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I’ve lost my Garmin 800 (and it was a bit knackered anyway...) so on the look out for a replacement.
has anyone gone to a watch instead - how much worse is the nav? I only ever really use the nav function for road rides and ‘am in the right place on the map’ when off road.
but I also have puny wrists so worry some of the watch options may just look silly...
I looked at a watch, but ended up going with a Garmin 520. Didn't get as far as the mapping, my aging eyes found the display size on a bike mounted product much easier. Even now on a 520 the screen size is tight (but useable) on maps when you have 2 information displays at the bottom and the directions at the top - wouldn't want it any smaller.
I use the Garmin GPSMAP 64s with additional "detail garmin maps PRO" (micro SD).
Have the thing in my backpack and only get it out to find the entry of an trail or similar. The nav function is brilliant. When biking the Garmin is "on" and tracking (without any problems - from "in the backpack").
But the unit is heavy - in my opinion too heavy for "bar mounting" in connection with "very rough mtb rides".
Friends of mine use the Garmin watch. In connection with an mobile phone and all kind of sensors as "training computer". They are happy with it. Focus ist "training stuff". Personally see this "training stuff" as additional "stress" and fun-killer. The GPSMAP 64s uses AA batteries - the Garmin "watch" batteries which you can't "change"/take out...
Watch is great if all you want is recording and the odd check of stats + phone notifications. Any kind of nav requirement and I’d be using something bar mounted
Andreas, I used to have its older sister many years ago, the GPS 60. Fitted into a bar mounted holder and never once did it fall off. It was heavy, but I put up with it as I'm not a fan of stopping and pulling out the GPS/Smartphone to find out I went past the turn-off 150 vertical metres ago 😉
If you want to use it actively when riding, either for navigation or just checking speed etc, then I would go for a bike mounted computer.
I have a 235 but still prefer to use my 800 when riding. If it dies I will probably get another computer for when riding.
I use an 810 on the road and vivoactive HR off road. I have used the watch on the road for logging short rides but it's hard to look at for speed or HR, I imagine the navigation would be rubbish.
Proper computer, with an out front mount for the win.
Out front mount if you want to look at it. End of.
Any kind of nav requirement and I’d be using something bar mounted
Correct.
Out front mount if you want to look at it. End of.
Also correct. I mount my Edge 1000 on the top tube for uplift days, a bit more protected from bumps and I use it for recording, rather than navigating. It's hard to read the screen at any sort of speed.