Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
Reload this Page >

No Frills GPS Computer or Watch

Notices
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets HRM, GPS, MP3, HID. Whether it's got an acronym or not, here's where you'll find discussions on all sorts of tools, toys and gadgets.

No Frills GPS Computer or Watch

Old 06-29-21, 10:01 AM
  #1  
Noonievut
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 944
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Liked 254 Times in 127 Posts
No Frills GPS Computer or Watch

I'm looking for very basic GPS functions in a bike computer or watch:
- will be used with two bikes (both road)
- current speed (without a separate sensor), distance, avg speed, time of day, ride time, elevation is a nice to have
- not too concerned about battery life as the bike rests in an area where I have cables ready for charging lights
- easy to use at the start and during the ride is nice, but I don't plan on flipping screens much (given I want only basic information)
- I ride in low light and in darkness sometimes during winter, while not critical that it's backlit or has a button to show details in darkeess, it's a nice to have

I don't care about maps, colour, cadence, integration with anything at all (no HR, Power, Strava, etc.).

Will not be used as a training computer or for navigation, simply for basic details during and after a ride. I've used sensors in the past with basic displays and want to test out the GPS route.

I'm starting to research both bike computers and watches...but any experience and recommendations are welcome -- thanks!
Noonievut is offline  
Old 06-29-21, 04:10 PM
  #2  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Watches, from what I'm seeing, are about as expensive as a lower priced dedicated bike computer.

Maybe a Garmin 520 Plus, $210.

Garmin Edge 520 Plus Cycling Computer [010-02083-00] | Accessories - Performance Bicycle (performancebike.com)
Steve B. is offline  
Old 06-29-21, 04:14 PM
  #3  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,807

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6099 Post(s)
Liked 4,730 Times in 3,260 Posts
Instead of looking for devices that have no frills and none of the stuff you don't want or expect to use, why not just pick a price range and look for devices that have the things you want. If they have more features than you want then just ignore and don't use those "frills"
Iride01 is online now  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 06-29-21, 06:16 PM
  #4  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times in 6,054 Posts
Watches are great if you'll use them things that don't involve cycling. But if you're only buying this to use on the bikes, then other computers with larger screens are easier to use and preferred by everyone.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 06-29-21, 10:01 PM
  #5  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
XOSS G+ XOSS G+
. I've written about it in other threads in this forum. Best value in no-frills GPS wireless bike computers at the moment. Be sure to get the G+, not the G, in order to get support for most common Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors.
canklecat is offline  
Likes For canklecat:
Old 06-30-21, 05:06 AM
  #6  
Tourist in MSN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,112

Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3426 Post(s)
Liked 1,441 Times in 1,122 Posts
I bought my first GPS in 2001. It met all your criteria, the basic Garmin first version Etrex. But I do not know if anyone makes anything with that little functionality any more. But I doubt that you would be able to find the 20 year old handlebar brackets that you would need to mount it, and the handlebar brackets would be 26mm, not 31.8mm.

It had no internal map and I do not recall if you could attach it to a computer or not, but if you could it would use the proprietary Garmin plug on an RS232 port, that was before USB existed. It used AA batteries. I bought it for kayaking on Lake Superior, I manually entered the lattitude and longitude coordinates for campsites so if the fog came in while I was kayaking towards an island, I would not accidently miss the island I was paddling towards.

If you do not find exactly what you are looking for, you could look for any vintage GPS that is small and has the handlebar brackets available, as they all have had the functionality that you want. They all used AA or AAA batteries, so you do not need to worry about a proprietary Li Ion battery that won't take a charge any more. I use rechargeable NiMH AA batteries for that sort of thing, the white Ikea Ladda or Eneloop rechargables are the best batteries to get. But they might have lost their waterproofing.
Tourist in MSN is offline  
Old 06-30-21, 10:18 AM
  #7  
veloz
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times in 48 Posts
If you specifically want a watch, Garmin's Vivoactive 3 is around $100 right now. Has GPS + barometric altimeter and can give you all bike specs you asked for plus climbing data. Also records heart rate, running, hike/walks, exercise, daily steps, etc. if you choose. As a bike computer w/GPS, it runs about 8hrs on full charge. Or it will run several days as a basic watch without GPS, bike-running stuff. I use one for daily running, phone notifications (vibrate) and occasionally for biking. Detailed results on their phone app upload seamlessly to Strava or Ride with GPS once set up.

