GIANT NEOSTRACK
£149.99 > Giant GPS bargain
THE HANDLEBAR-MOUNTED GPS UNIT market is dominated by Garmin, but there are alternatives. One of the newest is Giant’s 78g NeosTrack, which boasts a large 56x39mm monochrome screen, ANT+, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and battery life that’s claimed to last as long as 33 hours. So far we have no reason to doubt that claim because, despite using the NeosTrack on every ride possible lately, it’s still showing over 50 per cent charge!
All its functions are accessed via two buttons on each side or the main on/off/backlight button below the screen. The display is customisable, with up to six pages that can each show three to 10 data fields, covering every option imaginable, including Di2 gear selection. With all 10 fields showing their 6.5mm tall digits at once, the page can get quite busy and become hard to follow while riding, but selecting less data fields improves clarity and using only three doubles the digit size.
Start-up is rapid and fairly intuitive, although if you get stuck Giant’s online guide is helpful. You can customise profiles for different bikes and use the
WE SAY The NeosTrack has every need covered, whether you ride for fun or train to race
built-in testing function to produce a range of tailored workouts. Naturally it also records all your personal performance data such as heart rate, lactate threshold and FTP, which can be used to shape future training. Connect to the free NeosTrack app for iOS or Android and you can upload ride data directly to Training Peaks or Strava as fit files.
There’s no mapping, but you can plan GPX routes within the app or elsewhere, or follow previous rides using the turn-by-turn, breadcrumb navigation. Either press the ride record button before setting off or be prompted to when the NeosTrack detects your movement. Used alongside a Garmin, the Giant was marginally less reactive to real-time changes, but overall ride data generally only differed in altitude totals. It locates satellites almost instantly, auto pauses when you stop and quickly pairs with power meters and heart rate sensors, with icons at the top of the screen showing the status of each. Plus there’s that epic battery life, and with a similar price to Garmin’s limited Edge 25, the NeosTrack is a bargain.