Anyone used a Garmin Edge?

I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the
idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt

"MattB" wrote in message
...
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see Garmin
makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the idea,
and it would make switching between bikes easier because I wouldn't have
to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt

no experience with this particular model but I use an Etrex Legend (about
$100 less expensive). In reading the Garmin website it seems like there's
not much difference other than the virtual racer function and software that
allows training input. All else appears to allow similar inputs for mapping
but not sure about the extent of allowable mapping for say a car trip.
Looks to have better reception capabilities which is a plus since I've lost
signal on tree canopy covered rides. I don't like the internal LI battery
and would rather have AA's but that's just me. On a long week of mtbing the
Li battery would need to be recharged, sometimes not practical.

I wish my GPS had a USB interface since most of the newer computers don't
have serial ports any more.......can you say expensive adapter?

Gary

MattB wrote:
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the
idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
i use the Edge 305 since 3 weeks. I use it together with the
cadence/wheel sensor which increases its reception highly especially
under tree canopy.
A "normal" GPS has reception problems under tree canopy. The Edge 305
compensates this with the reading from the wheel-sensor together with a
internal magnetic compass.

Greetings, Urs

Urs Weder wrote:
MattB wrote:
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the
idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
i use the Edge 305 since 3 weeks. I use it together with the
cadence/wheel sensor which increases its reception highly especially
under tree canopy.
A "normal" GPS has reception problems under tree canopy. The Edge 305
compensates this with the reading from the wheel-sensor together with a
internal magnetic compass.

Greetings, Urs

That sounds pretty cool. Hmmm.... new toy in my future?

Probably not since buying an SF home is going to kill any toy money.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

GeeDubb wrote:

"MattB" wrote in message
...

I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like
the idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt


no experience with this particular model but I use an Etrex Legend
(about $100 less expensive). In reading the Garmin website it seems
like there's not much difference other than the virtual racer function
and software that allows training input. All else appears to allow
similar inputs for mapping but not sure about the extent of allowable
mapping for say a car trip. Looks to have better reception capabilities
which is a plus since I've lost signal on tree canopy covered rides. I
don't like the internal LI battery and would rather have AA's but that's
just me. On a long week of mtbing the Li battery would need to be
recharged, sometimes not practical.


I have an older Etrex too, and it's ok, but I wouldn't want to mount it
on my handlebars (too bulky, too many menus to see your info).
What looks appealing about the Edge is having all your typical
information you'd have with a standard bike computer available at a
glance. From what I've read it's no good for navigation, but I typically
use a GPS to map my route afterwards anyway.
The battery doesn't bother me, I kind of like the idea of the
rechargeable. Now if it could do both that would be ideal. I think I
have all the necessary stuff to build a travel charger hooked to a 3600
mAh Li pack or my car that would travel well enough.

I wish my GPS had a USB interface since most of the newer computers
don't have serial ports any more.......can you say expensive adapter?


Do you only have a laptop? If you have a desktop serial ports are cheap:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815166003

Thanks for the info,

Matt

"Urs Weder" wrote in message
...
MattB wrote:
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the
idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
i use the Edge 305 since 3 weeks. I use it together with the
cadence/wheel sensor which increases its reception highly especially
under tree canopy.
A "normal" GPS has reception problems under tree canopy. The Edge 305
compensates this with the reading from the wheel-sensor together with a
internal magnetic compass.

Greetings, Urs

Are any of these in this price range with
a "voice" to tell you to "turn left", "turn right",
"go straight" etc?

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

Zilla wrote:
"Urs Weder" wrote in message
...
MattB wrote:
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see
Garmin makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the
idea, and it would make switching between bikes easier because I
wouldn't have to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
i use the Edge 305 since 3 weeks. I use it together with the
cadence/wheel sensor which increases its reception highly especially
under tree canopy.
A "normal" GPS has reception problems under tree canopy. The Edge 305
compensates this with the reading from the wheel-sensor together with a
internal magnetic compass.

Greetings, Urs

Are any of these in this price range with
a "voice" to tell you to "turn left", "turn right",
"go straight" etc?


No. The handhelds don't do that with the exception of the model that is
built into an iPaq or Palm. If your looking for a car unit, I suggest
the TomTom 3000. It's a great little unit that even has bluetooth.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"MattB" wrote in message
...
I've been thinking about a new GPS for a while, as well as a new bike
computer (yes, I know some of you think they are stupid) and I see Garmin
makes a couple of units designed to be bike computers. I like the idea,
and it would make switching between bikes easier because I wouldn't have
to remember to reset the wheel size.
I'm thinking the Edge 205 would be plenty. The 305 also has a HRM and
cadence sensor which I doubt I'd ever use.
Any first-hand experiences out there?

Thanks,
Matt

I have been using an Edge 305 for 2 months now and I have been very pleased
with it.

The Edge is very good for recording gps data of your rides but is not so
good for navigation. (It is a training aid/cycle computer) There are no
maps, directions, ect. The only way to really navigate with the Edge a
backtracking, the compass and following loaded courses. Courses can be
created from previous rides that you have done, this guys site/utility
http://www.bradculberson.com/cc/map.html (he works for motionbased.com which
is owned by Garmin) and soon you will be able to export other peoples rides
as courses from www.motionbased.com . Motionbased has a very active Edge
forum and is a good place to get up to speed on what the Edge will/wont do
and known issues. (The Edge has user upgradeable firmware so as issues come
up Garmin can release fixes-- in the two months I have had mine Garmin has
two firmware upgrades.)

I bought the whole 305 package with heart rate monitor and speed/cadence
sensor. I really wanted the heart rate monitor-- I only got the cadence
sensor because the bundle with everything was just a few bucks more. I am
glad I did, I put the cadence sensor on my road bike where I have found it
useful. I ride alternating between maintaining heart rate,speed and cadence.
It is kinda fun on long rides, helps me mix things up a bit. On the mountain
bike it works just the same-- only difference is it uses gps for speed and
don't get a cadence reading.

The unit comes with two handle bar mounts, usb cord and ac charger. The unit
has a built in battery which is supposed to last 12 hours between
charges.(Seems to) It can be set up for three different bikes. The display
is highly user configurable and can display ride data (up to 16 fields on
two screens), courses, compass, elevation profile, virtual partner and some
other stuff I am forgetting.

One of the advantages of the 305 over the 205, beside ability to use the HR
and S/C sensors, is the 305 has a barometric altimeter. From what I have
read barometric is greatly superior over gps for these things.

The biggest issues I have had with the 305 are speed and distance spikes
exiting tunnels and the virtual partner function in it's current
configuration is useless. Garmin is aware of both-- the firmware release
2.40 was to have fixed the speed/distance spikes. It did not-- but it is
better. The vp issue has not been addressed yet. The vp runs based on data
contained in a courses created from previous rides. If I had to stop on the
previous ride the vp stops even though I may continuing on the current ride.
It makes it very difficult to race if we are both stopping at different
places and times. Supposed to be fixed in future releases.

You can see some of my ride here www.bodenet.net/rides I had knee surgery
over the winter (too many moguls over the years) so I have been mostly a
roadie thus far this year. Below the maps should be links (if they are
working-- motionbased has been having server issues) to my data on
motionbased.com there you can see lap info, elevation, heart rate...... HTH

Steve

SuperPoo wrote:
snip a ton of good stuff

Steve



Wow! That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks!

Matt

No I don't we live in a high tech cyber world. While your at it you
can buy me one too. Not the bike I've got my hands full with them. LAST
count was 8.