Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - my garmin edge... a users review (please add your reviews, too!)

Check out the Garmin Website...

http://shop.garmin.com/accessories_for_product.jsp?sku=010-00447-20

Any Linux geeks out there? I've been using a Geko 201 for a while now, and there is software under Linux that reads it. Can anyone bust out some details on the data format? I'd love to hack around with this thing and open up the data...if we can see that it's a relatively standard format, then getting the GPS data to display on something like Google Maps isn't a big deal...

Any Linux geeks out there? I've been using a Geko 201 for a while now, and there is software under Linux that reads it. Can anyone bust out some details on the data format? I'd love to hack around with this thing and open up the data...if we can see that it's a relatively standard format, then getting the GPS data to display on something like Google Maps isn't a big deal...

I don't have one (yet) but I know that Garmin has good documentation on their format available on their website.

All of the gps files; crs, hst, gpx etc are xml so you can easily open them with explorer and look at the data and it is not too tough to figure out the data. i.e. <trackpoint>, <time>, <position>, <heartrate>.

Reading the website, it says Garmin's software will be Mac compatible in early '06. Well...its early '06...any idea when it going to be released for Mac? I have a PC...but the computer I use the most is the mac...

Reading the website, it says Garmin's software will be Mac compatible in early '06. Well...its early '06...any idea when it going to be released for Mac? I have a PC...but the computer I use the most is the mac...
LOL yea and they said it (the 305) would be released on what date? I am sure it will come but they seem to be a good month or so behind their promises. ;)

Motion Based released the MAC Safari plug in BETA version about a week ago. I do not have the link handy, but if you go to MB forums and into the OSX forum, the link is posted. Once you install the plug in it works great.

It only works with the latest version of OSX.

Reading the website, it says Garmin's software will be Mac compatible in early '06. Well...its early '06...any idea when it going to be released for Mac? I have a PC...but the computer I use the most is the mac...

Jakey, I contacted Garmin last week and asked them when they expected to release support for MACs. They told me what was said on their website, Spring of '06. They could not give me a definite date. So i guess we have to wait. :(

Oh and in case you didn't know you can also have 2 different bikes set up in case you want it to display different info when on the TT bike or on the Roadie...and it comes with 2 mounts...since I don't TT currently I have it on my roadie and my commuter...because we all need speed, HR, altimemeter etc when on the commuter. :D

For clarity, it's 3 different bike settings (bike setup) and 2 bike computer (screens). The Bike computer screens do not change as you select different bikes. That's assuming you are referring to the 305. Not sure what the 205 has.

Good Luck,
d.tipton

Just for a small update.. Pace computers sells these things cheap, but their shipping is total BS. I paid for 3day, ordered on the 6th at noon... it just went today. So its in effect 8 day shipping. Bastards.

Just for a small update.. Pace computers sells these things cheap, but their shipping is total BS. I paid for 3day, ordered on the 6th at noon... it just went today. So its in effect 8 day shipping. Bastards.

Did you mean Page computers? I ordered my Edge from them on Sunday and they sent me an email saying my credit card was declined and by the time I resolve the issue the price may change on my order. I've used the same credit card hundreds of times with out any problem. I canceled my order with Page and went with chumbo.com (http://www.chumbo.com/info.aspx?i=307702) The Edge bundle (HR+Cadence) for $297.99 + 2 Day FedEx $8.26 came out to $306.25. Ordered it on Monday night and it arrived Thursday afternoon. I'd highly recommend chumbo.com.

Yeah, sorry page computers. My transaction went through..and now I have a tracking number, but it still pisses me off.

For clarity, it's 3 different bike settings (bike setup) and 2 bike computer (screens). The Bike computer screens do not change as you select different bikes. That's assuming you are referring to the 305. Not sure what the 205 has.

