Garmin Edge 305 vs Edge 500

[Grebel]

Hi,

 

What are the differences between the Garmin Edge 305 and 500? I was thinking of upgrading my current Garmin Edge 305 to an Edge 500. I have a few concerns though. I had a look at the specs of the edge 500 and although the functionality seems to be very similar, the one thing that concerns me is that you don't seem to be able to upload excercise sets for example intervals to the Edge 500 (Would the Advanced Workout mode cover this?). Apart from that it seems the same as the 305 and the battery life looks much longer.

 

Would it be a "trade off" to not worry about being able to send timed target driven excercises to the 500? In addition to that, are the 305's speed/cadence sensors compatible with the 500? Can you use it on two different bikes? (MTB and Road)

 

I am hoping that there are people out there that have done the upgrade and can give me some constructive feedback. Maybe I should just stick with the 305...If it aint broke, don't fix it!!

[Tankman]

Done the upgrade as soon as the 500 was released and I have not missed it for one second!

 

Sorry not going to write a whole report on how great it is, it has already been done thanks DC Rainmaker!

 

But yes, battery life is much better and the HR belt and speed/cadence sensors are all compatible.

[Minion]

I had a look at the specs of the edge 500 and although the functionality seems to be very similar, the one thing that concerns me is that you don't seem to be able to upload excercise sets for example intervals to the Edge 500 (Would the Advanced Workout mode cover this?).

Edge 500 can do those kind of intervals (you're right, that's what advanced workouts are). It didn't have the feature when it was first release, but they added it with a later firmware update. The Edge 500 also has full ANT+ support.

[Grebel]

Done the upgrade as soon as the 500 was released and I have not missed it for one second!

 

Sorry not going to write a whole report on how great it is, it has already been done thanks DC Rainmaker!

 

But yes, battery life is much better and the HR belt and speed/cadence sensors are all compatible.

 

Thanks for the link Tankman! That was a lot of reading (DC Rainmaker sure is thorough!!!) Basically the same features as the 305 just smaller and newer looking and the Ant+ technology. Pros and cons for both I suppose at the end of the day. Nice thing is that the accessories are compatible with both.

 

Based on that review, I might just stick with the 305 for now.

[andretraut]

The Edge 500 is a great device, far better than the aged 305 unit, but the Edge 800 is the bees knees! Recently upgrade, but kept 500 for race day, especially mtbiking, cause I don't think the 800 was made for vigorous riding.

[Grebel]

I am now looking at it from the point of view that my Edge 305 looks dated next to the 500 but still works and does what I need it to do. Is it REALLY that much better from a functional/features perspective?

[Riding in Africa]

Hi,

 

battery went on my 305 so i went to Garmin and they upgraded me to the 500 for +/- R850

 

Cadence and Hr work with the 500.

 

Used it for my training for Sani2c and for the race, did whole race with out charging the unit 14hrs riding (forgot charger)

 

uploading data is so much quicker and you can have more views with the 3 windows

 

 

GO UPGRADE NOW you will not regret it

[Minion]

I am now looking at it from the point of view that my Edge 305 looks dated next to the 500 but still works and does what I need it to do. Is it REALLY that much better from a functional/features perspective?

I reckon that, if you're currently happy with the Edge 305, and you don't need ANT+ support (e.g. for a power meter), the 500 doesn't add enough extra features to make it worthwhile to upgrade.

Edited August 3, 2011 by Edman

[Grebel]

I reckon that, if you're currently happy with the Edge 305, and you don't need ANT+ support (e.g. for a power meter) then 500 doesn't add enough extra features to make it worhtwhile to upgrade.

 

Thanks Edmsn. Those were my exact thought after reading the DC Rainmaker review... I sell the 305 and add in to get the 500 which comes with ANT+ which I don't need.

 

I have decided to keep the 305 as it is still working fine and does what I need it to do. When it gives up one day I will do the upgrade.

 

Thanks to everybody for the advice.