Questions for Garmin GPS users

[Waldo]

For those who own the Edge 205:
Are there features on the 305 you find you're really missing out on?

For those who own the 305:
Do you use everything, or would the 205 have satisfied your needs?

For all owners:
How is the durability of these units?
If you could change anything on them, what do you wish was different?

I promise I'm not doing guerrilla research for Garmin or a competitor. I might put a GPS at the top of my Bday/Xmas wish list, but $200+ is a lot to me and I'd like to know it's worth it and that I'd be getting the right one.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[dubjay]

The only thing that I find really missing is the ability to load maps. You can load courses now, but what if you wanted to go exploring instead of following a preset route?

The Edge 605/705 should take care of that though

I don't believe the 205 comes with a HR monitor, which I use all the time. I know the 205 doesn't come with an altimeter too. I'm not sure about this, but does that mean you can't view current elevation or ascent during the ride? That's a metric I always look at as well.

From a durability standpoint, I've had mine for about 20 months now and everything seems fine except for battery life. It seems the bars drop down a level faster than it used to, but I haven't had it run out on me yet. I was going to send it back to Garmin and get it replaced for $99 (flat fee after 1 year warranty expires), but now with the announcement of the new ones..I may just wait.

The ability to load maps will be a nice welcome change. I'm not sure if anything else is needed - although it would be neat if the Edge transmitted some sort of signal so you could track your buddies on a map and see where they're at - sort of like that Nextel commercial...where ya at!?

[Acadian]

I've owned my 305 for a bit more than a year now an love it. in conjunction with Motion based, it's a super nifty gadget. Mine has been good thus far but like dubjay pointed out, the battery life isn't what they advertise. I'm lucky to get anything over 4-5 hours with mine.

I have the Cadence and HR monitor on mine but honestly, I've never used the Cadence unit and used the HR like 2-3 times. So in my case, the 205 probably would be fine - but I got a screaming deal on the 305, so that's what I opted for.

the 705 is tempting...

[SSinGA]

Get it before the $75 rebate ends in November. I would suggest buying from Goeman as well. You can get the 305 in the $160 range after the rebate.

www.geomangear.com

This isn't spam for geoman either. I'm just a happy customer.

[mechmann]

Durability:

Allison broke the screen on hers in an OTB crash. they can be broken (if only by a dumb girl)

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by dubjay

I know the 205 doesn't come with an altimeter too. I'm not sure about this, but does that mean you can't view current elevation or ascent during the ride?

i have 205 and it does ahve altimeter. think just uses sat and not barometer. you can se current elevation but have to load into competuer to get totla accent/decent.

Never use HR nor cadence so was not an issue for me...saved a few ducks.

trur navigation is not gret for 205/305 but new models look sweet in that regard.

seems durable enough. i've turned my rig side ways on a few occassions and it still working

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Waldo

For those who own the Edge 205:
Are there features on the 305 you find you're really missing out on?

For those who own the 305:
Do you use everything, or would the 205 have satisfied your needs?

For all owners:
How is the durability of these units?
If you could change anything on them, what do you wish was different?

I promise I'm not doing guerrilla research for Garmin or a competitor. I might put a GPS at the top of my Bday/Xmas wish list, but $200+ is a lot to me and I'd like to know it's worth it and that I'd be getting the right one.

Thanks in advance for your input!

I've owned both.

The 205 is a POS. (The 605 might be equally bad TBD)

Details >>> MTBR

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by dubjay

The only thing that I find really missing is the ability to load maps. You can load courses now, but what if you wanted to go exploring instead of following a preset route?

The ability to load Topo maps is the only reason that I own one. I could care less about the other stuff...ya it is interesting to know how far you rode and how much you climbed…at 56 maybe I should pay attention to my heart rate.

This last weekend when we were trying to find our way back to Highway 190 (Western Divide Highway)...we would have been screwed without some help. Problem with Topo maps in a GPS it is hard to figure out the scaling.

