New to Garmin, a few questions
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
New to Garmin, a few questions
I bought a 520 Plus. I'm using it with a power meter over ANT+ which seems to be working fine. However, I have four questions:
1. Is a speed sensor necessary? My bike came with an ANT+ speed sensor but I haven't installed it. I seem to get pretty accurate speed results with just the GPS. Should I install the speed sensor?
2. Do I need to be running the Connect App on the phone in order for the computer to connect to my phone? It doesn't seem to connect otherwise, so I may have the answer right there.
3. I updated the firmware (quick) and maps (holy crap that took a while). How often should I update the maps? That wasn't hard, it just took forever.
4. I think I need to "star" segments in Strava to get live segments (I'm a Summit member), is that correct?
Thanks!
1. Is a speed sensor necessary? My bike came with an ANT+ speed sensor but I haven't installed it. I seem to get pretty accurate speed results with just the GPS. Should I install the speed sensor?
2. Do I need to be running the Connect App on the phone in order for the computer to connect to my phone? It doesn't seem to connect otherwise, so I may have the answer right there.
3. I updated the firmware (quick) and maps (holy crap that took a while). How often should I update the maps? That wasn't hard, it just took forever.
4. I think I need to "star" segments in Strava to get live segments (I'm a Summit member), is that correct?
Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,259
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4245 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
937 Posts
1- not necessary. The speed sensor is significantly quicker to react.
2- Garmin Connect is necessary. The Garmin devices are very low-powered computers. Using the phone off-loads some of the work onto a much faster computer. You can transfer activity by using a wire (that doesn't use Garmin Connect at all).
3- The maps take a while. They aren't updated that frequently (about 2 a year, maybe).
4- (don't use strava.)
2- Garmin Connect is necessary. The Garmin devices are very low-powered computers. Using the phone off-loads some of the work onto a much faster computer. You can transfer activity by using a wire (that doesn't use Garmin Connect at all).
3- The maps take a while. They aren't updated that frequently (about 2 a year, maybe).
4- (don't use strava.)
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,872
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 2,077 Times
in
1,177 Posts
Only thing I was aware of is the BT connection to the app is to get a completed ride up to whatever on-line/cloud based ride tacking site you use, to download courses via BT from the app or from the Garmin Connect website, for live track function, or for message/call notification. Learn me, as I'm puzzled.
Last edited by Steve B.; 04-08-19 at 10:09 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,259
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4245 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
937 Posts
Huh ?. Never heard this. What "work" gets processed by the Connect Mobile app ?.
Only thing I was aware of is the BT connection to the app is to get a completed ride up to whatever on-line/cloud based ride tacking site you use, to download courses via BT from the app or from the Garmin Connect website, for live track function, or for message/call notification. Learn me, as I'm puzzled.
Only thing I was aware of is the BT connection to the app is to get a completed ride up to whatever on-line/cloud based ride tacking site you use, to download courses via BT from the app or from the Garmin Connect website, for live track function, or for message/call notification. Learn me, as I'm puzzled.
Last edited by njkayaker; 04-09-19 at 10:32 AM.
#5
Senior Member
I bought a 520 Plus. I'm using it with a power meter over ANT+ which seems to be working fine. However, I have four questions:
1. Is a speed sensor necessary? My bike came with an ANT+ speed sensor but I haven't installed it. I seem to get pretty accurate speed results with just the GPS. Should I install the speed sensor?
2. Do I need to be running the Connect App on the phone in order for the computer to connect to my phone? It doesn't seem to connect otherwise, so I may have the answer right there.
3. I updated the firmware (quick) and maps (holy crap that took a while). How often should I update the maps? That wasn't hard, it just took forever.
4. I think I need to "star" segments in Strava to get live segments (I'm a Summit member), is that correct?
Thanks!
1. Is a speed sensor necessary? My bike came with an ANT+ speed sensor but I haven't installed it. I seem to get pretty accurate speed results with just the GPS. Should I install the speed sensor?
2. Do I need to be running the Connect App on the phone in order for the computer to connect to my phone? It doesn't seem to connect otherwise, so I may have the answer right there.
3. I updated the firmware (quick) and maps (holy crap that took a while). How often should I update the maps? That wasn't hard, it just took forever.
4. I think I need to "star" segments in Strava to get live segments (I'm a Summit member), is that correct?
Thanks!
2- Varying reports on this, to be safe just run the connect app. (the garmin should connect via bluetooth either way, but power management settings on your phone might interrupt it if it's not running)
3- I'm a geek, so I constantly update, just because. And yes, always seems to take forever.
4- Live segments are one of the most fun things about a connected garmin, and yes, you'll need to star any segments that you want to automatically pop up when you're riding live.
Joe
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,872
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 2,077 Times
in
1,177 Posts
#7
Senior Member
#8
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
I will echo what everyone else says, USE the speed sensor. Its way more accurate and if GPS cuts out or what have you it takes over and all that.
I use the connect app its really nice, but you can just use the computer program also or neither and just read off the head unit but the app is my favorite.
The strava live segments works fine. I tried that but I found it kind of sucked the life out my rides sometimes because I was always watching for segments and KOM's and I forgot to actually enjoy the ride. I no longer use that feature.
the updates I can not speak of, I don't have the plus model but I wish I did. I have the standard 520 from a few years back and LOVE it I imagine the plus is just as excellent.
I use the connect app its really nice, but you can just use the computer program also or neither and just read off the head unit but the app is my favorite.
The strava live segments works fine. I tried that but I found it kind of sucked the life out my rides sometimes because I was always watching for segments and KOM's and I forgot to actually enjoy the ride. I no longer use that feature.
the updates I can not speak of, I don't have the plus model but I wish I did. I have the standard 520 from a few years back and LOVE it I imagine the plus is just as excellent.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Calla lily
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
7
12-21-16 01:21 PM
Jixr
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
13
11-13-16 10:06 AM