Which Garmin?

jonny_trousers

I've decided I would like to take my cycling beyond commuting and the occasional 15/20 miler and due to the nature of my work schedule that will mostly mean me heading out on my own. With that in mind - and having an utterly crap memory for directions - I think it might be a wise move for me to get some kind of GPS computer that can give me directions along my route (as well as collating all the usual data), but as a complete novice to these kind of things, I'm not sure where to begin. I do know that Garmin seem to be the most highly regarded make, but as they have so many options any advice on what I should be looking for would be massively appreciated.

Cheers!

StillGoing

Assuming you've done a subject search first as there are several threads on this subject, it would depend on what you want. A training device then the 500 is the best choice, navigation then either an 800 if you really must have the latest gadget or a 705 if you're not bothered about having a touch screen. All of these will do HR, speed, cadence as well as various training options including intervals and virtual partner.

springtide9

Get the Garmin Edge 800. It really is worth the extra over the 705 IMO if you have the cash.
It's not just the touch screen - navigation is better as well as being faster, etc. Basically just feels, well, generation one vs generation three.

But if funds are really tight, pick up a s'hand 705 or even 605. You also might find some bargains on the 605/705 new.

You can also save some money getting the cheaper bundles and using Opensource maps... but I just got the road performance bundle... so can't really comment.

jonny_trousers

philthy3 wrote:

Assuming you've done a subject search first as there are several threads on this subject

I must confess I did not. Classic forum laziness and as I am forever telling people over in the commuting forum who ask the incesant, 'which hybrid?' question to look through the previous posts, I apologise. With that in mind, thanks very much for your advice; it's just what I was after.

jonny_trousers

Thanks Springtide! Knowing me I'll find a way to justify the most expensive option.

oceheb

Considered Garmin 800, but many note poor waterproofness for this device. So I decided to go for Garmin Oregon 450 + Bike mount + Cadence + HeartRate monitor=little more than 300 quid. Wich will also do the job as trekking device, having great waterproof abilities and AA bataries.

I just recived it, will share reallive experience soone, if interested.

jonny_trousers

oceheb wrote:

Considered Garmin 800, but many note poor waterproofness for this device. So I decided to go for Garmin Oregon 450 + Bike mount + Cadence + HeartRate monitor=little more than 300 quid. Wich will also do the job as trekking device, having great waterproof abilities and AA bataries.

I just recived it, will share reallive experience soone, if interested.

I'd love to hear how you get on with it. I've actually just read a few not-so-amazing reviews of the 800 and I have access to an almost limitless supply of AA batteries.

wobblerthe1st

Hi Jonny

Another option if you don't want to blow a load of money on a Garmin (although i do recomend them) straight away is look at some of the Apps if you have an iPhone or other smart phone, they are about £3-5 and do much the same thing working on GPS (just remember to turn off your WiFi and 3G else it kills the battery) you can get plenty of handy things to attach it to the bike too, and it saves on weight/hassle if you carry your phone too.

Two good ones are iMapmyRide+ or Cyclemeter, the offcial Team Sky App has one too.

However if you can justify a Garmin go for one.

saprkzz

Edge 800, no question, I have writen my views on so many posts now, so cant be bothered to type it all out again, so all I will say is 800 800 800!!!

Warwickshire Whizzer

Edge 800.

Had mine delivered from Evans with their 20% discount they were offering last week. Amazed by it, all the data I could want, and GPS routing very handy. Mapped out a little run out for the weekend, uploaded it, and followed it a treat.

As for not waterproof. I was caught out in the hammering rain last night, it was absolutely soaked, and doesn't show the slightest bit of concern for it.

Top kit.

Picked up the road performance bundle, but as above you can strip out the maps and use OSM for free.

springtide9

saprkzz wrote:

Edge 800, no question, I have writen my views on so many posts now, so cant be bothered to type it all out again, so all I will say is 800 800 800!!!

+1

And as for the Edge not being fully waterproof.. I don't think any of them are (all IP7)... but it's a non issue, as demo's by this guy.....
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/12/feel ... tests.html

Biggest issue with Mobile phones is battery life, even if you turn off everything.
They are fine for 4 hr rides, but it's far from ideal if you kill the battery.

