Garmin 010-00447-10 Edge 205 GPS Bicycle Computer
By: Garmin Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 33
More Information
 On: 2008-07-01
This is the second Edge 205 I have purchased for my wife. The first one quit taking a charge after about 1.5 years and to maintain domestic bliss I bought another for her. She really likes it and uses it on her rides several times a week.
The biggest drawback is the battery. The unit is sealed so it cannot be replaced by the user, and with regular use any battery eventually fails, not matter what the technology. No doubt it is just a variation on a cell phone battery, but apparently the Garmin strategy is to make you buy a new unit rather than be able to replace a $15 battery.
For my wifes happiness with the product functions for the price I give it 5 stars. For the battery ripoff by Garmin policy, I give it 0 stars. So my ROUNDED UP average score is a 3. They dont have any competition I know of so they get away with it. Buyer beware.
 On: 2008-06-24
I used this GPS/computer for a year and would not rate it very highly for price versus performance. Its good points: trivial to move from one bike to another (Ive even thrown it in a back pocket to record a workout), reasonable accuracy for distance, though complaints in other reviews about altitude are completely valid (it still cant decide the altitude of my house within 50 feet). It provides lots of data, though much of it unusable (why dont they have a text file format so that you could load data into a spreadsheet?) unless you join an online web site that can make it more useful. The bad: altitude inaccuracy mentioned earlier (forget getting accurate road grade readings), lousy software with it with no data manipulation capability, and poor battery life: claimed was 11 hours, but I found that I could only get 6 (and I was careful to follow all directions for charging). Finally, the most annoying thing was a tendency to short out and shut down on rough roads. It was unpredictable-sometimes I could go over cobbles with nary a problem, but a small shock would make the display disappear. Maybe the more expensive models are better, but I would not recommend the 205.
 On: 2008-06-22
This is the best gadget I ever bought for my bike. It allows me to go riding places I never was before and still feel a "local".
The original Garmin software realy sucks but the internet is full of tools you can use to load your Garmin Edge with pre-defined routes. Cool stuff
On: 2008-06-03
I was a little concerned about trying the Garmin Edge 205 after having read some of the critical reviews. But, I went ahead and tried it since the price was so appealing. I am VERY GLAD I did!! The only thing I have to agree with the critical reviewers on is the calories burn estimation is WAY OFF (it estimates about twice the calories burned as my Polar Heartrate Monitor says I burn). Otherwise, this Garmin does EVERYTHING it says it will do! I have found distance & speed to be right on with my Cateye Wireless Strata. It is cool to be able to see how steep a grade I am riding at the time. And, the Virtual Partner alone was worth the $157.00 I paid for it!
For the record, the critical reviewers that claim they cant get the cover back on the USB port just havent tried. It goes back in EVERY TIME in 5 seconds or less! The Garmin Training Center coupled with Google Earth is REALLY FUN to use as well.
All in all, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Garmin Edge 205 @ $157.00 or less!!!!!
 On: 2008-05-23
I have the Garmin nuvi 660 for my car, and I love it. I was expecting somthing similar for my bike, but I was very dissapointed. I guess I was expecting some type of navigation. For the price, I would have been happier with one of the more basic bike computers that tracks speed, distance and cadence at half the price. The 205 does not even have cadence which was standard on a less expensive device 15 years ago.
The Garmin web site is also very disappointing and full of bugs - they should hire some software testers.
On: 2008-04-22
One of the best choices I have made for a Bike computer to date. This device is built well, accurate, and has all the info needed for the avid rider. The software needed has a bit of a learning curve...but one gets used to it in a short time. Recommend this unit!
On: 2008-03-06
This computer is basically unusable for long rides. The battery life is a major problem. I am getting around 2 1/2 hours of battery life, which is not enough for a long ride. I am very disappointed.
 On: 2008-02-08
Hi,
I bought the Garmin Edge 205 (base model), it is my first GPS. I live in Qatar and cycle out on the flat featureless plains, surprisingly it is quite easy to get lost particularly during dust storms. Anyway as a novice user, I looked on Google earth for my intended route , noted the coordinates of various track points - entered them into the EDGE 205 - and it worked, the Edge led me to my destination. Returning to my car was even easier I just followed the arrow, I couldnt actually see my car but the Edge took me straight to it. The other really great thing is that you can upload your track onto Google earth by using Motion Based software. A very affordable product which does the job I want, in time I will use the training features.
Kim in Qatar
On: 2007-10-09
When the item description says average battery life of 12 hours, keep in mind that by definition at least half will get less than 12 hours use. Mine falls well within those 12 hours.
