Garmin Edge 800, Garmin Etrex or what else?

rrsodl
Posts: 486
I want to treat myself to a new toy and I'm confused what is the right device for me.
I have looked at Edge 800 and Etrex 20 and 30 briefly.
What I want / need:
Speed read and display,
Distance covered,
Be able to upload my rides to a website such as endomondo
NAVIGATION - follow a previously created course and show me the way to a destination like I do with my car navigation system,
Good battery life, over 8 hours.
Good screen definition ( my eyesight it's not the best)
I have the application Osman on my phone to navigate previously created courses and it is brilliant BUT the phone battery life is poor, difficult to mount the phone securely, not water proof, screen too sensitive to any touch. otherwise I would not consider a GPS dedicated device.
What I don't need or would not use:
HRM
Cadence,
Any functionality that is for training related. I don't mind having them but if there is a cost then I rather not have it.
I cannot find any good videos on navigation for the Etrex, however, I read a post in this forum that make me think it can be what I am after. There is a guy showing the edge 800 navigation in a car and that looks like the thing I want to get. Conclusion? Totally confused
I understand a map needs to be installed for turn by turn navigation and the city navigation is the best map, although OSM based it's not bad.
I'm a bit concerned the Etrex might look a bit bulky mounted on the stem.
What would people recommend?
I have looked at Edge 800 and Etrex 20 and 30 briefly.
What I want / need:
Speed read and display,
Distance covered,
Be able to upload my rides to a website such as endomondo
NAVIGATION - follow a previously created course and show me the way to a destination like I do with my car navigation system,
Good battery life, over 8 hours.
Good screen definition ( my eyesight it's not the best)
I have the application Osman on my phone to navigate previously created courses and it is brilliant BUT the phone battery life is poor, difficult to mount the phone securely, not water proof, screen too sensitive to any touch. otherwise I would not consider a GPS dedicated device.
What I don't need or would not use:
HRM
Cadence,
Any functionality that is for training related. I don't mind having them but if there is a cost then I rather not have it.
I cannot find any good videos on navigation for the Etrex, however, I read a post in this forum that make me think it can be what I am after. There is a guy showing the edge 800 navigation in a car and that looks like the thing I want to get. Conclusion? Totally confused

I understand a map needs to be installed for turn by turn navigation and the city navigation is the best map, although OSM based it's not bad.
I'm a bit concerned the Etrex might look a bit bulky mounted on the stem.
What would people recommend?
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Comments
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Garmin 800.
I would only choose the etrex if I was doing some heavy duty/long distance touring.0 -
They will all do what you want but the edge will mount a lot more neatly on a bike and there are more mounting options. You have to be weigh this up against the costs of the devices.0
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wongataa wrote:They will all do what you want but the edge will mount a lot more neatly on a bike and there are more mounting options. You have to be weigh this up against the costs of the devices.
Yes, I think so too.
I need to search for videos / pictures.
I guess I can use OSM based on the etrex too, right?0 -
RRSODL wrote:wongataa wrote:They will all do what you want but the edge will mount a lot more neatly on a bike and there are more mounting options. You have to be weigh this up against the costs of the devices.
Yes, I think so too.
I need to search for videos / pictures.
I guess I can use OSM based on the etrex too, right?
In my opinion the navigation and on device routing on the etrex are superior to the 800. For example the etrex has a compass the 800 does not. If you create a route on the 800 you can only choose a single end point, on the etrex you can choose multiple points to ensure the route follows exactly the way you want to go rather than the way the 800 wants to send you.
Openstreetmap can be used on the etrex.0 -
Excellent info. Thank you.
Is the screen on the etrex a little smaller than in the 800?0