amandadun

Ahhh what an Amazing invention, I just picked myself up one of these

mlamb01

I have the 500 and I find that it meets my needs... I also use it for navigation as well. When I do a organized supported ride, I contact the organizer ahead of time for a cue sheet, then use ride with GPS to make a .tcx file that I load on the garmin. This will keep me on the route. It won't tell me street names, but it does tell me when to turn, and I can see where I am and where the course is. So if I do get lost, I can see which way I need to head to get back on course.

The 500 does have issues sometimes with longer 100+ mile courses with alot of turns. It can tend to hangup occasionally while doing those routes.

Mansram01

I love the Garmin 800 and the touchscreen and form factor compared to the 705. I find the GPS pretty helpful. Helps plenty when exploring new areas (which I like to do) or going off-track. The map display is a bit on the small size. The new HR strap really does suck. I use my Polar strap w/Garmin sensor to compensate. Other than those two gripes, there's nothing better for me out there in the market.

dnuzzomueller

Currently using a Wahoo Fitness speed/cadence ANT+ sensor on my bike with my Edge 800, works great. I prefer it over the Garmin speed/cadence sensor, much less obtrusive.

MikeyBoyAz

20% off doesn't apply to GPS *read the fine print... anyway Ebay has them state side(CA) for $379 shipped... that's better than the 20% coupon... not as good as the $200 dividend... then again... WFT are you spending >$2k at REI, it's not like they have the most amazing stuff there to start... and with prices that could bankrupt a millionaire!

Beau210

I tend to buy a couple really expensive things. I know I have a problem lol The dividend can be cashed and spent where ever so I could still use it if I buy the garmin on ebay.

jolly_ross

I use my 800 a lot. Unaided, I am a dufus and get lost all the time - so the "calculate a route to take me to this point" feature is v useful for me.

Beau210

Just pulled the trigger on one of these babies for $350.00 at the LBS. Can't wait till it comes in next Friday! The best part is I'm gonna use my REI dividend so it's only gonna cost me $150.00 out of pocket and the lbs said I can pay him as I can for the rest.

PhotoJoe 

You have to be careful of the 500's off ebay. There are some that are the international units that the English setting works well on. Then there is the Taiwan (TWN) version that you can only update the firmware off the translated Taiwan site and some fields still display in Chinese, even though you've selected English as the language. They can be had for under $200 delivered, though.

DropDeadFred

If you need a map when you ride then you're doing it wrong

Looigi

One of the first rides I did around here in New England was 30 mile over 27 different twisty little roads. Trying to look at a map or cue sheet really slows me down. A garmin 705 made it easy to plan and follow complicated rides without having to slow for navigation. It was a vastly simpler when I lived out West and rode in NM, CO, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA...

Shimagnolo

So you never go riding in unfamiliar territory where you have never been before?
How boring.

Silvercivic27

I'm not much of an expert and just got my 800, but it really only became useful when I bought the micro SD flash card with the maps on them. The stock maps just didn't have any detail. In theory my 500 should have worked as well, but it just didn't and I don't know why. It was very unreliable and took a lot of trial and error Nd just didn't work well for me. I'm hoping the 800 is a good solution, and I think it probably will be. At first I didn't like the size, but after using it a few times, I actually think the bigger screen is easier to see on the fly than the 500. Also, the touch screen didn't work very well at first but seems to have corrected itself on its own.

DropDeadFred

I travel for a living and take my bike when possible. It's always an adventure but I've never been lost once. I find it easy to turn around and trace my route back.

Pluto

A Garmin Dakota 20 will also do the job well and provides some additional flexibility. It also works with Garmin Connect and Basecamp.

smallet

Believe it or not I often use map feature on my Garmin 310XT. Although it does not show the roads, at least I can see the direction, which at times maybe very useful.

smallet

If you always return the same road, this is indeed boring. On the other hand, if you travel for living and ride a lot of different places, then you must have learnt to navigate your way without assistance.