My first ride with the Edge 205 was a century. I fully charged the unit the night before, and only powered the thing on right before I started riding. Six and a half hours into my ride I got the first low battery warning. The battery died shortly after the eight hours it took me to complete the ride. Eight hours on a full charge seems pathetic to me. I like to do multi-day tours, where Im tent camping at sites between each days ride. Without a place to charge this thing up each night it surely wouldnt last more than two days. I emailed the company well over a week ago with these concerns, and have not been contacted yet.
I also agree with a previous review that it is disappointing you cant use this device as a regular GPS receiver which identifies your current position. Id love the idea of a device I could use for both biking and hiking. I know theres a way you can dig up your current position, but it is pretty embedded in a series of menus and doesnt update as you move.
Other than these complaints, I will give them that this was the easiest bike computer I ever installed. Just snap onto bike, power up, and start riding.
On: 2007-10-08
When the item description says average battery life of 12 hours, keep in mind that by definition at least half will get less than 12 hours use. Mine falls well within those 12 hours.
My first ride with the Edge 205 was a century. I fully charged the unit the night before, and only powered the thing on right before I started riding. Six and a half hours into my ride I got the first low battery warning. The battery died shortly after the eight hours it took me to complete the ride. Eight hours on a full charge seems pathetic to me. I like to do multi-day tours, where Im tent camping at sites between each days ride. Without a place to charge this thing up each night it surely wouldnt last more than two days. I emailed the company well over a week ago with these concerns, and have not been contacted yet.
I also agree with a previous review that it is disappointing you cant use this device as a regular GPS receiver which identifies your current position. Id love the idea of a device I could use for both biking and hiking. I know theres a way you can dig up your current position, but it is pretty embedded in a series of menus and doesnt update as you move.
Other than these complaints, I will give them that this was the easiest bike computer I ever installed. Just snap onto bike, power up, and start riding.
On: 2007-09-06
I buy it for biking with a focus for training on fixed lap around Longchamp in Paris. : it is a valuable improvement over bike speedo mostly with the history you have when connected to your computer.
I just put in my pocket when jogging and this is fantastic as it counts km.
The price at 135$ is just good
On: 2007-08-24
I pretty much bought this as a toy to put on my bike. For that purpose, it fits the bill. At its current price of around $100-$125, its a good bargain for a bicycle GPS. I find it fairly accurate, but not perfect. Sometimes I feel I am traveling faster than it states, and it sometimes lags when updating information. All in all, I like my new toy.
On: 2007-08-23
I purchased this item to track my running and biking and be able to download those tracks onto a map for putting on Adventure Races. It works great for what I intended. I would have liked a few models up where I could load maps onto the unit but they are much more expensive. For the price and what I really needed this worked just fine. My ranking is based on paying half the retail price. If I paid retail compared with other items at that same retail I would be disapointed and give this 1 star.
On: 2007-08-15
Ive used the Garmin 205 for three weeks and havent had the problems that previous reviewers indicated. Dont know if it comes down to the individual variability of each unit, but distance and speed have been dead on accurate as compared to the Signa. The altimeter is another matter. As indicated by others, the altimeter reading fluctuates wildly. Standing still in my garage it climbed from 200 to 400, then back down to 100. The other quibble is the size and illumination of the display. If you wear dark sunglasses (a must in California)the display is very difficult to read. But other features are quite useful and enjoyable. If you are a solo rider who repaetedly rides the same route, the race against yourself features break up the monotomy. All in all, Im pleased with this product.
On: 2007-08-11
I am not a competative rider, so the training oriented features of the Edge 205 are of little importance to me. If I was not a gadget junky who simply enjoys the data options of a GPS unit, my Cateye Mity would suit me just fine. For the recreational rider who enjoys gadgets and does not mind paying for them, the Edge 205 has two glaring deficiencies - it lacks an odometer, and a user friendly timer. I find having to start and stop the timer an annoying feature. If the timer started and stopped based on movement, it would be better
On: 2007-08-01
Great training computer by itself and when used with the included Garmin training center software. Even better with the Motion Based web site.
Looking forward to logging speeds while skiing.
Distances and speeds very accurate, elevations not as good.
Be sure to download the latest software!
On: 2007-07-20
Easy to use technology that you dont have to be a rocket scientist to use. Much easier than other Garmin products. All you have to do is take it out of the box, change a few settings, and put it on your bike. The PC software is a bit quirky and took several tries to get it installed correctly. Once I got it installed no problems. Really nice being able to see speed, elevation, grade, pace and see if you were faster than the last ride.