Good Luck,
d.tipton
Yea how does that work...I was a bit confused but didn't really read the manual. So you are saying switching between the screens doesn't really change the bike info? If not how do you do that?

you set screen 2 up in the same manner you set up screen 1... so you can have a little stuff... or a lot of stuff... depending on your needs... for my screen 2 i added a few extras for climbing (total elevation gain so far.... current elevation level.... also added sunset (so that i know when to head home after work)... c couple of items are repeats from view 1.. like speed, distance and cadence!

so basically.. you can have a total of 16 pieces of information displayed! getting to them with just the push of the little button on the bottom right!

you set screen 2 up in the same manner you set up screen 1... so you can have a little stuff... or a lot of stuff... depending on your needs... for my screen 2 i added a few extras for climbing (total elevation gain so far.... current elevation level.... also added sunset (so that i know when to head home after work)... c couple of items are repeats from view 1.. like speed, distance and cadence!

so basically.. you can have a total of 16 pieces of information displayed! getting to them with just the push of the little button on the bottom right!
Right I got that but from the other post it seemed like it wasn't the smae thing...how do you use the 3 bikes?

Right I got that but from the other post it seemed like it wasn't the smae thing...how do you use the 3 bikes?

you have to go into settings and change which bike you want to use.... for example.. my three are: (1) my ruby, 2 my mtb, and 3 my dolce...

so if i ride my dolce.. i have to change it to bike 3... i had to rescan my cadence.. not sure if that was a fluke or will have to be done each time... however the bike 1 and bike 2 screens of information.. remain the same.. can't change those for each bike...

when i finally ride my mtb (i've been bad about riding it. .maybe i'll ride it in the predicted snow tomorrow! :D i don't have a cadence on that.. so i'll just have to change it to bike 2...

when i go back to my ruby... i'll go back to bike 1 and rescan (or maybe i won't scan to see if it picks it up without rescanning!)

however for each bike.. the info i want to see remains the same unless i go in and change that...

is that what you are asking?

hmmmmm maybe the "bike 1" "bike 2" views are confusing???? cuz it's not really changing between bikes.. just views? but you can have 3 bikes... so the 2 views and 3 bikes are confusing people?

or maybe i'm getting confused now?

I apologize for being so lazy as to not read the previous 5 pages, but what are the dimenions for this unit? I have a Garmin hand held GPS that I use on hikes and one some mountain bike rides. Doesn't enjoy tree cover however. Although I don't get much tree cover on the roads. Anyway, how does it compare to like a Cat Eye Mity 8, which I currently use? Size, weight?

garmin edge info (http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/)

Unit dimensions: 1.75"W x 3.7"H x .9"D (44 x 94 x 23mm)

Weight: 88 g, 3.1 oz.

I apologize for being so lazy as to not read the previous 5 pages, but what are the dimenions for this unit? I have a Garmin hand held GPS that I use on hikes and one some mountain bike rides. Doesn't enjoy tree cover however. Although I don't get much tree cover on the roads. Anyway, how does it compare to like a Cat Eye Mity 8, which I currently use? Size, weight?

hmmmmm maybe the "bike 1" "bike 2" views are confusing???? cuz it's not really changing between bikes.. just views? but you can have 3 bikes... so the 2 views and 3 bikes are confusing people?

or maybe i'm getting confused now?
No that is where I am confused...wish I had mine in front of me now. So how do you switch between bikes? I was just seitching between views thinking it was the bike switch.

To your question about the cad sensor you will have to rematch them each time you switch.

how does it compare to like a Cat Eye Mity 8, which I currently use? Size, weight?

Here's a size comparison between my Polar cs200 and Edge 305.

No that is where I am confused...wish I had mine in front of me now. So how do you switch between bikes? I was just seitching between views thinking it was the bike switch.

To your question about the cad sensor you will have to rematch them each time you switch.

hmmmmmm i believe via setting? (don't have mine in front of me either!)

No that is where I am confused...wish I had mine in front of me now. So how do you switch between bikes? I was just seitching between views thinking it was the bike switch.

To your question about the cad sensor you will have to rematch them each time you switch.

BIKE COMPUTER DISPLAYs:
Up and down arrows switch between the two bike COMPUTER displays.

To change what the two Bike COMPUTER displays on the screen ... Go to
Main Menu -> Settings -> Data Fields->Bike Computer 1 or Bike Computer 2 (other options are Map, Workouts, and Courses). Select the option you want to change (ex: Bike Computer 1) and [ENTER]. First you enter the number of items to display (1 thru 8) and then you enter the data fields in each item.
This has nothing to do with choosing a bike setting... just what is displayed.

