Garmin?

I'm looking for some feedback on Garmins. I don't know much about them (boyfriend wants me to get one to help motivate and track my riding/training). Do you find them helpful? I'm not as interested in seeing my exact route on the map and elevation as much as I am tracking my heartrate and tracking my improvement on the routes I generally do. I just hate gagets with a million options that are difficult to program and use.

Any recommendations for models or if this sounds like something beneficial to my training?

Thanks!

I have a Forerunner 301 and it's very helpful for tracking improvement over time. It's very easy to use. No programming is needed (beyond entering your age, sex and weight). But you have the option to design custom intervals, enter your cycling MHR, or turn your routes into courses if you want. The 301 is a discontinued running/cycling model, with a wrist strap but no cadence option. The current model equivalent is the Forerunner 305 (which does have a cadence option). If you plan to use it only for cycling, you'll be better with the Edge 305, which has a larger display and a barometric altimeter.

I'm as anti-gadget as they come! (My kids swear I don't even know what the ring tone is on my cell phone because I never use the darn thing.) Anyway, I ride with a Shimano Flight Deck AND a Garmin Edge 305 -- I know, overkill. And I love, love, love my Garmin! Very easy to use once you've got the initial set-up completed and everything mounted/installed.

I am interested in getting one too. I like to see improvements in my riding and I think it will give me a goal to ride faster, harder or farther. As you can probably tell, I do a lot of riding on my own so I don't have anyone but my self to push the pace.

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Originally Posted by solobiker

As you can probably tell, I do a lot of riding on my own so I don't have anyone but my self to push the pace.

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A Garmin is an excellent training partner -- always with you, a silent encourager, doesn't mind if you mutter an unpleasantry or two as you approach a snarly hill. And, most importantly, your Garmin always knows the way home. If you ride mostly solo and put in any distance at all, it's particularly reassuring to know that you don't have to worry about running out of bread crumbs along the way. ;) My Garmin's gotten me home on more than one occasion when these lonely, winding, country roads have had me absolutely flummoxed.

Thanks for the info. I do like to "explore" and somtimes I get a little nervous with finding my way back. This summer I hope to ride a lot up in the foothlls on some dirt roads. Should be fun:D

I have a 305 and love it.

I love my edge 305 too. Try doing a TE search for Garmin. There have been lots of threads discussing the various pros and cons.

Thanks, everyone :)

Any opinions on the Edge vs the Forerunner 305? I like the idea of the one being portable, though I'm not a runner and might only take it into the gym during the winter for HR.

edit: does the forerunner have a feature for getting you back to the start if you get lost?

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Originally Posted by bluebug32

does the forerunner have a feature for getting you back to the start if you get lost?

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Yep. But there's where the Edge 705 series, with the street maps, might come in handy. With the 305s, you can only retrace your path.

The Edge handlebar mounts are quick-release. Some people put them in their pockets to run, so you could easily bring one into the gym for HR.

Yeah, they aren't really attached. If it starts to rain or I'm on the errand bike, I just pop it in my pocket.

I have an Edge 305 and like you mostly wanted it for heart rate training and for seeing my progress on routes I normally take. Most people just carry them around if they aren't putting it on their bike like was mentioned.

I have the Edge 305 and LOVE IT!

Does anybody on this board have an Edge and NOT like it?

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Does anybody on this board have an Edge and NOT like it?

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Well, I'm already on record as saying, "I love my Garmin Edge 305." But, I must admit that there have been issues with the relationship. My cadence sensor was extremely finicky in the beginning, obviously unable to decide whether to commit or not. The fickle thing finally chose to jump ship and plain ol' just refused to work at all. Garmin was extremely easy to work with as far as replacing the unit, and the current sensor has thrown itself wholeheartedly into life as a cycling partner.

Cadence sensor battery life has also been an issue -- not even close to the projected figures reported by the company. DH rides with a Garmin Edge 305 also, and he has the same issues with battery life. Perhaps it's some freaky alignment of the planets over our house or something. ;)

DH had to send his unit back to Garmin after it stopped working. They tried to troubleshoot the problem over the phone -- complete system reset, reprogramming, etc. -- but nothing was successful. That meant riding without technology for 10 days (Harder than you think, once you're used to it!) while waiting for the replacement. Yes, replacement. What you get is a refurbished unit, not the unit you sent them.

Additionally, the release tab on two mounts have broken in the little over a year that we've had the units. Luckily, DH uses the stem mount, and I use the bar mount (They came with one of each.), so that wasn't much of a problem. Garmin was very good about replacing them though, so we'd still have spares on hand.

In spite of it all, I love my Garmin Edge!

HG, 2 things on the battery life on the sensor:

1. You can buy medical grade batteries which seem to last longer.

2. When you put your bike where ever when you end a ride, make sure you haven't left the sensor & magnet aligned as that will drain the battery.

HTH

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

2. When you put your bike where ever when you end a ride, make sure you haven't left the sensor & magnet aligned as that will drain the battery.
HTH

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We always turn the crank arms so that the magnet and sensor are 180 degrees from each other. (It's the planets, I tell ya!)

Great tip re: medical batteries -- thanks!

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

HG, 2 things on the battery life on the sensor:

1. You can buy medical grade batteries which seem to last longer.

2. When you put your bike where ever when you end a ride, make sure you haven't left the sensor & magnet aligned as that will drain the battery.

HTH

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Excellent tips!

I have a forerunner that my father gave me for Christmas, but i haven't taken it out of the box yet. I seem to do fine with my cycling computer.

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Originally Posted by tulip

I have a forerunner that my father gave me for Christmas, but i haven't taken it out of the box yet. I seem to do fine with my cycling computer.

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tulip, at least with the edge, if you never have it, you don't miss it. & a standard cyclometer suits. But you try it you will get addicted. Cycling metrics crack. :p

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Does anybody on this board have an Edge and NOT like it?

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No. :D

So, to most people, it's worth the money?

I've had some clunker HR monitors in the past and want something that does a good job!

Like Sarah said, I don't know anyone who has one that doesn't love it at least. :p

OK, I'll admit I'm thinking of replacing my 305.....with a 705 :cool:

While I love it, I've run to the edge of the battery and on vacations with more than a couple of long days, I lose the tracks from the first day (no, I won't ever carry my laptop on vacation, ever!). The 705 has more battery life and a card for storing the tracks. Of course, if the 305 didn't give me all those nifty statistics such as elevation and grade, I'd never have known that I missed them when it goes away :rolleyes:

Ditto to what Susan said..........we LOVE our Garmin. My husband and I both have the Edge 705...........I was going to go for just the 305 but he twisted my arm. He is a gadget guy and wanted all the bells and whistles. I have to admit having the maps capability is very nice when you are on a route and :
1. Don't know really WHERE you are and want to get back home...or
2. Want to know HOW MUCH LONGER til we get to stop or find civilization.

As I am a fairly new road biker (just started in March/April 2008) I can say it REALLY helps motivate me. I want to do the hill faster, have a better cadence, higher heart rate and it does it all. Plus it is always fun to compare past routes that are the same and see your improvement.

Thanks for the info on making sure the senso and magnet are not aligned......we have not had anr problems with them but would rather avoid them at all costs...........