Bottom line really cool technology that works well. No wheel calibration or changeing of settings for different bikes and wheel sizes. Just move it and it works.
On: 2007-06-11
I got my 205 this weekend, and after reading reviews here, I was concerned about the accuracy, especially when elevation is involved. To this end, I left my Cat Eye Mity 8 on the bike for the first ride so that I could compare the two. Before I actually used the Edge on the bike, I updated the software from the Garmin website. There are two updates you need to install - the GPS firmware, and the device firmware. The ride I went on was a 33 mile road loop, 5000ft to 6150ft, with a 6 mile, 3% average grade hill.
Speed: I was worried that the speed of the GPS would lag, but it updated as fast as the Cat Eye, and was more precise, since the Cat Eye only shows speed in increments of 0.5 mph above 20 mph.
Distance: The GPS recorded a distance of 33.32 miles, and the Cat Eye recorded 33.66 miles. I think that matching each other within 1/100 of a mile per mile is pretty amazing. On the open road (in NM roads can get pretty open), GPS accuracy was reported as 8ft to 10 ft - thats less than two bike lengths.
Elevation: The elevation seemed more or less accurate, and the curve drawn in the software is very smooth. The percent grade seemed very accurate, and matched percent grade that I calculated using TOPO! elevation profiles.
Calories burned: Without a heart rate monitor, I think this estimate is bunk. Its unclear if it uses percent grade in the estimate, and I have a hard time imagining that I burned 2000 calories on that 33 mile ride. On the other hand, its a great excuse for a post ride burrito.
Software: The software (on my Mac) is easy to use, and displays information in a useful manner. It is a one step operation to make a route into a course, and one more step to put the course on the GPS. When you "Do the Course" (Garmins term), it shows you a map, a compass, your virtual riding partner, or an elevation profile. Note that there is no elevation profile when you are not "Doing a Course", but that seems OK to me - after all, you can look behind you to see what you just climbed up. You really want a profile to show you how close you are to a summit or flat, and that is only possible when the entire route is known ahead of time (i.e. a "course").
Issues: There are some issues. Just like my old ETrex, the map never centers itself well on the screen. The Lap and Start/Stop buttons are sensative, so you need to be careful not to hit them if you do something like stretch over the stem while riding. The USB port cover is indeed a pain to get fitted correctly. The screen is harder to see, especially in dim light, than my Cat Eye is.
Other Notes: The Edge 205 comes with two bike mounts, so dont order two extras for three bikes, like I did. Also, the water bottle that comes with the 205 is twist open to drink, so its not a bike bottle. Sort of dumb, but then who buys this thing for the bottle?
Bottom Line: I have no regrets about buying the Edge, and no regrets about getting the 205 rather than the 305. Ill be taking my Mity 8 off the bike tonight.
On: 2007-06-11
After reading the Amazon reviews of this product, I was just a tiny bit apprehensive. After riding with it for a few days, I can honestly say any doubts I had have been completely dispelled.
The speed given by the unit is dead-on. There is no variation from my wired speed sensor. The elevation reported, while it does tend to fluctuate a bit (as most any GPS system will report), is very good. The elevation map it draws is quite accurate. When it says you are going up a 10% grade, you will most certainly feel it!
And, to address a point raised by another review, it does in fact have a function to tell you the latitude and longitude of any point you wish. While it cant display the constantly changing coordinates like some other GPS units, this is not its primary function. Its primary function is to give you pertinent information about your ride, and it does that very well.
The included Training Center software is a bit utilitarian, but is pretty intuitive and simple to use. One problem with the software is that it insists on installing itself into a "Garmin" folder in your root directory, even when told to use another folder. I have contacted Garmin about this. The other only real shortcoming of the software is that it does not include a very detailed base map. Not only that, but the included map does not show every curve in the road -- roads are represented by straight line segments, even when the road exhibits a gentle curve.
But as a bike computer, this unit is top notch. Virtually every piece of information that you wish to show can be shown. Its flexibility in presenting only the information you want is remarkable.
All in all, I would recommend this unit to anyone, even the casual rider. Its ability to document virtually every detail of every ride is amazing. It is difficult to imagine anyone being disappointed with the Garmin Edge 205.
On: 2007-06-10
I have been riding with the Garmin Edge 205 for almost a month now and overall the experience is outstanding.
