Garmin Edge 205 GPS

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Discussion

Moose.

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

248 months

Thursday 29th November 2007
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Anyone got one of these? I notice you can pick up brand new ones on eBay for £74 delivered, which is a lot cheaper than in the shops. I've already got Memory Map on the PC at home and I gather it can be used to upload routes to the Garmin for navigation purposes. Just wondering if the Edge is suitable for navigation (specifically for off road routes/tracks), as it's not got a built in map so I assume it just displays an arrow to the next way point?

Also quite like the idea of the virtual rider, so you can race yourself from a previous ride. That's got to help with improving my fitness if nothing else, as I cycle three nights a week currently on the same routes which can get a little tedious at times.

Interested to hear any comments positive or negative smile

Edited by Moose. on Thursday 29th November 10:09

Gazzab

21,228 posts

289 months

Thursday 29th November 2007
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I think that the next model up is the one to go for ie with hear monitor etc so you can better measure your performance?

Moreymach

1,029 posts

273 months

Thursday 29th November 2007
quotequote all
Ive got one. Its the lesser one without the heart rate gubbins.

To be honest its really just a flash cycle computer. The navigation features are as you say just an arrow and distance to waypoint or start point. You can set it to retrace to start and you can see the route you came on as a line/squigle on the streen. It bleeps when there is a significant turn coming up. Ive not tried the virtual rider yet.

When you get home you can download the data to a pc and see how fast you were going at what stage of the ride. This also displays altitude which is interesting. Ive got another Garmin which came with UK maps which are installed on the pc. If you have these maps the data from the 205 overlays on them.

I reckon its worth the £74 as a nice toy but not really much use as a navigation system.

oddman

2,754 posts

259 months

Saturday 1st December 2007
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Moreymach said:
To be honest its really just a flash cycle computer. The navigation features are as you say just an arrow and distance to waypoint or start point. You can set it to retrace to start and you can see the route you came on as a line/squigle on the streen. It bleeps when there is a significant turn coming up. Ive not tried the virtual rider yet.

When you get home you can download the data to a pc and see how fast you were going at what stage of the ride. This also displays altitude which is interesting. Ive got another Garmin which came with UK maps which are installed on the pc. If you have these maps the data from the 205 overlays on them.

I reckon its worth the £74 as a nice toy but not really much use as a navigation system.
What he said. I've got the 305 It's a nice wireless cycle computer but would be a total ball ache as a navigational aid. The only way to do it would be program in loads of way points (GPS coordinates) or use it to reverse a route you've already done. I've never bothered - navigating by bike is hardly rocket science.

936ADL

417 posts

245 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
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I've had mine for a couple of years now, and it's way more than just a flash cycle computer.

It makes navigation in places you don't know a doddle. I use mine in conjunction with tracklogs software.

The garmin training centre stuff is also a good way of logging your rides etc.

I'd recommend them!

Moose.

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

248 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
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Cheers for your thoughts guys. Think I'll have to put one on my Christmas list smile

936ADL

417 posts

245 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
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One thing to bear in mind is the fact that there are some Edge models on the horizon. The new 605/705 units will feature full topological mapping.


I think they're due to released early in the new year.


Andy