Wanted: Garmin Edge 705 GPS bike computer

I'm after one of these little GPS computers, the cheapest that I have found it so far is around the £230 mark.

Does anyone have any caveats about the vendors/has one and has concerns/know of anywhere to get these for less folding?

If this should be in Bikes and Bits let me know and I'll post it over there.

Cheers,

N

There was a good thread about them in the Gadgets bit of BikeForums, one is definitely on my wishlist. Lots of numbers from my cycling means I can combine geekery with bikes, and live the dream!

Only issues I've heard of (and this was a wee while ago now), is that the carlorie count is a bit off, and the on-the-fly grade calculator is a bit mad.

£230 sounds pretty good for them, which pack was that, and did it have any maps? I think the cheapest I've seen the one with maps, speed+cadence is Wiggle.

I have to admit that I was going to get just HR and Cadence and trust to the Torrents for the maps...

Got my 605 from Handtec,
705 comes in at £218

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/904/garmin-edge-705-heart-rate-monitor

I got the maps off torrent of course, there is another thread here

Clefty- would you say the 705 is worth it over the 605?

depends if you have a real need for the heart rate monitor and the cadence option - which is basically all the difference is. I dont and just use it for mapping and recording rides, I already know that my heart is going three sheets to the wind when i'm climbing a hill ;-). However if you're using it for proper training purposes then I can totally see the use. I got a 605 and am happy with it, although the mapping sometimes leaves a bit to be desired - but that is probably the quality of maps I managed to get off of torrent! The base map is pretty good in itself but just has A-roads. My map have everything from pubs to cashpoints on it, very useful.
If you want any maps, pm me and I'll dig em out for you.

roberto just got one for £200+, because they are new, not many discounts to be had!

Hmm, the 605 is a usefull amount cheaper, is the navigational ability identical?

Ideally I'd like to be able to concentrate on riding somewhere rather than on a map taped to the bars...

yep as far as I know its identical on the navigation front, and if you have a set route, beeps at you when you need to turn - which is rather useful.

Clefty- would there be any chance of having a play with your 605 before I take the plunge?

I will obviously pay in the coin of your choice.

try and find a bundle with the europe mapping

they are proper good like…

605 or 705?! Or both?

705 - makes exploring very easy

Clefty- would there be any chance of having a play with your 605 before I take the plunge?

I will obviously pay in the coin of your choice.

Dont see why not, as long as you don't ride off with it. ;-)

Wayno - I have maps to share if you want to save the cost..

Thanks Clefty, I would appreciate being able to get a feel for what the 605/705 does before ordering it online.

What part of London do you choose to spend your time in?

I work near Tower Bridge but live Sahhhf near Tooting, so either or really. We could meet up one weekday lunchtime and I could give you a little tour of it if you want.

Lunch sounds cool- I work in Southwark, live in Greenwich.

I'll PM you my contact details.

Did you get one dammit?

so does anyone know if a newer model's due out this season? i'm wanting to encourage myself to start this year's training and this might be the incentive i need.

Oh teddy, toys should reward training not be the incentive.

http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Turns out you can copy Open Street Maps directly onto the Garmin 705. This then gives the Garmin contour knowledge and maps that are no more than a week or two out of date.

If you don't like those maps... there are more:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Turns out you can copy Open Street Maps directly onto the Garmin 705. This then gives the Garmin contour knowledge and maps that are no more than a week or two out of date.

If you don't like those maps... there are more:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

Will these type of maps work on a 605 as well as a 705?

I want a GPS that will let me use maps with minor roads and paths in London, SE England and Spain where I can plot a route and the nav will get me to my destination. I'm not interested in the Heart Rate or Cadence stuff. The 605 GPS with MicroSD - City Navigator NT looks favourite but I'm wondering how detailed their maps are, it's hard to find any detailed information.

Any assistance or views would be appreciated.

Answered my own question I think; this link gives details of coverage of the city mapping, looks like it does what I'm after on the 605, the detail seems pretty good

http://www8.garmin.com/cgi-bin/mapgen/webmap.cgi?p=29425665&u=1&v=0&cp=7737585A5C69D85A&z=3&x=240&y=180&w=480&h=360&d=0&rz=0&k=1&sc=1