The neat things are the ability to track your workouts, where youve been, how high you climbed and descended, but the best part I found out last night unintentionally. I got on the wrong NJ rail train on my way back from work in NYC, and ended up realizing it at a good point, 11 miles from my house. I had no idea where I was really, I wasnt born in NJ. I had the forethought to add my house and my moms house as markers on my edge when I got it, and a good thing too.
All I did was go to navigation>go to> home. then followed the compass needle, and adjusted my trajectory street by street following the direction and watching the mileage. The route I used when I saw the uploaded information to my mackbook pro was the best possible one I could have taken. There arent any street listings on the Edge itself, but following the compass needle which points to your desired location and shows the distance and approx arrival time, was exceptionally good.
For this reason alone, I give the edge 5 stars, but in reality, there are just a few bugs that I am sure they will fix in the future:
More robust software- even using motionbased.com in conjunction with training center software leaves a little to be desired. Exporting data to garmins software is more reliable, as motionbased.com seems to take a while sometimes.
The exporting of Google readable points seems to only be possible on motionbased.com
Not being able to correct or edit course points where you left it on on lets say, a train.
Doesnt seem possible to review your ride ON the edge, and if you can, well you made it too hard to find- seems to be a no brainer that someone may want to see how big that hill was (please include grade info too), how fast you went, etc.
The handlebar mount broke for some unknown reason the day I left the edge HOME, 2 weeks after mounting it- and I BABY my bike.
It sucd anyhow- the zip ties are cheesy and dont work well at all, make a REAL mount with screws GARMIN- I bought a cateye cheesy led headlight with a WAY better quick release mount, if I buy a gps, I expect to get a better mount- if the thing gets lost or broken because of your cheesy mount, you can bet I wont buy another one just out of principal- so buyers beware- buy a 3rd party mount.
Bottom line?
Now that I own one, I wouldnt ever ride without one anymore, ever; so DONT you stop making these, make them BETTER, use all kinds of cyclists as beta testers- commuters, racers, mountain bikers, and hire GOOD software developers please (note to Garmin)...
The Edge is awesome, but for the almost DOUBLE price of the 305 to me personally in retrospect is worth it- not for everyone though- Id rather have the barometric altimeter cadence and heart monitor- but Garmin- WHY the hard plastic looking chest mounted sensor?? Why not options? Like hook up with a watchmaker and make a wrist based one with a small dashboard for the edge..
On: 2007-06-10
After reading the Amazon reviews of this product, I was just a tiny bit apprehensive. After riding with it for a few days, I can honestly say any doubts I had have been completely dispelled.
The speed given by the unit is dead-on. There is no variation from my wired speed sensor. The elevation reported, while it does tend to fluctuate a bit (as most any GPS system will report), is very good. The elevation map it draws is quite accurate. When it says you are going up a 10% grade, you will most certainly feel it!
And, to address a point raised by another review, it does in fact have a function to tell you the latitude and longitude of any point you wish. While it cant display the constantly changing coordinates like some other GPS units, this is not its primary function. Its primary function is to give you pertinent information about your ride, and it does that very well.
The included Training Center software is a bit utilitarian, but is pretty intuitive and simple to use. One problem with the software is that it insists on installing itself into a "Garmin" folder in your root directory, even when told to use another folder. I have contacted Garmin about this. The other only real shortcoming of the software is that it does not include a very detailed base map. Not only that, but the included map does not show every curve in the road -- roads are represented by straight line segments, even when the road exhibits a gentle curve.
But as a bike computer, this unit is top notch. Virtually every piece of information that you wish to show can be shown. Its flexibility in presenting only the information you want is remarkable.
All in all, I would recommend this unit to anyone, even the casual rider. Its ability to document virtually every detail of every ride is amazing. It is difficult to imagine anyone being disappointed with the Garmin Edge 205.
On: 2007-06-09
I have been riding with the Garmin Edge 205 for almost a month now and overall the experience is outstanding.
The neat things are the ability to track your workouts, where youve been, how high you climbed and descended, but the best part I found out last night unintentionally. I got on the wrong NJ rail train on my way back from work in NYC, and ended up realizing it at a good point, 11 miles from my house. I had no idea where I was really, I wasnt born in NJ. I had the forethought to add my house and my moms house as markers on my edge when I got it, and a good thing too.
All I did was go to navigation>go to> home. then followed the compass needle, and adjusted my trajectory street by street following the direction and watching the mileage. The route I used when I saw the uploaded information to my mackbook pro was the best possible one I could have taken. There arent any street listings on the Edge itself, but following the compass needle which points to your desired location and shows the distance and approx arrival time, was exceptionally good.
