We’re fans of GPS computers here at RCUK. They make planning and recording your ride a complete doddle, but they are an expensive option for many. That’s set to change as Garmin releases the entry-level Edge 200, making GPS ownership much more affordable.
It’s based on the Edge 500, and the unit is actually the same although it’s finished in a stylish black livery, but reduces the features to make it more affordable. It offers essentials like speed, distance, time and calories expended, as well as uploading the route of your ride to Garmin’s Connect service afterwards.
“The Edge 200 was designed for those budget conscious cyclists looking for the basics — speed, distance, time and calories,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With no set-up or sensors required, simply switch on, press start and go. The Edge 200 adds so much to your ride that no ride will ever be the same again.”
Battery life is 14-hours and weighs just 2 ounces and with no fiddly wires to setup it’s just a matter of attaching to your bars, pressing the start button and getting on with your ride. Whether you ride for fun, fitness or competitively, or have been eyeing up a GPS computer but been put off by the high prices, the 200 is for you.
What it won’t do is the navigational features that the Edge 800 does so well, but the Courses feature makes it easy to compare a current ride with a previous performance. A digital cyclist gives an indication of how far ahead or behind they are.
The new Edge 200 is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2011 and have a suggested retail price of $149.99 – UK pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Update: You can now read our full review of the Garmin Edge 200 here.
