iGPSport iGS800 cycling watch: straight to the top

iGPSport started its journey from Chinese online stores, whose new top model holds its own among the most serious devices.

Introduction, box contents, exterior

The market for cycling watches and cycling computers is currently dominated by Garmin, at least in the middle and upper segments. The other big player is Wahoo, and Bryton, who once started their conquering journey from the pages of Aliexpress, is increasingly closing in on them. iGPSport, who primarily focused on basic functions, are preparing for something similar.

In the recent period, however, they made the seven-time Grand Tour winner Chris Froome the brand ambassador, and also entered the market with the subject of our test, the iGPSport iGS800, which directly competes with Garmin’s more expensive models, the 1040/1050 pair. Accordingly, the price here is already high (though still much cheaper than the better-known competitors with similar skills): it costs HUF 150,000.

Unpacking and introduction

After opening the box and holding the watch, the first thing that comes to mind is that the iGPSport is certainly not a small thing: it measures 100 x 59 x 18 mm (without the holder), and weighs 114 grams. Compared to its main competitor, it is shorter and stockier, in this respect it is more similar to the Hammerhead Karoo 3, and the proportions of its 3.5″ display can also be compared with it. By the way, its resolution is 320×480 pixels, which is noticeably and indeed visibly lower than both the Karoo 3 and the recently arrived Garmin Edge 1050.

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In addition to the main product in the box of the watch, we interestingly do not find too many extras: in addition to the mandatory (and Garmin-compatible) mounting components, a safety “wrist strap”, a silicone rubber protective case, and a Type-A/Type-C data and charging cable. There is no out-front mount, which is at least surprising for a product advertised with Chris Froome’s image, but fortunately, Garmin compatibility allows us to choose the right one from the countless other mounts available on the market.

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The iGPSport iGS800 is equipped with both a touch screen and buttons, and can be used perfectly well with both methods: on the left side, you can find the on/off button at the front, and the back button at the bottom. In the upper right, instead of the key that normally functions as “Enter”, we find the forward and backward buttons below. The insulated Type-C connector and the Start/Stop and Lap buttons, which perform the most important functions, are located in the center on the edge facing the user. With the help of the above, all functions of the watch are available, which comes in handy when you don’t want to touch and wipe the otherwise pleasantly responsive touch screen in the rain or mud.

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Turning the device on its back, we can notice two more things: one is the carbon-effect back panel, and the other is the separate, aluminum, fully Garmin-compatible kickstand – again, something that was carried over from the Edge 1040, and I’m glad for its durability we see it here too. Based on its specifications, the iGS800 can also cope with the elements, its dust and water resistance is IPX7 level.

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