For this reason alone, I give the edge 5 stars, but in reality, there are just a few bugs that I am sure they will fix in the future:
More robust software- even using motionbased.com in conjunction with training center software leaves a little to be desired. Exporting data to garmins software is more reliable, as motionbased.com seems to take a while sometimes.
The exporting of Google readable points seems to only be possible on motionbased.com
Not being able to correct or edit course points where you left it on on lets say, a train.
Doesnt seem possible to review your ride ON the edge, and if you can, well you made it too hard to find- seems to be a no brainer that someone may want to see how big that hill was (please include grade info too), how fast you went, etc.
The handlebar mount broke for some unknown reason the day I left the edge HOME, 2 weeks after mounting it- and I BABY my bike.
It sucd anyhow- the zip ties are cheesy and dont work well at all, make a REAL mount with screws GARMIN- I bought a cateye cheesy led headlight with a WAY better quick release mount, if I buy a gps, I expect to get a better mount- if the thing gets lost or broken because of your cheesy mount, you can bet I wont buy another one just out of principal- so buyers beware- buy a 3rd party mount.
Bottom line?
Now that I own one, I wouldnt ever ride without one anymore, ever; so DONT you stop making these, make them BETTER, use all kinds of cyclists as beta testers- commuters, racers, mountain bikers, and hire GOOD software developers please (note to Garmin)...
The Edge is awesome, but for the almost DOUBLE price of the 305 to me personally in retrospect is worth it- not for everyone though- Id rather have the barometric altimeter cadence and heart monitor- but Garmin- WHY the hard plastic looking chest mounted sensor?? Why not options? Like hook up with a watchmaker and make a wrist based one with a small dashboard for the edge..
On: 2007-06-01
I purchased the Garmin 205 about a month ago and I have not regretted it - it is great for tracking all sorts of information about my bike rides. You can fully customize the 2 display screens, too, so the information that is important to you (speed, time, calories burned, average speed, etc.) is readily available.
Highly recommended - however, get the 305 if you need cadence and heart rate information.
On: 2007-05-13
I have been very happy with the Edge 205. It is great for tracking how far I have ridden as well as speed. The only caveat I would have is that the grade measurement for the steepness of hills was not very accurate. In some cases it would show I was going downhill when I was climbing a steep hill. I suspect that most of the blame may be due to trees blocking the satellite though.
Overall I am very happy with this.
On: 2007-05-13
The Garmin Edge 205 is a great addition to any bicycle. It has worked great
from day one so my few complaints are minor ones. First, I wish the display
was a little bit brighter because when you wear tinted lens it is sometimes
not as easy to read the display. Second, as with most GPS receivers, the
battery time is not very long. What I mean by that is that normal bike computers batteries last for months, while the Garmin Edge the charge is only good for hours(12 maximum). Third, I wish there was a wrist strap so when you get off your bike to run, you could take it with you instead of having to switch to something else.
Considering all the factors, Im glad I got the Garmin Edge...maybe I should
have gotten the Garmin Edge 305!!
On: 2007-05-12
The Garmin Edge 205 is a great addition to any bicycle. It has worked great
from day one so my few complaints are minor ones. First, I wish the display
was a little bit brighter because when you wear tinted lens it is sometimes
not as easy to read the display. Second, as with most GPS receivers, the
battery time is not very long. What I mean by that is that normal bike computers batteries last for months, while the Garmin Edge the charge is only good for hours(12 maximum). Third, I wish there was a wrist strap so when you get off your bike to run, you could take it with you instead of having to switch to something else.
Considering all the factors, Im glad I got the Garmin Edge...maybe I should
have gotten the Garmin Edge 305!!
On: 2007-05-11
This is a great little gadget. There are things it does really well, things it does not so well, and some things it doesnt do at all. I wont bother repeating all the features you can see on their web page. Instead, Ill stick to those things that I really like about the unit.
*Configurable data fields - there are dozens of fields you can display at any one time, both at the overall and lap level, and you can display from two to eight at a time. Showing five, for example, allows you to select a single field to take up the upper half of the display (I use this for Grade) and the remaining four fields take up the lower half.
*Multiple screens - There are two main display fields that you can easily toggle while youre riding, and there are numerous other screens when you are in other modes.
*Virtual racing - This has to be my favorite feature. You can save a route as a course, and race yourself against it. The unit will guide you along the course, but the real benefit is seeing how far ahead or behind you are of your previous ride. This is great for improving times on hills or routes that you take often.
*Viewing someone elses course - The free version of Garmins MotionBased website lets you see others routes, which is great if youre planning a ride with someone. You can run through the route and watch the map and hill profile while viewing the telemetry. Knowing that your riding partner consistently does 13mph on 6% grades makes it easy to judge if you can keep up.