BIKE PROFILE Settings:
To change from one bike to another (has no affect on Bike Computer screens) ... Goto
Main Menu -> Settings -> Bike Profile. Under "Bike", you can select Bike 1, Bike 2, or Bike 3. Each selection has it's own settings ... which are: Weight (bike weight not rider weight), Option for Installed sensor (check mark), if installed has Wheel Size (auto, custom) and Tire Size (mm).

I wish the Bike Profile controlled more than just weight and tire size ... like if I install the bike on a trainer, I wish it woud automatically set "Use Indoors" and set auto stop to OFF (since I usually don't stop spinning the wheel on the trainer). Theres 3 to 4 things I have to switch over every time I put the bike on the trainer (indoors) and off (outdoors). Not to mention having more than one bike.
And I wish I could name my Bike Profiles ... Let me see was Bike 1 the bike on a trainer, or my road bike, or mountain bike?

Good Luck,
d.tipton

Here's a size comparison between my Polar cs200 and Edge 305.

Thanks.

It looks a bit too bulky for the road bike.

Thanks.

It looks a bit too bulky for the road bike.

I thought that too..but the benefits to me outweigh the ugliness... I'll just take it off when posing.

It is by far the best thing out there as far as a cycling computer is concered, I just wish it was smaller, and weighed less, posing aside.

I don't know how much less it could possibly weigh and still show as much data.

If you need to lose 30 grams, take a leak before you ride.

Mine came yesterday with a DOA cadence sensor so I have to call Garmin.

I did go for a ride and downloaded the ride data to the software. Nice to be able to visualize the ride like that. I plan to try out motionbased as well to see what all the hype is about.

I don't know how much less it could possibly weigh and still show as much data.

If you need to lose 30 grams, take a leak before you ride.

Mine came yesterday with a DOA cadence sensor so I have to call Garmin.

I did go for a ride and downloaded the ride data to the software. Nice to be able to visualize the ride like that. I plan to try out motionbased as well to see what all the hype is about.
Um did you check the battery? They ship them with the battery upsidedown but don't bother to tell you for some odd reason...if the battery was installed the right way I would try a new battery first because the magnets in the box would have been triggering the unit during shipment and using battery power.

That said...weigh less? How could this thing weigh less? It doesn't weigh much more than any other bike computer I have had. :rolleyes:

My Edge 305 weighs 78 grams. If you're worried about 78 grams you're a much better rider than I'll ever be--either that or you need to drain a whopping 3 ounces from your water bottle.

--Steve

I thought with the sensors and unit it is 80+ gr?

Has anyone tested the the Polar 720 vs the Edge for the total gained altitude on a ride? The 720 you can find that info in the training software after you download it, but I think in the past I've read it's off by like 15%. Has anyone checked this, or could some great person?

Just getting a new time trial bike and getting married in May, I don't think the wife will let me get the Edge yet. Wedding money though :)

Well after spending 2 hrs reading this thread (jk), I have a couple pre-review comments/questions.

1.) I can't get the maps to show. I tried the registry hack but what else do you need for the reg hack to make the basic maps show?

2.) To show detailed maps, if I buy Garmin mapping software, metroguide or city select seems to both work from what I've read. Do you recommend one over the other?

3.) About the bike profile deal. I understand that the Bike Computer 1 and 2 are simply displays and do not relate to the profiles, but my question is. I want to keep a seperate running mileage total for bikes. I also want to add 1826.3 to the running total for my road bike that I've recorded with my Polar before I smashed it with a 9k lbs truck, lol. I also thought about using seperate user profiles to accomplish this, but it says that the new user needs a new device so I didn't try it. I haven't experimented with any of this yet and just wanted more experienced user input.

Just from my limited use of this product so far I'm very happy with it.

Pros
**Highly configurable LARGE display with up to 8 different data fields on two screens for a total of 16 data fields available with no more than 1 press of a button. Nice...
**Love the combined speed/cadence sensor designed to be mounted on the chain stay with the speed sensor on the rear wheel. I had problems with this on the polar.
**At an online price of $300, it's a great price with all sensors already included unlike the polar. (Must purchase cadence sensor seperately for s600 and s700 models)
**Comes with two mounts so I used the other one with my Hybrid and it required no speed sensor since it uses the GPS for speed. The cadence/heart rate really isn't that important to me on the hybrid since it's mainly for family rides.
**Love the backlight. This may be a strange pro but my S625X backlight would only work for a few seconds after you got it close to the heartrate sensor. (It's a running computer first that accepts speed cadence sensors for cycling functions)
**USB interface/charger so I can use my 12volt razr charger in the truck, or charge it connected to my PC inside or from my laptop.

