Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - help picking HRM/GPS computer

so I went to one of my LBS to check out bike computers and such and the guy was so clueless he was looking at the internet to find stuff out.

I'll probably check REI later this week, but they may not know enough about bike specific items.

so here are the items I would like to be able to do:


current speed, altitude and distance
current heart rate and cadence
stores my route so I can analyze it on my pc and upload to a website to share with my freinds (like trailguru)
current RPM

I'm a data freak, so the more data the better.

just assume that price doesnt matter (thats not true but just for the sake of this thread I want to learn the best features).
I also dont care if its a wristwatch type or one that mounts to my bike.

i use my cellphone for that :D
WM6.1

Polar 600 or Garmin 705

If you do not need GPS features the Garmin 305 would fit your specs..

i use my cellphone for that :D
WM6.1

what cellphone tracks cadence and rpm?

If you do not need GPS features the Garmin 305 would fit your specs..

in order to post tracks to the web and review the route and data later, then I would need GPS.

Probably Garmin 705

Probably Garmin 705

the problem with the 705 is that you are paying extra for garmin's vehical navigation system, which is something that I don't need.
I dont need a map showing me the road...just the data.

Then a garmin 305 Seems like your best bet. I bought a referb with all the accessories off ebay a couple months back for under $150, and really like it. A very cool toy and darn if it isn't useful too.
Denny

The 305 allows you to upload your rides and see a lot of data, everything on your list..

How does the 305 show cadence? I didnt notice it on any of the screenshots I saw.

There is a model that comes with a cadence option.. When you install the cadence option you just have to make it one of your data options to see in real time.. This info is also downloaded to the Garmin motionbased website to give relevant cadence data..

You can also buy the cadence option after the fact, they are around 40-45.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-Edge-305-705-Speed-Cadence-Bike-Sensor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1234Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trks idZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem5ad1505e55QQitemZ390058761813QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsuppo rted

If you do not need GPS features the Garmin 305 would fit your specs..

This doesn't make sense. The Garmin 305 has GPS. It just doesn't show a map while you are riding. It gathers all the data asked for and you can upload to your PC and/or the web (where your track is shown on a map). I really like my Garmin 305. You can buy the 305 with both a heart rate monitor and cadence included.

The 705 will also give you a color display, the map while riding and an interface to a power meter (sold separately) as well as everything the 305 has. I don't have one, so it may give you more. Others who own one can tell you.

im really leaning towards the 305 (based on all your comments), but 1 thing is kinda holding me back.
On the garmin website it lists: Heart rate-based calorie computation: NO

so that means it just puts up some random number just as if I put my distance and time into a website?
I was hoping for something more accurate based on my physical activity levels.

im really leaning towards the 305 (based on all your comments), but 1 thing is kinda holding me back.
On the garmin website it lists: Heart rate-based calorie computation: NO

so that means it just puts up some random number just as if I put my distance and time into a website?
I was hoping for something more accurate based on my physical activity levels.

Not sure what it uses for calorie computation but it runs a little on the high side, about 10% over what my Suunto or Polar HR's for similar workouts..

There is a BF member: GEOMAN that sells lots of gps based computers.. PM for more info.. Here is his website

http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_28

Please forgive me as i'm posting this from my memory and product that is not based on 305/705 but on a forerunner (one with bike feature though). So it might not apply but you should see if this is still true.

The Garmin I've tried didn't calculate the calories based on heart rate but from average derived from your speed/cadence? Fortunately I bought 3 different products (garming, polar f6 and timex) and garmin was way off on calorie count. There' were other features that I found wanting but can't think what it was right now.

One thing that really bothered me about the model I've tried was that if I stop and got off the bike, the calculation stopped also. So you had to keep the bike moving/pedaling to keep the HRM active. I thought this was highly limiting as you still burn calories even when you stop. I also wanted to use this in gym, so it went back to the store. I kept the polar and timex though as both are pretty good.

Again, 305/705 might be different but do check to see if they use similar method.

what cellphone tracks cadence and rpm?

the gps is what is really doing all the work, the rest is just the software you pick
in my case i use cyclo computer and GPS meter, also TomTom maps, and Google maps

if you input the data in the veloroutes.org or gmap-pedometer.com it'll give you everything else.
:thumb:

Please forgive me as i'm posting this from my memory and product that is not based on 305/705 but on a forerunner (one with bike feature though). So it might not apply but you should see if this is still true.