What this unit isnt is a full featured GPS device in the sense that it has maps and will guide you nicely to your destination. It has no maps, nor any provisions to download them. The closest thing it has is the virtual races, which will guide you along your route, but its not terribly helpful. The software that comes with the device is serviceable, but it is limited in its capabilities and looks like it was written in 1995. Still, it does present the data its gathered in a useful and understandable way.
I have not experienced the location or speed fluctuations of other users, although accuracy does diminish when Im cycling in steep valleys or under heavy tree cover.
I chose the 205 over the 305 because I already have a Polar 720, which has a heart rate monitor and a cadence sensor, and the other differences were too subtle to shell out the extra money for. If I didnt already have an HR monitor, I would definitely go for the 305. I should also note Im a recreational cyclist that tries to get in 75 miles a week for the purposes of getting into shape and losing weight. Im not sure how valid these comments would be if I was doing serious cycling, so bear that in mind.
To be sure there are things I wish it had or did better, but for the price Im really happy with it.
On: 2007-03-31
The accuracy of altitude measurement (which was based on GPS) is not that great and theres no elevation view. Better off with Garmin Edge 305
On: 2007-03-30
The accuracy of altitude measurement (which was based on GPS) is not that great and theres no elevation view. Better off with Garmin Edge 305
On: 2007-03-14
On the good side: It holds its GPS fix well, and it seems relatively accurate with respect to speed, time, average, and position. Used with the Garmin Training Center software it makes some useful speed/elevation graphs, and records your workout with good accuracy. If you like keeping a log, it does virtually all the work for you.
On the bad side: Display is small and difficult to read while on the bike. Interface and menus are clumsy and non-intuitive. Provided documentation is poor, offering only "clues" to some features. Battery life seems much less than represented (also, it is worrisome to realize that the integrated battery MUST someday fail - what then? I would rather have a self-replaceable battery).
In my case the unit has now stopped being able to download data (after just a few weeks of use). Email support at Garmin site says "Please allow up to 5-7 working days for an e-mail response." It this really considered an acceptable level of support? Also, one wonders why with a company site this large, there are no provisions for customer chats/forums.
On: 2007-03-13
On the good side: It holds its GPS fix well, and it seems relatively accurate with respect to speed, time, average, and position. Used with the Garmin Training Center software it makes some useful speed/elevation graphs, and records your workout with good accuracy. If you like keeping a log, it does virtually all the work for you.
On the bad side: Display is small and difficult to read while on the bike. Interface and menus are clumsy and non-intuitive. Provided documentation is poor, offering only "clues" to some features. Battery life seems much less than represented (also, it is worrisome to realize that the integrated battery MUST someday fail - what then? I would rather have a self-replaceable battery).
In my case the unit has now stopped being able to download data (after just a few weeks of use). Email support at Garmin site says "Please allow up to 5-7 working days for an e-mail response." It this really considered an acceptable level of support? Also, one wonders why with a company site this large, there are no provisions for customer chats/forums.
On: 2007-02-24
I dont need the training capacity of the 305. This one tracks every move I make whether Im on my bike, walking, snowboarding or even just to wear while I work around the yard. It easily tracks from a pocket or within the deepest canyon cover. Im still learning the ways I can use it. Also, the Motionbased analysis program is awesome if way beyond my requirements. Id like a little more flexibility in the free program provided. Garmin also does a great job of supporting my product by making web updates available.
by: schenckda On: 2007-01-06
Im very pleased with this product thus far. The level of detail is sufficient to track my training progress without overwhelming me with trivial details. I think it will become more usual once Garmin uses Firefox as its brower of choice. This will let those of us who have Macs and dont use IE 6.0 to take advantage of the analyser options.
The unit is rugged holds up to rain and cool temps well. After two hours in steady downpour, I was convinced that I had drowned it, but there was no adverse affects whatsoever. I would caution users to make sure the rubber seal that covers the cable port is firmly set in place or you run the risk of water getting inside under wet road conditions.
If you have the bucks and like tracking your speed, altitude, etc., buy it.
On: 2006-11-07
The Garmin 205 has been a great addition to my cycling training. My only regret is not getting the Edge 305 that offers the heart rate monitor. The unit works great and offers plenty of data to analyse.
