What do you think of the GPS computers?

[YellowLemondTed]

So I'm thinking of asking for a Garmin Edge for Christmas this year. But, I haven't heard much in the way of reviews. Does anyone have one? If so, what do you think?

[Scott Baker]

I have been using a Garmin Edge 305 for about two year. It has both the wireless cadence and heart rate features. I have used several types of computers before this one looking for one that has as many features as possible, computer interface, and is practical. I am pretty picky about having good equipment, and I give the Edge my highest marks.

Here is my list of pros and cons to the Garmin 305:

Pros

• Features - You can display up to eight pieces of data on the main screen (out of about 40 choices) and/or eight more on the second screen that can be scrolled to with a button. I prefer to only use one screen, but some people put two or three main things on the main screen (the less you display the larger they appear) and use the secondary screen for all the other data.
  
• Everything is wireless - The cadence sensor mounts on the chainstay and also doubles as the speed sensor back-up. I have had to wire cadence sensors before and it is a huge pain. The speed is calculated by GPS, and if that fails, you can set it to use the wheel's speed sensor.
  
• Auto-Correction - When you go through a tunnel the GPS signal gets lost briefly, but the computer will adjust your distance travelled once it gets signal again and compares the last known and current locations.
  
• Computer Interface - It connects to your home PC or Mac via a USB cable, and comes with the Garmin Training Center (GTC) software. The software is pretty easy to use and has tons of info, or you can use it at its most basic setup. The Edge also charges when it is plugged into the computer.
  
• Motionbased.com (Mb) - This web site will let you use it for free to see your last ten uploads, or you can pay annually and log all of your training data. The Mb data is more thorough than the GTC, but the elevation gain for each ride is off about 12% to the + side. Other than that, it is pretty slick. You can also share the Mb data. Here is a Ring of Fire ride from my house in University Heights in Cullowhee (trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6091174).
  
• Easy to Move - If you use multiple bikes, you can get a mount (the stem mount is the best due to the oblong shape) and cadence sensor (if you use that option) for another bike. You can simply un-clip the Edge from one bike and put on the other. Then scroll through the system options to have to reacquire a different sensor signal.
  
• Batteries - The internal battery for the unit is rechargeable. They list it to last 12 hours, but field testing shows 10-11 hours at best for me. So this means you need to watch when the battery power indicator gets low, and you know you have a longer ride next, to be sure and charge it. The batteries in the chest strap and cadence sensor are the standard 2032-types that are easily replaced.
  
• Great Support - The few times I have had to contact Garmin support via phone or e-mail, responses are prompt and they are very knowledgeable.
  
• Train Against Yourself - You can save previous rides back to the Edge and then ride against a virtual training partner. This is pretty cool as you can save various efforts and train against it. It will show where you are relative to your VTP and you can see if you are ahead or behind and by how much time/distance. You can drop or be dropped by yourself. This is a really cool feature.
  
• Power Compatibility - The newer models will have the ability to communicate via the wireless protocol of some of the power hubs, taps, etc. I don't know much about this, but it is something to consider.
  

Cons

• Battery Charge Anomaly - After you charge it on the computer or via the wall-charger, when it says "Battery Charge Complete", unplug it, and immediately turn it on, wait a few seconds, then shut it off. This avoids it actually being on w/o the display showing (infrequent) and spending the charge. I got burned on this twice.
  
• Price - It is expensive as compared to regular computers, but it is worth it if you are a data junkie.
  
• Shuts Off Sometimes - Sometimes when you hit a bump/hole/RR tracks, the computer will shut off. It will turn back on, but kind of annoying. Garmin is replacing mine for free even though it is out of the warranty period. This may only apply to older models, and newer ones are immune to this.
  

The higher-end models have color displays and such, but to me, that does not warrant the extra money. The higher-end models also have the wireless power feature, but again, not of interest to me (yet).

I hope this helps.

[cujo]

I have to say after using it for a year I really like the Ibike. I thought it was a total gimic. But the team had riders on power taps srm and ergomos at the same time. The Ibike went blow for blow with them. Although it does not have a gps if you want power and everything else for under 900 dollars it is the way to go. It will also intergrate(sp) with any other wireless power meter.

[wcuracer]

Cujo, the topic is GPS computers not power meters.

Your just promoting a product that your sponsored by. The IBike has horrible reviews and it has been proven very inaccurate; please don't talk someone into wasting 300-400 dollars.

[TC]

I'll make it about the iBike. Please tell me more about it!? I am curious about it's compatibility with the Mac, and the Garmin too! We will be buying some sort of power meter this winter. I am leaning toward the SRM variety, because you can use any wheelset, but the iBike seems to be just as adaptable. Is the iBike dummy proof?

