iGPSPORT’s pro-level GPS computer

The new iGPSPORT iGS800 is one of the most expensive and feature-filled GPS computers that iGPSPORT has released to date. iGPSPORT has thrown all the latest training, connectivity and interactive features at the iGS800 to create a premium cycling computer that can compete with the latest computers on the market. As with other iGPSPORT products, the iGS800 is competitively priced with a $359.90 retail price and massive 3.5” color touch screen. Under the slim body is a 2050 mAh battery with USB-C charging that is capable of 50+ runtimes. Aside from the large screen, the iGS800 features training metrics and iGPSPORT’s own version of real-time segment display.

The iGPSPORT iGS800 combines a massive 3.5” color touch screen with premium features like real-time segment display.

Retail Price	$359.90
Rating	8.7 / 10
Measured Weight (in g)	113 (GPS), 10 (handlebar mount)
Likes	+ Massive 3.5″ color screen + Intuitive user interface with convenient shortcuts to see time / battery status + Real-time segments are a great alternative to Strava and work offline
Dislikes	– Only a basic handlebar mount is included – Navigation can be buggy and unreliable – Screen is dim and lacks vivid colors compared to other computers
Where to Buy (US)	iGPSPORT

UNBOXING

The iGPSPORT iGS800 comes in a compact cardboard box with eye-catching graphics that feature Chris Froome’s photo and signature right on the box. It’s impressive to see a pro-level athlete’s endorsement on the packaging given the relatively small size of iGPSPORT. Underneath the exterior is a sleek white box with minimal silver graphics that make it feel like you are opening up a new iPhone rather than a relatively affordable cycling computer. Inside the box you’ll find:

• iGS800 computer
• Plastic handlebar mount + rubber straps
• USB-C charging cable
• Safety tether
• Silicone sleeve
• User manual

We were a bit surprised to see the iGPSPORT did not include at least a plastic out-front mount with the iGS800 in place of the basic handlebar mount that is common on entry-level computers.

MOUNTING

The iGPSPORT iGS800 uses a standard Garmin quarter turn style mount which uses two raised tabs that lock into place. Unlike cheaper computers, the iGS800 has an aluminum mount which has a shiny silver finish and is similar to those found on high-end Garmin devices. It’s one of the first metal mounts we’ve seen from alternative brands like iGPSPORT and ensures you won’t lose a computer due to plastic mounts failing. However, despite the premium price of the iGS800, iGPSPORT only includes a standard handlebar mount and not their M80 out-front mount. The handlebar mount is a basic plastic puck with two rubber rings to attach the computer to handlebars. We’d highly recommend buying an out-front mount like the Topeak UTF or Trek’s Blendr system instead of the supplied mount to place the iGS800 in front of your stem for optimal visibility.

FIT & FINISH

Visually, the iGSPORT iGS800 is quite impressive with a huge 3.5” color touch screen and minimal bezels. It’s the same size as Garmin’s top models and has a 320×480 pixel color display to show data and maps. The shape of the computer has the familiar trapezoidal cross section with angled edges that is found on other iGPSPORT computers. It’s a fairly thin computer with glossy inserts on the edges to provide some contrast to black body. There are six physical buttons on the iGS800 with a clearly marked power button on the top left, two buttons on the bottom and three buttons on the right side. The USB-C charging port is nearly hidden on the bottom edge under a flush cover which is right above the safety tether slot.

Branding on the computer is limited to iGPSPORT printed on the front and right below the screen. On the bottom of the computer there is an interesting diagonal carbon fiber weave which is unusual to find on a cycling computer. Combined with the metal Garmin mount, it’s clear that iGPSPORT has designed the iGS800 to feel and look premium. For additional safety, you can also use the provided black silicone case or tether to provide some insurance against accidental falls.

USER INTERFACE

The user interface of the iGPSPORT uses a combination of touch and physical buttons to navigate between fields and screens. Gestures such as swiping and long presses are supported which lets you quickly interact with the screens. After the startup animation you’ll see iGPSPORT’s updated homepage which mimics Garmin computer’s with a column of widgets that includes navigation, training, training status, segments fitness level and recovery metrics. The home page can be customized from Systems Menu > Theme > Widgets Setting page which lets you add/remove items as well as choose between compact views or expanded views. The widgets are colorful with graphics, and map views which give the computer a modern feel.

The navigation tab lets you view loaded routes but is limited to a simple breadcrumb overview and the name of the route. You can use the top left button to return to the previous screen, the up/down arrows the switch the selected item and the top right button to activate the selected option. With the touch screen it’s easier to simply swipe and press on the desired option. The iGPSPORT iGS800 also supports multiple profiles (they can be renamed using the app) which lets you customize the data layout for different riding scenarios. While the app is the best way to fully customize the contents, you can also do a long hold on any data field to customize the layout or change data fields which is helpful while riding.

iGPSPORT has also made the user experience simple with the computer as you only have to do a single button press to start a ride. You can press the “play” button on the bottom right or click on the desired profile to switch to the ride pages. Once you are in a recording you can also quickly check the time or access the menu options by doing a short press on the screen. It’s a very convenient feature that lets you check the battery status or current time on the fly. The computer also has a more in-depth status page that can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen. On the status page you can see brightness, sensors, lights, weather and notifications along with the time, temperature and sunrise/sunset times.

