GPS NEWS: NEW Garmin Edge - a GPS Targeted at Bicyclists

Now we're talking. Faithful readers know we like to use our GPS devices out on the road while we bike, and here we go with the Garmin Edge 205 and Garmin Edge 305 (available in several configurations - see below) bicycle trainer GPS devices. These are GPS receivers with built in cycle computers. Garmin claims that it is "the ultimate fitness partner." They incorporate the SiRF star III architecture for enhanced accuracy and speed to fix on a satellite. (See our related article.)

So it wasn't hard to figure out that people were using the Forerunner 201 and Forerunner 301's while on the bike, why not get a product targeted at bicyclists? [Now as an aside, so, while Garmin talks about maps for the Edge 205 and 305, we imagine that they are talking about maps like we have on the Forerunner, and not the Vista C..... this device is most likely not going to be a huge navigation device, but an essential training aid.]

The Edge 205 is an entry level device that can tell you where you are going or where you have been, along with critical bike computer items such as speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent. Some of its features include:

- Easy-to-install-no calibration required. Just snap it in the included bike mount and go
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver-knows your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for navigation
- Customizable cycle computer-shows up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback
- Virtual Partner -lets you "race" a virtual competitor, making training fun. This pits you against a computer pace setter that allows you to see if you are ahead of or behind your pace in a kooky fun way.
- Courses-lets you "race" against a recorded course to try to match previously set speeds at every point along the way. This can be very cool. See our write up on MotionBased, as they have this type of feature, called "Dot Racing' where you can see your uploaded tracks "Race", getting at the same thing where you race against past training times.
* Auto Pause -pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride
* Training Center software-gives you the ability to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance. This is a decent software, but not wonderful. We have it running with our Forerunner right now, and while the data is fun to look at, don't get your hopes up for a rockin' data analysis suite. It's getting there, and let's hope the revisions keep coming.

The device is waterproof - a big plus (actually a requirement - who's always dry on every bike ride?).

The Garmin Edge 305 has all that Garmin Edge 205 feature stuff and more. It comes equiped as either the Garmin Edge 305HR - a heart rate monitor version, or the Garmin Edge 305CAD to measure wheel cadence. Finally you can get both the cadence and heart rate funcitons in the Garmin Edge 305 CAD/HR Bundle.

The 305HR comes with a new heart rate monitor strap that is a softer upgrade to the strap used with the Garmin Forerunner 301. With the heart rate monitor, your heart rate data is stored on board and can be used for analysis later on the Training Center software.

The main device measurements are:
- Weight: 3.1 oz.
- Display (WxH): 1.17" x 1.44" (128x160 resolution, 4 level gray scale)
- Physical size (WxHxD): 1.75" x 3.7" x 0.9"
- Battery: Up to 12 hours (typical use) / Rechargeable internal lithium ion

Suggested price for the
Garmin Edge 205: $269.22 (street)
Garmin Edge 305HR or 305CAD: $349 (Street) - although the price is different on different parts of Garmin's website. We saw both $349 and $379.

August 31, 2005

GPS NEWS: NEW Garmin Edge - a GPS Targeted at Bicyclists