On: 2006-10-05
I purchased this item because I am new to mountain biking and I go a lot of places that im not familiar with. This unit is great for mapping out trails. Its also nice because its pretty much impossible to get lost. Me and my father went for a ride and our legs were dead so all we wanted to do was get back to the car so we just pointed our bikes to the starting point and 15 minutes later were at our car. However, as an everyday cycling computer this unit is simply terrible. The speed is erratic (if youre going 12 miles an hour itll say 10.5, 14, 11.5 and so on). The elevation is even worse. When standing still in my backyard it would range from 105 feet to 210 feet. On a five hour ride (that was hilly but not terribly hilly) it said that my elevation gain was 30,000 feet (or the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest). The overall distance is inaccurate. On a ride i have mapped out and I know is 20 miles the distance shows I travel 17.5 miles one day and 22 miles the next. What I do is I have a cateye wireless computer mounted on my bike for my local rides and when i go somewhere Im not familiar with I bring the Garmin.
On: 2006-10-04
I purchased this item because I am new to mountain biking and I go a lot of places that im not familiar with. This unit is great for mapping out trails. Its also nice because its pretty much impossible to get lost. Me and my father went for a ride and our legs were dead so all we wanted to do was get back to the car so we just pointed our bikes to the starting point and 15 minutes later were at our car. However, as an everyday cycling computer this unit is simply terrible. The speed is erratic (if youre going 12 miles an hour itll say 10.5, 14, 11.5 and so on). The elevation is even worse. When standing still in my backyard it would range from 105 feet to 210 feet. On a five hour ride (that was hilly but not terribly hilly) it said that my elevation gain was 30,000 feet (or the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest). The overall distance is inaccurate. On a ride i have mapped out and I know is 20 miles the distance shows I travel 17.5 miles one day and 22 miles the next. What I do is I have a cateye wireless computer mounted on my bike for my local rides and when i go somewhere Im not familiar with I bring the Garmin.
by: kentboy On: 2006-03-26
I was a bit dubious about swapping out my regular cyclocomputer, especially for the extra dollars. Could something like the Edge 205 really give me that much more than the distance, speed, and time information I usually acquired with my $30 computer? Well, after a few rides with the 205, I can say that Im a fan. The thing went on in a jiffy, works like a charm, and gives me all sorts of information I didnt have before. Wonder why that hill is so tough? Well, dummy, its 13% grade. Didnt know that before. Wonder how much of that ride was spent ascending? Oh, about 1/3. Didnt know that before. How much climbing did I do on that ride? Oh, about 2,500 feet. Didnt know that before. And all this from a ride Ive done at least a dozen times, and one I consider to be a "throwaway" training ride. A very cool, useful, and informative device. Well done, Garmin.
On: 2006-03-09
I think the last reviewer said it best. Garmin set out to make a bike computer that blows away the competition. And they succeeded. As long as you understand that this is not your typical GPS device, with detailed maps whose primary function is to let you know where you are and keep you from getting lost, you will not be disappointed. The device gives you all the great features that you would expect from a high end bike computer; And then it gives you a whole bunch more.
By using GPS you can keep track of where you went and use that data later to compare with previous rides. You can also map out your rides in detail after they are complete with Google Earth. The included training center software is good, but not great. The Motion Based website is a great addition (Though the EDGE is not compatible with the website yet) and between the two you should be able to analyze your data to your hearts content.
It is an excellent training device and is very accurate. It acquires satellites very quickly and seems to keep track even in narrow canyons and pretty dense forests. It can also be used while hiking. It is very customizable and allows you to read as much or as little data as you want and you can set up that data any way you like.
I first attempted to gather data like this with a Forerunner 201. That was a mess. That device provided one frustration after the other. Garmin appears to really have looked at the negative reviews that followed their initial Forerunner devices and really created a fantastic device that is truly created with the biker, not a runner, in mind.
So any complaints? Just a few minor ones. The bike mount that comes with it is pretty cheesy. It is held on with zip ties. For $250 dollars I would like to see a little more. The bike mount you can purchase (for about $15) for the Forerunner is so much better. I hope they eventually upgrade that. The Flap that covers the USB cable port on the back of the unit is a pain as well. It is very hard to seat it properly. A little bit of patience and perseverance and you do eventually get it right. Other than that the device is great and highly recommended.
On: 2006-03-08
I think the last reviewer said it best. Garmin set out to make a bike computer that blows away the competition. And they succeeded. As long as you understand that this is not your typical GPS device, with detailed maps whose primary function is to let you know where you are and keep you from getting lost, you will not be disappointed. The device gives you all the great features that you would expect from a high end bike computer; And then it gives you a whole bunch more.
