Versatile compact unit for cyclists who train with power and also run
The Magellan Switch Up GPS cycle computer delivers a full suite of geographic and biometric information in a compact but heavily customizible format Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Within the unit, the screen is quite small (0.82inx0.96in) Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
A snap-in mount uses gummy straps for stem or handlebar placement. It's workable but not ideal. Besides the tall size, the computer wiggles when the side buttons are pressed. A rigid mount such as those made by Bar Fly would be better aesthetically and functionally Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The compact size is a plus for those who want GPS, HR and power data for racing and training but don't like the iPad-on-the-handlebar aesthetic of larger GPS computers SportifImages.com
When outside, the Magellan Switch Up pairs with ANT heart rate straps and power meters within 3 or 4 seconds. BikeRadar's second test unit also consistently found a GPS signal relatively quickly, usually within 20 seconds. Many GPS units take more than a minute or two Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Although the menus are dense, they are well laid out and relatively easy to navigate Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The buttons on the right toggle up and down, while the buttons on the left advance and go back within menus Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Magellan Switch Up functions competently without ANT sensors, offering speed- and distance-related information based on GPS. But it really shines when connected with heart rate and power information sources Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The adjustable Activity Profile setting is a nice touch for those who do multiple types of workouts - be those riding and running or just training on the bike indoors and riding outdoors Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Each of the Acitivity Profiles can be set to display a user's preferred types of information Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
We created a 'rollers' profile that showed power, heart rate, and time, but no speed or GPS information Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
For the road bike setting, we set up four different screens of information Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
You can add or subtract information screens Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Each of the screens can be customized by the number and type of of data points Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
For each type of information there are multiple display options Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
And inside those options are more options Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Thankfully, you don’t have to go through all of these settings to get up and running. The default setting will provide you with a good set of data. Then you can make adjustments if and when you care to Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
There are three main views. Activity shows live information from your data screens of choice, which you toggle through with the buttons on the right. Navigation shows a breadcrumb trail of where you have been - but without any map. And History provides sums and averages of multiple data fields for each activity Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Despite all the choices, there's one glaring omission: time of day isn't an option for the standard data screens. Pressing and holding the upper-right button brings up a screen with time of day, battery life, and other information, but the font is much smaller than that for the standard data fields Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Switch Up holds dozens of activites in memory. We recorded 43 for a total of 74 hours before it refused to record new data Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Each activity has a summary, with many data points having average and total fields Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The watch/wrist mount is enormous Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Paired with the mount, the Switch Up, which looks small on a bike, becomes huge on your wrist Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
As with cycling information, the running fields are customizable with all the standard data points. The buttons are quite easy to press when on the wrist mount Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Compared to a Garmin Edge 800, the Magellan Switch Up is teeny. Your call whether this is a good thing Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Testers who just rode with it wanted a bigger size. Those who rode and ran with it loved the small size, but would have appreciated a larger screen within the unit Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The USB cradle serves for data transfer and charging. The Switch Up records in .fit files, which easily transfer to popular sites such as Strava Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Navigation function only really serves as a last-ditch hope for finding your way back to a start point. There's no map, no search, and no turn-by-turn directions. This isn't a navigational guide - it simply records where you've been and how fast you've moved Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
There are 100ft, 800ft, 1mi, 5mi and 40mi settings. We found the gap between 5 and 40mi too large. The breadcrumb trail can be somewhat helpful when doing things like finding your way back to a hotel in a strange town, but is only marginally better than just looking around Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Magellan's online software provides some basic map and data chart presentation Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Intended for use by triathletes, you can record all three sports in one activity file. We rode the rollers - which recorded as 4.24mi - and ran, but did not swim. BikeRadar is a cycling site, for Pete's sake! Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Magellan's site also functions as a training diary in the broad view Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The biometric/speed/elevation charts are good for a quick look, but not for any drill-down analysis Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
For those who train with power, the Switch Up is a viable computer. Inexplicably, and in a similar way to other head units, the Switch Up records small mileage when you ride inside with the GPS sensor shut off Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Magellan Switch Up GPS cycle computer delivers a full suite of geographic and biometric information in a compact but heavily customizible format Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Magellan Switch Up is an ANT+ GPS cycle computer that can do double duty as a running watch. Heavily customizable display options, quick signal parings and easy downloads make this a good option for cyclists who also like to run, but the clunky bike and wrist mounts could be improved.
