Garmin 705 - Best cycle computer around the €400 mark?

72hundred · 05-04-2010 11:42PM #1

Hey,

Going to making the purchase of a Garmin 705 soon.

Is there any other computers I should be looking at?

How do Garmin owners find them? Are they good quality and work consistently?

Any where to get cheap ones?

Any suggestions are appreciated greatly!

short circuit · 06-04-2010 07:35AM

Purpose is key ...
705 is your only option if you need map, speed, cadence, HR, power and downloadability for PC analysis.

If you just need a subset of these, much cheaper and more reliable things can be had. If I needed just speed, cadence and HR ... the 705 would probably be at the bottom of the list.

blorg · 06-04-2010 09:23AM

It is flaky but a lot better than when they first came out. I don't think there is anything else close to it, I would recommend.

ednwireland · 06-04-2010 09:32AM

only cycle computer at the £400 mark ?

i guess someone is going to correct me at this point

jag con · 06-04-2010 09:37AM

Have to say im impressed with the 705 but if you dont need the map function you could get the new Garmin 305

Con

beans · 06-04-2010 09:59AM

FWIW, I find the Polar CS400 great as a pure HRM without any GPS or mapping function. I don't have any experience with other units, but I like the Polar's display, functionality and build quality.

oflahero · 06-04-2010 10:08AM

If you have even a trace of a nerdy gene in you, you will love the 705. If you are the type of person who can spend an hour just staring at a map, then it is a definite.

I love it in particular for the confidence it gives you when heading out into the great unknown that you will not get hideously lost.

CheGuedara · 06-04-2010 10:13AM

If you don't NEED mapping functions I can definitely recommend the Edge 500.

For metrics I cant fault it so unless you will need your GPS to guide you around a particular route then it's worth considering (although the edge can guide you around uploaded courses though not in a turn-by-turn fashion)

You'd have a bit of change left from the e400 to put into other stuff then too (extra cadence sensor for training/B bike could be one thing)

72hundred · 06-04-2010 10:30AM

short circuit wrote: »

Purpose is key ...
705 is your only option if you need map, speed, cadence, HR, power and downloadability for PC analysis.

If you just need a subset of these, much cheaper and more reliable things can be had. If I needed just speed, cadence and HR ... the 705 would probably be at the bottom of the list.

Yea, all of the all above are what I'm hoping for. I've got a Polar CS200cad at the moment and it doesn't do PC downloads well very (at all for the last few months, the sonic software to communicate with the PC is a bit of joke and the info you get is nearly useless)

blorg wrote: »

It is flaky but a lot better than when they first came out. I don't think there is anything else close to it, I would recommend.

Thanks for that, I've heard they're flaky at times. Hopefully they've sorted this out by now and if not the customer service is good enough to replace faulty items!

ednwireland wrote: »

only cycle computer at the £400 mark ?

i guess someone is going to correct me at this point

Yea, I meant are they're any other computers that do the same function +/- the €400 range, as that's what I'm happy to spend or less ideally.

jag con wrote: »

Have to say im impressed with the 705 but if you dont need the map function you could get the new Garmin 305

Con

Yea mapping function is the main reason for the upgrade from the Polar CS200cad, want to be able to go to France with it and use the map to get me around.

beans wrote: »

FWIW, I find the Polar CS400 great as a pure HRM without any GPS or mapping function. I don't have any experience with other units, but I like the Polar's display, functionality and build quality.

oflahero wrote: »

If you have even a trace of a nerdy gene in you, you will love the 705. If you are the type of person who can spend an hour just staring at a map, then it is a definite.

I love it in particular for the confidence it gives you when heading out into the great unknown that you will not get hideously lost.

Haha, that's it in a nutshell!

That was something I meant to ask earlier - can I upload a map from http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/ or similar site ? And then just follow that route for the day?

CheGuedara wrote: »

If you don't NEED mapping functions I can definitely recommend the Edge 500.

For metrics I cant fault it so unless you will need your GPS to guide you around a particular route then it's worth considering (although the edge can guide you around uploaded courses though not in a turn-by-turn fashion)

You'd have a bit of change left from the e400 to put into other stuff then too (extra cadence sensor for training/B bike could be one thing)

So is the navigation not done turn by turn - how so if not that way?