Cons
**Questionable batt life for long century rides. I haven't actually tested it yet but if I ride 100+ miles, I want ALL of that sucker recorded, lol...
**Training Center seems limited compared to the Polar software. Where are the graphed reports? Where are the odometer settings and why can't I configure this device through the PC as you can the polar? Seems to have cluttered unconfigurable graphs. The polar graphs weren't configurable either but their ranges seemed to be spaced out better or something. Also I don't like the fact that you can only see one value of data when using the mouse to move the selector back and forth. Polar has a line you can move with left and right cursors and all data fields change in a chart according to the position of the line.
**Size? I don't consider this a con. Yes it's bigger than most other cycling computers but how many other computers gives you 8 data fields at one time?
**Calories calculation seems innacurate compared to the polar (known con)

All in all it's a great device and I love it. Some of the cons may come from my lack of knowledge so far of this device. After a while I'll repost this review updated with more knowledge of my edge.

I also want to add 1826.3 to the running total for my road bike

The lack of persistent odometer is a minor hassle - battery change/failure always killed mine on other cyclometers. Integration of the cyclometer with a PC database eliminates the problem. I have been using the freeware SportTracks http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/ which does a great job on history including the ability to track milage on seperate equipement parts like tires or even chain cleaning. SportTracks links to various public mapping databases (topo, satellite, aerial, street) for route mapping. TrainingCenter, MotionBased, and SportTracks all provide different pictures of what you are doing. ST seems best for its workout history and analysis. TC and MB for courses and workouts. So I upload 3 times.

i stopped using the running odometer on my polar eons ago... and pretty much relied/rely on bikejournal for that kind of info!

I got mine with HR/CAD a few weeks ago for my birthday from wife.

Very impressed. Love it.

At first, I couldn't get the cadence to workd (but I also did the thing thing without reading instructons). Second ride it started working.

I have yet to try to mapping registry hack or the motionbased integration, but will do both shortly.

Love this device. My favorite gizmo ever.

mapping registry hack worked on first try. very cool. overcame my biggest grips in ten seconds. This is a useful thread.

mapping registry hack worked on first try. very cool. overcame my biggest grips in ten seconds. This is a useful thread.

If you update to the latest version you do not need the hack. The latest beta versions of the firmware (released yesterday) and MapSource have lots of new features.

http://www.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00447-00

For those interested in navigation, the new compass arrow display shows you when to turn to stay on course. I went off the course to do some hills and it then pointed the way back to the course and continued on when I rejoined the course.

I have been using the freeware SportTracks http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/ which does a great job on history including the ability to track milage on seperate equipement parts like tires or even chain cleaning. SportTracks links to various public mapping databases (topo, satellite, aerial, street) for route mapping. TrainingCenter, MotionBased, and SportTracks all provide different pictures of what you are doing. ST seems best for its workout history and analysis. TC and MB for courses and workouts. So I upload 3 times.
Hi,

I use SportTracks and TC too. I gave up on MotionBased though, so I only upload data twice. The biggest problem with SportTracks is that it does not read the individual datapoints from the cadence/speed sensor. I have that sensor on my track bike because the local velodrome is indoors. All I get on SportTracks is the total distance and total time. TC shows all of the intermediate data.

I use SportTracks as well and like it very much. The only two drawbacks right now are lack of cadence and comparisons. I believe that comparisons are planned in the next revision or so. I expect we will see cadence at some point as well. I really like how quickly input from users is added to the program, I have been in the software industry as a product manager and marketing executive for 15 years and I can say that this is a great product.

Pros
**Highly configurable LARGE display with up to 8 different data fields on two screens for a total of 16 data fields available with no more than 1 press of a button. Nice...
**Love the combined speed/cadence sensor designed to be mounted on the chain stay with the speed sensor on the rear wheel. I had problems with this on the polar.
**At an online price of $300, it's a great price with all sensors already included unlike the polar. (Must purchase cadence sensor seperately for s600 and s700 models)
**Comes with two mounts so I used the other one with my Hybrid and it required no speed sensor since it uses the GPS for speed. The cadence/heart rate really isn't that important to me on the hybrid since it's mainly for family rides.
**Love the backlight. This may be a strange pro but my S625X backlight would only work for a few seconds after you got it close to the heartrate sensor. (It's a running computer first that accepts speed cadence sensors for cycling functions)
**USB interface/charger so I can use my 12volt razr charger in the truck, or charge it connected to my PC inside or from my laptop.

