UltraRob's Adventures

Yesterday Garmin announced a new cycling GPS. The new unit is called the Edge 500. It was designed based on feedback from Team Garmin. It will give competitive cyclists the information they need while training and racing without weighing them down.

It weighs much less and is more aerodynamic than the Edge 705. It also looks much smaller than the older Edge 305. It uses a new mount that is low profile and appears easy to swap from one bike to another.

The Edge 500 also works with the Garmin ANT+ heart rate monitor strap and cadence/speed sensor. It also works with 3rd party power meters that support ANT+. They claim that there's improved calorie counting when using heart rate. That would be nice but I'm skeptical since I've never seen any calorie counting that seemed anywhere close at least for me.

The Edge 500 doesn't include the maps and routing of the Edge 705. It also doesn't include the ability to setup workouts like the 705.

The MSRP for the Edge 500 is $249.99 by itself and $349.99 when bundled with a heart rate monitor strap and speed/cadence sensor. That's not a bad price considering just downloadable Polar cycling heart monitors cost nearly that much not many years ago.

Related Links

• Initial Garmin Edge 705 Review
• Garmin Edge 705 Tip - Save Last Ride and Reset

- UltraRob

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, gear, GPS, mountain biking

The downloadable bike computer I've used in the past would create a new ride if I stopped recording and then restarted. I figured the Garmin Edge 705 would work the same way. I have found out that this is not the case. In fact turning the unit off and back on does not create a new ride.

When I connect it to the computer with the USB cable, it shows that it is saving history. I want to save all of my rides but I don't want to connect it to the computer after each ride.

After searching around, I found that pressing the lap button for a couple seconds saves the current ride and resets the miles, vertical feet, etc. A little box pops up that says resetting data and counts down 3..2..1.

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, gear review, GPS, mountain biking

A few weeks ago I purchased the Garmin Edge 705. Since then I've been using it on my mountain bike. I haven't set it up on my road bike but neither have I ridden my road bike the last few weeks.

The Edge 705 comes in 3 different bundles. The Edge 705 basic bundle includes GPS and heart rate. The next Edge 705 bundle adds cadence and wheel sensor. The deluxe Edge 705 bundle also comes with street maps.

I got the Edge 705 package that includes the cadence and speed sensor but without the street maps. The street maps that come in the bundle are on the microSD card. I decided to get the MapSource DVD version of the City Navigator so I can also use it on my computer. In addition I got the detailed 24k topo maps for Colorado and Utah on a microSD card.

So far I've used it mainly as a bike computer and heart rate monitor. Not having a separate heart rate monitor is very nice. The GPS adds nice functionality to the cyclocomputer such as not needing to figure out the wheel size. Also the barometric altimeter adjusts itself automatically. I've had a altimeter cycle computer since 2002 and I was always trying to figure out the elevation before riding when I was traveling.

The only thing I've done so far with the GPS is download my tracks. Having the route is cool but I think some of the other GPS features will be even cooler. The Edge 705 lets you set a waypoint and use the GPS map and the 705's turn-by-turn directions to find your way back. You can save any ride in your history file and compete with yourself later by calling it up from the history file. You can show up to a group ride with a route and share it wirelessly with other Garmin units.

Look for a more detailed Garmin Edge 705 review in a month or two when I've had more time to explore it's features. I'll also be trying it with some of the available GPS software and websites. So far I've just barely used the Garmin Training Center and TopoFusion. Here's a list of GPS sites that I'll potentially try out.

With my limited use of the Edge 705, here are some of my likes and dislikes.

Garmin Edge 705 Likes

• It can display up to 8 pieces of information at once. I'm currently displaying ride time, speed, distance, time of day, elevation, heart rate, total ascent and cadence. Even with that much information, I can see it easily.
• The Edge 705 was very easy to install and start using. The heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor need to be paired but that's done at the factory if you buy them in a bundle. The GPS unit detected mine within a couple seconds of turning it on.
• The heart rate monitor strap is more comfortable than the Polar T61 strap I'm used to. My guess from wearing it on my first ride was that the Garmin one was narrower. I compared the 2 and the Garmin strap is actually slightly wider in spots. The difference is it's much more flexible and softer than the Polar one.
• The heart rate has picked up reliably without any wild fluctuations.

Garmin Edge 705 Dislikes

• I have the auto-pause feature turned on and it thinks I'm stopped when I'm not. At first I thought maybe the wheel sensor wasn't close enough but I adjusted it and that doesn't seem to be the problem. It seems the Edge tries anticipating my stops. When I brake hard coming into a corner or before going over a drop, it seems to decide I'm going to stop. It's not a big deal because it resumes immediately but the beep it makes gets annoying.
• The Garmin Trainer Center isn't included on the disk in the box. The only thing on it is documentation. I would like to see software shipped in the box and then have easy update functionality for it.
• The Edge requires USB drivers to be installed. The documentation says the drivers are on the disk but I couldn't find them. The drivers do get installed with Training Center but I first tried using it with TopoFusion. The Garmin USB drivers can also be downloaded from the Garmin website.
• When I'm riding technical sections, I worry I'll crash and destroy the Edge 705. I think I need a rollbar cage over it to give me peace of mind.

