Garmin 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer Review

Every now and then I like to forget about indoor cycling and riding my magnetic trainer and instead look forward to riding outside. For me (and not looking forward to 4" of snow tonight) today is that day. When I think about a new season of riding outdoors, I like to make sure that whatever has worn out is replaced (tires), brakes are checked, bike helmet is triple checked... reminds me I need some new cycling glasses (boy I really liked those Bolle's), and that I might want to check out a new device or two to play with. Today I'm checking out the Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer or what simply call the Garmin 705.

Garmin 705 Video

Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor)
Garmin 705 Product Features
* GPS-Enabled Cycle Computer
* Sunlight-Readable Color Display
* Features A High-Sensitivity Receiver That Holds A Signal Under Trees & Near Tall Buildings
* Automatically Measures Speed, Distance, Time, Calories Burned, Altitude, Climb & Descent
* Microsd Card(Tm) Slot For Adding Map Detail & Storing Workouts, Courses & Saved Rides

Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor)
Garmin 705 Technical Details
* Brand Name: Garmin
* Model: Edge 705 Speed/ Cade
* Receiver Description: 12 channel
* Connectivity Technology: USB
* Display Size: 2.2 inches
* Native Resolution: 176 x 220
* Battery Average Life: 15 Hours
* Bluetooth support: Y
* MP3 player: Y

Lets look at what a few users on Amazon have to say about the Garmin 705.

Garmin 705 Pro's And Con's

PRO:
"One of best purchases in past few years.."
"I also find that having a mapping GPS on my bike is entertaining. I get to watch the map as I ride and find out the names of parks and other large green areas around me."
"The Garmin Edge 705 is one of the best GPS units I have ever owned."
"It's difficult for me to find the words to describe how much I love this thing. I use it to track all my workouts, I navigate long and complicated routes effortlessly, I explore new areas - it's opened up a world of cycling in unfamiliar terrain."
"- Weather-proof - you wouldn't swim with it, but I've ridden in downpours with it quite a bit
- Sturdy, solid construction - The Garmin 705 has survived many drops
- Navigation - Turn-by-turn alerts based on a saved route works well
- Screen - Legible, precise, looks great - beautiful full color maps
- Backlight / Crip display - Very good illumination
- Battery - After over a year of solid use, I still get 12+ hours continuous (without backlight).
- Accurate GPS - works well in almost all parts of Manhattan, for example
- Customizable screens - chose the data points you'd to show across 2 customizable screens
- Heart rate sensor - has worked flawlessly for me (unlike the Polar sensors, which I'd had issues with)
- Barometric altimeter - accurate - love knowing how much I've climbed (even as an estimate) and the % grade is neat
- Support for workouts - intervals, etc and riding against your previous performance"

CONS
"- Maps are expensive (I believe I dropped $100 on maps for my cycling trip in France).
- Map feature display priorities - The map name prioritization doesn't make sense to me... I wish the map displayed town names over park names, for example.
- Calorie count is completely wrong (based on distance - does not take into account climbs or heart rate) - but then again, I didn't buy this unit to count calories.
- Packaged Software - It's not great, it's not bad - it does the trick."

After looking at the reviews on Amazon, we note that the Garmin 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor) got an overall average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars (as of 1/20/2011).

What we find out is that the Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer is not the can do everything with absolute precision GPS Cycling Computer. For instance, it has a calorie counter that some have noted that they have no idea how calories burned is calculated. Although maps have been described as "beautiful", they can be expensive if you need to download additional maps (ie of a user that went to France to ride). The Garmin 705 Edge is however a great addition to your bicycling if you are for instance... interested in doing some touring cycling where you are going into unfamiliar terrain/roads. Want the equivalent of a bike computer with a heart rate monitor, cadence, speed, and time, with the addition of a device that shows altitude, has turn by turn directions and the ability to share data with other Garmin Edge 705 users. Best yet, the device is completely wireless, is easy to mount on your bike, and can even be used in your car!

Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor)

Rating:	(29 reviews)
	$479.00
	Yes ($25 minimum)

Related posts:

1. Can You Recommend A Good Bike Trainer Computer?
2. Can You Recommend A GPS Unit For A Touring Cyclist?

This entry was posted on January 10, 2011 at 7:37 PM and is filed under bike accessories, bike trainer accessories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.