If you are using your mobile if you are using it for an emergency device, it's not ideal draining the battery to the point it's unusable.
And personally, in the event of having a pretty bad crash somewhere a little remote while riding on my own, I would rather my mobile was not on my handlebars!

There were a few niggling issues with the original f/w of the 800, but these were fixed. I also remember that Powertap users were a little unhappy... but not sure if that's resolved or not. The only issue that I really have, is that the altimeter seems to be off on some rides.... although Garmin Connect doesn't seem to 'fix' the errors. There is talk about the 800 using 'pressure' for it's height calculation, which I guess can change thought the day... but sure... a bit annoying.. but maybe the altimeter is actually giving a more accurate reading compared with the GPS data... as the GPS data isn't supposed to be very accurate from what I've read.

But that is a very minor issue on what is a fantastic product. I think you would only choose another (of this type) of device - if cost was the biggest driving factor.

The biggest advantage of the 800 compared to the 705 is the usability while riding, and that's not because it's touch screen, but because it feels like it has been designed to be used while in the saddle, where you have to use the device and get info from quick glances and sometimes blind hand inputs. I'm not sure you'd get that usability on a device that is designed for walking etc... but I maybe wrong.

StillGoing

I don't have any issues operating my 705 whilst on the move or reading the screen?

oceheb

Today I used first time my Oregon 450. The bike mount looks really stable. My 20 miles went well and I liked lots of information you get from device. Only drawback I found that screen is not that clear as comparing with cateye micro, which was mounted together. I also like quality of heartrate monitor. I used sigma monitor before, which loosed signal frequently and had to tight the strap what feels not confortable. With the new monitor, its easer to use, even with loose strap, signal is good. Nice thing is ability to dettach the monitor and wash strap separately.

I do cycling/trekking 50/50. I used Garmin Vista before, which been lost. I like that the device is thick and holds nice in hand, most operations can be done by one hand only. And power autonomy is crusial for long trips where power source is not availble. Ive already have recharchables from my vista.

So, I think if you do long trekking journeys, as well as cyclng for training then Oregon 450 is best choise.

alfablue

I have a Garmin Dakota, a baby version of the Oregon; with HRM strap and bike mount I paid about £230. It has been brilliant. I have used it for 2 week tours (preloading my itinerary), and the use of AA batteries means no worries about daily charging; and in conjunction with route planning sites like this I have discovered many new bike friendly routes to use. I use OSM maps (uk and other countries, some cycling specific ones), and I have just got back from sailing in Greece where it was very useful on the yacht. I use it for the HRM in the gym, too. It has been a great buy, and does everything I want, and it is very robust and pocketable.

Anonymous

Garmin Edge 500 for me, these guys ship fast & hard to beat on price:

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/23 ... bae97b99e1

rozzer32

I'd go for a Garmin 800. I have the 500 because I used to have a power meter. I sold that so I'm now in two minds to sell the 500 and get the 800.

I think the navigation would be great as I'm starting to get a bit fed up of riding on the same roads.

Anonymous

You can put routes on the 500, it does not do stuff such as "next left" but plots a line that you follow and works pretty well to keep you on track.

jonny_trousers

Thanks again guys! The 800 is looking like the winner as the vavigation factor is really important to me. The question now is which bundle to go for.

mattrixdesign2

Just got myself one of these:

http://www.brytongps.com/bryton-rider-5 ... -cycle-gps

Lots of features for the price, new to the market - its a bit of a risk but willing to give it a try. Initialy setup was a bit clunky, my fault for not putting the memory card in fully.

But operating the unit is easy, had it running in my car this AM, just to check its ability to follow routes, and will hopefully get to try it on the bike fri/sat/sun.

Packed with features.

Edit: £171.99 on wiggle, and Ebay seller was offering the same device new for £20 less, but IMO it was not worth the risk if it had to go back.

antfly

After almost ending up on motorways a few times whilst struggling to follow routes on my old Edge 305 {I also have a 500 but it only does courses not routes) I ordered an Edge 800 from Wiggle on Tuesday when they had 20% off. Can't see why you would get anything else for the road, with UK City Navigator maps for another 30 quid if needed.

springtide9

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Thanks again guys! The 800 is looking like the winner as the vavigation factor is really important to me. The question now is which bundle to go for.

