Garmin GPS Option

Thooms
Thooms Posts: 66
edited December 2008 in Workshop
Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a Garmin GPS for my bike. Initially I was going to get a computer which reads cadence and heart rate, but I stumbled accross the Edge series on a heart rate monitoring site.

Initially, I was thinking of going for the 305 - I dont think I need the full mapping/route finding thing because I have maps of the area already.

However, part of me wonders if I should go for the one up which supports the full mapping - mainly because of the 'I might need it one day' factor.

So, given that I wanted a heart rate monitor in the first place, the GPS that supports that is the 705, which is quite a bit more pricey.

I've done a search and found a few things bout them, but not many comparisons of the two.

Both seem to have got great reviews, which doesn't really help.

So, anyone have experience with either? I'm still thinking the 305 would do everything I need, but if the 705 is massively more handy as it's a newer model I could stretch to that.

The 305 comes in at £166, while the best price I could get for the 705 is £236 - so around £70 more. Plus I believe I'd need to buy some maps for it on top of that...

Comparison on Garmins site:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=160&compareProduct=10885&compareProduct=331

Any input would be appreciated :)

- Tom

Comments

  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    I've used both and currently use a 705.

    The 305 is ok but battery life sucks and only lasts around 4 hours, the 705 lasts for around 16 hours.

    The 305 will do everything you need if you have maps already.You can import routes to it to and use it to tell you where to go but without place names or roads numbers, its just a line you can follow.
    The 705 is much more like a car GPS which comes as standard with base maps but can be updated with Garmin topo maps which adds more detail down to house numbers etc.

    The 705 is more expensive, it can also be bought with the Garmin topo maps on dvd from wiggle for £317.The dvd of the maps is better than the memory card version as you can load it onto your pc to plot routes.
  • I have had one bought me for Chritmas/birthday and just finding my way round it. Is there any free/cheap software which I can load showing bidleways and offroad tracks?
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    Like Wappy, I have used both, replaced my 305 for a 705 when I destroyed it on my last trip to scotland (ironically not biking, but slaming it in the boot lid on my car :(

    Not much functional improvement between the 305 and 705... mapping, and power compatiblity. If your not going to use those, and your budget is tight, then well get a 305...

    two reasons I bought a 705, I wanted the mapping for longer rides where I didnt want to carry a map, and at the time, no cheap offers were on for the 305 (like 99.99 from pcworld lol), and couldnt justify paying 140quid for the old kit I used to have, and loved for almost 2 years, so sprung the extra 100 for the 705.

    Mind you you will have to either buy the bundled versions or buy the maps seperate (dont get them on an SD card in my opinion, as if you get them on DVD you can use them on your PC, and plot routes for your 705 easily), as the base maps that come with the 705 are shocking!

    Wappygixer wrote:
    The 305 is ok but battery life sucks and only lasts around 4 hours,.

    Hmm Wappy you must of had a bad unit, I got 7-8 hours out of my 305 regularly though its life, using it 305 times a week for almost 2 years, still showing charge left each time.
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • Thooms
    Thooms Posts: 66
    Hmm, well the 705 is £216 on Halfords - so that puts it a bit closer to the price of the 305.

    The main thing I'm after with the 305 is if you load a route onto it, can you then view the profile of the route even if you haven't done it before?

    I guess you would be able to do it afterwards using the virtual competitor thing - have I understood this correctly?

    Right now I don't think I need the mapping features on the 705, however it could be useful for longer rides in unfamiliar areas...

    Tempting to go for that over the 305.