Garmin Edge 800 - Advice please?

peddlingmadness

To buy or not to buy?

I want a dedicated GPS as my not so Bl00dy smart phone has let me down once to often. would appreciate some feedback from cyclists out there that actually use it. Is it reliable? is it easy to upload new routes? Is it worth the extra for the HR and Cadence equipment? are the maps any good? and how easy is it to upload data to strava? I've read quite a few reviews from places like amazon but, don't fully trust the authenticity.. Any feedback appreciated.

iPete

If you go in with the mindset that it is not the same as a car GPS, you'll have to spend time with sites like ridewithgps to get decent routes and directions and it takes time to understand all the settings, then in my opinion it is a great device.

Don't often use the maps but when I do need them they are great. The extras are useful but they depend on what training you want to do.

The height profile screen is also really useful when on a new route.

marcusjb

peddlingmadness wrote:

To buy or not to buy?

I want a dedicated GPS as my not so Bl00dy smart phone has let me down once to often. would appreciate some feedback from cyclists out there that actually use it. Is it reliable? is it easy to upload new routes? Is it worth the extra for the HR and Cadence equipment? are the maps any good? and how easy is it to upload data to strava? I've read quite a few reviews from places like amazon but, don't fully trust the authenticity.. Any feedback appreciated.

Reliable - yes - 25000km and some horrific weather conditions. Not an issue.

Easy to upload new routes - yes - drag and drop

HR and Cadence - sure if that's your kind of thing

Maps - pretty good - though I use OSM now to keep things up to date

Strava - yes that works.


All in all, pretty good bit of kit - I have only one issue - they do crash if you ride more than around 350km on them, so you need to reset the recording at 300km(ish) to be safe and then stitch your ride back together when you get home. Bit of a pain.

Simon-R7

marcusjb wrote:

peddlingmadness wrote:

To buy or not to buy?


All in all, pretty good bit of kit - I have only one issue - they do crash if you ride more than around 350km on them, so you need to reset the recording at 300km(ish) to be safe and then stitch your ride back together when you get home. Bit of a pain.

If you mean more than 300 km in one ride :shock: then not a worry for me

I got one about 3 months ago and it has made me plot routes a use roads that I did not ever consider before. it has opened up my riding so that I explore more. There are so good deals about on it at the moment

marcusjb

Yep - on one ride. At around 350km the whole thing locks up and you lose your log etc. Only affects a small number of riders in reality - so has never been fixed.

Not sure whether the issue is present on the new 810. I'd be tempted to change for that one improvement!

Other than that, it's been brilliant for my needs.

peddlingmadness

Thanks fella's most helpful. Just one last question on maps, I believe they come loaded with just major roads. Where do I get more detailed maps and what sort of cost are they.

VTech

Ive always had major problems with maps on mine. For all other functions its great.

I find it tries to guide me through fields that cant be cycled and through peoples houses.
Im no fan of the nav side of the 800.

Dorset_Boy

VTech - have you checked your setting to following roads?

To the OP, yes to all your questions and easy to upload to Strava.
I have the European maps with mine and they work fine, and can be bought as part of the package or cost less than £100 if bought separately. Other solution is OS maps as mentioned above.

Gizmodo

VTech wrote:

Ive always had major problems with maps on mine. For all other functions its great.

I find it tries to guide me through fields that cant be cycled and through peoples houses.
Im no fan of the nav side of the 800.

Have you got the "Lock on Roads" setting set to on?

Gizmodo

peddlingmadness wrote:

Thanks fella's most helpful. Just one last question on maps, I believe they come loaded with just major roads. Where do I get more detailed maps and what sort of cost are they.

Check out http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/garmin-edge-8 ... -edge-800/

To quote from that blog:

TalkyToaster http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

This video on youtube explains how to install the OSM maps.
Well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytly-dyXOcI

You just buy a 2GB micro-SD card (about £4 from Amazon) and the maps are free. They work great for everything except navigating to a post code. You can get UK or full European maps constantly updated for free.

daviegb

I got a Garmin 800 a couple of weeks ago for a planned trip to Europe next month. It's a great bit of kit, especially with the HRM & Cadence sensors.

When you get it, check out this link (I think it was done by a forum member) - it explains in simple terms how to set up the navigation so you don't experience the very issues VTech seems to be suffering with!

http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/2012/11/fo ... -edge-800/

VTech - it sounds like the settings need to be reset - follow the link above & everything will work properly, including the 'Get Me Home' option.

Hope this helps.

VTech

Thanks a lot. Ill take a look.