Garmin Edge 800
Garmin Edge 800 & Bike mount.
Only Base Map. Need to use additional maps for navigation, but there are Opensource maps available (which a few people have said work well).

Garmin Edge 800 Performance Bundle
Garmin Edge 800, Bike mount, Speed/cadence Sensor & HR Monitor.
Only Base Map. Need to use additional maps for navigation, but there are Opensource maps available (which a few people have said work well).

Garmin Edge 800 Performance and Navigation Bundle
Garmin Edge 800, Bike mount, Speed/cadence Sensor, HR Monitor & Euro Road Maps
European road navigation maps included.

Garmin Edge 800 Performance and OS Nav Bundle
Garmin Edge 800, Bike mount, Speed/cadence Sensor, HR Monitor & Off/On Road Maps for the UK (GB Discoverer OS 1:50 Full GB). Best if you ride on and off-road.. as well as using it as a walking/trekking device.

More info about the Opensource Maps here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin

The only unfortunate thing is that buying the Garmin maps separately can be expensive, so it's a choice of whether you want to use the Opensource maps and load them yourself... or pick a bundle with the Garmin maps included.

I opted for the Performance and Navigation Bundle with the Garmin maps, but there are a few people on here using the Opensource maps without any issues. I wanted the HR monitor and cadence sensor, so the difference was £50. If all I wanted was the basic 800... then I would have given Opensource maps I go I'm sure.

chiark

I have to say of all the maps I've tried on my 705, the best by quite some way is the velomap stuff, which takes OSM information and tailors it for Bike use...
http://www.velomap.org/download/

I only have the 705, so I can't use the 1:50k discoverer, but the velomap is what is now on my device.

I bought my 705 a few weeks ago for under £100, including HRM. There are bargains to be had.

rozzer32

simonaskham wrote:

You can put routes on the 500, it does not do stuff such as "next left" but plots a line that you follow and works pretty well to keep you on track.

How do you do this?

welloilbeefoct

I settled on an Edge 500 a few months ago after loads of deliberation about which model to get. I couldn't justify the extra dosh for the 800 and it didn't look like it had that many useful extra features over he 500. Overall I'm well pleased with it. It has had the odd mysterious foible such as the calories reading 0 and once it switched itself off in the middle of a ride. Apart from that its been 100% reliable. The only downside is the Garmin Training Centre software which is pretty poor so I mainly just use Garmin Connect which is ok if a little limited.

rolf_f

rozzer32 wrote:

simonaskham wrote:

You can put routes on the 500, it does not do stuff such as "next left" but plots a line that you follow and works pretty well to keep you on track.

How do you do this?

You plot a route online and download it to the device. It then gives you a breadcrumb trail to follow. For most purposes, it is fine - eg day rides, sportives etc. What it won't do is navigate for you if you change your mind over the route mid ride!

I tend to think the little units (Edge 500, Bryton 35) are ideal for day riding and the mapping units ideal for touring.

oceheb

Tip I found:

1. Before ride start go to stopwatch->start
2. When finished, stop stopwath

Go to device:garmin\gpx\archive

You will se list of activities, upload to garmin connect, get somthing like this:

My first monitored ride:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97723439

Butterd2

chiark wrote:

I have to say of all the maps I've tried on my 705, the best by quite some way is the velomap stuff, which takes OSM information and tailors it for Bike use...
http://www.velomap.org/download/

I only have the 705, so I can't use the 1:50k discoverer, but the velomap is what is now on my device.

I bought my 705 a few weeks ago for under £100, including HRM. There are bargains to be had.

+1 to all of this. AFAIK the 800 does nothing the 705 doesn't it just has a bigger screen, so that choice is down to the quality of your eyesight.
Velomaps are excellent, I have used them in the UK and Belgium so far and will be loading Italy/Austria/Germany for the summer tour. Just buy a MicroSD card for a couple of £ and download away.