Garmin Edge 705
- Thread starter Heather
- Start date
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terry_gardener
Veteran
- Location
- stockton on tees
yes they are good. if you only want the maps might be worth getting the 605 has the same features as the 705 except for HRM, cadence and power monitors.
Big T
Guru
- Location
- Nottingham
I've got an Edge 705 with City Navigator maps. I don't use it that much but it's useful if you want to follow a set route, like in an audax, or if you are in an unfamiliar area. It has got autorouting and will plot a route to a place of your choice (like a Car Sat Nav would), usually avoiding main roads (but not always). If you like to keep a record of your rides, as well. then you can log them online on the Garmin site and share with others if you like. It's a good piece of kit, if a tad on the pricey side.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
You can get free open street maps for the garmins. You can also get openmtbmaps too.
I've got the City Nav maps for road.
The 800's the new version with touch screen.
Cracking bits of kit if you like lots of data. Handy when on long rides, or if planning a course you aren't sure of.
Best tip - turn off auto re-route.
I've got the City Nav maps for road.
The 800's the new version with touch screen.
Cracking bits of kit if you like lots of data. Handy when on long rides, or if planning a course you aren't sure of.
Best tip - turn off auto re-route.
theloafer
Legendary Member
- Location
- newton aycliffe
got the 800 from here http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/3510/garmin-edge-800- thats just the base unit no mapping you can get that free ...or get a copy from a friend .. 
it is a great bit of kit ..once you have sussed it out ...lol 
it is a great bit of kit ..once you have sussed it out ...lol 
The Garmin comes with very basic maps; next to useless really. I got City Navigator mapping too, which adds to the cost but if, like me, you want to use it for gps navigation you really need it. I don't know open street maps so I can't say if that is an acceptable substitute. If you are serious about your cycling and fitness regime then the Garmin does pretty much everything you could wish for in terms of stats. Elevation and calorie counting need to be taken with a pinch of salt however.
Answers in confused order.....
The maps will depend on the package you buy. There are basic (mapless), Navigator (SatNav mapping on 605/705/800 and Ordnance survey on the 800)
All of these will take up free OSM street / cycle maps with full search and routing
The actual choice will come down to what you want this for. If it is a cycle computer then these are great, but expensive. The Briton Ryder 50 is £100 cheaper than the Garmin 705 and reportedly performs similarly. Be aware though that if you buy the basic and wish to expand then Garmin 705 models only support Garmin HRM and Cadence,
However if it is just for navigation then an ETrex Vista HCx or similar will use OSM mapping and is only about £120
The best site to read about what these are capable of is Frank Kinlan's excellent blog. It does seem to be down at the moment though
The maps will depend on the package you buy. There are basic (mapless), Navigator (SatNav mapping on 605/705/800 and Ordnance survey on the 800)
All of these will take up free OSM street / cycle maps with full search and routing
The actual choice will come down to what you want this for. If it is a cycle computer then these are great, but expensive. The Briton Ryder 50 is £100 cheaper than the Garmin 705 and reportedly performs similarly. Be aware though that if you buy the basic and wish to expand then Garmin 705 models only support Garmin HRM and Cadence,
However if it is just for navigation then an ETrex Vista HCx or similar will use OSM mapping and is only about £120
The best site to read about what these are capable of is Frank Kinlan's excellent blog. It does seem to be down at the moment though
400bhp
Guru
Oh, that is definately THE one tip to remember. It took me 5 months before I figured that one out. Nearly threw it in the bushes on several occasions.
I have the 705 and a mate has the 800. He's not impressed, says it freezes a lot and is difficult to see.
400bhp
Guru
Some places sell the 705 as a bundle which might include the heart rate monitor, cadence and the city navigator map.
They are easy to install-it's just a mini sd card.
Think hard about buying the heart rate monitor/cadence. I CBA with the cadence but use the HRM. If you feel you don't need both then buy the cheaper 605.
They are easy to install-it's just a mini sd card.
Think hard about buying the heart rate monitor/cadence. I CBA with the cadence but use the HRM. If you feel you don't need both then buy the cheaper 605.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Buy as a package from handtec, just about the cheapest place.
The only problem I see with the 800 is the screen. Has the cracking been sorted yet?
The only problem I see with the 800 is the screen. Has the cracking been sorted yet?
I got the 705 plus City Navigator & cadence sensor off eBay for a brilliant price, (and it wasn't nicked) it had only been used a few times. Takes a bit of learning to get the set up right - turning off Auto Route was the best advice given to me.
I recently took it to Austria on a cycling holiday, I uploaded several routes beforehand and it became invaluble. Much better than stopping every 15 minutes and checking a paper map.
I recently took it to Austria on a cycling holiday, I uploaded several routes beforehand and it became invaluble. Much better than stopping every 15 minutes and checking a paper map.