Pros: Compact; crisp white font on black background; loads of customization options; quick to pair with ANT+ power meters, heart rate monitors and GPS signals; audio/vibrate alerts for detected movement, lost pairings
Cons: Compared to the size of the unit itself, bike and wrist mounts are huge while screen is small; difficult to extract from mount; button action vague; no time of day option on main screens
Bottom line: A very good first effort that’s highly functional and customizable. For riders who also occasionally run, the Switch Up is definitely worth considering. A larger screen (with the same size body) and better mounting system would improve usability
Because it doubles as a watch, the Switch Up is a relatively small cycle computer. Some testers appreciated the size, but all wished the (0.82inx0.96in) screen was larger.
Functionally, the Switch Up is quick to pair up with signals, grabbing ANT+ in 3 or 4 seconds, and GPS in about 20 seconds when unobstructed. Many GPS cycle computers can take minutes to find a signal.
There are three types of screens on the Switch Up. ‘Activity’ shows live information from your data screens of choice, which you can customize extensively. ‘Navigation’ shows a breadcrumb trail of where you’ve been – but without any map. And ‘History’ provides sums and averages of multiple data fields for each activity.
The buttons on the right toggle up and down, while the buttons on the left advance and go back within menus: the buttons on the right toggle up and down, while the buttons on the left advance and go back within menus Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The menus are dense but well laid out and fairly easy to navigate
Magellan has struck a nice balance of simplicity and complexity with the Switch Up. Getting started with a bike ride or run requires just a few clicks of a button, and multiple lines of relevant live data will be displayed.
Yet should you want to add a power meter or heart rate data, customize what lines of data you see and where, or even create a new type of activity, it’s easy and doesn’t require reading instructions. We created a ‘rollers’ activity that showed power, heart rate, lap time, total time, and more, but not distance or speed.
The amount of options within options is impressive. If you want power shown, for example, you can choose current, percentage of FTP, kJ/hour, power zone, plus averages of each of these. And, again, there’s a default setting, so if you just select power you don’t have to wade through additional choices just to get running.
Annoyingly, time of day isn’t an option for any of the data screens. Instead, you have to press and hold a button to bring up a systems check menu that shows things like battery life, memory capacity and time of day – in a small font. For many riders, the time of day is often the key data point.
A snap-in mount uses gummy straps for stem or handlebar placement. it's workable but not ideal. besides the tall size, the computer wiggles when the side buttons are pressed. a rigid mount such as those made by bar fly would be better aesthetically and functionally: Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The snap-in mount uses gummy straps for stem or bar placement
Another issue is the breadcrumb navigation. While not intended for use as a turn-by-turn guide – there are no maps, just a line of where you’ve been – it only really serves as a last-ditch hope for finding your way back to a start point. There is no search, nor any turn-by-turn directions.
This isn’t a navigational guide – it simply records where you’ve been and how fast you’ve moved. There are 100ft, 800ft, 1mi, 5mi and 40mi settings, but we found the gap between 5 and 40mi too large. The breadcrumb trail can be somewhat helpful when doing things such as finding your way back to a hotel in a strange town, but is only marginally better than just looking around.
Our first test sample was buggy, and after multiple calls with technical support to eliminate issues, we were sent another model, which worked fine.
Magellan has fairly basic online software that allows you to upload your activites and look at maps of your GPS-recorded ride and the corresponding data. But it’s a far cry from TrainingPeaks, Strava or Garmin Connect. That said, the Switch Up records in .fit, which means you can easily upload to these popular sites. Plus, the .fit files are often a tenth of the size of .tcx files, which are Garmin’s standard.
Magellan's site also functions as a training diary in the broad view: Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Magellan’s site functions as a training diary in the broad view
The 71g Switch up is US$250 for the unit, plus bike and wrist mounts. A US$200 Switch has all the same features except barometric altitude, temperature and vibrate alerts. A heart rate strap is available for US$50.
We found the memory capacity to be 74 hours, which was 43 activities and 1,015mi. At this point, showing 96 percent memory, it would not record a new ride. Functional battery life was seven hours, at which point the unit shut itself off. A USB cradle charges and downloads from the Switch Up.
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Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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