If you want this only for biking and don't need a watch, the Wahoo Element Bolt is a good choice and gives you turn by turn nav if you upload to it (helps navigate unfamiliar cities if you're touring). Or look at Garmin computers.
veloz is offline  
Likes For veloz:
Old 06-30-21, 03:50 PM
  #8  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by veloz
If you specifically want a watch, Garmin's Vivoactive 3 is around $100 right now.
You maybe have a link to who is selling this for $100 ?. Cheapest I see it is $149. Not a bad price at that but I would not want a watch telling me my cycling metrics for riding. I'd rather have a larger screen that is easily readable.
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 06:38 AM
  #9  
dmanthree
Senior Member
 
dmanthree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northeastern MA, USA
Posts: 1,678

Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 646 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times in 191 Posts
Wahoo Bolt
dmanthree is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 08:27 AM
  #10  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by dmanthree
Wahoo Bolt
You'd have to find new old stock, Wahoo is only selling the new color version @$280
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 08:54 AM
  #11  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Noonievut the Lezyne Macro Easy GPS cyclometer is designed to be exactly what you’re looking for, and at $80, it’s hard to beat, IMO.

https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/...macro-easy-gps
chaadster is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 09:14 AM
  #12  
dmanthree
Senior Member
 
dmanthree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northeastern MA, USA
Posts: 1,678

Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 646 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times in 191 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve B.
You'd have to find new old stock, Wahoo is only selling the new color version @$280
Shoot, didn't know that.

Last edited by cb400bill; 07-01-21 at 10:14 AM. Reason: No selling in regular forums
dmanthree is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 11:57 AM
  #13  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by dmanthree
Shoot, didn't know that.
There's certain to be some NOS around. Competitive Cycles shows the B&W Bolt @ $230. Good unit for that price (Putting it in the cart says Out of Stock)
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 02:04 PM
  #14  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times in 6,054 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve B.
You maybe have a link to who is selling this for $100 ?. Cheapest I see it is $149. Not a bad price at that but I would not want a watch telling me my cycling metrics for riding. I'd rather have a larger screen that is easily readable.
​​​​​​For that price it would be a great gift! There are newer models with more feature but the VA3 feels like a mature product.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 02:56 PM
  #15  
cb400bill
Forum Moderator
 
cb400bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,321

Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista

Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3059 Post(s)
Liked 6,377 Times in 3,690 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
​​​​​​For that price it would be a great gift! There are newer models with more feature but the VA3 feels like a mature product.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...c-2e0c20be0e0b
__________________












cb400bill is offline  
Likes For cb400bill:
Old 07-01-21, 04:20 PM
  #16  
GusV
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Westchester County, NY
Posts: 6

Bikes: Trek FX3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Check out the Garmin Edge 25. It displays time of ride, distance and speed on the main screen using GPS. The other screens are easily accessible with a simple button push.

Mine came with 2 handlebar adapters so it would be easy to move from one bike to another. Biggest negative is that it has a proprietary micro-USB charger; it charges fine to any USB port but if you lose the charger you'll have to get another one from Garmin.

