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My Garmin 520 is about to be read its last rights, just after I brought a new battery that I hadn't got around to fitting. Pax vobiscum.
So I need a replacement and it isn't going to be a Garmin. The reason is simple, although the functionality is pretty decent, every Garmin I have ever owed has finally succumbed to failure of the charging connection. They just don't seem to be able to cope with the off road Surrey Hills mud. This one has finally gone the same way, so when its last 30% charge is used that's bin time.
I need a good range of speed and time displays, ANT+ compatibility for my HR strap, easy upload to Strava, quick to move between bikes, but am less interested in maps and following routes. I was thinking of getting a Wahoo Element Bolt - any views on these, or suggestions for alternatives?
If you require no mapping, then I see no point in a bike mounted option.
Get a watch, and go garmin, cos they're the best, and charging port robustness isn't an issue as its hidden away from mud.
I use my watch for a multitude of things, my 520 was only used the 2 or 3 times a week on the bike.
It's silly really, as I never used mapping either.
Battery life on a watch will never be as good as a bike mounted option, if that's a concern.
I've got a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. Can't see me ever going back to a Garmin bike computer.
Bought a Garmin Forerunner 235 about 5 months ago and it crashes my phone about 3 times a week. I think it's some kind of Bluetooth issue.
I've got 2 cars, 4 Bluetooth speakers, my Elemnt Bolt, an LG tablet and a pair of Bluetooth headphones that connect seamlessly to my phone via Bluetooth. The Garmin is the only one that shits it's pants regularly.
Might jack it in for a Polar m430 in the new yr.
Not sure what you've tried but I bought a Garmin that wasn't charging properly and a bit of contact cleaner in the usb port sorted it.
I felt the same and switched to a Lezyne Micro, which I much preferred to the Garmin as a bike mounted GPS.
However, I then got a Garmin Vivoactive 3 and don't think I'll go back to a bar mounted GPS again. Just much easier and more convenient. I find battery life when tracking comparable if not better. If I want navigation I tend to use Backcountry Navigator offline and my ability to read a (digital) map.
Battery life on a watch will never be as good as a bike mounted option, if that’s a concern.
I can happy do a 10 hour ultra marathon on my vivoactive3, the tri based ones will do 20 hours, pretty sure this is more than enough for most.
Wahoo bolt, Elmnt etc. I diched my Garmin.
Thanks for your comments.
I had not really considered a watch instead, but it looks like they use their own HR sensor. I tried a friends's a few months ago and was very surprised how much the wrist measured HR varied compared to my chest strap and Garmin - I found the wrist measurement quite dubious. I also prefer to be able to see HR, time etc with a brief glance downwards rather than remove my hand to look a watch, so I don't think that's the right option for me.
I've found a company that will replace the micro USB on the 520 for £40, so I am giving them a go, because it's a lot cheaper than a new one. But if I do eventually have to replace it it's good to see the positive opinions on the Bolt, and I'd also take a look at the Lezyne micro.
Any sort of cover over the USB port, to keep mud out? Or fit it on the stem, so its not getting sprayed with so much dirt. Do you have any mudguards?
Most Garmin watches can also connect to Ant+ heart rate sensors, if you want to use a chest strap. Though I'd agree, it is handier to have a display on the handlebars, instead of looking at your wrist.
Back when I had an edge 500 that got splootered with salty road spray all the time I used to just put a bit of electrical tape over the charge port bit. Was pretty effective and surprisingly re-usable - could help keep your Garmin living longer.
When it does die it sounds like a Wahoo is the way to go for you. ONly thing that Garmin does better is navigation.
Wiggle iirc are selling the Lezyne Super GPS for ~£70, bought mine for ~£100 in June 2018.