Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps)

Manufacturer : Garmin Model : Edge 705 Bundle ASIN : B000VRHPS2 Price : 709.07$ Last Price : 549.99$(Discount 22.43502052% See Special Offers Amazon.com Product Description (9/5/2007) Garmin has really upped the ante on the entire cycling computercategory with it's new gps-enabled navigator/computer, the 705. This is a true navigational aid with full-color maps and turn-by-turn direction Most Helpful Customer Reviews 104 of 109 people found the following review helpful: Great Device, Beware of Hidden Map Costs This review is from: Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps) (Electronics) I've had my 705 for about 3 weeks and have used it on over 400 miles of bike training. It's a great bike computer - very easy to setup, lots of data available, but only the data you decide to have on each screen. The GPS and in-unit maps are great. Installation is also easy since the sensor is wireless. The Garmin Training Center software (Windows version in my case) is okay, but appears to have only basic integration with the 705 so far. GTC is a separate, but free, download from the Garmin site. Hopefully future versions will provide more/better 705 integration. Something to watch out for as it isn't mentioned in the 705 docs or on the Garmin site, if you buy the 705 with the map card, those detailed maps will only be available in the 705, not in GTC. If you want detailed maps in GTC, you have to buy a PC/Mac version of the very same maps you have on the 705. That's another $100-130 on top of the $600-700 you just spent on the 705. Why? Ask Garmin. 109 of 117 people found the following review helpful: Great unit, some flaws This review is from: Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps) (Electronics) Rating is more like 3.5 stars: It is an expensive unit, but there's not much on the market that has so many features. Most early adopters will have fun playing with this device. It is remarkably light given the number of features - in fact, it is as light as my small previous computer, given its cadence sensor was wired (wire weight adds up quickly). First, the positives: -installation on Mac OS X was flawless - the SW has some major issues (below), -device setup (both HW and profiles) was trivial -customizable screens on a LOT of data. The negatives -I doubt (no trials yet) the battery will last 15 hours with the backlight on, even for brief moments. I think Garmin knows this, which may be why the unit will not remember your backlight % strength setting: it will drop to 0% each and every time you sync the unit -The screen is all but unreadable without the backlight at 100%, and, even then, is hard to read, in a common case: when the device itself is in shadow (your own, cast over it from riding on the hoods of a road bike), but full sun is out (presumably the rider is wearing sunglasses) -The mounting bracket is the weakest I've seen in a long time. There's a huge amount of play between the unit and the mount - and it's all plastic, with a single tiny plastic "foot" that keeps the unit from flying off - so: at least on my road bike, it rattles quite loudly on occasion (on pavement). The mount itself will quickly starting rotating around the handlebar (horizontal mount) unless you carefully place your own compression in the right places by the cheap plastic ties included. -There's no temperature reading. This is quite strange, given the unit is feature rich, and the barometer should be temperature compensated. -As the prior reviewer commented, the prebundled street maps are unviewable in Garmin Training Center. Since this is where you would add course notes (I am not sure of their purpose: they don't appear on the unit as far as I can tell), where detail matters, it makes course notes - and all the map viewing - really weak, as far as I can tell. On OS X, there is not option to overlay on Google Earth (presumably Windows users can). -Even though it's somewhat pointless due to lack of accuracy, there's no estimated power. One must purchase ANT+sport enabled power units separately. The current list are good ones, but they are very expensive. -SW has a few bugs here and there, especially GTC, and Garmin Connect ... even a few on the unit. I am sure these will be fixed in several months or so. [Update: Garmin must receive a major demerit for their ability to manage software. Over the course of a year, they've fixed only a small fraction of the SW bugs on the unit and in GTC, and, in once case, introduced a new major flaw (the entire left hand pane of GTC wouldn't update), and took over 4 months to repair it. Ironically, the only fix in this update was this bug they introduced. This unit still has several very annoying SW flaws, a year+ into its release. The good news is, I suppose, none of them fatal - those have been fixed] 26 of 27 people found the following review helpful: A brilliant bicyling companion This review is from: Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps) (Electronics) I read all these reviews before I bought my Edge 705. The device has exceeded all my expectations, and has added a new dimension to my bike rides. It's the most sensitive GPS i've ever used - it "sees" satellites even when indoors. I also find it to be very accurate, the speed is always close to my Cateye bike computer, which i haven't removed yet. One bike-specific feature that no one else seems to have mentioned is the actual routes the 705 gives you. If you punch in a "go to" address, it will provide directions using back roads and side streets - instead of the usual highways and major roads. Especially great in urban areas. The only caveat is that "rail trails" don't seem to be part of the database. Danbucks "-DC" - you just need to really tighten the ties. I used needle-nose pliers to tighten mine, and today was mountain biking over gnarly roots and rocks, including slamming down rock "staircases" - the Garmin remained firmly attached to the handlebars. I'm using this unit on a road bike and mountain bike, it's very secure. Also: when you mount it, pay attention to the angle. This screen is easily readable with no backlight in bright sunlight, as long as you're looking at it straight on. Garmin includes a rubber wedge so you can position the unit for optimal viewing relative to your riding angle. As far as software, Garmin's training center isn't that great, but third party software called "Ascent" is amazing. I'm using it on my mac, and when you sync the GPS with it, a presumably google-based map instantly appears with your route superimposed, along with graphs, charts, and a calendar. I'm just using the free demo version for now. Overall, I find the Edge 705 to be robust, intuitive, and perfect for bike riding - or even when just on foot. I previously tried using a Magellan Explorist 500 as a bike GPS - a waste compared to the Garmin. I purchased the Edge 705 for the maps, but the ability to recall your speed, elevation, heart rate and cadence at any given point during your ride now has me analyzing my fitness level - and pushing me to go further. Most Recent Customer Reviews My second edge I got my 705 three weeks ago to replace an old 205 and I'm very satisfied. I had reception problems with the 205, losing the signal very frequently. by sergio Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer Extremely happy with the Garmin Edge 705. It was relatively easy to install. It tracks the bike ride extremely accurately. by stevenz Edgy I like it a lot. The only thing I would like to change is the maps. I use the Edge for biking. The maps are not anywhere near detailed enough for biking on deserted back roads... by RAN great device very happly with gps. I use it with my motorcycle and 3 bikes. tracks calories as you ride. very customizable. by Everett F. Hall IV I wish there were another option Garmin wins in the bike GPS category simply because there is no comparable device competing with it. I've had this device for over a year and I had a Garmin 305 before this. by Gm Keeps You Wanting To Ride! There is so much out there on the Garmin Edge 705, that I am not going to write a huge detailed review. I just wanted to add my opinion that I love this thing! by Hofner Guy For the price..should be near perfect I won't rehash the gripes others have expressed. This unit has software that well, it seems like they must only have a couple people on the software team. by Gayle Belles Pleased I like the unit, but Garmin is just confounding. The unit itself is nice. Only missing feature, for me, is that it does not tell me the current temperature. by Thomas Neil Kiser Great gadget This is a great exercise computer/GPS. I had a bicycle shop install it but in watching the process installing on your own does not seem difficult. by Avid Rider Garmin Edge 705 I absolutely love this purchase! Very easy to install and use. I particularly like the integration with Training Center. by C. Timonen

See More Facebook And Join