Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt on April 6, 2011 at 15:17

These days I would probably go with either the Edge 500 (if you don't need maps) or 800, unless you are getting a very good price for the 705.

 

The 705 comes with built-in maps which are essentially useless for navigating or doing anything beyond showing what country you are in, so yes if you want to use the on-screen map feature you will probably want to get some with it.

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Permalink Reply by CLP on April 6, 2011 at 15:36

I've recently upgraded from a 705 to an 800 having used the 705 for about a year or so. For the most part the 705 is pretty nice piece of kit, if a little bulky compared to newer models. You can get free street maps (OSM is one such project) and free topo maps.

 

The 705 has more on board storage than the garmin 800, so if you start thinking down that route (ie, the garmin 800), it's an additional cost you might need to consider if you want to make use of maps whereas the 705 has enough storage to handle a few maps straight out of the box. 

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Mark Prior on April 6, 2011 at 15:50

If you are buying it expecting to use maps then you do need to purchase some maps as the ones that come on it are next to useless. If you don't need the maps then the 500 is a cheaper option.
I'm pretty happy with my 705. Only issues I've had is it coming off the bike as I swapped screens, it wasn't clipped onto the mount properly. I now check it's locked in place more carefully :-) I think the 500 and 800 have a better mounting system. I've also had it die out on a ride as I haven't noticed that the battery was low when I started it up.
Mark.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Olech on April 6, 2011 at 17:06

Thanks for the replies.

I will have a look at the Edge 500 and 800 for comparison. Although the 800 goes up a bit in price.

There is a deal going for the Edge 705, including HRM, cadence sensor and topo maps for $495.

Around $395 without maps.

Thanks again.

Michael

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Permalink Reply by Big Block on April 6, 2011 at 18:21

The maps that are described as 'next to useless' that come with the unit are only there to provide a framework for other maps that you purchase or otherwise acquire. The maps then hang on the base world map framework.

I am just back from a non-cycling holiday in Vietnam. I loaded some free maps of Vietnam before we went, set the camera time accurately, and recorded the trip using my 705 with it sitting in my daypack. I can now easily georeference the photos. The captain of the Junk in Halong Bay quickly worked out how it worked when I placed it in from of him. All he normally uses is a compass and local knowledge. It was also very useful for finding our way back to the hotel.

For the $100 I would buy the maps as part of the package.

Philip

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Permalink Reply by Chris Adams on April 6, 2011 at 20:11

Just don't buy a 305.  A poorly designed model whose design presumably hasn't been copied in the latter models.  Of the 4 people i know who had one 3 had hassles.  After a relatively short period of time they keep switching off when going over small bumps.  A search of the internet shows this to be a common problem.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

 

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