Garmin Edge 305 v 705

[wk495292]

Looking to purchase either the Garmin 305 or 705, I have no real use for the navigation on the 705 but may in the future purchase a power meter ie. power tap or similar. I would be using the device mainly for its HR cadence and virtual training partner along with trying to better my previous rides. My question is what are the thought of the other users. The specs seem very similar on the functions I want so is it worth spending the extra to get the 705.

Does this device allow you to check your HR at various points through the ride once the data is download ie. on steep rides home can I view the data on the computer to see what my HR reading was?.

What software is favoured for this device by its users, I am intrested in fitness info and times in the form of graphs etc

Thanks

Jamie

 

[HLaB]

I've got the 305 and considered I may upgrade at to the 705 at a later date when I bought mine. Having used the 305 I won't be in a rush to upgrade; as far as I can see the only benefit is the better mapping/ colour screen, I'm happy with the smaller 305. The edge give your average & max HR for individual sections (laps), you can specify where these laps are by pressing the lap key, eg on steep rides at the top and bottom of a hill. For me it also nice to know how steep the hill you've just done is, it does that too.

 

[Bollo]

Does this device allow you to check your HR at various points through the ride once the data is download ie. on steep rides home can I view the data on the computer to see what my HR reading was?.

Yes - each HR measurement is logged along with speed, cadence, elevation etc. The measurement interval depends on how you've got the 705 set up, but its typically every couple of seconds in the adaptive logging mode (can't remember proper name for this mode - sorry!).

What software is favoured for this device by its users, I am intrested in fitness info and times in the form of graphs etc

Have a look at the recommendations that have been given for similar threads. I'm sure people will give their personal favourites again. I log things on Garmin's own online 'Garmin Connect'. Its pretty basic compared to some other apps (both online and installed programmes) but reasonably quick and slick. Its not a recommendation - just what I've got used to.

As for planning routes and getting directions during a ride, I USED TO have a REAL downer on Garmin's MapSource. Unfortuntely, there are issues with using other route planning tools and then downloading to the Edge as these maps may not precisely match the maps used by the Edge, which can result in confusing directions and phantom off-road excursions. Luckily, Garmin have updated MapSource to render maps in the same way as Google Maps and sorted out a killer issue about downloading routes from MapSource to the Edge, so now its a pretty usable package.

Hope this helps.

 

[Herlihy]

http://frank.kinlan.co.uk

This chap's website is really excellent on how to maximise use of either the 305 or 705 edge.

 

[Will1985]

I'll write a report hopefully at the end of January on using the 705 with a PowerTap. The main advantage if you intend to use a powermeter in the future will be all the data coming from the same download, otherwise stick to the 305. I'm trying out WKO+ at the moment.

 

[yello]

I reckon Will answers the question well, and you've pretty much answered it yourself too. If you want to have a powermeter then, for my money, it makes sense to get the 705 rather than the 305 and a.n. other device.

I've got a 305 and it's everything I need. It's truly excellent and I wouldn't been without it. If/when it packs up, I'd try and get another 305... but then I have no need of the extra functionality of the 705.

 

[Steve Austin]

I use a 305. As something to record all your riding data, its superb. If you want something for mapping and route planning, then its very poor.

 

[jimboalee]

This is very interesting.
I have a 605 and am dissapointed with the logging features.

When someone discovers how to paste the logged data to MS Excel, please would you tell

I'm also dissapointed with its battery life,,, 15 hours.
I've bought a PowerMonkey to get me through a 300km Audax.

 

[yello]

When someone discovers how to paste the logged data to MS Excel, please would you tell

Have a look at gpsbabel, I have a feeling that will pull data from an Edge into a csv (comma seperated value) format for importing into a spreadsheet.

Edit: OR download the trial version of Cyclistats (if you're PC is Windows based) and have a play. It's good in it's own right but it will also take Edge data and export csv.

 

[jimboalee]

Cheers Yello, will try.

I'll report later.

 

[jimboalee]

Darn it!

Doesn't recognise .tcx files on the unit.

 

[yello]

I think you have to use a gtcntr format for import.... or some such. It's all in the docs, though I personally could never be bothered wading through it all. I think there's a graphical front end for gpsbabel which makes live a bit easier....

There's also a fair bit of info on the web generally about gpsbabel, not just on their (his?) site, so getting it to work can just be a google away if you don't want to wade through pages of documentation.

 

[jimboalee]

Much searching with no result.

Giving up.


I'm an Audaxer, so..

My most important feature is >24 hour battery life, which the 605 has with PowerMonkey.

Second most important is 'Average speed'. This can be managed with success with proper planning.

Cheers anyway.

 

[yello]

Have a look at Cyclistats then - link in my earlier post.

 

[jimboalee]

Another dissapointing feature with both Legend and 605 is the 'average speed' calculation. It is calced from 'distance' and the time the unit is switched on, not time of day.

Using the Legend, I started the ride, but if I lost satellite or changed batteries, the seperate tracks could be joined up to make one full track.

It is more difficult to keep a correct 'average speed' on the 605, with its neccessity to start a lap after a switch off.

Nevertheless the 'total distance' remains correct and I have a wristwatch and a brain. ( I think )