GPS, Cadence & HRM - Are Garmin the only option?

DoubleTop

Hi All

I really like gadgits. I work in IT and off to the gadget show in April (mmmm Suzy), but there have been loads of post recently about the Garmin range espically and GPS/Cadence/HRM. I have a standard cycle computer, but I posted recently about cadence I am trying to work out if spending money on something like a Garmin 305 Forerunner, Garmin 305 Edge or Garmin 705 Edge (all with GPS,cadence & HRM) is going to really provide value for money. I don't see the point of the Garmin 705, why have a a sat nav on a bike I know my route and if not I would take notes on a card in my back pocket. I wear a Polar HRM, but would like a cadence monitor.

What I would like to ask people who bought them or use GPS/cadence/HRM are the following:
Do they really use the data during & after the ride to get real improvements?
If, so how?
Do you think these GPS/Cadence/HRM systems are really worth it for the money?
Other than Garmin what are the other options?
Which would you buy- Garmin 305 Forerunner, Garmin 305 Edge, Garmin 705 Edge or something else?


Cheers
DT

Gary D

I have an Edge 305 (705 wasn't available when I bought mine) and I find it very useful.
I am still a relative beginner so I am constantly improving (most of the time :oops: )

I don't think you "use the data during & after the ride to get real improvements?" rather you use it to show and record improvements. Maybe if you were to approach it a little more scientifically you could do though?

I find it useful to keep an eye on my cadence and heart rate during a ride. It is also interesting being able to see an instant read out of the gradient you are on.

I also find mine useful when on the turbo trainer to guage performance/improvements.

Put it this way, if mine broke or got lost, I would definitely go out and buy another. Probably a 705 as well - purely because they are only slightly more expensive now than what I paid for my 305 - also I like gadgets

Gary.

Moaner

Gary D wrote:

IPut it this way, if mine broke or got lost, I would definitely go out and buy another. Probably a 705 as well - purely because they are only slightly more expensive now than what I paid for my 305
Gary.

Ditto - well said

liversedge

use gps to help me navigate longer rides / find my way home / discover new routes. I rode to the parents-in-law on Boxing day and it was great - I had no idea where I was going on the country lanes (normally use the A roads) but the garmin got me there. Likewise for the cheshire cat and fred whitton the garmin will have the route programmed in.

cadence and hr are recorded, but to be honest they're just a curiosity these days - hr is so vriable its hardly worth it and cadence is a red herring.

I use it in conjunction with my power meter via ant+ and that is an awesome combination.

the fact that I have an entire season's data stored on a 2GB SD card in the 705 is absolutely awesome. I download to pc obviously but the device itself can store every ride - so when I'm in Majorca in April I will record every ride and download when I get home. Now that's cool.

jfwall

I've got an edge 305, had it for about a year and am lost without it. Obviously it gives you all the good stuff on a ride but the ability to show a compare on my PC with previous rides really helps me to understand if I'm improving or not. The Dot Based Racing on Motion based is excellent and also being able to race against yourself live on your ride is a fantastic bit of kit albeit frustrating sometimes when the wind might be in a different direction than your last ride.

110% would say go for a Garmin, agree with you about the 705, I don't see the point of needing directions although the price is alot closer than it was when I bought my 305.

jfwall

I've got an edge 305, had it for about a year and am lost without it. Obviously it gives you all the good stuff on a ride but the ability to show a compare on my PC with previous rides really helps me to understand if I'm improving or not. The Dot Based Racing on Motion based is excellent and also being able to race against yourself live on your ride is a fantastic bit of kit albeit frustrating sometimes when the wind might be in a different direction than your last ride.

110% would say go for a Garmin, agree with you about the 705, I don't see the point of needing directions although the price is alot closer than it was when I bought my 305.

nferrar

I have a 705 but tbh am too lazy to use it properly. I keep telling myself I'll get around to plotting routes, using the virtual training partner and analysing the data but haven't done so far I currently just use it as a glorified bike computer and rarely change from the main screen, it's always nice to know it should help me get home if I get lost though. So yeah it's overkill unless you're going to actually use at least the routing or virtual training partner features, I still don't regret buying it though...

Shezzer

I have a Forerunner 305 and Edge 705.

IMO the 705's main advantage over the Forerunner is the mapping capability. I sometimes download other people's rides and follow the sat nav instructions so I ride different routes and keep it interesting. I also map my own rides ensuring I take country lanes more than A roads ... knowing full well I'll not get lost. It's also nice to not have to stop every few miles or at junctions to check a paper map. So far I've only had one experience of the 705 sending me the wrong way so it may be advisable to carry a paper map as back up.

If you won't use the mapping functionality then I would go for a Forerunner 305 with cadence sensor as it has most of the 705's features. I used my Forerunner for 2 years before getting a 705. As a triathlete, it proved pretty versatile switching from bike to run and is a more than capable bike computer.

I've never used an Edge 305 so can't comment on them.

HRM and cadence sensors are only useful if you use them to govern your training. For example you may want to train within a specific HR zone or gradually increase your cadence ... it's great having instant information. Both the Foreunner and 705 can alert you when you're out of your desired zone and I have used them to both lower my HR and increase my cadence. However, if you don't plan to use them to monitor your workouts or plan your training then they're pretty redundant and you should save yourself a few quid.

Being a technophile I guess you may be like me and get off on data. If this is the case and you do something with the data then go for it. If mapping aint important to you then I'd recommend a Forerunner with handlebar mount and cadence sensor.