[YellowLemondTed]

I've never been much on power training since I'm not so much of a racer and I don't think power numbers are of much use otherwise(unless you are that much of a number lover). As far as the GPS, I do find the virtual training partner feature to be enticing. It would be cool to see how I ride against myself, especially when I come back up to the mountains. Also, I like the idea of importing new routes which I can follow on my computer that I am unfamiliar with.

I currently use a cateye CD300DW, their old top of the line wireless computer which reads speed, dist, cadence, and time. I've come to rely on having cadence to judge my pace using training advice I've read in bicycling mag and other places.

How does the Auto Pause feature work? It says it pauses the computer when you slow down or stop, but will this throw off the data if you're at a stop sign behind several cars or some other situation like this?

And Clint, ease up on the harsh posts. It may be that the people who write the negative reviews just haven't spent enough time understanding how it works. Don't be so overly offensive toward cujo just because you're heard negative responses from a few other people. And it may be that perhaps a different computer would fit what I may be looking for, suggestions of any type are always welcome and much appreciated.

[Scott Baker]

The auto-pause simply stops "the clock" and does not throw anything off. When you upload the data from the Edge, it will show you your riding time and your stopped time. All the calculations for average and such are only for moving time. They updated the cadence calculation to ignore any "0" entries (when coasting or not pedaling downhill) and that makes the average cadence for a ride much more accurate. One other cool feature that I like to see is the gradient % for climbing and descending on the display.

[YellowLemondTed]

Good to know about the auto-pause feature. I wasn't sure exactly how garmin designed that feature. I like the gradient feature as well, I always wonder what % i'm riding when the hill feels like it has gotten quicker. Have the features like the elevation, gradient, and vtp changed your riding style since you've become used to the computer? Also, I haven't ever used a HR monitor and therefor my understanding of the different zones, training hr, etc is minimal. Is this a function that is easy to learn and get into?

[YellowLemondTed]

Also, does the edge have a sleep function? The computer I'm currently using will put itself to sleep when the bike has been inactive for x amount of minutes to save power.

[Scott Baker]

The last computer I had (HAC4) had all those features on it (except GPS and a good display), and it did change my training style back when I started using HR monitoring. The hardcore have a valid argument that power is a better tool, but until the price point drop significantly along with a good computer, it is a tough sale.

I recommend doing your homework on how to use the different training HR zones to maximize your training. I use it quite a bit to maximize my training with the least amount of time on the bike when I can. There are many good web resources that will help you put all that together.

[TC]

Oct 8, 2008 9:57:27 GMT -5 Scott Baker said:

When you upload the data from the Edge, it will show you your riding time and your stopped time.

Uploaded to your Mac running OSX? or Parallels?

[YellowLemondTed]

The garmin website claims it will interface with both PC and Mac, I'm on Mac osx as well so this is important to me also.

[jer]

I've used the Garmin Edge 305 for about a year and one half. Scott pretty much covered all the features.

I have yet to utilize all that the Edge 305 can do as far as training features involving zone warnings, route marking, etc. The GPS, in combination with the barimetric feature, is accurate to within a few feet of posted BRP elevations.

I too have experienced the shut off issue resulting from road jar that Scott mentioned. Even though my Edge 305 was 1 month beyond the warrenty period, Garmin allowed a trade in for a refurbished unit free of charge.

The only other issue that I have had has been with the snap on mounting device, which attaches the unit to the stem of the bike. A couple of these broke while the unit was under warrenty and were replaced free of charge. A couple have broken since then and were purchased from Garmin for about $13.00.

Overall, if you are looking for a bike computer loaded with features, one that allows you to study your training data on your home computer, and have $400.00 plus to put into it, the Garmin Edge 305 fits the bill.

[Scott Baker]

It does not have an auto-sleep feature. You have to stop the recording, then power it off. If you don't stop the recording before powering off, it will simply begin recording the next time you power it on. Kind of cool if you want to record a long multi-day ride as one long ride.

I works with Mac OS X just fine. I installed the Mac version of Garmin Training Center and is works pretty much like on th PC, which I used before I got my Mac last year. The PC version of GTC has a few small things the Mac version does not, but I don't remember what they are. However, you can run the Windows version of GTC and upload it to the Mac via Parallels or Fusion virtually, or use Boot Camp just the same.

[YellowLemondTed]

Scott, as far as the software, do you use both Garmin Training Center and MotionBased.com? Or do you prefer to use one over the other?

Little side note: Welcome to the board Jer