Cons
**Questionable batt life for long century rides. I haven't actually tested it yet but if I ride 100+ miles, I want ALL of that sucker recorded, lol...
**Training Center seems limited compared to the Polar software. Where are the graphed reports? Where are the odometer settings and why can't I configure this device through the PC as you can the polar? Seems to have cluttered unconfigurable graphs. The polar graphs weren't configurable either but their ranges seemed to be spaced out better or something. Also I don't like the fact that you can only see one value of data when using the mouse to move the selector back and forth. Polar has a line you can move with left and right cursors and all data fields change in a chart according to the position of the line.
**Size? I don't consider this a con. Yes it's bigger than most other cycling computers but how many other computers gives you 8 data fields at one time?
**Calories calculation seems innacurate compared to the polar (known con)

All in all it's a great device and I love it. Some of the cons may come from my lack of knowledge so far of this device. After a while I'll repost this review updated with more knowledge of my edge.

How do you get the second set of data screen? I did not find reference to this in the directions.

Regarding battery life, they claim 12 hours. Riding a century ride should not be a problem.

I have downloaded all the newest software and gotten the kinks out and learned how to fine tune the data. This thing is great!

The key strokes are a bit tricky to get use to. You use the mode key to toggle between Bike screen, Map screen, Elevation screen and Menu. While in the Bike screen you can use the up/down arrow to toggle between Bike 1 and Bike 2 displays. While in Courses or Workouts you need to use the enter key to toggle between the various Course and Workout screens.

Well I found the upper limit of battery life...though I couldn't tell you where it is. You can't turn the unit on at 4pm and then expect it to still be on the next morning for your commute to work. :D

How do you get the second set of data screen? I did not find reference to this in the directions.

Regarding battery life, they claim 12 hours. Riding a century ride should not be a problem.

Just press the down arrow. It's called "bike computer 2", not to be confused with the different bike profiles.

I've done 2 tests on battery life and got 10 hrs both times. Kind of on the border-line for the brasstown bald buster century for some people. Hmmm...

To all who want to know, it appears there is new software out for the Garmin Edge. It looks like they released version 2.4 yesterday. They don't mention what's fixed but they must have fixed something!

I found the list of fixes:

Improved Courses to function off of location based logic. When doing a Course the user is now matched to a position along the Course based on location and heading. Allows users to join Courses at any point during their ride and have the Course synchronized to their position.
Changed to allow Autolap in Courses.
Show Compass page with guidance when doing a Course.
Add 'Distance to Next' and 'Time to Next' fields on the Compass page.
Disabled redundant Alerts during Workouts.
Keep GPS page in page loop if there is no GPS fix.
Allow editing of the position and elevation when marking a location.
Add ability to find nearest locations and to delete all.
Add ability to put GPS in Autolocate mode by holding DOWN when powering on.
Add quick settings lists to Quick Workout setup.
Add Warmup and Cooldown to Interval Training feature.
Seperated the distance and elevation units setup values.
Fix problem that could occur on workout lists from too many Workouts or Workout Steps.
Fix problem where calories would sometimes not reset after upload to Training Center.
Fix problem with distance not updating and track not recording if unit was powered down while plugged into USB, and then powered back on without ever being disconnected.
Fix problem with Autopause not working when set to 0 or stopped.
Fix problem with potential slowdown and lockup on Altimeter page.
Fix problem with reporting invalid cadence values when sensor not present.
Added support for nRoute.
Added Slovakian and Slovenian Languages.
Updated translations.
Fix problem where multiple cadence sensors not being stored off for separate bike profiles.
Power off USB pins when not connected.

To all who want to know, it appears there is new software out for the Garmin Edge. It looks like they released version 2.4 yesterday.Thanks for the update!

well it didn't fix the calorie issue http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/153.gif

well it didn't fix the calorie issue http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/153.gif

I was hoping they would fix that as well. I did see that on of the fixes is to power off the USB pins, which may lead to increased battery life.