Back in 2012, Magellan introduced GPS sports watches for the multisport crowd. Then, last year, they launched the Cyclo Series 315 and 505 GPS cycling computers for the Australian and Europe under sister brand Mio. Now, finally, they’re hitting the states in late May under the Magellan brand.
At first glance, what sets them apart from competing high end GPS computers is the bright, full color touchscreens on both models. And they’re packing all the latest tech, including chit chatting with Shimano’s D-Fly Di2 wireless transmitter, as well as a killer Shake-N-Share feature that lets you wirelessly share a route with your riding buddies before you roll out.
Other shared features include ANT+ support for virtually any accessory already out there, preloaded U.S. street base map and OpenStreetMap, bar/stem and out front mounts included, Back Track to get you home and lots more. Find your way past the break for all the details…
With a complete U.S. road network boosted by OSM crowd sourced trail data, there’s not many places the Magellan couldn’t take you. So, to avoid sending your featherweight racing road bike down a rutted out trail along the way, it lets you set up as many as six different bike profiles. Each profile is told what type of bike and what percentage of trail or gravel road that bike should see, and then it’ll route you accordingly, with turn by turn directions. No matter how rough any trail gets, the computer should be able to handle it – it’s rated to IPX-7 waterproof and ruggedness standards.
When routing, you can put in your own plans, or choose Surprise Me routing and let the device present three options based on your preferred distance or time. It’ll show you the difficulty and grade of each route and let you choose. Everything’s recorded with a high sensitivity SIRFstarIII GPS chip, capturing your position within 3-5m accuracy.
The D-Fly compatibility will show your Di2 drivetrain’s gear selection or ratio either as numbers or a chart, plus system battery status and other alerts.
Another shared feature is an indoor training profile, which turns GPS off and uses ANT+ sensors to measure speed, power, cadence, etc. While it doesn’t mention the Wahoo Kickr specifically, it does say you can control the grade, wind, resistance, etc., on ANT+ equipped trainers.
Where the 505 steps above the 315 is with connectivity. It adds both Wifi and Bluetooth Smart, letting it sync your rides wirelessly upon returning home (or within range of any wireless network you want it to access). It’ll also pair with your compatible smartphone, putting call and text alerts on the Cyclo’s screen, letting you answer a call if you’re wearing a bluetooth headset and giving you control of your music – from skipping tracks to changing playlists.
Once it syncs, you can even set up your MagellanCyclo.com account to auto upload your ride to Strava, meaning you’ll rarely if ever need to connect it to your PC or Mac. And there’s an app coming soon.
The online component not only stores your rides, but lets you download tracks (routes) from Bicycle Australia (including their Top 100 Where To Ride database) and the rest of the Cyclo community.
The 315 retails for $349.99 on its own, or $429.99 with an ANT+ heart rate and speed/cadence sensors. The 505 comes in at $429.99 for the base unit and $499.99 with the extra sensors.
