can use an item for years and then sell it for a good price if something better/less expensive comes along.

scarywombat

I am using Wahoo RFLKT+ with Wahoo Fitness iPhone app. The Bluetooth connected devices work great, but the Ant+ sensors' connection is a bit flakey. If it doesn't get paired at start up (whting 30 seconds or so) it is just best to remove the device and re-pair it. After that all is peachey.

BenPS

Wahoo ELEMNT. the RFLKT is kind of garbage, but the ELEMNT is awesome, has the features of the 820, but at the 520 price, and it keeps getting better every time they release an update for it.

Seriously. Wahoo.

bgrider

I have a Garmin 520 and it has been nearly flawless since I got it in March 2016. It uploads the ride via bluetooth while I'm taking off my gloves, helmet, etc. I have had failures to load /sync by bluetooth, but nothing that telling it to manually upload the ride did not handle. I have not done it, but connecting via usb to upload during a charging period would always be a back up. I am puzzled by all the Garmin complaints - my experience has been excellent. I do not use Strava, power meters or any other devices with it - just blue tooth to my phone so I get the ride data on the garmin mobile app. Perhaps using it with other peripheral is where Garmin has issues.

memebag

Could the problem be with the iPhone? I have an Edge 25 and it uploads rides to Garmin Connect (which uploads them to Strava) as soon as a ride finishes, but my phone is an Android. I've heard that Apple Bluetooth is different from the rest of the world. I know you can't use Bluetooth OBDII dongles with iPhones.

memebag

They arrested some clown in Baytown:

Man wearing clown mask arrested in Baytown park

dr_lha

Although it's frustrating to lose a ride due to a bug, it seems harsh to base your trust on an entire company on one bad event. I admit, I never use the Wahoo Fitness app though, I used Cyclemeter on the iPhone.

For the record, I own an ELEMNT and it's a fantastic device. Regular updates from Wahoo have taken it from strength to strength. There remain a few known issues (for example with SRM power meters), but given the rapid release of updates and great support from Wahoo, I expect them to go away soon, as well as many new features to be added in the future.

I've been using Wahoo devices for years and have had nothing but positive experiences with them as a company.