Garmin Dilemma !!

wruds

Looking for thoughts choosing between Garmin 305 and Garmin 705.
Quite new to 'roading' former MTB but I have now been bitten by the road bug.

I am torn between which to get for my needs - basically not sure which ofn the 'nav/route functions will suit. I want to ride new routes and even longer distances. The 305 shows a 'crumb trail' while the 705 shows turn by turn.

From your experiences which is the better?

If I am riding a route and take a detour will either or both re-route me to my destination?

Which is the more reliable 305 or 705?

Is the 705 overkill for my simple needs?

too many questions? How can I try before I buy, all thoughts welcome !!!

Anonymous

705 definitely.

I have a 305 and it's bobbins for navigation!

rjh299

I have both. Bought the 305 first because thought the 705 was expensive and not really worth it. Got the 705 now, and for me it's definitly is worth it.

TheStone

Any chance of a Garmin producing something like the 500 with the maps of the 605/705
anytime soon?

Still using the 205, but would like more battery life and memory and smaller...

bigpikle

705 for me - dont use the mapping every ride but if you want to navigate by it then its very very good IMHO. Not like a TomTom etc but good enough.

I find a few minutes spent planning a new route and uploading it means I get much less bored than simply following all the usual routes because I'm not sure exactly how it might work out on new roads etc.

guinea

If you want a unit that doesn't randomly turn itself off get a 705.

Paul E

I am thinking about getting a 705, the big plus for me is being able to pre plan routes on my laptop and then load them into the 705 and it being waterproof

kingrollo

Why not start with 305 (or even 205) - and see how you go - you will recoup most of cash on ebay - these things are much sought after 2nd hand.

wruds

how does the 305 track the routes, if there is no actual road plotting?

magliaceleste

You use courses and the 305 will draw a line showing you the direction you need to go and where you've been (no map details). I actually found that it's mostly good enough.

You can use courses on a 705 too. It just shows lot more mapping detail if you've got an SD card with maps in there. Unless you love being annoyed by beeping and it telling you all the when to turn, using courses is IMO superior to GPX tracks anyway.

I'm debating swapping the laptop sized 705 for a 500 when they come out in sensible colours later in the year, unless Garmin do invent a 550 or something that allows SD cards or maps to be downloaded. Can't see it yet though. They only got the 705 just about right (calories excluded), the 500 is still very buggy apparently so I doubt they'll introduce a new model to replace the 705 just yet.

Cunobelin

The 705 can be loaded with free maps such as Open Cycle Map.

Both can be "programmed" with routes via Ascent, or other performance programmes or from Memory Map

The data downloads are similar as well, you probably couldn't tell which one if youuse the same programme.

The main difference is the navigation.

If you are using a backup map then the line and points on the 305 are fine, but for urban navigation or map free then the 705 wins.



Garmin 305 navigation




Garmin 705 navigation screen

kingrollo

magliaceleste wrote:

You use courses and the 305 will draw a line showing you the direction you need to go and where you've been (no map details). I actually found that it's mostly good enough.

You can use courses on a 705 too. It just shows lot more mapping detail if you've got an SD card with maps in there. Unless you love being annoyed by beeping and it telling you all the when to turn, using courses is IMO superior to GPX tracks anyway.

I'm debating swapping the laptop sized 705 for a 500 when they come out in sensible colours later in the year, unless Garmin do invent a 550 or something that allows SD cards or maps to be downloaded. Can't see it yet though. They only got the 705 just about right (calories excluded), the 500 is still very buggy apparently so I doubt they'll introduce a new model to replace the 705 just yet.

Do you know if you can use courses on the 205 ?

Solis

Do you know if you can use courses on the 205 ?[/quote]


Yes! I have a 205 and as above its fine for following a route/course but obviously no map back up if you stray off course. Upgraded after a few uses to a 705 and clearly the mapping facility is a big step forward though not problem free as I like to use routes rather than courses and the 705 has an annoying habit of occasionaly over riding your chosen route to one it prefers. Thought this may be down to a setting error on my part but appears to be a minor glitch not yet ironed out by Garmin, don't let that put you off though as its a great bit of kit.

SDK2007

The choice is easy

Requirement for Maps = 705
No map requirement = 500

Simples

kingrollo

One more question - I am thinking of the 205 - the virtual pacer pacer function appeals - I ride the same routes regulary - is there a way of always racing against your best time ? - or does it always compare to the one you saved ?

ajb72

I would like a 705 having seen one in action lately, but find my 305 adequate for following new routes and perfectly fine for recording all other data you could need.

I download routes using sites like mapmyride.com and ridewithgps.com, which allow you to add course points and notes.

There is the odd occurance where I have taken the wrong turn due to the lack of full map details on the 305, but the unit tells you when you are off course quickly enough.

Short answer would be; money no object? - 705 every time. On a budget and happy with basic route guidance? - 305 perfectly adequate.

moonshine

i've used these fellas for my Polar HRMs and they have been very good and prices are competitive.

http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/garmi ... unner.html

i note they say the 305 is now obsolete

guilliano

If I was buying a Garmin now it would be the Edge 500. I'm not fussed about on screen mapping, as long as I can plot waypoints and send them to the device, and it tracks my ride to load onto the computer. I have a 605 and to be honest I've only ever programmed one route into it, I prefer to explore rather than be guided

kettrinboy

as i rarely use the mapping functions i,ll stick with my 305 that ive had since nov 06 and its still going fine, but if it packs in i,ll get a 705 because by then i,ll have had my moneys worth from the 305, in a couple of years time perhaps garmin will have brought out the replacement for the 705 and put a decent basemap on the training centre.

Solis

kingrollo wrote:

One more question - I am thinking of the 205 - the virtual pacer pacer function appeals - I ride the same routes regulary - is there a way of always racing against your best time ? - or does it always compare to the one you saved ?

You can save all your rides in Training Centre and download to the 205, so yes you can use virtual partner on whichever past ride you choose irrespective of if it was the last time you did that course.

willbevan

i upgraded to a 705 after smashing my 305 into an unrecognisable state (boot lids make short work of them, espeically if you hit it a few..... okay, 5-6 times.

Loved my 305, used it all the time with courses, set with turn points so I knew when to turn off a road etc, and worked great... I did travel 70 odd miles with that at points.

Use the 705s navigation and that is much much better, did get bitten by it over the weekend mind you, when I had a set route I was taking a group out for, but we detoured off to go to a local lake that had a coffie stop, it decided to reroute and didn't just reroute to get me back on course, but rerouted the whole route back, I blindly followed the route and noticed when we were going up a climb I'm sure we didnt need to go that it was the wrong way, thankfully could just take a right and get back on course, even if the garmin ddi keep telling me from then on to turn around

If i had to by another one today, I would get another 705... as the routing generally is much much better. Shame you have to buy the maps seperately or use the free maps which arnt as good