One final thing. Does anyone use the 705 with a power meter. I've no use for a power meter at the moment, but for the future... Does it work well? I watched a video on YouTube where they referred to the power "bands" does it do a simple watts or watts/hr calculation as well.

Cheers all for the advice

72hundred · 06-04-2010 10:34AM

Oh that was something else... does anyone know if the one I'm going to buy off CRC or Wiggle has good detailed maps for both Ireland and France?

Lumen · 06-04-2010 11:02AM

72hundred wrote: »

Does anyone use the 705 with a power meter. I've no use for a power meter at the moment, but for the future... Does it work well? I watched a video on YouTube where they referred to the power "bands" does it do a simple watts or watts/hr calculation as well.

Yes the 705 does this well, as does the 500. Pretty much all the wireless powermeters use the Ant+ protocol.

So the Garmins are a common choice for power metering, and the only choice if you also want GPS, the other main choices being the computers that come from the powermeter manufacturers (the old Saris one for the Powertap is a bit crap, the SRM one is apparently good). The new Saris Joule does some fancy power stuff, but that's more expensive and again doesn't have GPS.

The main advantage of GPS on a power meter is that you can use the location data to identify specific efforts in a race using Garmin Training Centre.

CheGuedara · 06-04-2010 11:03AM

72hundred wrote: »

So is the navigation not done turn by turn - how so if not that way?

Create TCX file for course in garmin training centre, copy to unit, [unit regiggers it to file type it prefers], load course, follow line on screen, like below.

IMG_5333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800

FROM DCRAINMAKER REVIEW - v comprehensive

Useful if you use the same routes for training regularly and want to compare performances over time

blorg · 06-04-2010 11:38AM

From your description that you want to go to France and be guided by it, definitely get the 705 with the maps. It is incomparably better for navigation than the 305 was (which I had before.) The 500 is hobbled for navigation even compared to the 305 I believe. I didn't think I would have much use for the maps but since I got it found them invaluable. I have done several long, complicated tours in Ireland, Spain, France and Italy on it across tiny back roads with turns every few km which would be impossible to follow on a map.

72hundred · 06-04-2010 12:19PM

blorg wrote: »

From your description that you want to go to France and be guided by it, definitely get the 705 with the maps. It is incomparably better for navigation than the 305 was (which I had before.) The 500 is hobbled for navigation even compared to the 305 I believe. I didn't think I would have much use for the maps but since I got it found them invaluable. I have done several long, complicated tours in Ireland, Spain, France and Italy on it across tiny back roads with turns every few km which would be impossible to follow on a map.

Yea, that's the general idea. Just enjoy the cycling instead of getting lost every 5 minutes over the there / in Ireland!

I've been looking at the Garmin site and it looks like they sell you a micro sd card (or something like that) with the european maps on for for £80, which is pretty expensive! I was hoping that they'd cover all of Europe with one map. Going to look into open source alternative though that might work ; http://www.velorider.co.uk/wp02/?p=42 .

One other thing, the maps are labelled "City Navigator" which I guessing is just a brand and doesn't mean that they're limited to just the cities?

72hundred · 06-04-2010 12:29PM

CheGuedara wrote: »

FROM DCRAINMAKER REVIEW - v comprehensive

God that site does unreal detailed reviews! Its a great find.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2008/12/garmin-edge-705-review.html

blorg · 06-04-2010 12:52PM

72hundred wrote: »

One other thing, the maps are labelled "City Navigator" which I guessing is just a brand and doesn't mean that they're limited to just the cities?

That is just the brand, it covers all the roads in most countries, all of Western Europe anyway.

72hundred · 06-04-2010 07:08PM

blorg wrote: »

That is just the brand, it covers all the roads in most countries, all of Western Europe anyway.

Great. Did you buy off CRC or wiggle?

blorg · 06-04-2010 08:55PM

72hundred wrote: »

Great. Did you buy off CRC or wiggle?

