Bike Computer

[tinkerbell]

Wouldn't touch a 305 again - had 3 that packed up. Got a 705 under warranty and not one problem since. I hear 500 better if you don't need GPS function.

 

Why is the 500 better?

[kosmonooit]

The 500 does have a GPS to log your movements/track but doesn't have a moving map like the 705/800, a feature generally not needed in mtb events etc. It does have some feature to upload a track to it, a feature I haven't come anywhere close to using. It's a great device and works well.

[scotty]

The 500 also calculates calorie computation using heart rate.

[tinkerbell]

Am I correct in saying that the 500 have more features to assist with training or do the 705 have the same, but also have the maps function?

[fau1ty]

if you got the cash go for 705 garmin, it does it all and will give you years of stats. if you want simplicy and dont mind over packed bar, go for separate devices. if you want GPS you can do this with a phone too. with all these devices battery life is an issue on long trips without aux power.

 

good luck

[29pgc10]

tinker, dont spend big money: 1 was stolen, 1 was destroyed in the crash and now i have one from my insurance (ok, with HR which i dont use).

 

i like something that will give me distance, time, riding time and speed possibly without pushing buttons.

[Minion]

Am I correct in saying that the 500 have more features to assist with training or do the 705 have the same, but also have the maps function?

The Edge 500 has all of the training features of the Edge 705. It is smaller, cheaper and doesn't have a colour screen. It does not have the maps and navigation features of the 705 but can still record a GPS track.

 

The only reason I can think of to get a 705 rather than a 500 is if you specifically want to use the maps of the 705. If I ever have to replace my 705 it will be with a 500.

[Minion]

But tell us a bit more about what you want know Tinkerbell.

 

Speed, ride distance, ave speed and total distance are given, but do you want to see cadence too?

 

Do you want GPS info?

 

Do you want to download and analyse the data? (Look at pretty graphs!)

 

Do you want to know about your heart rate while you ride?

 

How important is device memory?

 

Battery life?

This man speaks sense. Unless you want to spend money on the latest and greatest, you can save by going for something that doesn't include features you don't need.

 

For me there are certain features that a bike computer must have before I'll consider it. The features I need on my Edge 705 are:

 

1. Measures HR, speed and cadence. Most computers do this.
2. Measures speed and cadence indoors / without GPS signal. I use it on the indoor trainer. GPS-based computers require a separate sensor to do this.
3. Power meter compatible. ANT+ allows it to measure power from a power meter. Only a few computers offer this.
4. Records all data for later, detailed analysis. Records at 1s intervals (important for power analysis). Almost all Garmins and most high end computers from other companies have this feature, though not necessarily 1s intervals.
5. Has sufficient memory to go for up to a week without downloading, while recording everything at 1s intervals. Edge 705 only runs out of memory after 170 days of continuous recording. My last Polar just about managed 4hrs.
6. Has sufficient battery to go for up 12hrs between charges. Edge 705 lasts about 16hrs (more with add-on battery packs). Polar and others can last months to years.

Other features are really useful and can help choose between computers that have the essential features. On the 705, these are:

 

1. Advanced intervals. I can program interval sessions with some pretty complex combinations of time and distance and lots of different power, speed, cadence etc. goals. Most other computers only allow repititions of a single time with a single target.
2. Multiple customisable screen arrangements. I can choose exactly what information I want to be displayed. I might have one screen that shows only time, distance and speed for racing and another that shows much more data for training.
3. GPS recording. This makes it very easy to go back and identify key points in a ride when analysing it.
4. Altitude recording. Also useful for identifying key points for analysis. Edge 705 has a barometric altimeter. This is useful if you ride in areas where GPS signals are blocked.

Finally there is the 'nifty' category. Features that are cool but don't add any value for me and that I wouldn't miss if they weren't there. The major ones on the 705 are the maps, navigation etc.

[scotty]

You can check the detailed list of functions and compare on link below.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=141&fKeys=FILTER_SERIES_EDGE

[Tubeless]

Edge 705 has a barometric altimeter

 

And the 500...........

 

The 705 is just too big for me.