awiner

They finally added Power measurment capibilities by working with SRM


Newest Garmin(R) Edge(R) Lets Cyclists Share Routes Wirelessly While Adding Power Compatibility


OLATHE, Kan., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today introduced the Edge 705 and Edge 605 -- the latest innovations in the popular line of integrated personal training systems for recreational and advanced cyclists. The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2" color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance, and time.


The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including power compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity.

Through collaborative efforts with SRM, Quarq and other experts in mobile power diagnostics for bicycles, Garmin for the first time gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. And Edge 705 users will be able to share their information -- including saved rides, waypoints and workouts

-- with each other through ANT+Sport(TM) wireless technology.

"The Edge 705 gives cyclists the most effective tools they need to train efficiently and share data easily," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales, "and these new products are further proof of
how innovative technology can enrich people's lives and help them better enjoy their exercise and recreational activities."

ANT+Sport technology allows the Edge to interface wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor or other Edge units. Cyclists can share courses, workout data and saved rides. When paired with an optional power meter from SRM or Quarq or another third party's ANT+Sport-enabled device, the Edge 705 measures power -- torque and cadence for each leg at the pedals -- which is often cited as a true indicator of an efficient ride.

The mapping capabilities on the Edge 705 and Edge 605 allow cyclists to truly get lost in their ride without losing their way. Routes can be adapted to revisit previous rides, personalized shortcuts or new destinations. Both units come with built-in basemaps, and optional detailed street or topo maps are available on preloaded data cards.

Altitude is recorded using a barometric altimeter for the Edge 705. This accurate altitude data makes it much easier for cyclists to match their altitude profile with their speed, cadence and heart rate during post-ride analysis. The Edge 605 measures altitude through GPS positioning.

Whether you need to know where you've been, where you're going, how long it's taking or how high you're climbing, the Edge 705 and Edge 605 offer answers. Cyclists can display their customizable data fields on large color screens, and the addition of a click stick helps users navigate through the various options. Sleek, waterproof and durable, the Edge uses a high- sensitivity GPS receiver to sustain reception in the most challenging conditions, such as heavy tree cover or "urban canyons" created by skyscrapers. It attaches to either the stem or handlebars of the bicycle, and is designed for easy removal at the end of the workout.

The Edge 705 heart rate monitor uses a robust wireless technology that eliminates cross-talk and interference and delivers real-time heart rate data exclusively to the user's device. This data is stored with each track point for post-workout analysis. The Edge 705 with speed/cadence sensor incorporates a self-calibrating, wireless speed/cadence sensor that mounts to the rear chain stay of the bicycle.

Customizing the Edge is achieved using several innovative features:

-- Workouts: Design workouts with multiple steps based on time, distance, calories or heart rate. Establishes workout targets based on speed, calories, cadence, heart rate and power (heart rate is standard on Edge 705, speed/cadence sensor is optional and power requires an ANT+Sport-enabled third-party meter).

-- Virtual Partner(R): Team up with a virtual training partner that provides continuous feedback. Depicts a digital cyclist (desired speed) in relation to the user's real-time speed and notifies if ahead or behind desired target.

-- Courses: Cyclists can race against a recorded course and match previously set speeds at every point of the way. Combine the Courses and Virtual Partner features and race an opponent that varies speed while climbing hills and navigating tricky turns.

-- Navigation: Ride to a specified location by following turn-by-turn prompts, or try out brand new routes by downloading GPX files and leaving your paper directions at home.

-- Bike Computer: Customizable bike computer screen shows up to eight different data fields. The user may customize the display for the size and placement of the data.

-- Auto Pause(R): Pauses the timer when the user's speed drops below a preset threshold.

-- Alerts: Program alerts to sound if the user strays outside the range of speed, heart rate or cadence values. Alerts can also indicate when a set amount of time or distance has passed.

When used with Garmin Connect(TM) -- Garmin's new and improved online training site at connect.garmin.com -- the Edge's benefits continue long after the workout. By pairing the Edge 705 or Edge 605 with Garmin Connect, users can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts and log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts and participate in an online community.

The Edge 705 with Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of $499.99. This device includes an ANT+Sport heart rate monitor, AC charger, USB PC interface cable, bike mounts, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference guide. The Edge 705 with Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor is expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of $549.99. This device includes an ANT+Sport heart rate monitor, speed/cadence sensor, AC charger, USB PC interface cable, bike mounts, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference guide.

The Edge 705 bundle is expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of $649.99. This device includes an ANT+Sport heart rate monitor, speed/cadence sensor, microSD card with City Nav NT maps, AC charger, USB PC interface cable, bike mounts, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference guide.

The Edge 605 is expected to be available in December 2007 and has an estimated retail price of $399.99. It includes bike mounts, USB PC interface cable, AC charger, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference
guide.

Mo'Phat

Where do I sign up for the cast-off 305's from BF'ers suffering from upgradeitis?

kehrhart

I wonder if the new units will be compatible with the existing HRM and speed/cadence sensors for the 205/305? It would be nice to not have to buy all those acecssories again if you already have them.

awiner

Garmin reports they will be compatible and actually are using the same HRM as well as the same Cadence/Speed sensor on the new uints.

felt1

Can't wait.

Skypp

I read this quickly (at work and stuff)... How's the Battery Life now?... cuz on Centuries with my 305 I'm racing to the finish so I can beat the battery life - not so I can beat my own time. blah.

BigSean

I wonder how much the power meter kit is gonna be. Seems like its gonna be close to the cost of the powertap if SRM is involved. Cant wait for more info on this unit.

merider1

Not here, thank you very much ...geez, Garmin sure does know how to appeal to the tech geeks (and might I add, the hot cycling tech geeks ) They just throw a few more bells and whistles on that fancy POS and up the price. Great marketing! Now, I'll get out of here before I get seriously booed.

herbm

Ha..I was thinking the same thing!!!

ronjon10

You would be talking about me I guess.

awiner

It is a slighty bigger unit with a bigger battery and Garmin states battery life is 15 hours.

tasr

Gee..................I don't even use all the features in my 305.

awiner

It appears that Garmin is not making the power units, only allowing the 705 to pick up the power information from compatible power units. You simply need to use a ANT+ (Wireless) power unit such as the Powertap SL 2.4 or the new upcomming SRM Wireless. Or other Wireless power devices which are going to be released.

roadfix

I shall remain computerless

merider1

I can give you my Garmin 305...for the fixie.

dauphin

I'm so broke, if they were selling em for 1.00, I would be jumping up and down and yelling, "Ain't they cheap!".

roadfix

Hey!....I don't even wear a wrist watch.

Socalcycling

as always you just need to get laid...

Cassave

Me too. Another member of Team Luddite.

merider1

Well that's a given. But it doesn't change my opinion on the Garmin.

magicant

I love the color maps and immediately said "oooh, I need that" but once the fervor died down, I realized I only need maps a couple times a year -- not worth a several hundred dollar upgrade.

merider1

Well, well...I'm impressed. The one person I assumed would run out and buy it is showing reason.

magicant

I like the gadgets, but I rarely buy first generation of anything. I wait for the biggest of the bugs to get worked out and prices to come down.

DaveSANYYZ

If they have a feature to show you the upcoming elevation profile, that will be wonderful.

Since I get lost very frequently, the map would be a welcomed addition. Too bad I already have too many gadgets on my bike.

jpconrad

I'm sure I'll get it.