The Garmin I've tried didn't calculate the calories based on heart rate but from average derived from your speed/cadence? Fortunately I bought 3 different products (garming, polar f6 and timex) and garmin was way off on calorie count. There' were other features that I found wanting but can't think what it was right now.

One thing that really bothered me about the model I've tried was that if I stop and got off the bike, the calculation stopped also. So you had to keep the bike moving/pedaling to keep the HRM active. I thought this was highly limiting as you still burn calories even when you stop. I also wanted to use this in gym, so it went back to the store. I kept the polar and timex though as both are pretty good.

Again, 305/705 might be different but do check to see if they use similar method.

you are probably correct becuase on the garmin website the only product (that I could find) that did use heart rate calculated was the 300xt.

I know if I buy the 305 that will drive me crazy. Seems like it has every feature that I want but I really want to know about the calories I am burning.

the 305 does calculate calories. as others have stated it tends to run a little high

any reason to NOT buy the refurb edge 305?
It's $100 cheaper and available on amazon so I can also return to them if there is a problem.

I've had a couple friends buy refurb units and they work fine.. Only expect about 10 hours of battery life with the 305 for longer rides..

10 hours is fine for me. longest ride has been 4 hours so far.
the battery is rechargable right?

either way...it will arrive tomorrow!!

yes rechargeable with ac adapter or just plug into usb port, which is what I normally do to charge..

so i received the edge 305 last thursday and used it every ride since.
does everything I was wanting it to do.

I am hoping the calories are accurate since it said I burned 2300 on an hour and forty minute ride and about 1200 on an hour ride.

thanks for everyones recommendations.

As others stated, the calorie count is way high. I compared it to my Polar F6 and studies based on what it should be for my age/weight/HR.
Who really cares about the calorie count? Hungry? Eat! Gaining weight? Stop! It's the HR training and the GPS functions I want.

so i received the edge 305 last thursday and used it every ride since.
does everything I was wanting it to do.

I am hoping the calories are accurate since it said I burned 2300 on an hour and forty minute ride and about 1200 on an hour ride.

thanks for everyones recommendations.

The calorie count runs high, I would subtract at least 10-15% as the more accurate total.. Burning 1000 calories a hour is pretty tough unless your avg Heart rate is at 85-90% of maximum..

what is your average HR for the ride..

what cellphone tracks cadence and rpm?

iPhone with SMHeartlink and Garmin GSC10 sensor and iRPM app.

wait a bit for Apple to fix their bug with OS 3.1.

prior to 3.0 OS for iPhone this worked really well for me. I can't wait for Apple to fix their OS.

The calorie count runs high, I would subtract at least 10-15% as the more accurate total.. Burning 1000 calories a hour is pretty tough unless your avg Heart rate is at 85-90% of maximum..

what is your average HR for the ride..

the average is 83% for my typical ride.

Maybe your estimate of 10-15% lower would be accurate.

I went to REI to inquire about getting something more accurate and they assured me that the edge 305 was absolutely accurate. They said that I must have input some data about my age, weight, bike tire incorrectly.

I rechecked all the data and it seems that I input everything correctly.

the average is 83% for my typical ride.

Maybe your estimate of 10-15% lower would be accurate.

I went to REI to inquire about getting something more accurate and they assured me that the edge 305 was absolutely accurate. They said that I must have input some data about my age, weight, bike tire incorrectly.

I rechecked all the data and it seems that I input everything correctly.

I also use the sunto Heart Rate monitors and for similar rides and pacing, it comes up with much less for calories burned over the Garmin.

Err on the side of caution and just cut the Garmin calorie number in half. This will make up for the overcalculating it already does, as well as times when you coasted or took it easy. No calculator will be truly accurate unless you drop ~$1k or so for a power meter. At least by estimating on the low side you will be more likely to avoid the common pitfall of "I rode my bike today, so for lunch I can afford to eat this double cheeseburger and large fries and milkshake and a dessert."

But I do love my 305. You won't regret the purchase.

I have been using a Sigma PC14 HRM for over 3 years. Basic, dependable, inexpensive. I have a Garmin Edge 305 on the way. It will be interesting to see the comparison. I agree that the "calories burned" functions are more "ego building" than accurate!!
Cheers,
Geary