Garmin Edge 305 Waterproof Cycling GPS With Heart Rate Monitor by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $285.00 You Save: $64.99 (19%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Edge 305 Waterproof Cycling GPS With Heart Rate Monitor
Digital camera Review: Just Works!
Summary: 5 Stars
So far no problems with the unit after a month or so of use. No satellite drops, unit functions superbly. Here in New Mexico we do have more open space, so maybe that contributes to the stability of satellite connection. May add the cadence module at a later date, but for right now it's good.Digital camera Review: Nice HRM bike computer
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this for a couple of weeks now and it's great. HRM works great and the unit has completely customizable visible fields (up to 8 visible at once); hr, time, distance, speed etc. I don't have the cadence sensor and with the gps, I don't think I need it. I like that the unit can go from bike to bike without needing a sensor and spoke magnet on each bike. I love plugging the unit into my computer after a ride and seeing my route on google earth. I have a Polar s720i and I like the edge much better--I've removed the Polar hardware from my bikes. The software isn't beautiful but it works--the Polar software is nicer and more full-featured. I'm hoping some software updates for the garmin are coming. Good product--highly recommended.Digital camera Review: Nice unit, poor software [Roadie perspective]
Summary: 2 Stars
Despite a large number of user and site reviews to the contrary I believe this item is let down by poor software design and quality. The Edge products are something of a 'hook' item in that they are sufficiently crippled out of the box to require subscription to online services or other products. Having used the unit for about 3000km now I think I can offer some addition perspective to what is already out there...
Don't get me wrong the concept of a GPS based cycle computer is great - I regularly and easily swap it between the bikes I frequently use without wires or calibration. The unit feature set is also pretty comprehensive, in fact one has to be quite judicious in display setup options so as not be overwhelmed by data. The GPS chip is plenty good for road, quick(ish) acquisition and tracking sufficient for speedo accuracy etc. With the good stuff out of the way...
But - and for me this is considerable but - the unit firmware is flakey (you will have to figure out how to do a soft reset as the unit will freeze up on you), and the Training Center software is even worse. Here come the hooks, for me (in NZ) the basemaps included for course planning are practically useless (though there is a way to create your basemaps own if you have the time and data), the cost of correcting this the Garmin way is horrendous [h1]. A great alternative, however exists in MapMyRide (though you don't get to insert course waypoints). But you still have to resolve the following...
Getting data in and out of the unit becomes more problematic over time, in fact I have installed Training Center on 3 separate PCs (all of the XP variety) and all of them stopped receiving data from the GPS with an error sooner or later. Sometimes they would receive sometimes they wouldn't - final resolution was a complete uninstall (AND manual user dir delete). The alternative is use of the MotionBased site, (2) though paid subscription is required [h2] for a full suite of services. An alternative exists again in the form of SportTracks, a great donorware piece of software (no affiliation).
Other minor gripes include the usual - HRM interference, at times poor barometric related elevation performance - especially in the wet [don't even think about it in heavy rain]. GPS related gripes - the Course following option is a little flakey if created via software as opposed to ride history. Lapped or complex courses (retracing sections) also problematic - a moving snake option highlighting the current, say 1km, section of the course would alleviate this somewhat though. Finally you'd think you would be able to 1. insert an autolap point on a course *before* you rode it (like a lapping waypoint), and 2. insert more than one autolap points. But no, you cannot achieve either of these with the 305 Edge.
In summary, yes the Edge 305 is full featured and bloody convenient for multiple bikes. After you get the unit turned on, the on bike features even work pretty well. The great letdown comes when you want to download, analyse and share all that data you collected out on the road, or heaven forbid do some planning before you hit the road to take advantage of a GPS platform. If you are prepared for multiple workarounds on the SW side of things the Edge 305 is still a great option, if not its power (and potential) is wasted and you'd be better off with a Polar or similar speedo.
Edge 305 Firmware 3.20
Training Center Version 3.2.3
Hope this helps.
Ron
ps. I wouldn't even think of dropping money on an Edge 605/705 until these SW issues are sorted. More bug testers and actual cyclists involved in the next edition please Garmin.
Digital camera Review: Not waterproof
Summary: 3 Stars
Contrary to the advertising this item is NOT waterproof, as admitted by Garmin when I booked my unit in for repair after leaking saltwater whilst on the deck of my kayak. I was immediately offered a replacement at a VERY good price.
Other than that, I found it very good with the ability to customise the display, excellent logging of heart rate and speed over time, with ready access to the data via a Mac.
I will use it in a waterproof pouch in future, and consider replacing it with the new Garmin Forerunner 310XT GPS/HR Monitor.
Digital camera Review: Overpriced
Summary: 3 Stars
For what it does, the cost is excessive. Map is hard to use. No streets at all.