Garmin advice
#26
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For what it's worth, once you've done that, you can move those data pages and fields to a different device if you ever have one. Even if you resolve to never give them your money again, it might get replaced under warranty some day.
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Wahoo has completely pwned Garmin when it comes to UI. It's so simple to set up, navigate, upload and use that it's almost scary. If you subscribe to Strava (it could do it for other services but I don't use them) and map a course your wahoo unit will just have it. Far beats the cumbersome loading and unloading on the Garmin.
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I honestly have to say I find I am actually happy when I ride my bike that has the Wahoo on it though. It just works.
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I honestly have to say I find I am actually happy when I ride my bike that has the Wahoo on it though. It just works.
The ironic reason I bought a Bolt to replace my 520 is that the Garmin kept disconnecting from Bluetooth to my phone (needed for LiveTrack) and would also stop receiving Varia signals for the rest of the ride(!). As soon as Wahoo added Varia support I was more than ready to jump ship and haven't once considered going back to Garmin.
#28
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Wahoo has completely pwned Garmin when it comes to UI. It's so simple to set up, navigate, upload and use that it's almost scary. If you subscribe to Strava (it could do it for other services but I don't use them) and map a course your wahoo unit will just have it. Far beats the cumbersome loading and unloading on the Garmin.
#29
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+1, same as my experience. I am not usually someone who prefers the easier experience over what is allegedly more powerful, but going from a 520 to a Bolt was eye-opening. I can understand why people recommend touch for Garmins- their button-based UI is the worst. Funny that I have absolutely no issues lacking touch with a Bolt.
The ironic reason I bought a Bolt to replace my 520 is that the Garmin kept disconnecting from Bluetooth to my phone (needed for LiveTrack) and would also stop receiving Varia signals for the rest of the ride(!). As soon as Wahoo added Varia support I was more than ready to jump ship and haven't once considered going back to Garmin.
The ironic reason I bought a Bolt to replace my 520 is that the Garmin kept disconnecting from Bluetooth to my phone (needed for LiveTrack) and would also stop receiving Varia signals for the rest of the ride(!). As soon as Wahoo added Varia support I was more than ready to jump ship and haven't once considered going back to Garmin.
#30
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The BlueTooth interface that Garmin devices have with assorted smartphones is likely the single biggest problem I see people complain about. I'm active on the FaceBook 1030 and Edge pages and see BT issues very often. It's also one thing that DC Rainmaker commented on of the issues with Live Track, which is fundementaly a BT problem and that Garmin has still not figured out how to resolve. It's especially a problem with Apple devices as far as I can tell and I suspect it's an issue that Apple does frequent updates and Garmin is always behind the curve on keeping up. I've have almost none of the connection issues while using an Android phone.
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#31
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Your Cateye sensor won't work (unless it works as a generic BT transmitter).
You don't really need the sensor.
Sensors work better than GPS for instantaneous speed (useful if you want an accurate maximum speed).
Sensors are a bit more accurate for distance but not so much that it's a concern. They are more useful for mountain biking (where there are lots of turns and where GPS reception might be iffy).
#32
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I have a 830 that works extremely well. I agree the menus are less than intuitive. Still, I’ve turned into a Garmin boy and use their headlight, radar and recently added the Rally power meters. It all syncs seamlessly, once set up.
If I was to do it again, I’d probably go with the 1030+ for the larger screen (I’m old). The processor is apparently faster too, but not needed IMO.
If I was to do it again, I’d probably go with the 1030+ for the larger screen (I’m old). The processor is apparently faster too, but not needed IMO.
Last edited by BCAC; 04-08-21 at 07:12 PM.
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#33
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A touch screen makes doing things like panning and zooming the map easier. Not everybody does that (I find it useful).
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#34
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I had an 800 for about 8 years, replaced it with a 1030 a couple years ago, and been very happy with it, at 70 I am especially enjoying the larger display!
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Mrs. NoWhammies has the 530. No problems, no complaints. She does recommend it.
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#36
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The BlueTooth interface that Garmin devices have with assorted smartphones is likely the single biggest problem I see people complain about. I'm active on the FaceBook 1030 and Edge pages and see BT issues very often. It's also one thing that DC Rainmaker commented on of the issues with Live Track, which is fundementaly a BT problem and that Garmin has still not figured out how to resolve. It's especially a problem with Apple devices as far as I can tell and I suspect it's an issue that Apple does frequent updates and Garmin is always behind the curve on keeping up. I've have almost none of the connection issues while using an Android phone.
But they're extremely common in the Edge devices. Amazing they can get some of their product lines to work so well and not others. DCR said their watches and bike computers are made by different teams. They should collaborate more.
#37
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I had a Garmin Edge 1000 for 3+ years and loved it. The larger display, touchscreen capability and the ability to connect my cadence sensor, heart rate sensor, front light, rear radar/light, and phone to it all worked great. Navigation and a color map were things I used on each ride. I recently upgraded to the Edge 1030 Plus. Moving all my files and almost all settings to it from the Edge 1000 using Garmin Connect was simple and quick. I suggest the Edge 1030 Plus because of its larger screen, more functionality, and longer battery life compared to less expensive Edge models.
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#38
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It's likely that your current speed sensor is the kind that measures rotations of a separate magnet attached to the spokes and sends the number of wheel rotations to the head unit. That's not compatible with a sensor designed to work with a Garmin or Wahoo.
These newer designs attach to the wheel hub and measure wheel rotations using the earths magnetic field. .
These newer designs attach to the wheel hub and measure wheel rotations using the earths magnetic field. .
Wahoo Blue SC Sensor
The OP's cateye however I don't think will work. Instructions indicate transmission is at 19kHz
#39
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I forgot to mention I also use a varia taillight and I move it from bike to bike and it work perfectly with both my wahoo and my garmin head units (and other riders nearby can join the light network and see my radar info as well while riding. Helpful on group rides.
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#40
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+1, same as my experience. I am not usually someone who prefers the easier experience over what is allegedly more powerful, but going from a 520 to a Bolt was eye-opening. I can understand why people recommend touch for Garmins- their button-based UI is the worst. Funny that I have absolutely no issues lacking touch with a Bolt.
The ironic reason I bought a Bolt to replace my 520 is that the Garmin kept disconnecting from Bluetooth to my phone (needed for LiveTrack) and would also stop receiving Varia signals for the rest of the ride(!). As soon as Wahoo added Varia support I was more than ready to jump ship and haven't once considered going back to Garmin.
The ironic reason I bought a Bolt to replace my 520 is that the Garmin kept disconnecting from Bluetooth to my phone (needed for LiveTrack) and would also stop receiving Varia signals for the rest of the ride(!). As soon as Wahoo added Varia support I was more than ready to jump ship and haven't once considered going back to Garmin.
#41
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So the speed sensor is based on wheel revolutions? I already have one of those. Are they more accurate than GPS, or just slightly more reliable since they are not dependent on a GPS signal that might fail? And I assume that a Garmin's end-of-ride stats (mph, distance) are correct regardless? I don't want anything less accurate than the cheap sensor that I already have.
I have a Cateye ant+ Speed/cadence sensor with a magnet that pairs ok with my 310xt for trainer purposes, but it can be a bit sketchy on the connection, and if I could redo, I’d pay the extra and get the Garmin version. I’m not sure the sensor that came with your existing Cateye would work with a Garmin.
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