Jump to content

Garmin Edge 800 vs 810


pauloc

Recommended Posts

Hi Guys,

 

I'm in the market for a new GPS cycling computer. I definitely want the navigation functionality offered by the Edge 800 / 810 range because (a) races seem to be leaning towards unmarked routes, and (B) it allows me to ride places I don't normally ride without the risk of getting hopelessly lost.

 

I've read tons of reviews about the 810 and none of them seem to make much of a case for paying the extra R1000 compared to the 800. Basically comes down to:

1) Slightly revised UI

2) Bluetooth connectivity with the your phone, albeit a bit of a poorly thought-out hack

3) Slightly longer battery life.

4) Slightly quicker GPS locking.

 

Based on the above I'm thinking it may not be worth investing the extra because the bluetooth implementation is based on the old Bluetooth 2.1 standard which already outdates it for new products that are all being implemented in Bluetooth 4.0.

 

Does anyone have anyone have any personal experience with both that can either back this thinking up / point out some other benefits that I may have missed out?

 

Please and thanks :)

 

Cheers,

Paulo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recently weighed up both...went with Edge 800 again.

 

Bluetooth is old spec so will quickly be outdated, wont be compatible with new devices.

Pairing with phone for live tracking is pretty useless unless your coach wants to see if you're riding or your wife needs to find you...

 

So no real point

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a lot of back and forth I've decided to go for the 810. Even though the bluetooth is limited, it does allow me to download courses and upload workouts when not near a PC so that will come in handy when on holiday.

 

Also, I've spoken to guys that have used both and they reckon the user interface has been cleaned up quite a bit. The 810 supports different bikes as well as different activities so you can customize the display to suit your training a lot easier.

 

Marginal benefits currently, but I'm hoping that the bluetooth connectivity with the phone gets a firmware update in the near future to make it even more useful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got a 810 as a present , I was just upset with the Maps thats installed , It comes with base maps only , If You want Full street view maps You have to fork out another R1000 , Although I received Mine as a present I just felt for a 6k + Garmin and theres no Maps on it , its rediculess . But fortunately there is a site to download it free and 100% legal , I saved myself R1000

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got a 810 as a present , I was just upset with the Maps thats installed , It comes with base maps only , If You want Full street view maps You have to fork out another R1000 , Although I received Mine as a present I just felt for a 6k + Garmin and theres no Maps on it , its rediculess . But fortunately there is a site to download it free and 100% legal , I saved myself R1000

 

Care to share the site??

Would this work on my older model 705 aswell?

Edited by no calves
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Care to share the site??

Would this work on my older model 705 aswell?

The 705 has an SD card so it should work on 705, 800 and 810.

Edited by scotty
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wrote a reply on a thread about the differences between Edge 500 vs 510 somewhere but to lazy to search now.

 

Thedifferences may not seem that obvious until you start using it and it is definetly worth the upgrade to the 510 or 810.

 

I dont recall that clearly being mentioned in DC's review

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ja, also a bit miffed that it doesn't come with at least one proper map. All the car navigation units have maps included, so why not the bike ones!?!? In any case, I've decided to go for the free maps for now. They've received decent reviews. In most cases I'll be following an existing route so the map is really a nice to have. I've also seen that you can get satellite imagery that your route can be overlaid on so that sounds fairly practical for MTB'ing off the beaten track. You can pinpoint landmarks in relation to your route.

 

If the free maps don't work out too great, then I'll look at forking out for the proper maps. I'm hoping it doesn't get to that though :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout