Edge 705 or Edge 800

mrbez
mrbez Posts: 113
edited December 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi Guys,

In short, which of the two would you go for?

Is the 800 worth the extra £80 from Handtec, or is it just worth saving this and going for the 705?

Many Thanks.

Comments

  • aidso
    aidso Posts: 493
    Do both come with HRM and Cadence? If yes then you're trying to justify the extra for a touch screen? I've considered upgrading myself and am considering the 800 just because its the latest iteration.
  • mrbez
    mrbez Posts: 113
    Is that only the main difference?

    Touch screen doesn't bother me at all.

    I just want to be able to use it on my turbo, and also to plot routes on my computer and upload to the device to follow.
  • rickwiggans
    rickwiggans Posts: 416
    I have both. The 800 is a ton easier to use, both in terms of touch screen vs the fiddly joystick, and navigating menus. The screen is nicer, and files load and download much faster. My 800 is more stable than my 705. The mount on the 800 is much more secure. Touch screen didn't bother me, either, till I tried it. Loads better. I believe it is worth the difference. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you. If you ever think you might want the OS maps, then you need the 800
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  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    rickwiggans wrote:
    I have both. The 800 is a ton easier to use, both in terms of touch screen vs the fiddly joystick, and navigating menus. The screen is nicer, and files load and download much faster. My 800 is more stable than my 705. The mount on the 800 is much more secure. Touch screen didn't bother me, either, till I tried it. Loads better. I believe it is worth the difference. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you. If you ever think you might want the OS maps, then you need the 800

    what he said
  • mrbez
    mrbez Posts: 113
    I thought the 705 handled OSM as well?

    This is where you download free maps and overlay a route over them right? IE, free rather than paying for Garmin software.
  • graeme_s-2
    graeme_s-2 Posts: 3,382
    The 705 has a bit of a design flaw as far as I'm concerned. The rubber cover on the joystick is liable to tear eventually (after a couple of years of heavy use in my case). Once that happens the unit is no longer waterproof, and it's not possible to repair it. I'd say the touchscreen is worth the extra cost just to avoid this.
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    rickwiggans wrote:
    I have both. The 800 is a ton easier to use, both in terms of touch screen vs the fiddly joystick, and navigating menus. The screen is nicer, and files load and download much faster. My 800 is more stable than my 705. The mount on the 800 is much more secure. Touch screen didn't bother me, either, till I tried it. Loads better. I believe it is worth the difference. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you. If you ever think you might want the OS maps, then you need the 800

    That sums it up a treat - easier to use, faster to find satellites and load maps. Side by side the 705 looks a tad old fashioned. My only concern is battery life, I found the 705 seemed to last for ever, not so convinced by the 800 yet.
  • rickwiggans
    rickwiggans Posts: 416
    mrbez wrote:
    I thought the 705 handled OSM as well?

    This is where you download free maps and overlay a route over them right? IE, free rather than paying for Garmin software.

    Correct, but so does the 800.
    ______________________

    http://garstangcyclingclub.net
  • mrbez
    mrbez Posts: 113
    rickwiggans wrote:
    mrbez wrote:
    I thought the 705 handled OSM as well?

    This is where you download free maps and overlay a route over them right? IE, free rather than paying for Garmin software.

    Correct, but so does the 800.

    But what threw me was that you said if I decide to use the OS maps, then I need the 800. Yet you have just said the 705 uses them too? Sorry Rick but am I missing something? lol :?:
  • rickwiggans
    rickwiggans Posts: 416
    As far as i know, the osm maps replicate the garmin navigator series. I'm not aware of osm os mapping that the garmin can use. However, the os mapping (i have it as well as the city navigator mapping) is to my mind, too cluttered and unneccesarily expensive for road use.
    ______________________

    http://garstangcyclingclub.net
  • Mad Roadie
    Mad Roadie Posts: 710
    I have heard the 800 still has a few software glitches - perhaps there is much to be said for buying the 705 (now heavily discounted) when its foibles have been long since sorted out?
  • rickwiggans
    rickwiggans Posts: 416
    800 pretty much sorted now
    ______________________

    http://garstangcyclingclub.net
  • richh
    richh Posts: 187
    mrbez wrote:
    But what threw me was that you said if I decide to use the OS maps, then I need the 800. Yet you have just said the 705 uses them too? Sorry Rick but am I missing something? lol :?:
    OSM = OpenStreetMap - free mapping that you can download and install
    OS = Ordnance Survey - expensive mapping that you pay for as part of some of the 800 bundles.

    I'm not sure that the OS mapping works on the 705 whereas the OSM mapping works on both. I'm not sure as I've I've got an 800 and have never used a 705. For me OSM (the version with the contours) work just fine for everything I'd need so there's no point on paying more for the OS maps.
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    useful reading: http://www.benmanson.com/review/edge800/800_review.htm

    However the thing about the display not being as good in sunlight is at odds with other reviewers' thoughts.

    Another kind of comparison here: http://blog.evanscycles.com/other_stuff/garmin-edge-800-first-look/
  • bluesparx
    bluesparx Posts: 62
    I've just been through the same dilemma myself and almost convinced myself to go for the 800 due to all the excellent reviews and comments as above, but in the end i went for the 705 for £120 cheeper than the cheapest 800 i'd seen. I just couldn't justify the outlay for the 800. The 705 does everything i want it too, i am really pleased with it. Yes i am a little jealous of the style and extra features but I have saved myself a lot of money. I resent paying the money for the 705 to be honest when my phone does nearly everything and the money could be better spent on bike bits so I'd definitely be regretting spending full whack on an 800. It all depends on how much spare cash you have of course. I have no regrets.
  • mrbez
    mrbez Posts: 113
    Thanks guys. I am actually picking a 705 up this weekend :)

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