Garmin Edge 500 GPS Computer

An Edge 500 is a good option if your wanting to have some GPS data to read real-time and upload. I decided to get one after I was tired of tanking my battery on my phone. After 4 months of use I've yet to drain the battery during use. Uploads to Garmin-Connect are a breeze and you can upload to Strava as well. Comes with a couple mounts for two bikes. You can also save profiles for each bike to track individual bike mileage.

Pros: Simple and does exactly what it's for. Barometric pressure for altitude. Great battery life.

Cons: A bit spendy.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 05, 2013
Reviewed by: James, Oregon

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Avoid Or Use Redundant Tracker

Pack a phone and run a GPS app if you have this thing. I've had several zero byte FIT files, and some rides generate no data whatsoever. It is notoriously unreliable, whereas the higher end Garmin units (eg 800) is much more trustworthy. I for one do not intend to upgrade and give these guys more money. Look elsewhere.

Pros: Compact weatherized unit. Garmin Connect Website is quite nice, though incompatible with current versions of Chrome.

Cons: Routinely loses rides.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: November 10, 2012
Reviewed by: Tanner V., Oregon

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I love this thing, small, easy to set up, changeable data pages. The Garmin Connect site is free of charge when using their products. It's relatively intuitive and simple. It's amazing how much data this little thing captures! Mount could be better. The 1/4 turn release is cool, although I almost lost this little bugger on a ride. Thank god for my alert riding partner behind me!

Pros: small, simple, intuitive, tracks everything!

Cons: Mount is ok, although it could be better. Easily knocked off.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 19, 2012
Reviewed by: Greg, Utah

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Great computer!

I had been using my Android phone for Strava uploads for about a year and finally made the switch to the Edge 500. I am very pleased so far with the hardware and all its features. Setting it up is a bit tedious do to all the features it handles but its hopefully a one shot deal. Too bad you can't configure the unit on your PC and have that config pushed to the device :( But I still give it two thumbs up!

Pros: MANY features

Cons: MANY features


Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 04, 2012
Reviewed by: Jim B., California

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Garmin Edge 550 GPS Computer

Wow! What a device! Just did my first ride of season - excellent satellite tracking and easy upload to Garmin Connect. It is compact but the display is easy to read.

Pros: The setup was easy. Has many options for cyclist preferences. The ability to upload the data to Garmin Connect is handy.

Cons: Garmin Connect is not intuitive. Had a few challenges with the upload but after you get past the quirkiness, usually data and reports.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 18, 2012
Reviewed by: Richard M., Happy Valley

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Easy to use, has lots of options, hard to be without once you get it.

Pros: variety of options

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 01, 2012
Reviewed by: Mike A., Michigan

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Best Bang for your Cycling Computer Buck

This computer is awesome.

Very easy to use and doesn't clutter up your bike with cables and magnets and sensors and all that other junk.

Easily picks up satellites and provides spot on accuracy.

If you often ride the same route, it is nice to be able to "race and pace" yourself against previous performance.



Pros: Clean mount and easy to use, doesn't ever get confused with other units. All your friends will soon want one and you can share your routes with each other.

Cons: The available software is ok, but could be better. 3rd party software available to use.



Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 06, 2011
Reviewed by: Jonathon M., Vancouver, BC

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Very good - alternative to wheel mount

Wheel mount will be more accurate for speed. Trips are logged and can be viewed birdseye on Garmion Connect, but there is no mapping available on this unit. Garmin cnnect software (not as nice as online version) is available for download if you don't want to connect online all the time. User can modify display to show whatever (speed, HR, time, etc) you want in a multitude of combinations to you liking.
Battery (charged via USB) lasts 12+ hours so great for epic rides.

Pros: Ease of use and user friendly interface, Garmin connect features.

Cons: Mount seems a bit mickey-mouse. If your o-rings fail your 400.00 computer is gone. A bit expensive relative to a cateye if that's all you want for features.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 20, 2011
Reviewed by: cam o., Alberta

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Great cycling computer

An awesome, light, and compact computer/gps. Can select the number of fields on each of the 3 screens of upto 8 fields. The heart rate monitor and speed/cadence package is well worth it. Allows you to download or upload rides to your computer (Mac included). Can import your rides to google earth for a record of that epic ride. Good battery life and accurate GPS. Relatively easy to use. Can use a course option which essentially pits you against yourself on a route you do on a regular basis (ie commute home or your training loop). You can see how well you're doing compared to the time you recorded that route.

Pros: light, good battery life. Altimeter is pretty accurate, good GPS attenna.

Cons: Wished there was a screen that would draw a map of your current course. Can only see saved maps via course function. Unable to download maps like the edge 705

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: August 23, 2010
Reviewed by: Charles K., Oregon

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