The Edge 500 Cycling GPS From Garmin

Garmin are launching the Edge 500 Cycling GPS that features a GPS receiver and provides cycling statistics in a light-weight unit that sits on a handlebar mount.

“Using feedback from the best focus group imaginable – the Pro Tour cyclists of Team Garmin-Slipstream, we’ve developed a lightweight cycling computer that’s powerful enough for the pros yet simple enough for beginners,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Sitting sleek and snug on a redesigned handlebar mount, Edge 500 streamlines your cycling statistics for a fraction of the cost of comparable head units.”

The Edge 500 GPS unit tracks speed, distance, time, GPS position, elevation, calories burned, climb and decent. To capture accurate ascent details the Edge 500 uses a barometric altimeter that pinpoints change in elevation.

The device also syncs wirelessly with ANT+ technology that makes it compatible with other third-party power meters. Other wireless devices that are compatible include a Garmin heart rate monitor.

The Garmin Edge 500 has up to 18 hours of battery life. The unit costs $249,99 and when a heart rate monitor, speed/cadence sensor are included in the package it jumps up to $349.99.