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I had my Garmin 800 stolen today and am wondering what I should replace it with.
Looking at possibly the 500 or one of the newer 800 series, bluetooth would be nice
Suggestions would be nice apart from just to use my phone and strava
looks like the 810m would be a good option
now trying to decide between the 510 and the 810....
810 does what the 800 did but with a different interface. Never really bothered with the Bluetooth as file transfer is so easy anyway and doubles with charging.
Decision is probably down to if you use the maps and navigation stuff.
810 has a nicer interface than the 800 IMO. Bluetooth transfer with iPhone can be intermitant but does work.
I went for the 510 (over the significantly cheaper 500) because of the Bluetooth integration. Plugging a Garmin into the computer seems a bit backwards and an extra layer of faff between riding and getting it onto Strava. It did work flawlessly, but then I stupidly updated the Garmin firmware and now it doesn't work at all. Grrr.
I also kinda wish I'd sprung for the 800 series with maps. A lot more expensive but it would definitely get some use. In reality if you're tight on cash, your choice may be between a 510 and an old-stock 800. With the current firmware I certainly would rather have the mapping than intermittent unreliable Bluetooth.
Plugging a Garmin into the computer seems a bit backwards and an extra layer of faff between riding and getting it onto Strava.
Not investigated it much after it would only talk to the Garmin software but how are you uploading to Strava via bluetooth? (still probably won't bother as Upload=Charging)
I have a 510 and it's great. Bluetooth excellent for live track, uploading routes to connect and loading courses onto the device.
Tapiriik syncs from Garmin Connect to Strava, Runkeeper, Dropbox etc automatically and works well.
If you can get away without full blown maps the courses function works pretty well on road with turn by turn and junctions warnings. 8 series if you need proper mapping.
My performance pack was from Amazon and less than the basic pack
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00APBMNP4?cache=7f6601c6d9604f32e1503b3de45c94e7&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406966603&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
510 has Russian Glonass satellite support as well as US GPS, which in theory adds to accuracy, and makes getting a fix much quicker. Oddly the 810 does not have this.
The 510 is buggy though. 3.10 firmware is better, though I would do a factory wipe after you upgrade it.
Bluetooth on the 510 is useless. Never works and their support forum is full of others who have also not got it to work.
Do not whatever you do install Garmin Express on a PC to sync rides when you connect via USB. I'm not 100% certain but I'm fairly sure it's responsible for trashing ride data on the device. It's either that or a bug where powering off the device after saving the ride trashes the data, though I suspect Express more.
Whatever the case I would use USB and manually copy the .fit files and upload them to whatever site you use. Or copy them off to backup, and use Garmin's browser plugin that works with Strava etc. Just never use Express to sync rides.
Turn off auto-power off also if you pause rides. This will trash all the ride also.
You have to ensure there's a good GPS fix before you start the ride, else the ride data is trashed.
Following a ride that you've uploaded to the Garmin... trashes your ride. Apparently. I've not tried it, but again their forums are full of people who had this happen.
So yes, it's buggy.
Other than that, it's fine 😉
Personally I'd go for an 800 over a 510 as can be had for a similar price. Or a 500 which is cheaper. Both older, but more mature.
Not investigated it much after it would only talk to the Garmin software but how are you uploading to Strava via bluetooth? (still probably won't bother as Upload=Charging)
Garminsync or whatever it's called now
Had my 510 since the new year, only problem I've had is that the Bluetooth connection can be a bit awkward to get going from time to time. Other than that its been pretty good and definitely reliable.
when I replace my 800 I will go for the new 1000 and the bigger screen as use maps quite a bit
Not used the 800 but I use the BT on the 810 all the time.
1) Commuting - Set a new course on the laptop, it's already on the phone, connect to device, click send to device and boom your gone. Sure I could use a cable but the less I have to carry to work the better.
2) MTB - Sync with phone after I ride and let garminsync zap the ride over to strava ready for when I drive home from the trails.
I tried it once or twice for livetrack but didn't work out so haven't bothered with it since. It would zap all batteries so I just use BT when I need it.
Just got a 510 a couple of weeks ago. Not had any issues yet, but not updated or registered it yet. Bluetooth connectivity and saving my phone battery were my main considerations. Used live track for 1st time this morning and wife seemed to like knowing where I was. Uploads straight away and I use copymysports to link to Strava.
Bluetooth on my 510 was patchy with my Nexus 4 but 'luckily' I smashed that and got a Nexus 5 and it has been perfect. Syncs straight after rides, uploads, live track all faultless for a couple of months now.
Not investigated it much after it would only talk to the Garmin software but how are you uploading to Strava via bluetooth? (still probably won't bother as Upload=Charging)
I have been using Tapiirik which is ok. It works well for what it is, but it's a hack and not ideal. Firstly the interface between the Garmin 510 and my iphone is flaky and unreliable. Even if they manage to pair via Bluetooth, it doesn't always sync properly, and the 3.10 update appears to have killed the ability to pair anyway. Even once the ride is uploaded to GarminConnect, it still takes an hour ish to sync to Strava via Tapiirik.