Getting the most out of a Garmin Edge 800

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited August 2011 in Road beginners
Despite the (I think) very high price, I've taken the plunge on a Garmin Edge 800 pack with OS maps, HR sensor etc.

From what I read, the provided instructions are rubbish but there are many good resources for this bit of kit, including how-to's on using open source maps. Could someone point me in the right direction?

I have a Trek duotrap speed/cadance sensor on my bike which claims to be ANT+ based. Has anyone used this with an Edge 800?

Thanks.
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • welloilbeefoct
    welloilbeefoct Posts: 10
    I use an Edge 500 which is pretty similar.

    For analysing the data I use both Garmin Connect and Training Centre There is lots of other free software on the web but I could never get any of it to recognise my unit.

    For creating routes I use Ride with GPS Unfortunately it’s a bit of a long drawn out process to then get the maps into your Garmin. Save the file as a TCX or GPX file and then import it into Training Centre and then export to your unit. It will appear under Imported Courses. To ride the course select it from the menu within the unit. Don't forget to press Start at the beginning of the ride and Stop / Reset at the end as they have a habit of not recording the ride data.

    Sorry if the post is a little vague but I'm trying to multi-task - not easy being a bloke and all that :D
  • johnboy183
    johnboy183 Posts: 832
    I too have an Edge 800 and whilst I'm impressed with what it does, I have the instructions to be vague. Admittedly some of this is my fault because I assume I can do everything straight off and never read instructions properly! Having said that I don't understand base camp and not looked at training centre in detail so can't comment. Biggest problem at the minute is that I can't now upload my recent rides though the unit is recognised by software. Hey ho will have to check with garmin and their help(less) section.
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    welloilbeefoct wrote:
    I use an Edge 500 which is pretty similar.

    For analysing the data I use both Garmin Connect and Training Centre There is lots of other free software on the web but I could never get any of it to recognise my unit.

    For creating routes I use Ride with GPS Unfortunately it’s a bit of a long drawn out process to then get the maps into your Garmin. Save the file as a TCX or GPX file and then import it into Training Centre and then export to your unit. It will appear under Imported Courses. To ride the course select it from the menu within the unit. Don't forget to press Start at the beginning of the ride and Stop / Reset at the end as they have a habit of not recording the ride data.

    Sorry if the post is a little vague but I'm trying to multi-task - not easy being a bloke and all that :D
    Never bothered with messing with training centre..just plot route on ridewithgps.com, plug Edge into PC, export as GPX direct into NewFiles folder on Edge, unplug, power on Edge, done! Takes but seconds...

    I also upload everything to RidewithGPS, does everything I need... found basecamp and TC a pain. Only use basecamp for loading up new OSM maps... for info try http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    johnboy183 wrote:
    I too have an Edge 800 and whilst I'm impressed with what it does, I have the instructions to be vague. Admittedly some of this is my fault because I assume I can do everything straight off and never read instructions properly! Having said that I don't understand base camp and not looked at training centre in detail so can't comment. Biggest problem at the minute is that I can't now upload my recent rides though the unit is recognised by software. Hey ho will have to check with garmin and their help(less) section.

    Have you got Garmin Communicator for your browser?
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • johnboy183
    johnboy183 Posts: 832
    Redvee.
    Top of my head yes. Think I updated it yesterday to latest version but made no difference. Will check tomorrow
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/garm ... -look.html

    "in depth" is an understatement!
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Never bothered with messing with training centre..just plot route on ridewithgps.com, plug Edge into PC, export as GPX direct into NewFiles folder on Edge, unplug, power on Edge, done! Takes but seconds...

    +1 - I do it this way, and it works perfectly. The route appears under "courses" on the main menu.
  • rich164h
    rich164h Posts: 433
    What I would say though is that I find that I can only do this once course at a time. If I put multiple files into the "newfiles" directory only one of them appears in the "courses" menu. It's a pain to have to constantly plug in and unplug then start up the garmin for each course.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Secteur wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Never bothered with messing with training centre..just plot route on ridewithgps.com, plug Edge into PC, export as GPX direct into NewFiles folder on Edge, unplug, power on Edge, done! Takes but seconds...

    +1 - I do it this way, and it works perfectly. The route appears under "courses" on the main menu.

    Yep I've got an Edge 500 and after following advice on this site, plot routes in Bike Hike and then load straight to the Edge 500.... Never use Training Centre...
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • welloilbeefoct
    welloilbeefoct Posts: 10
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Never bothered with messing with training centre..just plot route on ridewithgps.com, plug Edge into PC, export as GPX direct into NewFiles folder on Edge, unplug, power on Edge, done! Takes but seconds...

    I also upload everything to RidewithGPS, does everything I need... found basecamp and TC a pain. Only use basecamp for loading up new OSM maps... for info try http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

    Maybe there is a difference between the 500 and 800 - I've just tried this method and can't get it to work at all with gpx files. I can see the files sitting in the New Files folder but they are not there when I turn on the Edge. I also tried importing the files through Connect and Training Camp but it wouldn't recognise gpx as a valid format and came up with an upload error.

    I tried again with a tcx file which did work but as I turned on the Edge it came up with a message saying "converting", presumably to a .fit file.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    welloilbeefoct wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Never bothered with messing with training centre..just plot route on ridewithgps.com, plug Edge into PC, export as GPX direct into NewFiles folder on Edge, unplug, power on Edge, done! Takes but seconds...

    I also upload everything to RidewithGPS, does everything I need... found basecamp and TC a pain. Only use basecamp for loading up new OSM maps... for info try http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

    Maybe there is a difference between the 500 and 800 - I've just tried this method and can't get it to work at all with gpx files. I can see the files sitting in the New Files folder but they are not there when I turn on the Edge. I also tried importing the files through Connect and Training Camp but it wouldn't recognise gpx as a valid format and came up with an upload error.

    I tried again with a tcx file which did work but as I turned on the Edge it came up with a message saying "converting", presumably to a .fit file.

    I load a tcx file into the 500 from Bike Hike. Then select the route from "Courses"... It says "Converting...." for a coulpe of moments then the route appears.... I don't think gpx files work...
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • Snigget
    Snigget Posts: 24
    I got one a couple of weeks ago after doing a lot of research and spending a good hour in the shop playing with one (Thanks to the patience of the guy in Tredz, Swansea).
    I found this very helpful
    http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/garmin-edge-8 ... -edge-800/

    Initially I used RidewithGPS which went as described above then tried Garmin MapSource (Install detailed in above link).
    Installing mapsource was a bit fiddly but I use it for planning rides while I’m away from home. I find the whole unit is fantastic if you're in an unfamiliar place
    Managed to upload a route across Cornwall on old mining trails from Map source using a map from open bitmap. I got turn by turn directions and off course warnings on trails through woods. Fantastic.
    The normal city maps are ideal for road riding.

    other useful links
    http://ridewithgps.com/edge_800
    http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_ ... n/Download
    http://openmtbmap.org/download/
  • johnboy183
    johnboy183 Posts: 832
    All looks very useful. I'll be sure to follow the advice/info provided
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Thanks for the helpful replies guys. It's a nice little unit, but the documentation/software side of things needs a bit of a fresh approach.
    Purveyor of "up" :)

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