Garmin 205 vs. 305 vs.705 - is it worth spending more???

Kirky
Kirky Posts: 459
edited January 2009 in Workshop
Hi all,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but is it worth spending the extra to get a Garmin 705 instead of a 205 or 305? It'll be a belated Christmas present (although the 705 will be over budget so I'll have to put extra into it).

One of the things I like about it is I often swap between bikes, so the thought of just cliping it on (and not worrying about sensors / magnets) is quite appealing!!

Would be good to know of people's experiences with the various models.

KIRKY
Las Vegas Institute of Sport

Comments

  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    Ultimately it depends on what you are going to use it for. All are transfereable from bike to bike. They come with 2 mounts that fit bar and/or stem so plenty of versitility.

    1. Do you want Heart rate?
    > No > Edge 205/605
    > Yes > Edge 305/705

    2. Do you want Maps on board?
    > No > Edge 205/305
    > Yes > Edge 605/705

    This should help narrow it down.
    Rich
  • Kirky
    Kirky Posts: 459
    Thanks Rich, that's a great help. HR is a must, which narrows it down to the 305 or 705 and I've been thinking about long term use (i.e. power etc) and it makes it worth spending the bit extra on the 705 now. At the moment the difference in price between the two is only £70!! And if I put that extra in it will make it future proof too.

    Might have actually (finally!!) found a computer system for the bike I'm happy with!! I've had so many over the year all with different things missing that this might finally sort it out!!

    I take it I can add cadence sensor's to the bikes I use regularly?

    KIRKY
    Las Vegas Institute of Sport
  • Moaner
    Moaner Posts: 117
    edited January 2009
    Yes, you can get the cadence sensors and handlebar mounts separately.
    Personally I'd go for the 705 - that's what I'll be doing when my 320 breaks!
  • barrybaines
    barrybaines Posts: 273
    I have the 705 and bought an extra cadence sensor for the fixie, brilliant bit of kit it must be said.
    I believe if you are quick you can get the 705 for £220 @ halfords http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_551271_langId_-1_categoryId_165751
    Although this doesn't come with the maps or a cadence sensor.
    http://www.justgiving.com/26-and-a-bit-miles
  • paul27
    paul27 Posts: 515
    Dont wish to hijack the thread but, ive also been looking to buy a 705,
    they are offered at £237 with cadence but no mapping here http://www.globalgizmos.co.uk/product_d ... p?pid=1164
    what mapping would you suggest, i read cd better than card?
    anyone dealt with this seller before?
    Thanks
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    not dealt with them....

    Would say buy the maps on cd/dvd...

    Reason being that way you can easily use the maps on your PC to plot routes for your 705... which if you get them on an SD card, you can't (easily) use these on your PC
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • Kirky
    Kirky Posts: 459
    Cheers for all the feedback - how much are the maps? And where can I get them from? I guess the next question is what maps to get and how much that adds to the cost!!

    Also, and this is probably a really stupid question, but I assume you don't need the speed sensor to get speed - as it can work it out using GPS?

    KIRKY
    Las Vegas Institute of Sport
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    Kirky wrote:
    I assume you don't need the speed sensor to get speed - as it can work it out using GPS?
    Correct. Speed is calculated using GPS. Speed sensor is only for the turbo.
    Rich
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    paul27 wrote:
    http://www.globalgizmos.co.uk/

    anyone dealt with this seller before?
    Thanks

    i sent them an email over a week ago and i'm still waiting for a reply! :(
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
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    100m Yeah right.
  • cyclingpunk
    cyclingpunk Posts: 368
    I have always been a bit suspect it the accuracy of speed on my 205 and there are sometimes blips of increadable speed. I assume the speed sensor would avoid this.
    My Madone: http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... highlight=
  • barrybaines
    barrybaines Posts: 273
    Yes I believe the 705 uses the speed sensor to cross check accuracy with the satelites as well as being useful for a turbo
    http://www.justgiving.com/26-and-a-bit-miles
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    The maps on DVD (City Navigator) are a lot more expensive than the SD card, a quick look shows around £55 for the SD and £190 for the DVD. Be careful of the cheaper DVD update disc (around £70) as this is just a map update for an already installed copy of City Navigator and not a standalone install.

    I have the maps on SD card as part of the Road Performance package (Europe maps on SD, speed/cadence sensor and heart strap), and they are fine, especially as the Garmin City Navigator is not a great package to create routes in (I do also have City Navigator on PC from another source, but rarely ever use it). You are much better off using Bikeroutetoaster.com or equivalent online source which transfer directly to the 705 using the Garmin plugin for your web browser.

    Be prepared for a lot of playing around to get the most (or in some cases anything much) out of it. Mine became a hobby in it's own right for quite a while.

    Also important is to update the onboard software to the latest version from Garmin's website, this gives you the option to stop it recalculating your routes if you go off course, which was really annoying!
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • ratherbeintobago
    ratherbeintobago Posts: 636
    FWIW I bought a 205 & while I'm happy with it, I do regret a bit not finding the extra for a 705.

    RBIT
    On twitter
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    Dabs.com are doing the 705 with Heart rate, cadence and maps for £287... which looks like a pretty good price.

    ScottieP
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    I bought the 705 mtb version which comes with Garmin topo maps on DVD

    Awesome piece of kit I have to say.The battery life is so much better than my old 205.

    I just cant get it to connect to memory map though even with the latest version, not to much of an issue though.

    A few people seem to dislike the topo maps.They may not be the same detail as memory map but are far cheaper and for road use seem to be perfectly up to the job.
    Not tried it yet offroad but it will happen shortly
  • Bigmiksears
    Bigmiksears Posts: 51
    i have the 305 - tbh the 705 is only really worth it if you want maps. You can navigate with the 305 very easily using websites such as bikeroutetoaster.com. This site lets you create the ride you want to go on and download it onto your 305. It will then give you additional screen read outs for major junctions if you want.

    The 305 is more than adequate and a steal compared to other similarly priced bike computers e.g. polar.

    Hope this helps - and definately check out the site mentioned

    p.s. people have mentioned the battery life - its more than adequate on my particular 305 and i can do 2 or 3 4hr+ rides without a problem.

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