Another name is convenience tax. It’s the extra you pay for tech or a service from a particular providor. Generally I try not to be taken in by this. I like choice. And don’t want to pay more than I need.  I own an Apple phone and computer because they have featues and services that work well together to make my life easier. I chose then to pay a bit more. I don’t own an Apple watch though; I use a Garmin. For me it is better value and integrates well so that I don’t need to live with the higher priced, more limited alternative. I’m writing this because I have now replaced my cycling computer; a Bryton Rider 750. Bought during lockdown with the primary use as a sat nav because I was riding more and wanted to explore. I considered a Garmin at the time, but it was in short supply and cost around £100 more. It meant some compromises, but not enough to make up for the extra cost. As I used it though issues arose. The app that connects it to my phone would crash everytime. It would need a couple of restarts to transfer routes. Then the sat nav tech started to let me down. In 2022 I rode to Cornwall. Link here to that ride. The system failed in such a way that I could have been left stranded, doing it again on the way home. Since then it has periodically caused me grief. When I bought my watch I made more use of the Garmin app and this proved stable. I now have the Edge 530, older tech for sure but it has the features I need, and so far seems to be more reliable. So I’ve bought into the Garmin system, and have saved money: like the watch, it’s good value second hand.

It has lots of info about power, speed etc. I may glance at this in the app after the ride, but it doesn’t really interest me. This means I can increase the battery life by having the  display switch off most of the time. Only coming alive again to alert me to the next turn on my route. The Bryton doesn’t do this so on longer trips I did have charge anxiety. Another advantage I wasn’t aware of until I had the new device.

Why didn’t I buy a newer version? 

I don’t need touch screen; navigating the menus is a little easier, but I had to take my gloves off the use the Bryton. Not great when it’s cold. There was a steep learning curve for the new computer; I’m okay with it now. 

Solar charging; I think with the low power settings it will last long enough for the rides I do.

Unlike Apple, Garmin supports it’s older tech. I’m not too worried it will be made obsolete before it’s time as a way to force me into early replacement.

Weighing up the pros and cons, and deciding what featues are most import to me will tie me to Garmin for now. And that’s okay. I don’t feel I’m being taken for granted or advantage of by Garmin.