BigPoser

I think I've narrowed it down to these 3. The Garmins have the best mapping features from what I can see. I've also read that the 1000 Bluetooth connectivity can be slow or even broken at times (from DC Rainmaker in 2014), but that was also from a while ago. Has this been updated recently?

I also hear that the 820 has some normal Garmin new product release bugs that it's working out. Has most if not all the features of the 1000 but in a smaller unit.

Wahoo seems to be pretty good all around although lacking the mapping of the Garmin units.

One of the most important features that I need is phone notifications as I'm on call 24/7 and hate having to pull my phone out to see who is calling or texting me only to put it back in my pocket knowing that I can ignore it until later.

The 1000 and 820 are within $20 or each other and the ELEMNT is the least expensive.

Thoughts and opinions are great appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Brandon

memebag

No info about GPS units, but I recommend a smart watch for notifications while riding. I'm on call sometimes, too. I have a Pebble Time Steel. I never have to pull my phone out to see my notifications.

AristoNYC

I would tell you to get the Edge 810 for $219 https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...armin-edge-810

But if the phone notifications are that important I would get the 1000 (820 & 1000 have the same claimed battery life at 15 hours, 1000 has a larger screen if that suits you, likely to have less bugs since its been out much longer and if it is only $20 difference).

K.Katso

I have a 520 and a 1000. I gave away my ELEMNT because I hated it that much. The 1000's battery life isn't what they claim, it's somewhere around 10 hours. Still a nice computer though. I bought the 520 as a backup but I ended up using it more. Given the choice between those, I'd probably chance it with the 820.

BigPoser

Yup I saw that deal as well and if it had phone notifications, i would have bought it already.

Marcus_Ti

That claimed battery life for the Edge 1000 is utter BS. Try more like 7-8 hours in real life.

texbiker

I used to have the 520 but too many problems and I never got the screen notifications to work after several firmware upgrades. I sold it and bought the Elemnt. The notifications work great and the bluetooth pairing is solid which the 520 could not keep.

penny_pants

7-8 hours is usually what i end up with for edge 1000. Also the notifications are hit and miss. Sometimes it works perfect sometimes it lags after my phone beeps 2-3 minutes. I don't really have a need for the notifications though, otherwise haven't had any problems with bluetooth syncing rides.

JohnJ80

As far as bike computers go, I'd be really inclined to go with the Wahoo Elemnt and I'm looking for an excuse to do so. I have a Garmin Edge 1000 and while it works, it's still require a lot of fooling around to get it set up like you want it to. Yes, it does mapping, but in reality - if I get off my track and lost, I pull out the smartphone and look at google maps there. The phone display is better and the mapping capability is way better. The only thing my Edge 1000 does that keeps me using it is the Varia rear looking radar display integration.

^^This. I do this and it works well (I have an Apple Watch). I've never been able to get the notifications and bluetooth capability to work well between my iPhone and Garmin unit to the point where I'd trust it for notifications that I absolutely had to get.

J.

Marcus_Ti

What gives pause is that...well...Wahoo and their Rflkt and Elemnt units variably seem to work or not work just as badly as Garmins. And Wahoo seemed to just abandon the rflkt.

BigPoser

This is certainly a tough choice for me. I just found a 520 from Evans Cycles for $199. With that price, do I really need mapping that is on the 820 or 1000?

BilbroSwaggins

If you ever plan on using a power meter then dont choose the Wahoo.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...EAM0%5B1-25%5D

cydewaze

I'll no longer go with a bike computer with a touch screen. It's just not appropriate for the application. I've had a drop of sweat prevent touches from registering, and don't even think about trying to wipe the screen off. I'm done with fighting the thing, so I'm selling it and picking up either a Wahoo or Lezyne.

Da Reef

Love the 1000. I also get approx 7-8 hours battery life. I've used the navigation occasionally. Love the phone alerts.

JohnJ80

I have had a great experience with both Wahoo (multiple products) and with the RFLKT+. In my experience, they exceed Garmin's customer service (who know little about the product and don't seem to even read the manuals). So I would rank Wahoo considerably higher in both operation and service than Garmin.

J.

rockrabbit

Wahoo ELEMNT all the way.

No touch screen issues as its button function only.

High contrast display, so no issues win sunlight or with polarised sunglasses.

You can call the font size to huge or small depending on your preference.

The ELEMNT just keeps getting better and better with every firmware update.

I could not be happier with my purchase!

azgdds

I've enjoyed my Elemnt. It was my first and only computer, so I don't have much to compare it with, but I like the features, and the updates have been adding functionality, like Strava Segments. The resolution is low, but, for what it is, it works. I don't believe it is necessary to be more resolute, maybe color would have been nice, but unless you get to the size of a phone you cannot really use it for good mapping. Where it shines is navigating you on pre-mapped routes, mapping and taking data from your rides, and acting as a remote display for you phone if you need to be in contact.

Steve B.

How about using an out front mount. Mounts the unit in front of the bar. You don't drip sweat on it and it's easier to read.

I bought a bunch of these, they are rock solid and cheap

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Edge-M...bike+GPS+mount

cydewaze

I have one on each bike. It's better than having it on the bars, but all the other touchscreen problems remain. I even lost a 3 hr ride because I leaned down to pet a dog, and my jersey touched the screen and somehow deleted the ride.

For me, a touchscreen just doesn't belong on a bike computer.

BigPoser

Well I nutted up and ordered a 1000 from Evans Cycles. Got a killer price on it and I figured that if I was going to upgrade, that I should go all in. Can't wait to get it.

Larry77

I have both the 520 and the 820, I haven't had many issues with the text and call notifications with my iPhone (a couple here and there but once I restart the Garmin it syncs up. I bought the 820 for the mapping that I was never happy with on the 520. My wife now happily uses the 520 as a great hand-me-down.

Da Reef

That's the spirt!

Seattle Forrest

I'd go with an 820 out of these choices. The 1000 is due for an upgrade. And I've heard about too many problems with the Wahoo.

Jarrett2

Good decision, imo. I've had mine since August 2014. It was buggy at the very beginning, but after a couple of code revisions, it has been solid for me for a long time now. It does so much stuff without breaking a sweat. I've used it on 14 hour rides with a charging stop.

Check out the Varia rear radar deal as well. Integrates really well with the 1000. I don't like to ride without it anymore.

yellow130

I am glad you are happy with the Garmin, my response is for the next person who has the same question...

I purchased a Wahoo Elemnt back in May/June. it has been solid this whole time, save for one update cycle - which wahoo acknowledged, and fixed within days. the response really was that fast.

i'm also a basic user - speed, cadence, and HRM. no power meter (or advanced problems) for me.

prior to getting the wahoo, i tried a Garmin 520 for a week (thanks REI!), and just wasn't happy with the amount of button presses needed in order to customize a display screen. so back it went.

as with both units, you'll need to have the companion app installed and running on your phone while riding.

the shining feature of the wahoo is that you use the iphone / android app to customize display screens, and changes are immediately applied. just... don't forget your phone at home, as you can't change anything, plus you lose live tracking and obviously phone notifications.

i like the TBT directions (currently only via RWGPS), i haven't tried Strava live segments yet. The screen is readable in almost every situation I've encountered, plus the back light is very good.

The font can be increased / decreased according to how much data you want to display on one screen. I limit the data to 4 fields, as I really only want to know Speed, Distance, Cadence, time, and map. My HR zone is displayed via the LEDs along the side, which saves screen real estate.

Annoying point - Route uploads on the device are done via WIFI. I haven't quite figured out how to add a friend's route when i'm away from home, and decide to go with a different route than planned.