Garmin Edge 810 vs Touring?

[junkie_ball]

Hi,

I'm looking at a new computer and narrowed it down to the 810 or touring models by garmin. I have been using my trusty garmin forerunner 205 from my running days but it has finally given up the ghost. I really want the training features the 810 offers but there is one feature i really want that the touring unit offers. That is the ability to select a distance and have the device create a number of routes to choose from. I have been trying to find out if the 810 offers this feature? Can anyone confirm either way? If it does that would definitely make my mind up to go with the far more expensive unit over the touring as i must admit i'm a self confessed numbers junky.

 

[jazzkat]

The 810 doesn't do that, sadly. The new, mega improved (yeah right), edge 1000 does it and gives all the numbers too.

 

[junkie_ball]

The 810 doesn't do that, sadly. The new, mega improved (yeah right), edge 1000 does it and gives all the numbers too.

Unfortunately the edge 1000 is a little out of my budget.

 

[young Ed]

MIGHT be different for you in reality but i have the edge touring and was really excited by the set distance and it gives you 3 random routes feature but was very very sorely disappointed with it when i tried it for the first time as it just seemed to take me round in circles! luckily this was at home so i knew where i was and just carried on my ride down some weee little back roads i know blindfolded like the back of my hand!

if you wanted this feature for exploring un-known towns/cities/villages then i find local knowledge of where to go and the best restaurants and sights etc to be the best available
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

if you want the cadence and HRM then you have to get the 810, sorry (hand on why am i apologising?! guess i must just be British! HAHAHA)
Cheers Ed

 

[junkie_ball]

MIGHT be different for you in reality but i have the edge touring and was really excited by the set distance and it gives you 3 random routes feature but was very very sorely disappointed with it when i tried it for the first time as it just seemed to take me round in circles! luckily this was at home so i knew where i was and just carried on my ride down some weee little back roads i know blindfolded like the back of my hand!

if you wanted this feature for exploring un-known towns/cities/villages then i find local knowledge of where to go and the best restaurants and sights etc to be the best available
Cheers Ed

Thanks for the heads up on your experience of the touring as have heard loads of reviews and opinions of people who have used the 810 but not the touring. I'm certainly leaning towards the 810 as can create the routes online and download to the device i guess in the absence of the random route creation as the 810 has many more features i want and the touring seems to only appeal on random course feature.

 

[Kookas]

I'm sure you could find an online website that does this, and then just export a GPX file with it. Problem is that if you wanted to do it in situ you'd have to use a smartphone to use the website and then copy it over, presumably using an adapter cable to do so.

Quick Google came up with this: http://www.routeloops.com

 

[young Ed]

Thanks for the heads up on your experience of the touring as have heard loads of reviews and opinions of people who have used the 810 but not the touring. I'm certainly leaning towards the 810 as can create the routes online and download to the device i guess in the absence of the random route creation as the 810 has many more features i want and the touring seems to only appeal on random course feature.

I'm sure you could find an online website that does this, and then just export a GPX file with it. Problem is that if you wanted to do it in situ you'd have to use a smartphone to use the website and then copy it over, presumably using an adapter cable to do so.

Quick Google came up with this: http://www.routeloops.com

i use both garmin connect and strava (pretty much only strava but connect can do it) to create my routes and then export them as .GPX and stick them on my garmin edge touring
sorry to take the decision a bit harder!

@junkie_ball the real question is do you or do you not want the HRM and cadence and the virtual trainer and device to device sharing of the 810? (i suspect you won't use the device to device sharing even if you do have it!)
Cheers Ed

 

[Tyke]

If your ok to upload the route before you go http://www.plotaroute.com/ will let you set the distance then gives you 10 routes to pick from all with directions listed.

 

[junkie_ball]

Thanks for the reply guys have to admit think i'd miss my virtual partner which i currently use with the 205. I currently use strava or mapmyrides to plan routes before heading out so a random route planner is not a deal breaker for me. Although quite fancy the extra info a cadence sensor will give me (use a standalone HRM so incorporating that into one device will also be handy). Thinking a 810 is the route to go. Now to search for the best deal!

 

[junkie_ball]

If your ok to upload the route before you go http://www.plotaroute.com/ will let you set the distance then gives you 10 routes to pick from all with directions listed.

Just check this site out and that looks like it will do the job better than i had hoped and an easy to use interface thanks for the link.

 

[Tyke]

Just check this site out and that looks like it will do the job better than i had hoped and an easy to use interface thanks for the link.

Your welcome It works fine on the 800 just pick a start point and distance then load all the routes suggested before you go and pick the one you want when you get there.

 

[junkie_ball]

Ok so i have bitten the bullet and ordered the 810. thanks for all the advise.