Currently using a Garmin Etrex Vista CX. I put it in my backpack and it holds a signal well.

[PacMan]

It all depends on what you're looking for in a GPS. If you want to load maps, the 305 isn't for you. If you want lot's of cool features: altimeter, room for up to 8 tables on the main screen, etc--then get the 305. I mainly use mine to track my rides so I can keep track of my yearly totals and I love the 305 for that.

[allison]

Originally Posted by mechmann

Durability:

Allison broke the screen on hers in an OTB crash. they can be broken (if only by a dumb girl)

My only complaint is the battery life. Mine, before I broke it, lasted a bit longer than Justin's. Never leave it charging over night. Just watch it and make sure you don't overcharge the battery and it'll last 9 hours or so.

Aside from that... I don't use the training ability (race yourself, etc.). But, I use both screen's full of about 9 information bits and HRM. I have the cadence, but need it to be put on my road bike for it to be useful.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dstepper

The ability to load Topo maps is the only reason that I own one. I could care less about the other stuff...ya it is interesting to know how far you rode and how much you climbed…at 56 maybe I should pay attention to my heart rate.

This last weekend when we were trying to find our way back to Highway 190...we would have been screwed without some help. Problem with Topo maps in a GPS it is hard to figure out the scaling.

Currently using a Garmin Etrex Vista CX. I put it in my backpack and it holds a signal well.

You can upload routes and waypoints to the 305. They can serve as a basic "map". I don't look at topo maps on any GPS since I stick to trails. If you know where you are in relation to trail(s) that's enough because you're going to ride the trail to get in & out, you're not riding a contour line.

[dstepper]

Garmin GPS Topo series lists roads and trails. I agree if you stick to well traveled marked trails or all you do is out and backs, no need for Topo. If you like the trail less traveled and enjoy exploring then the bigger the screen the better. And those pesky little elevation lines are the difference between riding and pushing a trail.

Many places I have been have no trail markers and no maps except completly outdated USGS maps.

[BrewMaster]

They had a 205 for $180 at the Jenson sale on Saturday.

[dstepper]

Also REI members should have been e-mailed a 20% off coupon. I am plotting my next purchase...it is a one item coupon. Good until 9/16.

[Atrex]

You can get the 205 for $158 right now at Amazon..

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...m-20/ref=nosim

I own a Garmin Etrex Vista....I think it is a nice GPS unit however I mount it on my handlebar and under vibration it turns off. It is a real pain and I wouldn't buy this unit again.

[SSinGA]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Also REI members should have been e-mailed a 20% off coupon. I am plotting my next purchase...it is a one item coupon. Good until 9/16.

Still cheaper to go through Geoman. His service is as good if not better than REI as well.

[J_Sims]

As far as ability to withstand the elements I will let you know in a couple of days.... I just opened the washer to move my cyclng clothes to the dryer and guess what I found

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Atrex

You can get the 205 for $158 right now at Amazon..

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...m-20/ref=nosim

I own a Garmin Etrex Vista....I think it is a nice GPS unit however I mount it on my handlebar and under vibration it turns off. It is a real pain and I wouldn't buy this unit again.

Known problem fixed with a stronger battery spring. Another reason I keep mine in my Camelback.

[ghixon]

Read through here as well. Alot of good info...

Garmin Edge

[CeeDubb]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Also REI members should have been e-mailed a 20% off coupon. I am plotting my next purchase...it is a one item coupon. Good until 9/16.

Originally Posted by SSinGA

Still cheaper to go through Geoman. His service is as good if not better than REI as well.

You can't beat REI's unlimited return policy.

I've exchanged my 305 twice in the past 2 years for issues of the unit locking up and not working. No service necessary. They exchanged the unit right then and there.

If you break it, you'll probably have to get it serviced.

When the 705 hits REI, I'll simply exchange my 305 for that one.