Bike Computer – Garmin 520

I used to use a Polar RS800CX when I ran, mostly because I started using an older Polar in 2000 and they had cool down and recovery on my old watch.

Then I learned about R-R and was fascinated by it and Polar allowed you to download the R-R data from the device and then you could export them and look at the data!

Now phones have come along and they are great for tracking, and supposedly convenient; however, I find them to be an extra hurdle to get over for my workout because of the battery life… nothing is worse than waiting to charge your mobile so you can work out.

I want the convenience of a dedicated device that will allow me to grab and go after busy day working and utilizing my mobile to the point of a depleted battery.

Some people believe that we’ll solve this by increasing battery life – for the time being, I’m not in that camp. I like to unplug and not look at that mobile temptress!

In order to fit my usage model I talked to a buddy who rides all of the time and he recommended the Garmin Edge 520, so I decided to buy the Garmin Edge 520 Bundle.

The bundle included the Edge mount, Heart R520, a Heart Rate Monitor, a Speed sensor, and a Cadence sensor. I got it on sale, but that is because the Edge 520 Plus with mapping features had recently launched.

The first thing I did with the Garmin was add an app that my buddy recommended, “Charts” This nifty app takes your screen and makes it more consumable in an analog form. I found that I needed to RTFM in order to set it up, or at least WTFV that the SW Developer created.

• Download the app to the device via Garmin Connect App on a computer or Mobile
• Watch this video on how to set up on the ‘Charts’ view on the Edge 520
• I believe I watched this video to configure the settings, but it isn’t working for me now so I can’t verify it

Now time to learn how to use it!