mgmoore7

I used to ride alot but due to a back issue.... getting back and would like a new computer. My mind is being blown as I am reviewing and many of the reviews are dated at this point with software improvements likely since. There really does not seem to be a clear winner.

What is important to me for what I know now.

• I normally need reading glasses. I can't read anything but the large numbers on my Cateye.
• I am using MapMyRide now on my phone instead of my Cateye since I can see it better, but as you know keeping the screen on the whole time and rain can be a issue.
• I would like to eventually get Cadence & Power and HR all integrated. I use HR now on my iWatch and it sync's to MapmyRide. Seems like I might need to switch to Strava and/or
• Turn by turn mapping is nice but not critical most of the time but I do like to review the maps and analysis after the fact. I might find it more valuable as I start of ride more and more.

Thank you.

Steve B.

IMO, the single better feature of a Garmin over a Wahoo is the maps. The 830 map display, especially turn-by-turn, is better in in the Garmin world then Wahoo. That said, if you have less need for TBT and on-screen maps, get the Roam, as they are rock solid units. Zoom of screen data is easier on a Wahoo particularly.

Not sure these sync with MapMyRide but a good activity tracker is RideWithGPS, which is the basic online app that Wahoo uses.

Marcus_Ti

The Roam is in a really sore value spot....at $400USD it lacks things that other units in that range have. E.g. Full color screen, better responsive screen, touch screen. Also full on-device routing. And for what it does over Wahoo's own Bolt, what exactly is the case for it costing 30% more?

sdmc530

Just my opinion after using both, I am a Garmin fan. I am on the 1030 but would never go from Garmin mapping is the best IMO.

mgmoore7

I was in the bike shop getting a spoke fixed and decided to get the Garmin 830. I used it for the first time today on a short 5mile ride. It has worked great but I do wish the use of the screen size was better. I have to use readers and while I can see the larger numbers, the smaller ones are hard. When I ride during the day, I usually use bifocal sunglasses so it is fine but when the sun glasses are not needed, then I have hard time seeing. I decided to get some bifocal clear glasses. I also got a case and screen cover.

So far so good.

Steve B.

You would run into this same issue using zoom on a Wahoo, too little real estate for large numbers. Is one reason folks buy the larger 1030, 1030 Plus or Edge Explore - larger screens. One work-around is less data on the screen makes whatever is displayed larger. So a screen for Speed, Distance and Time, all large, then swipe to 2nd screen for large versions of Avg., Temp, Time of day or whatever.

njkayaker

The newer Garmins (like the 830) let you install apps (kind of like a smartphone).

This puts 4 data items on the map screen (instead of the usual 2). It might be more appropriate for the Edges with bigger screens.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/8...f-9f10113b5276

The RWGPS IQ app.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/7...7-e13ffd064d54

Another app that also accesses RWGPS and does other stuff. It's also available as a widget (an app that you can use while recording).

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/6...2-0efae208a455

mgmoore7

Thank you. I did try a couple of screen apps and will continue working on optimizing the screens.

Iride01 

I know it's not your question, but do you wear readers while riding? I started needing readers back when I was nearing fifty y.o. to see the very tiny depth markings on the map and GPS chartplotter when I went sailing. I found that safety glasses with a reader on them worked great and are very inexpensive. Tinted for daytime and clear for nighttime. Hard to find locally but easy to find online. Excellent for cycling too, I still use them.

Some don't fit my face well, others do. Some put the diopter too high, others low where you only notice it when you cast your eyes down. Such as when looking at your cyclometer/gps. Since faces are different shapes and sizes, you might have to try several.

https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/bif...mit=100&mode=6

These are my main daytime sun to low sun glasses.
https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/pyr...nd-amber-lens/

These are great for bright sun on the open water or open road. But might be too dark if you are going from bright sun to shade quite a bit.
https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/bf51.html

These I use at night both sailing and the few times I ride at night.
https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/bf50.html

Inexpensive enough that I buy them in quantities and kept several on the boat so if one pair fell overboard it wasn't a bother. Likewise it wasn't a bother when I dropped a pair at a stop on my bike and ran over them trying to pick them up without getting off the bike first. They just don't cost enough to worry about.

mgmoore7

Iride01
Thank you for the suggestions. Great options. I ended up trying the Dewalt glasses before I saw your post and got them in one day. Very comfy. I maybe try yours next because I agree, the price is low enough not to worry too much about them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Koyote

This. And you can customize different screens for different bikes: e.g., I have only one Di2 bike, so I built a screen configuration with the battery level and gear readout just for that bike.

True. Compared to the Bolt, though, the Roam does have some color in the screen (not full color) and a larger display. If you're not yet in your 50s, just wait - you will appreciate it.

That was an expensive spoke replacement! Sort of like the time I went to the shop to buy some new cycling sunglasses and walked out with a nice pair -- and a Tarmac.

OP: I had a Garmin 830 for a short time, and -- after I got through a painful, non-intuitive setup process that involved hours of online reading and a couple calls to Garmin CS -- it worked well for a while. Then it began forgetting the bluetooth connection to the app every time I rode, and I could only upload rides by re-establishing the connections among everything: the computer, phone app, and the phone settings. It would take ten minutes every time I rode. I returned it. I buy this stuff to make my life more enjoyable, not to frustrate me.

I then bought a Wahoo Roam, and the user interface is vastly superior; I had the computer synced with the app and configured in twenty minutes, everything worked well, etc. Until one day I plugged in the computer unit to charge the battery, and it would not charge. Since this was after six weeks of service, I lost confidence and returned it.

Take it all for what it's worth.