Garmin Recomendations
 

Hello all. Just moved to a new area and looking to venture out on new rides and such. Going to buy a Garmin but really do not know where to start. I have been looking at the Edge 800 and the Dakota 200. Whats important to me:

Turn by Turn
Accuracy of GPS
Being able to upload cue sheets from the web unto the Garmin

Was wondering if you all might have suggestions.

Thank you.

Turn by turn is only available on the 800 (or previous 705)
Accuracy is a given.
Can't download cue sheets to any of them. You can download existing GPX or TCX routes and courses or create your own on various websites. These are files which will show up as tracks on the display that you can follow and which will give turn by turn beeps and arrows on the display.
With a 500, you can download TCX files which will show up as a track you can follow on the display but there is no map and no turn by turn guidance.

Not exactly true - the 500 shows you a plot of your track and it'll tell you to turn... as you go through the turn. I seem to recall getting "turn now" type stuff when viewing the normal bike pages. Mine's pretty new and I haven't explored every possible configuration yet though.

If you really want a visible map, the 800 is probably the best option. The 500 has just enough capability to use in a pinch and then of course, you have your ever present smart phone with google maps. :)

search function

I have the 705 (5 years) and it is really excellent. Good battery life, great screen resolution, accurate. Turn by turn is prompts and on a bike not that useful. But the 705 can be used in car mode when traveling ... as useful as any other GPS. They are so accurate that if you pass another rider you can get prompted that you are off course.

Other courses/cue sheets is a 3 or 4 step process. Create a map, save it, upload it to the Garmin and then tell it you want to use the course. I use Mapmyride. Lots use Biketoaster.

The mapping feature is what is most helpful if you do rides outside your area. If you want to ensure you you know where you are, on course, or where you what to go. imo

You are SOOO smart. But it is not working. Not now nor last night. Thats why I posted.

...and in more than one forum, too. Again.

chas: You have an option bro.... click or no click. I have stated why I do it. Not against the law. So stop wasting your time.

I've had the 705 for 2 1/2 years and it's still goin strong. It's loaded with maps for all of north america on the removable memory card. I've been thinking about also getting a edge 500, but just because. Not because the 705 doesn't work. The 800 has a touch screen I think, which might be a cool feature. I really don't use the maps that much though, but they are nice to have.

Not true. the eTrex 20 provides this - for less that $200, and 1.5 oz heavier than an 800. It's what (very) long distance riders use, because the AA batteries can be replaced any time / any place. The 500 & 800 batteries last less than 24 hours, and would not work on a decent brevet ride.



So - it depends on what kind of riding you'll be doing.

You can download the cue sheets yourself by creating a map on garmin connect. Then upload to the 800. Easy and very useful.