GPS coverage

[tubapro]

So I'm looking at buying a new cycling computer. Primarily, I'm interested in something that is GPS, can log altitude, and has a heart rate monitor. Also being able to use this running would be a huge plus. I live near Wolf Laurel/Exit 3 on 26. I'm wondering how reliable the GPS works in the areas that I ride. Does anyone have any experience with this? I regularly ride 19/23 (old hwy) from mars hill to wolf laurel, Big Laurel, and the hotdoggett 100 route (my primary event I'm training for). I'd hate to buy something and have it not work well in these areas.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm somewhat looking at the Garmin forerunner and the edge 305. I don't want to have a ton of cash into this. The altitude feature can be optional. I would like the heart rate monitor to get more out of my trainer this winter.

[dobovedo]

I have used a Garmin Forerunner 305 for about two years now. I use it both running and riding, including mountain biking in Tsali, Bent Creek, etc. I've been just about everywhere in western NC with it and it has always worked great. Occasionally it will drop a signal when going up through heavy trees or climbing near steeper rock outcroppings. And of course it's likely to drop when going through tunnels. But overall your connection should be solid.

I use a handlebar mount on all my road bikes and use a wrist strap (with a quick release accessory kit) when running or mountain biking. It's a snap (pun intended) to switch back and forth.

[tubapro]

Thanks for the response,
I'm seriously considering the forerunner. It seems reasonably priced considering how much you can spend on the other garmins. I've read so-so reviews on polar products. I think it's the best thing I've looked at so far (I think I could even talk my wife into it!) Good to know it works great! I think for altitude I'd have to go with a edge 305. I'll have to decide if I'll be disapointed without it. Climbing is what I do the most.

[wcuracer]

Tuba I have a Garmin 705 and I wouldn't go with anything less.

Here are a few reasons I wouldn't go with nothing else

Its versatile - Use it in your car, mtb, road bike, hiking etc...

It can give nearly any type of data you want....you don't have to worry about not getting the data you wanted.

Take it for what its worth knowing its a little expensive but this thing goes nearly every where! It will NOT let you down!!!

[tubapro]

Well,
I'd love to have something like a 705 but it seems like an extravagance since it would cost a third of what my bike cost. My prime cycling days were in the 80's. I saved up all summer to buy a Trek 400 and I rode it everywhere. We didn't have gels and helmets, if you wore one, it was leather if you were cool and plastic if you're mom bought it. You carried a water bottle and rode. I suppose I need to get with the times. $450 seems like a lot of cash to see how long it takes to get my out-of-shape self up some hills! I suppose I'd spend maybe $300 at the most and that would be treating myself. I'd rather keep it more reasonable if possible. Is the Garmin 705 that much better than an edge 305?

[dobovedo]

The only reason I recommend the Forerunner over the Edge is that the original post mentioned doing a lot of running in addition to other things. The Edge would be more versatile in all other respects, although even an Edge can be used for running if you wear a fuel belt or other type of pack. And the other advantage is price.

I agree about mixed reviews with Polar. I have had two 725S that were very good over the years I used them, and the only reason I switched to Garmin was for mapping capabilities. Incidentally, the reason I had a second 725S was because I killed the first one trying to use it in water after having done a non-warranty battery replacement. They clearly say not to do that, but I did it anyway. LOL

We can probably get into and endless debate about elevation data and how accurate various devices and methods are. In my experience, Polars or any device that uses a barometer will understate the elevation, and GPS devices will overstate it. And mapping software like TopoUSA is even worse. I don't know how many century events that claim to have 10,000' of climbing aren't even close.

My preferred method is to not display the elevation or accumulated climbing while riding/running. Afterward, I import the files into a program called SportTracks and use a 3rd party plug-in called Elevation Correction. It downloads and applies SRTM elevation data based on the latitude/longitude.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Radar_Topography_Mission

The resulting elevation profiles are much smoother, giving more accurate accumulated totals than the GPS data itself.

[tubapro]

I appreciate the comments. I would like to use this item for both running and cycling with cycling being the main use. I had an older Garmin hand-held GPS and it always had problems finding satellites where I live. I was just concerned that the cycling computer would be a dud. So now it seems that all the Garmin products are going to work. I just need to decide which one is going to work for me price and feature-wise.

[dobovedo]

One more thing to consider... the Forerunner 305 is only $128 on Amazon right now. At that price, you can try it out and if you for some reason decided to go a different route later, you wouldn't have broken the bank.