scirocco

What do people that have tried one think of the display? I looked at a few YouTube videos and it seems like a great device. but there is a lot of white space on the screen. The number font seems quite skinny and cramped. Is it easy enough to read?

calamarichris

Thanks for starting this thread. (You just saved me ~$300.)
My 305 is now 4 years old and I suspect nearing the end of its useful battery life. That, and my new power meter made me assume a ~$550 705 was on the horizon.
But I don't need the maps at all, and I appreciate the smaller size and longer battery life. (WTF are they thinking, charging so much for 705's anyway?!?)

Anyone have any feedback on the difference between the 705's power data display vs. the 500's recording data @ 1 per second)?

acaurora

Just like everyone here, I too am considering a 500. Thing is though, is that I just got my new bike about a month ago, and a $90 barometric altimeter based cyclocomputer along with it. I kind of don't really need the Edge 500 to be honest, but I think it would be definitely useful in that I can map out my routes when I get home. decisions decisions... I also kind of worry that once I get one of these, cycling will be more of numbers numbers numbers (am I in the right HR zone, cadence, etc etc), rather than just enjoying the scenery/ride.

calamarichris

ACAurora: If you're primarily riding for pleasure and don't care about training or improving (and there's nothing wrong with that, btw) then perhaps one of these would be a waste of time.
True, the numbers can be a bit of a distraction, BUT you can program your Garmin to only display things like the time of day and time elapsed, or just the distance covered, and still enjoy the scenery on your ride and still download your ride data afterward.
It's pretty easy to let the AVS become the focus of your ride, but with a little mental discipline, (or reducing your visible data fields) you can keep it from completely consuming you.

asmallsol

The only thing that I don't like about the garmin 500 is the lack of ability to set up intervals. I would like to set up to trigger a lap at _____time with the title of do L3 or do 275watts. Instead, I just make a little sheet and tape it to my handlebars. Oh well.

calamarichris

Asmoll: Am I missing something? You know that you can start & stop your laps by hitting the bottom button on the right side of the unit, right?

acaurora

Very true. I suppose just having less data fields show would be a good workaround and just to not let the numbers become an obsession. The only goal I have in mind in particular is just to be able to improve my hill climbing skills. And because of that is one of the reasons why I think this would be more effective... or would it? I mean the 500 and the cyclocomputer I have both have barometric based altimeters... and I do think the idea of having a more accurate measure of how far as well as cadence/HR would be neat to have.

JoelS

Took my 305 back to REI due to the auto-shut-off feature which happened when the road got rough. Ended up getting a 500. It's a bit different, but I finally have it set up right and we'll see how it goes.

acaurora

Can't wait to hear your feedback Joel!

JoelS

Considering that the functionality is pretty much the same as the 305, I really don't have anything to add. I love the numbers I get, and the data tracking/logging that goes along with it. There are some 3rd party software programs that add a lot of value.

SMH707

According to the DC Rainmaker review (linked on the first page), Garmin will be adding the workout capabilities to the Edge 500 in Q1, 2010. I believe these will give you the functionality that you (and I) want in the 500-the only real thing missing. Take a look at the review for more details.

Can anyone tell me: can I run the 1sec recording rate without the power meter (tell the unit one is present, but get 'zeros' for all the power entries)? What I'm looking for is the finest resolution for evaluating climbs and I don't have a power meter yet. My 500 is currently in transit to replace my Polar S725x-resistance is futile apparently! :-)

asmallsol

you can, but what I am saying, it triggers the laps for you, (at different intervals) and tells you what to do at each interval. For example, my last ride was:

10 minute warm up
15 minutes at 235 watts
20 minutes at 275 watts
10 minutes 180
5 minutes 330
10 minutes 180
2 minutes all out
...ect

What would be nice is if you could program the lap triggers in GC or whatever (like you could in the 305) then it would sound an alarm when the interval is over. Instead, if I have a workout that contains too many steps to remember, I have to type them out, print them, tape to my top tube, then hit lap when its time to start/finish each step.

asv

grwoolf,

Did your 500 come with 2 bike mounts or just one?

grwoolf

2 mounts, with lots of extra o-rings for mounting

calamarichris

That is slicker than owl-poo. Guess my 305 will have to last a few months then.

asv

Thats good news, I just ordered one to replace my 305, which I sold for $200

Beaker

Given this^^, you'll become obsessed with numbers just like the rest of us are. It's unavoidable, especially if you hang out in BF-land. Post ride analysis is extremely useful here as well, especially if you are trying to improve on particular climbs - knowing where you perhaps push too hard, or lose time in recovery, or could perhaps consider spinning a smaller gear can really help.

f4rrest

I'd also like to know more about this. What's the power recording rate of the 705 currently? Would 1/sec be enough?

asmallsol

One thing that I really like about this one is if it sences that your riding and haven't clicks start, it will sound a little chime to tell you to start. Last year I probally lost 100+ over the year by accidently not starting the timer.

tspek

If you don't have a power meter, stick with the 305.

-Lack of training is actually bothering more than I realized.

-auto power off: Thank god (i assume/hope the 705 has this)

That's all for now.

tspek

I hope you're right.

umd

Nope

tspek

Unreal.

I can't tell you how many rides I had the blessing of my 305 simply not having any juice left because I left it on the day before.

umd

I think I've only left the 705 on overnight once. The nice thing is that the battery life is so good that it was still charged enough for the ride

Pedal Dancer

Anybody who owns a 500 know how to get the maximum heart rate displayed in the HR Zones menu to reflect your max heart rate. Since I set the unit up it shows it as 185 and that is not my max heart rate. I've also inputted my max heart rate on Garmin Connect and it still won't change on my unit when I send the settings to the device. Anyone have experience with this? Thx