Garmin edge but which one for me?

CRAIGO5000

Hi all, hopefully you can assist me in matching up a Garmin Edge for my needs and answer a few questions I have.

Firstly I don't really think I need the HRM/cadence sensor but if I do get them, how do they sync up to the Garmin unit - is it wireless?

Also I like the idea of the Edge 200 as it can do HRM should I later feel I need it but it's also much cheaper then the fully mapped units whilst still offering most of the features.
I think I actually prefer the idea of the breadcrumb trail too compared to intricate instructions constantly updating on screen and to be honest this would be 80% of the reason for me owning one. I need to know if this breadcrumb trail feature works well and is accurate enough in terms of me plotting a route on my laptop of say 50 miles, uploading it to the Garmin unit and have it take me around that course? The reason I think the breadcrumb feature seems better than that of the more expensive units is because following a simple curved line on a screen is going to be alot easier while road cycling then trying to read instructions telling me to turn right in 50 yards..then 25 etc. Also does the Garmin Edge 200 adjust the course to get you back on track should you miss a turning for example?

I have ambitions of making some nice rides come Spring/Summer but I'm hopeless with directions!

thegibdog

As far as I'm aware the 200 has the same navigation features as the 500 - it doesn't adjust courses if you miss a turn as it doesn't use maps, you simply follow the line. The more expensive versions (705,800 etc) overlay that line on a map so I'm not sure using the 200 for navigation would make things any easier.

I have used the 500 for navigating and it's been fine, I've taken the occasional wrong turning but have been able to get back on course easily enough. Navigation isn't the main reason I got it though and if you're primary purpose is finding your way around I'd suggest one of the units with mapping functions.

Lastly, as far as I know, the 200 doesn't support HRM/cadence.

CRAIGO5000

Hi, yes I just found out about the 200 not supporting HRM/cadence so I must have my wires crossed with the model numbers. Does the breadcrumb line tell you that you've gone off the route? I understand that a route uploaded to the Garmin unit is simply a 'scaled drawing' that you follow, but so long as the unit is then clear enough about 'guiding' me around that route, then all is well in my opinion. Most of my rides would be plotted around nice country A roads so deviated from the plotted course by a turn or two wouldn't be too critical, just so long as the Garmin is forgiving enough in getting me back on track.

rolf_f

CRAIGO5000 wrote:

Also I like the idea of the Edge 200 as it can do HRM should I later feel I need it but it's also much cheaper then the fully mapped units whilst still offering most of the features.

The Edge 200 isn't ANT compatible - therefore no HRM afaik.

I don't think the breadcrumb trail will navigate you back on course as the unit itself has no maps. It doesn't know where the roads are so you'd either have to turn round or guess your way back on to the course. Of course, unless you pay little attention to the trail, it should be obvious within a few seconds that you are off route and in that case turning round is almost certain to be the quickest option.

Actually, I just noticed - this is really much the same as thegibdogs post above so read his and ignore mine

Addtional though - the more expensive systems have turn by turn instructions but more usefully the map underlay so that corrections to the route can be made. Oddly though, when I used my Bryton 50 unit abroad without basemaps, it was arguably, mostly, easier to follow the route without the distraction of the map underneath.

The Bryton is perhaps a little clunky but for the price of an 800 you can get a Bryton 50 and a 35 (200 equivalent)and therefore have a small compact GPS unit for when you aren't getting lost and keep the bulkier unit for when you are!

CRAIGO5000

Okay so I nearly bought a 705 and was then put off by the size, the slow'ish connection to satellites and the fact most videos I've seen seem to be showing how laggy it is and just aids in getting riders lost and deviating from courses etc.

I do have a few final questions regarding the 500 though before I take the plunge! (especially as Halfords are doing the full HRM and speed sensor package for £189!)

1. Imagine I've added a circular course that starts 10 miles from my home. Can I load up that course map and see my bearing (as a black triangle) to at least have it guide me roughly the 10 miles in the correct direction to the course starting point?

2. In the same way, If I rode 60 miles from my home and then wanted to get back, is there a "return to beginning of ride" feature that will give me the breadcrumb trail map home?

3. I've noticed a video on youtube of a short course demo and the camera seems to zoom in and out automatically when a turn is approaching which looks annoying. Can I lock off the course zoom amount when following a course to stop it distracting me?

There is literally nothing on the web that shows in great detail the courses features and how reliable it is to follow. I basically need one of you current early adopters to tell me that the course feature works reliably for long distance pre-planned rides down country A roads, as it's pretty much one of the main reasons I want one. I plan on doing some regular 50+ mile circuits and this needs to lead me in the correct direction.

Thanks!

Crankbrother

Although I have a 705 I just use a page from an AA road map book, kept in a plastic food bag in the back pocket ... £2 for the map book means it's not a hassle to tear out the page(s) you need and get a new one each year ... And as it's in the book format the detail for each page/area is pretty decent with only postal roads etc missing ...

Granted, it means I wasted most of my money on the 705 but it is just quicker, plus the Garmin can act as a back up should I get completely lost ...

rolf_f

CRAIGO5000 wrote:

Okay so I nearly bought a 705 and was then put off by the size, the slow'ish connection to satellites and the fact most videos I've seen seem to be showing how laggy it is and just aids in getting riders lost and deviating from courses etc.

I do have a few final questions regarding the 500 though before I take the plunge! (especially as Halfords are doing the full HRM and speed sensor package for £189!)

1. Imagine I've added a circular course that starts 10 miles from my home. Can I load up that course map and see my bearing (as a black triangle) to at least have it guide me roughly the 10 miles in the correct direction to the course starting point?

2. In the same way, If I rode 60 miles from my home and then wanted to get back, is there a "return to beginning of ride" feature that will give me the breadcrumb trail map home?

3. I've noticed a video on youtube of a short course demo and the camera seems to zoom in and out automatically when a turn is approaching which looks annoying. Can I lock off the course zoom amount when following a course to stop it distracting me?

I'd definitely recommend reading this thread for some of the answers......

1) Errrr, if you don't know the way to the start of your circular route, why not use the navigational functions of the GPS unit and plot a route to get there. At the risk of being non PC - have you any Irish blood?

2)

Me in the previous post wrote:

I don't think the breadcrumb trail will navigate you back on course as the unit itself has no maps. It doesn't know where the roads are so you'd either have to turn round or guess your way back on to the course.

. The 500 doesn't have maps - just the ability to download routes. The unit knows where it is but it doesn't know where the roads are - that's the difference between these things and the mapping GPS's. It can't plot a route back if it doesn't know where the roads are. As above - if you've already plotted a route you want to do, either include the whole route or add another to get back. You can have as many routes as you like pre loaded. My mapping unit (Bryton 50) can do an automatic reverse route but my non mapper (Bryton 35) would need me to have a reverse route uploaded. Therefore, I'd have to replot but that doesn't take long and I wouldn't be likely to just follow the same route home anyway.

3) Don't know about this one but that is probably pretty useful. You need detail when things get complicated because it is only the exact shape of the breadcrumb corners that might distinguish one route from another. Yet if you are too zoomed in on the straight bits corners might come up without warning. I'd guess that it is controlled by the number of waypoints you set when creating the route - if it is, you'll have some control over it.

Basically, non mapping GPS units are fine if you stick to planned routes. It's only when you start to change things on the hoof that mapping units really have much advantage.