We have talked about Lights -- What About Computers

I have an old Ascent 8 function wireless computer on my bicycle.  Its starting to show its age and whenever I pass over one of those embedded stoplight triggers, it suddenly registers that I am traveling at 90 MPH or so.   I have an excuse to spoil myself a little coming up, and I am thinking about getting a new computer.  Someone has suggested that I look at a GPS computer which will, among other things, enable me to upload ride and other data.    I noticed that the Motorola MOTOACTV 8 GB GPS Computer is on sale on Amazon for a relatively small sum.   It can, apparently, take a sensor and report cadence and the like on top of the GPS function.  It has a few "useless" functions... I don't have a heart monitor and I don't listen to MP3's while riding... but it looks to be a lot less than the Garmin and has all the features.  What are my options?  Or should I just stick to the standard multi-function computer and upgrade my old Ascent 8 function...

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Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on September 21, 2012 at 10:28am

I have a Garmin Edge 605, which has been discontinued and replaced with a Model 705.  The 705 has more useless stuff for bicycles and is a lot more expensive.


I got it on on of the daily price deals for around $200.  It works very well for my purposes but I really don't know how to fully use it.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 21, 2012 at 12:09pm

I am liking Endomondo lately after I got a USB power-supply for my dynohub so my android doesn't poop out after an hour or so with the display always on. 

There are still a few glitches with the app but mostly they are due to the fact my old android phone is a total piece of garbage.  With a newer phone it'd be much better.   Plus the app gets updated often and is always getting better.   

Software-driven multi-function computers are the future -not hardware-driven  non-upgradable  specific-use proprietary units IMHO.

Why spend money on a bike-specific unit that needs yet another battery to be a slave of keeping charged when for almost no money I can get a very powerful phone-based computer with a bigger, better display, and all the other functions that a good phone has (including a decent MP3 player that is just loud enough to hear without earphones while still not bothering anyone else.)

I'll save the money I could have spent on a cyclocomputer and put it towards my next android phone. 

Permalink Reply by Michael A on September 21, 2012 at 12:27pm

I have been using a Gamrin 705, and then replaces with an 800 for the last 3 yrs, It is hands down the most complete gps/bike computer out there. It has many features the others just do not have. You can mount a smart phone to your bike for shorter rides, but there is no way it will make it over 4hrs. Then you are not only mapless, you are phoneless in case of emergency.

Garmin has a new entry level model that is nice for around $200, the garmin 500 is pretty much a standard for most racers, and the top of the line garmin 800 with maps, heart rate and seperate cadence sensors is over $600

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 21, 2012 at 12:36pm

My smartphone lasts forever as long as it isn't dark and I need to turn on the headlight.

I've got a USB charger that hooks to my dynohub.   it works great.



Michael A said:

You can mount a smart phone to your bike for shorter rides, but there is no way it will make it over 4hrs. Then you are not only mapless, you are phoneless in case of emergency.

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