GPS - So confused

kingrollo

OK - here are my assumptions on the GPS Garmin Edge 205/605 - please mark true\ false - any help welcome as I am so confused

205
I can plot a route and this will give me a breadcrumb trail & I don't need to purchase maps to do this.

If I purchase maps - the breadcrumb trail will appear on such a MAP

I can log my results to the Garmin Web site

I can record a route, whilst cycling, then follow this route next time - I don't need extra maps to do this

I can use virtual pacer on all my routes - not just the ones I record

typical costs are £120 + £50 for maps



605
This has base maps - so I can plot a route - and then the thing will work like a sat nav

But the above works much better if you purchase better maps

I can't route like I can on a car sat nav - even with extra maps

typical costs are £220 + £50 for maps

Lou_m

I have a 305 and I think everything you have said ref the 205 is correct. You can overlay your "breadcrumb" trail onto google earth but I've not tried the virtual pacer yet.

amaferanga

The 205 and 305 don't accept maps.

The 605 can do satnav style routing, but it doesn't work so well for bike routes (good for emergencies though)

Scrumple

All right, but my 205 was £50 from PC world.

Does me.

The 705 etc are overkill for biking unless you are a wanderlust....

Lou_m

Wow, I thought I got a good deal for the 305 at £125 at PC world!

pete54

I have an Edge 205.

The unit itself doesn't have and cannot use maps, but you don't need them. You follow black lines between the waypoints you have set up in your route. I use the following website to plan out the routes and save out the files in a format suitable for the 205:

http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/index.php

The unit saves any routes you ride and you can view these overlaid on a map using Garmin's free Connect website.

I bought mine for £49 from Halfords a few weeks ago. They were clearing out their stock. Probably none left now, but it might be worth ring around a few branches to check.

strodey

i have the 305, does everything i need! go to www.bikehike.co.uk (free) to plot routes then upload to your device, the 305 will tell you when to turn via a beep with warning that you set (eg 25 metres) once you have set the way points on above site.
I had same dilema but now i bought the 305 i dont see what more i need, it also 'records' a ride so once you have done it (planned route or not) you have the route anyway, the fun part is you can the race yourself with the virtual partner, something that has made my same old boring training rides really good fun (i do shout at myself for losing sometimes :roll: )
I have added a heart rate and cadence to my 305 which i dont really need but its interesting at the end of a ride and i plan to use the heart rate monitor for training in spring.

Never used a 605 but cant think why i'd need the extra map facility!

de_sisti

I have a 205. I plot my route/track on Tracklogs then download it to the 205 and follow it.
Admittedly, there's not much detail, but it's enough to navigate a 200km audax.

bobtbuilder

typical costs are £220 + £50 for maps

There is no way it should cost you this much. You can get a new 705 for £265 at www.handtec.co.uk

kingrollo

ok - where can I get a 205 for £50............

Scrumple

PC world flogged loads off as they stopped stocking them. 205 = £50 and 305 was £100.
You had to ask the manager to check the non listed stock items as the shop I tried TWICE told me they had none.
The manager knew what I was on about and found 2 in the rear... on special.

This was a year ago, so unlikely to be any left nationally as it was widely publicised here!

kingrollo

Scrumple wrote:

PC world flogged loads off as they stopped stocking them. 205 = £50 and 305 was £100.
You had to ask the manager to check the non listed stock items as the shop I tried TWICE told me they had none.
The manager knew what I was on about and found 2 in the rear... on special.

This was a year ago, so unlikely to be any left nationally as it was widely publicised here!

Cheapest I can find is £115 Handtec - or £110 approx via ebay. Given that the PC world offer has probably gone - is this likely to be the best price.

antfly

Considering they used to be over £200 that`s not bad.

kingrollo

I have entered an Audax that has GPX downloads available for the route. Which garmin devices would be able to accept this ?

amaferanga

kingrollo wrote:

I have entered an Audax that has GPX downloads available for the route. Which garmin devices would be able to accept this ?

Any Edge or Etrex will be fine (though for the 205/305 I think you'd need to convert it to a course).

antfly

No, they both take routes also.