arartic

Hi guy,



I have started road cycling a while, and I am really bad and reading maps and I hate stopping every corner just to wait for my galaxy S2 from my pocket to check if I am on the correct route.

I saw a 2nd hand Garmin Edge 305 + HR + Cadence with $ 120 USD only.

It was rarely used according to owner, and it was bought 3 years ago, so no warranty.

Question:

1. Is it still a good deal, though I checked there could be problem with auto-shut off after bumping or bad mounting option...

2. Is the GPS connectivity from Garmin Edge 305 better than Galaxy S2? I never have good GPS connectivity on a smartphone even with AGPS, I really doubt if GPS actually works.

Thanks.

Garfield Cat

If you can wait, Cateye is rolling out its version of a GPS computer. Cheaper than the Garmin 500. I currently have a Garmin Edge 305 and would like to try the new Cateye GPS bike computer. I saw it at the trade show.

TrojanHorse

I have a garmin 500 and it's way better than any of my smart phones (GPS signal recording wise at least). My Galaxy nexus is very good but a friend of mine had the same phone and his GPS track always sucked.

I don't know that the 305 will keep you from getting lost, I don't think it does turn by turn directions. Even the 500's turn by turn are weak compared to what you might be imagining.

Athens80

Edge 305 with heart rate strap and speed/cadence monitor for $120 is a lot of performance information for the money.

I'm more familiar with the Forerunner 305, which is dual-use, on and off the bike. I get reasonable GPS performance. Under heavy tree cover it doesn't keep up constantly. For speed and distance information, the cadence/speed sensor is a good addition, because it will override the recorded speed and distance when the GPS coverage is not 100%

The 305 does not do turn-by-turn directions, and it has no maps built-in. You can use your favorite online site like ridewithgps or mapmyride to plan your course, and sync the file with your 305, and it will keep you on course. You could also roam a bit off course and always see what direction to ride to get back to a planned course, a fixed spot such as your starting point, etc.

The 305 series is not Ant+ compatible. That probably won't matter to you.

You can see the manuals from Garmin here.

jrhii

I just got a new phone and after having used a garmin oregon hiking gps I notice how off my phone can be. Not only because it is a better gps, but I think because I set the refresh to 1/sec. Strava's app doesn't give you control of that, and is slower than that. I just upload the .gpx to strava later. I have been considering a sports gps, but with motoactv being discontinued, It seems harder and harder to find a multi sport gps (biking and running). I would like a watch style that has hr and cadence...maybe pace, but I don't need power meter support or anything. It seems like garmin has been making them more and more specialized.

socalrider

I have a 305 and one of the big issues is the battery over time will not last as long.. I am now 4 years into mine and will only use if for rides 4 hours or less.. If I go longer I need to use an external usb charger to keep it topped up.

Stomper

cIs the cadence monitor for the Garmin Edge 500 installed on the front or rear tire? Can it be used effectively with a bike trainer?

Athens80

The sensor/transmitter is mounted on the left chainstay. One magnet goes on the left crank and another on a rear wheel's spoke. So you get cadence and speed/distance recording while using a trainer.

sjvcycler

get the 305 and you'll always have enough buttery to make a phone call

dougmc

The Edge 305 will last longer than your smartphone (but not as long as an Edge 705.)

And as sjvcycler said, when it's dead, your cell phone isn't.

The GPS is excellent -- good sensitivity. I don't know how your phone is, but I'd expect this to be at least the same, if not better.