REAL-TIME SEGMENTS

One of the most exciting features of the iGS800 is the new real-time segment display. It mimics Strava’s live segment feature and allows you to view your relative time offset in real-time on segments. It’s a fun way to monitor your progress and provide more motivation to push harder. In the current software, segments can only be created from previously recorded routes with simple adjustments for setting the start and end point. Once the segment is created and named it can be sent to the iGS800. While you are riding a special “nearby segments” screen is shown when you approach a segment. Once you are in a segment, the screen automatically switches to a special “segment” view which shows your relative time against your fastest time on the segment. This feature works offline which is impressive as it’s doing quite a few calculations on-the-fly to find segments and track time.

iGPSPORT APP

The iGPSPORT app has a simple four tab design that lets you choose between home, activity, device and profile. On the home page you’ll find a summary of your latest activity, goal progress and recommended routes based on your location. The activity page has a more detailed summary of your loaded routes along with a calendar view and monthly totals. You can also view a summary of each recorded route to view the GPS data as well as lap metrics, speed zones and graph views of different data. Although it is not as detailed as Strava or other platforms, iGPSPORT has done a nice job with the UI and used attractive colors and developed a refined user interface.

The device page is the most relevant page which lets you connect to the iGS800 and update software, customize data layouts and adjust settings. All of the on-device settings are repeated here such as screen brightness and auto-settings. The app also lets you rename the bike profiles and modify the page layouts for each profile separately. Customizing the page layout is straightforward with drag-and-drop functionality as well as alternate layouts shown on the top. With the large size of the screen you can fit six rows and two columns on a single page. iGPSPORT offers nearly an endless list of options for each data field from speed, power to lap metrics and fitness-level fields.

RIDING IMPRESSIONS

We swapped out our iGSPORT BSC300 for this larger iGS800 and we were immediately impressed by the large size. At 3.5” inches, this is as big of a computer as you’d want and on par with Garmin’s top offerings and the Bryton S800. Although the colors aren’t as vivid as the BSC300, the iGS800 is still easy to read with a white background / black text daytime view and a dark black background / white text mode. The user interface design is attractive with smooth corners and gaps between different fields to separate them. Font size is nice and large which lets you view everything at a glance without having to lean in. iGPSPORT has made the user experience quick and easy with simple one-button start, auto-pause and the quick status menu to view time with a single press anywhere on the screen.

The segment feature is one of our favorite features and enables real-time metrics offline without having to have the app connected. It was easy to create segments from previous rides and upload them to the device even right before a ride. The progress screens are intuitive and iGPSPORT has done a nice job adding accomplishment screens to let you know you’ve set a new PR. Our biggest issue with the iGS800 came with the navigation feature which is still buggy and frustrating to use. As with the previous iGSPORT computers like the iGS630 the navigation gets very confused with overlapping routes. The computer always seems to choose the wrong route and wants to have you either go directly to finish when you’re starting a route or make you retrace your steps when you’re nearly done with a ride.

The iGS800 also has an aggressive re-routing algorithm which means a momentary GPS delay can send you off on a detour instead of taking the previous route. While exploring a new route the iGS800 was perpetually trying to send us on odd detours and had vague turn notifications with no street names with our imported GPX route. The iClimb feature was also buggy with our software version and only seemed to work for some routes. When it works, it’s a nice feature that lets you see gradient and climb profiles so you can modulate your energy. However, the navigation is a big negative with the computer and one we hope iGSPORT will address in the future as the iGS800 is otherwise easy to use and feels responsive and well made at a fraction of the cost of Garmin or Wahoo computers.

THE VERDICT

Overall, we found the iGPSPORT iGS800 to be a large and well designed GPS computer. iGSPORT has combined a massive 3.5” color touch screen with an intuitive user interface. We were excited to try the real-time segment feature which lets you create segments on the iGSPORT app and track your progress in real-time on the segment while riding. The iGS800 also has helpful shortcuts like a short press on the ride screen to view the battery, current time and access settings menus. We were also impressed to see the metal Garmin mount which is rare to see on these more budget friendly computers. Our biggest issue with the iGS800 is the buggy navigation which has trouble with overlapping routes and has an aggressive re-routing algorithm that can send you off track on unfamiliar routes. That said, the iGSPORT iGS800 GPS offers a premium look and features at a fraction of other brands.

Disclaimer:  The product for this review was provided by iGPSPORT. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.