Related Link: Garmin Edge 705 Tip - Save Last Ride and Reset

Edge 705 Specs from the Garmin Website

Physical & Performance:
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:	2" x 4.3" x 1" (5.1 x 10.9 x 2.5 cm)
Display size, WxH:	1.37" x 1.71" (3.48 x 4.36 cm); 2.2" diag (5.6 cm)
Display resolution, WxH:	176 x 220 pixels
Weight:	3.7 oz (104.9 g)
Battery:	rechargeable li-polymer
Battery life:	15 hours, typical
Water resistant:	yes (IPX7)
GPS-enabled:	yes
High-sensitivity receiver:	yes
RoHS version available:	yes
Maps & Memory:
Basemap:	yes
Ability to add maps:	yes
Accepts data cards:	microSD™ card (not included)
Lap history:	1000 laps
Waypoints/favorites/locations:	100
Routes:	Limited by memory space available
Features:
Heart rate monitor:	yes
Bike speed/cadence sensor:	yes (some versions)
Foot pod:	no
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer):	no
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data):	yes
Garmin Training Center® software compatible:	yes
Virtual Partner® (train against a digital person):	yes
Courses (compete against previous workouts):	yes
Auto Pause® (pauses and resumes timer based on speed):	yes
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap):	yes
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout):	no
Multi-sport (changes sport mode with a press of a button):	no
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):	yes
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals):	yes
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):	yes
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):	yes
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):	yes
Customizable screen(s):	yes
Barometric altimeter:	yes
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units):	yes
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd party ANT+™-enabled power meters):	yes
Sport watch:	no
Additional: Operating temperature:	-15°C to +50°C

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, gear review, GPS, mountain biking

Over a few weeks, RoadBikeRider listed several ways to do map bike rides in their newsletter. They first mentioned MapMyRun. Readers then sent them better ways to map for cycling. I know my friend always sends me links to MotionBased when he does big rides.

I'm really not a gadget kind of guy. I don't have a GPS unit other than the one given to me for Race Across America. It doesn't have an interface and has to be used with mapping software on a computer.

I don't have any computer on my mountain bike and for a long time I didn't even have one on my road bike. In 2002 when I started riding more on the road and getting ready for my first RAAM qualifier, I started doing the UMCA Mileage Challenge. Now it's called the UMCA Year-Rounder Challenge. One of the ways to submit personal rides is to use a downloadable computer. I got the downloadable CM414 which has an altimeter so I can see the profile of my rides.

One of the things I've been concerned about with GPS units is that I hear they typically only have a 10 hour battery life. I've heard that at least on some of them you can swap batteries and not lose the current route so maybe that's an option. Another reason has been that I didn't want to spend the money. I figured in another year I'd get something better for less money. Now I'm thinking they might be getting close to something I'd pay for. If you use a GPS, what do you like or not like about yours?

Here's the ways to use GPS to map rides that RoadBikeRider readers sent in.

TopoRoute doesn't require clicking multiple times to go around a curve. It has logic to follow the road. For bike paths and shortcuts that aren't roads, it allows you to "not follow the road." It also has an elevation feature. You can even create a link to your route and e-mail it to friends. -- Kurt J.

Bikely uses Google maps. It's got some great features including an elevation chart. I've been using it for years. -- Cory B.

MapMyRide lets riders save their routes and e-mail them to friends or post them on the Map My Ride website for access by the internet community. This could be a good source for finding a decent route when visiting an unfamiliar area. A route can be uploaded to Google Earth to overlay it there. -- Bob B. www.mapmyride.com has a "follow roads" option where you don't have to put lots of points around curves to get accurate results. -- Mike E.

VeloRoutes offers GPX and Google Earth export plus auto-routing, a feature that makes the route lines "snap" to the road. -- Matt M., veloroutes creator

RouteSlip has many routes mapped out and also includes elevation profiles. -- Tracy G.

CyclistNexus is very much a work in progress but there are some awesome features. You can track weekly mileage, favorite routes, weekly elevation gain and heart rate info. Plus you can plan out events and group rides. Keep an eye on it. -- Tim A.

Google Maps. I like Google maps. They can automatically follow the corners for you. Google also gives turn-by-turn written directions for those who are map-reading challenged. Unfortunately the time estimates are off since it assumes you will be traveling at the speed limit. It also doesn't give you an elevation profile. Here's the route of a recent 78.5-km ride. -- Michael N.

Gmaps Pedometer can use a hybrid view of satellite with street names. When your trusted Cateye computer is on the fritz then you can count on this site to count your miles. -- Bob S.

These were sent in (with comments) by Rob A. of Webster Groves, Missouri.

• RouteSaver. An application that can be used to save any of kind of running, cycling or other route. The tool is based on the new interface that Google has provided for its Google Maps program.
• MotionBased is a web application that translates GPS data into functional analysis and online mapping for athletes. Affiliated with the Garmin GPS company.
• My favorite is Trimble AllSport GPS. It's designed to run on GPS-enabled cell phones and in web browsers, combining global positioning technology and mobile communications. It's free and works great with my Garmin Forerunner 301. Here's an example ride.

Fernando M. also wrote to them and said, "I'm surprised no one offered up Bike Route Toaster as one of the best mapping sites out there. It allows you to download in numerous formats and even saves your rides online.

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, GPS, mountain biking