Edge 800 good to have or waste of money

i like to have a dedicated bike computer that works on all my rides.  the edge 800 is great for mapping, so if you like to look up routes and then go ride them it would be a good choice.

I'm more than a bit of a gadget geek (other types of geek as well but let's just stick with gadgets)

I've got a 310XT, edge 500 and an edge 800. I got the two different Edge computers for two different bikes for various reasons and they work well for what I got them for.

The 800 is excellent for downloading a map for a century ride type deal and following it. The 500 can tell you next turn and have a minor bit of "this line is you, that turn up there is the turn you're going to take" but it most definitely is NOT a map. The 310 records data and I've never even tried to do anything with mapping with it.

Remember the 800 can only use one HR monitor even though it can have different power meter readings for different bikes. That's what ended up with me getting a 500 too. The CycleOps PowerCal is great for straight and level power readings but sucks for intervals and comes on its own HR monitor strap.

I guess my answer is yes the 800 would be well worth it if you want to follow a map for century ride type rides. It also keeps all the data the 310XT does for uploading later.