Review: Garmin Edge 205/305 Bike GPS
Posted by The GPS Advisor in GPS Bike Computers, Garmin Products, Product Reviews
Verdict: Solid Personal Trainer and Cycling Computer Combined
The Garmin Edge 305 is a very good “middle of the road” cycling computer with extensive and very customizable fitness training capabilities. We really like the combination of features and ease of use for a relatively good price.
All of the the Garmin Edge GPS computers are (in our opinion) the best little lightweight and sleek GPS-enabled cycling computers on the market.
When visiting my favorite outdoor store (REI, of course!), I head to the GPS counter to see if anything new has come out and to play with the Garmin GPS units. Although the picture of the Edge 305 looks pretty large on this page, they are much smaller in person - about the size of an ipod.
Once You Go GPS on Your Bike, Things Will Never Be the Same
Once you go beyond your basic cycling computer, there is no turning back. Trust me on this. That would be like going back to your TV antenna on your house after enjoying On-Demand HD cable TV. Not gonna happen! Of course, a fancy GPS bike computer is not necessary to enjoy the trail or road, but imagine what you may be missing.
In addition to having a GPS navigation system to avoid getting lost in some neighborhood or in the back country of Colorado, I like to see a profile of just how far I have come on my bike in three dimensions.
With a new high-sensitivity GPS chip set, the Garmin Edge receiver can used sophisticated calculations to track your position in tree cover and canyons, allowing you to concentrate on your ride, instead of your electronics. I am truly amazed at how well these new GPS receivers can deal with being “away” from their satellites for a small amount of time.
Basic Features of the Garmin Edge 305
The Garmin Edge has a sleek design and easily attaches to either the stem or handlebars of your bike. It has a fairly rugged case and a large, backlit display that can show up to eight different data fields along with altitude and a map view. That is a lot of information to take in while riding…so be careful.
The Edge 305 with cadence includes a self-calibrating, wireless speed/cadence sensor so you can monitor your pedaling cadence as you ride. Like the heart rate monitor, the speed/cadence sensor uses the same robust ANT wireless technology to reliably measure and report your pedaling strokes per minute to the Edge.
In addition, the Edge 305 incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation and vertical profile data. This is a significant step over the Garmin Edge 205, which uses the less accurate GPS-only way of measuring altitude. GPS (by itself) has always been a bit challenged when measuring altitude.
Advanced Features & Customization of the Garmin Edge 305
The Edge 305 with heart rate lets you see whether you are training too hard or not enough. The heart rate monitor uses a robust ANT wireless technology that eliminates cross-talk and interference to reliably measure and send heart rate data to the Edge via a soft, comfortable chest strap. This data is stored with each track point for post-workout analysis.
For people who want to customize their cycling experience and fiddle with all of the possibilities for data tracking, the Garmin Edge 305 does not disappoint here. Out of the box, you can select up to eight different data fields to provide you with continuous feedback on your progress and performance.
Legendary Garmin GPS Ease of Use
The Garmin Edge 305 is quite easy to use for any cyclist. To get started, simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount that can mount to many different positions on your bike, then start your GPS-enabled adventure.
I think that the Garmin units are the most user-friendly units on the market - which is important for the average Joe. Who want’s to spend time messing with technology (well, I do - but that is a different story)
Great GPS Mapping Software Included in the Package
A good software package call the Training Center software gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map. The software offers interactive analysis tools that measure your speed, distance, climb, and descent against varying terrain, elevation and more.
With this software, you can create and schedule custom workouts or use workout templates and then download to the Garmin Edge. That is some pretty techie functionality and might take some time to get figure out.
Which to Buy? Garmin Edge 205 vs. Garmin Edge 305
The Garmin Edge 205 offers neither the cadence/speed sensor nor heart rate monitor, and elevation data is based on GPS readings (not the more accurate barometric pressure readings). Recreational cyclists looking for the perfect touring companion and fitness partner will love the Edge 205.
The Edge 305 comes in three models — the 305CAD includes a cadence/speed sensor, the 305HR includes a heart rate monitor, and the 305HR+ comes with both. The wireless pedaling cadence measurements are key for seeing the results you are getting for the number of pedal cycles.
We are running out of breath here and can go on for hours on the features. Perhaps we will write more about the individual Garmin Edge features in other posts. Stay tuned!
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