If I had one missing wish list item it would be better data on inclines. I don't know how many rides it saves -- maybe 10? but you connect it to your laptop and save your history to Garmin's website for a complete database of your ridges.
.
GusV is offline  
Old 07-01-21, 05:45 PM
  #17  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
The Garmin Edge 25 was disco’d back in ‘19 or ‘20, when the 130 Plus launched.
chaadster is offline  
Old 07-02-21, 05:31 AM
  #18  
Noonievut
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 944
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Liked 254 Times in 127 Posts
Originally Posted by chaadster
The Garmin Edge 25 was disco’d back in ‘19 or ‘20, when the 130 Plus launched.
I can get the 130 Plus with some BestBuy points I have...it’s the only cycling computer they carry on their site that isn’t much more than I need.
Noonievut is offline  
Old 07-02-21, 07:21 AM
  #19  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by Noonievut
I can get the 130 Plus with some BestBuy points I...it’s the only cycling computer they carry on their site that isn’t much more than I need.
Oh, the 130 Plus is *definitely* much more than you need and asked for in the OP.

I’m not saying don’t buy it, just be aware that it’s way more than “very basic GPS functions.”

As another example of a more basic unit in addition to the Lezyne Micro Easy I linked upthread, the Bryton Rider 15 Neo, $70 on Amazon, has far fewer capabilities, features, or menu options than 130 Plus:

https://www.brytonsport.com/#/R15NEO

Last edited by chaadster; 07-02-21 at 07:30 AM.
chaadster is offline  
Old 07-02-21, 07:35 AM
  #20  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
I think any GPS cycling unit is going to provide more features than what the OP stated he needed. It is just stuff that comes with the device because the features are just easy to add. OP's choice to use them or not.
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-02-21, 08:24 AM
  #21  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve B.
I think any GPS cycling unit is going to provide more features than what the OP stated he needed. It is just stuff that comes with the device because the features are just easy to add. OP's choice to use them or not.
Sure, you could render the OP’s request meaningless since there is no GPS unit so basic, but the fact is that some GPS devices have more features and capabilities than others, and many of those wind up adding menus, sub-menus, and other complexity (e.g. buttons and phone apps) and cost which impact the user experience.
chaadster is offline  
Old 07-02-21, 09:10 AM
  #22  
Noonievut
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 944
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Liked 254 Times in 127 Posts
Thanks everyone, I learned a lot in terms of basic vs. more features, and have some options. My friend has the Bryton so I'll look into that and the Lezyne. Here in Canada some of those deals/prices you get in the US are not as sweet...but I definitely have options.
Noonievut is offline  
Likes For Noonievut:
Old 07-02-21, 11:31 AM
  #23  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by chaadster
Sure, you could render the OP’s request meaningless since there is no GPS unit so basic, but the fact is that some GPS devices have more features and capabilities than others, and many of those wind up adding menus, sub-menus, and other complexity (e.g. buttons and phone apps) and cost which impact the user experience.
Agree.
Steve B. is offline  
Likes For Steve B.:
Old 07-08-21, 11:31 AM
  #24  
noglider 
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times in 1,381 Posts
Originally Posted by canklecat
XOSS G+. I've written about it in other threads in this forum. Best value in no-frills GPS wireless bike computers at the moment. Be sure to get the G+, not the G, in order to get support for most common Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors.
Where is the data stored? There doesn't seem to be a way to sync or transfer it to ridewithgps, unless I'm wrong. I'm pretty loyal to that platform for now.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 07-08-21, 01:51 PM
  #25  
njkayaker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,240
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4221 Post(s)
Liked 1,321 Times in 916 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
Where is the data stored? There doesn't seem to be a way to sync or transfer it to ridewithgps, unless I'm wrong. I'm pretty loyal to that platform for now.
"No frills" must mean something, right?

If the device creates GPX (or whatever) files, you can upload them to RWGPS. (Yes, it's more work. But "no frills" means "no frills".)

The XGOSS G+ has a phone app and it can connect to Strava and Training Peaks. RWGPS can pull data from Strava (but I don't think it can pull recorded rides from Strava).

Last edited by njkayaker; 07-08-21 at 01:56 PM.
njkayaker is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.