garmin gps computer views????

[David_widnes]

Hello ,

having 2 weeks off soon and wanted to do as many different rides as possible and im looking at buying a garmin gps computer for recording all the data so i would like any feedback on the different versions.

not bothered too much about price but i do want a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor.

many thanks

 

[ufkacbln]

If you want Ordnance Survey - Edge 800
If you don't want ordnance survey - Edge 705

The other differences such as touch screen are in the reviews, but both will take HRM and Cadence. Both will also take OSM mapping.

The best site to compare is Frank Kinlan's blog

All you need to know about the options

(Edited - 700 changed to 705)

 

[ian turner]

I assume you mean 500 rather than 705

 

[ajb]

I've got the Edge 500,
Records everything you could want,
Map of the route you have ridden, (when you upload to Garmin)
Speed,
Cadence,
Profile,
Heart rate,
Temperature,
Power meter (if you have one)
etc, etc, etc, etc,

I think there are 42 different fields it will record.

Will not do maps but you can download a route
that will "point" you in the right direction.
FANTASTIC piece of kit

 

[Ibbots]

If you don't want mapping - I am very pleased with my Edge 500. Had it for just over a year, HR monitor and a cadence and speed sensor for the road bike. I like it because it's no hassle to swap between bikes, no need to mess about with wheel sizes, etc, set 3 different screens with the info you want. Can download ride info onto the Garmin Connect website, see route mapped out, get customisable reports - though not enough maps for the nerd in me. The only problem I have found with it is you cannot download route info onto Memory Map.

 

[yello]

The Edge 305 will do what you want too. I was going to say that it's probably cheaper than the newer 500 but it seems not to be the case.... I wonder why that is!

I've had a 305 for the best part of 5 years and wouldn't be without it. I predominantly use it for route following and ride stats (speed, distance, metres climbed) but the HRM and cadence data is interesting.

 

[fatboysoontobeslim]

i had the 305 edge initially great but then the watch just packed up on me???. tried to e mail garmin with no joy not even a repply so gave up

 

[ufkacbln]

I assume you mean 500 rather than 705

705 - see amendment

 

[the_mikey]

I use a Garmin Edge 500 to record ride data.

You can use the Garmin Edge 500 completely standalone, no extra sensors needed, although it relies on GPS data and this will produce errors, although not a major problem, this will also produce errors in your recorded speed (I wouldn't call this a fault, just limitations that come with gps)

If you need more accurate speed reporting or need to monitor cadence on your ride then you need the (sometimes optional) speed and cadence sensor. The Edge 500 can also record data from a heart rate monitor and even some ant+ compatible power meters.

The Edge500 is not really a mapping device, it can help point you along a pre-determined route, or let you know when you've steered off route, but it cannot guide you along the roads if you're lost, it has no maps other than a route recorded from a previous ride or one you may have uploaded to the device.

It can be used as a training aid if you've recorded a route and wish to 'race' against your recorded ride, like a virtual riding partner. You can increase or decrease the speed of your virtual riding partner to suit your ability or to challenge yourself.

Uploading data/ride information is easy, when you've been on a ride, simply connect the Edge500 to your computer and synchronise with Training Centre Software or the Garmin Connect service online.

Also consider the Edge705 or Edge800.

 

[sayek1]

Edge 500. Excellent. Does everything I could want plus loads more I don't need. Can even use it indoors on the rollers/turbo. Can track all of my rides over the last year and easily do comparisons.

Whilst I haven't used a mapping device I am not sure if I would want to/need to - I am usually "Mr Gadget", but not sure of the point of having a very small screen/map. Generally most rides I do I can navigate relatively easily, and if it is really tricky I'll take a print out of an A4 map. To be honest if I take a wrong turn or get lost then it doesn't worry me as its part of the trip.

Just done a weeks tour across the whole of Scotland and managed with a 1 page paper map per day without any problems. There might be a reason if I were doing off-roading etc with lots of tricky turns & tracks, but thats not the type of riding I do.

Each to their own, but the 500 does all I want at the moment.