I bought from eBay from a seller called direct_web_retail. Be careful if buying from eBay as if you don't buy from an authorised Garmin seller they won't honour the warranty (which you will need :pac:) Direct Web Retail were an authorised seller.

Others have reported best prices on Handtec.

Nietzschean · 06-04-2010 09:01PM

the free OSM maps are fairly decent in ireland, and excellent on the continent(arguably too detailed in germany last time i was there)... who needs to know where the power lines run?

72hundred · 06-04-2010 09:21PM

blorg wrote: »

I bought from eBay from a seller called direct_web_retail. Be careful if buying from eBay as if you don't buy from an authorised Garmin seller they won't honour the warranty (which you will need :pac:) Direct Web Retail were an authorised seller.

Others have reported best prices on Handtec.

Cheers, that handtech place is about €80 cheaper aright. But to be honest I'm expecting to have a few issues with it and Wiggle and CRC have been excellent in the past for dealing with returns so I'd almost just pay the extra to know I was dealing with a large company with good customer rep. (Is it mad to acknowledge you need good warranty when about to buy!?!)

Nietzschean wrote: »

the free OSM maps are fairly decent in ireland, and excellent on the continent(arguably too detailed in germany last time i was there)... who needs to know where the power lines run?

That's really cool, can they be uploaded to the 705?

EDIT: That knowledge of the power lines might be needed for a Top Gear like invasion - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Wk-hcjVTg !!!

Lumen · 06-04-2010 09:32PM

72hundred wrote: »

Cheers, that handtech place is about €80 cheaper aright. But to be honest I'm expecting to have a few issues with it and Wiggle and CRC have been excellent in the past for dealing with returns so I'd almost just pay the extra to know I was dealing with a large company with good customer rep. (Is it mad to acknowledge you need good warranty when about to buy!?!)

Seller makes no difference. All warranty issues/returns are directly with Garmin.

blorg · 06-04-2010 09:34PM

Returns are done directly to Garmin and they have a VERY fast turnaround, so it doesn't really matter where you buy as long as you are covered, e.g you bought it from a non-eBay seller or an eBay seller who is an authorised Garmin seller.

If it breaks they give you a new (refurbished) one. If it was your fault (crash etc.) there is a charge but around a third/quarter of what you pay new (I think £100 for a 705.)

72hundred · 06-04-2010 09:43PM

Ah right that's interesting.... I think I might go with the Handtec guys so.

72hundred · 07-04-2010 09:13PM

Went ahead and ordered tonite, off CRC, as the handtec guys were outta stock.

Thanks all for the help with it.

garminguy · 08-04-2010 11:45AM

where is the best value for the maps for 705

Nietzschean · 08-04-2010 12:19PM

72hundred wrote: »

That's really cool, can they be uploaded to the 705?

Yep a few sites do garmin packaged up copies of the OSM maps , http://andrewmccarthy.ie/osm/ is what i've got on my 705 at the mo

72hundred · 14-04-2010 09:10AM

It has arrived

:D:D!

Delighted to have it. One quick question though - does plugging it into the PC USB charge it? I as I've read in several places on that for the first charge you should let it go down to completely flat or it will effect battery longevity. (Like all Lithium batteries).

Raam · 14-04-2010 09:30AM

72hundred wrote: »

One quick question though - does plugging it into the PC USB charge it? I as I've read in several places on that for the first charge you should let it go down to completely flat or it will effect battery longevity. (Like all Lithium batteries).

yes. Dunno about that second bit. I never did.

Lumen · 14-04-2010 09:43AM

72hundred wrote: »

I've read in several places on that for the first charge you should let it go down to completely flat or it will effect battery longevity. (Like all Lithium batteries).

That sounds very wrong. Link.

72hundred · 14-04-2010 08:26PM

One of the review sites mentions the 3hr thing. Must see if I can find it again.

EDIT: Got it here; http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/05/review-garmin-e/

TIRED
Must run the battery all the way down before the first charge or you’ll only get about three hours of use.

72hundred · 17-04-2010 05:56PM

Anyone know a way of comparing laps in the garmin training centre... it compares activities, but doesn't seem to do laps.

Garmin 705 - Best cycle computer around the €400 mark?

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