Originally Posted by
Hermes
i have the 705 and like it. I bought it for the ANT+ capability. If I had to get another Garmin to replace this one, I would get the 500 with ANT+, altimeter. I do not use the mapping function on the bike. I think the 500 records GPS data for mapping on the computer but it is not clear that it does from a cursory review of the technical data.
I think the 500, 705 and 800 all can navigate. They all use GPS points but those with mapping reference the GPS location to physical locatons on their internal map. Those without mapping reference just take you from one GPS point to another since they don't have an internal map. Where the line gets blurred is when a user mixes in online maps. A user can lay out their ride on an online map, download it to the bike computer and ride. Or, the user can ride, record the GPS points and then get the mapping reference by uploading the data to an online map like MapMyRide.
More simply: A unit with internal maps(705/800) tells you street names, business names, etc as you ride because they have an internal map which includes a data base of a wide variety of service facilities. Without the internal map and data base this isn't done.
I'm like you, if I didn't want the ability provided by the internal maps and data base I'd go for the 500 also.