Cateye muscle in on Garmin territory

[mikesbytes]

Most of us are using Garmin devices, but cateye is getting is getting in on the game and I understand they are under cutting Garmin on price.

[marc2131]

Always been keen to get a Garmin. This makes it more accessible.
One question; I always thought GPS-only data is not as good as when you have sensors hardwired into the system such as how Garmins are set up at the moment.
Constantly hear about irregularities on GPS reliant iPhone Strava readings.

[JoTheBuilder]

I find my iPhone is much more reliable from a GPS point of view than the Garmin. However, it obviously doesn't record heart rate and cadence which is where the Garmin comes in.

[timothy_clifford]

[Lizanne]

waaaa! mind blown.

[marc2131]

[timothy_clifford]

[andrewm]

Battery life is an issue with smartphones.

As is durability. I don't want my phone mounted on my stem.

Although wahoo have an ant+ case. And soon will have an auxiliary battery.
http://www.wahoofitness.com/Products/Wa ... iPhone.asp

The other option is a Bluetooth hr strap and speed and cadence sensor
http://www.wahoofitness.com/Products/Wa ... Sensor.asp

Convergence.

I do wonder about garmins plans to stay relevant. What will a stand alone GPS unit offer that a smartphone cannot?

[JoTheBuilder]

I know it's taboo to mention triathlons around here but I can't see a smart phone taking the place of a product like the Forerunner in the near future. Waterproofing, mobility all considerations...

I will acknowledge, however, that if they bring in the iWatch as predicted, this could well take its place in years to come.

[weiyun]

[weiyun]

[weiyun]

[timothy_clifford]

[James Rogers]

If you like to have your cake in the smart phone vs ant+ device world, you could try the oddly named heartrate monitor.

It is a Ant+ to Bluetooth 4 bridge - so you can mix Garmin sensors, bluetooth sensors, and smartphone type devices. Works with a smartphone and Garmin unit simultaneously. World domination from a bike.

I use mine mainly for puerile entertainment whilst using rollers/trainer. Obviously there are also more meaningful applications like making your smartphone a functional Garmin replacement without dongles or new sensors. The Viiiiva itself is being upgraded so it can store .fit files and other 'mazing stuff.

p.s the Cateye to get is the Stealth 50, which is ant+ compatible.

[jimmy]

Even if nothing else, it will create competition which will hopefully drive prices down and inovation up.

I don't see it as a bad thing.

James

[mikesbytes]

[timothy_clifford]

[mikesbytes]

Well the accuracy depends on your needs. Until about a year ago, my data was dependent on reading someone elses computer, sorry I wasn't checking out how many gms your stem weighed.

Strava only measures to whole seconds, so on shorter distances there is a degree of inaccuracy. I've lost a KOM on that.... ....

[utopia]

I considered the Cateye seriously
Note 1: upload to Strava is a 2 step process (like a Bryton)
Note 2: the screen display is limited (for example it will not have the gradient )

If you are still keen , $207.22 delivered for the ANT+ model with HRM and speed/cadence
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-stealth- ... ce-sensor/



However, if you rather go with Garmin - Bikebug is doing a great deal this week on Garmin 510 with HRM and speed/cadence
http://www.bikebug.com/computers-heart- ... -2783.html
$311.74 delivered

[utopia]

Or if you are looking for the GPS (but non-ANT+) model
Stealth 10 : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-stealth-10-gps-computer/ is $92.10
vs
Garmin 200 : http://www.bikebug.com/computers-heart- ... -6103.html (ignore the implied heart rate in the webaddress, this is not ANT+ capable ) that is currently $115.01 on BikeBug


Personally I would recommend the Garmin options just so that you can upload the files directly to Strava, with or without installing Garmin plugins, and also because you don't have to wait for the Cateye to be actually available.

[utopia]

Ouch.

http://www.probikekit.com.au/bicycle-co ... l=thgemail

PBK is now doing Garmin 500 ANT+with HRM and SpeedCadence for $234.74
Yes, it's not 510, so you dont get LIVE CONNECT or a Out-mount. But is that worth $78 ?
More importantly $27 to get a Garmin 500 over a Cateye 50 package.

[mikesbytes]

If I was going for a Garmin, I'd pay the extra for the 510 over the 500. Personal choice I know.

Bike Bug have good prices on Garmin