By using GPS you can keep track of where you went and use that data later to compare with previous rides. You can also map out your rides in detail after they are complete with Google Earth. The included training center software is good, but not great. The Motion Based website is a great addition (Though the EDGE is not compatible with the website yet) and between the two you should be able to analyze your data to your hearts content.
It is an excellent training device and is very accurate. It acquires satellites very quickly and seems to keep track even in narrow canyons and pretty dense forests. It can also be used while hiking. It is very customizable and allows you to read as much or as little data as you want and you can set up that data any way you like.
I first attempted to gather data like this with a Forerunner 201. That was a mess. That device provided one frustration after the other. Garmin appears to really have looked at the negative reviews that followed their initial Forerunner devices and really created a fantastic device that is truly created with the biker, not a runner, in mind.
So any complaints? Just a few minor ones. The bike mount that comes with it is pretty cheesy. It is held on with zip ties. For $250 dollars I would like to see a little more. The bike mount you can purchase (for about $15) for the Forerunner is so much better. I hope they eventually upgrade that. The Flap that covers the USB cable port on the back of the unit is a pain as well. It is very hard to seat it properly. A little bit of patience and perseverance and you do eventually get it right. Other than that the device is great and highly recommended.
On: 2006-03-05
The Garmin Edge 205 is exactly what Garmin positioned it to be: a sophisticated cycle computer and training partner that derives its data from a highly-sensitive GPS receiver. It is not the GPS unit to get if youre trying to geocache on your mountain bike or need advanced navigation features.
I am most impressed by this device. Setup was easy and the unit fit perfectly on my Gary Fisher Tassajara Mountain Bike. After two mountain bike rides on trails at the heavily wooded Government Canyon State Natural area near my home, I was pleased to see that the new SiRFstarIII™ receiver lives up to all of Garmins hype. The GPS tracks were very accurate with detailed elevation and grade data.
Couple this units accuracy with a free, Motion-Based Lite account and you have an ability to thoroughly analyze your cycling workouts.
Once you complete a ride, you can convert that rides track into a course. Courses enable the unit to display the detailed elevation profile as you ride that same route in the future. Most importantly, they enable you to track how you are performing on that same course so that you can meet your fitness goals.
I think youll find the Garmin Edge 205 to be a great companion and a powerful fitness tool for your future cycling adventures.
On: 2006-02-17
Starting with some positive comments, the unit itself (hardware) is nice, its slightly larger (thicker) than a standard mobile phone and feels sturdy. The screen is clear (but small) and buttons feel nice and are well placed. The unit has the new SirfStarIII technology for increased sensitivity, e.g. under tree cover, and my limited experience until now is that the reception is indeed good.
So not a bad unit, but it should be understood that this unit is set up as a trip computer, and not as a navigation unit (although it does have some navigation options). It has some nice options like racing a virtual partner, which are well documented on the Garmin web-page. What the web-page does not make very clear though is:
- It cannot give you the current position!!!
- It does not have WAAS/EGNOS for better location precision
- It does not have the "Upcoming turn feature" that the Geko has
As a trip computer it has the following limitations:
- The speed it gives fluctuates significantly more than with a normal (simple) cycle computer with a wheel sensor.
- The height fluctuates so much that the grade it gives is completely useless (note that the Edge 305 should be better as it has a barometric sensor as well). Also, the total ascent and descent will systematically be too high. In a test I left the Edge for two hours in the same place, and had it record every second. Minimum height was 51m, maximum height 84m, total ascent 215m, total descent 218m, and maximum speed 3.5km/h.
The included Garmin training center software works okay, but is very limited:
- You cannot combine tracks (to upload to the Edge e.g.).
- You cannot compare more than two tracks.
- It only exports data in Garmins own (and uncommon) .hst file format
Also note that if you want to overlay your track onto a map, you will need other software. The user manual (printed out) isokay but also very limited.
The Edge comes with a rechargeable battery that is not user exchangeable (tip: instead of using the car-charger, it may be possible to use a universal USB car charger and the supplied cable at a fraction of the cost. Note however that I have not yet tested this).
I mainly bought this unit to map mountainbiking tracks in order to be able to combine the best trails into some nice routes, and then use the Edge to find the routes. Using some third party software, this is possible, but it should have been much easier. I assumed I would be able to use it together with a map while hiking, and was very (and unpleasantly) suprised to learn that I bought a GPS that cannot tell me where I am.
I am still hoping that Garmin can do an update of the firmware (I am using version 2.30 now) such that the unit gives the current location (ideally with an option for different grids). Without this option, two stars is all it gets from me.
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