Quote Originally Posted by maillotpois View Post
The 500 is a completely different animal than the 305. If his new unit looked anything like the 305, then it is the 705 and not the 500. If you think you are able to use your Garmin for mapping then you also do not have the 500.

Why do I prefer the 500 to the 305? The 500 is smaller with a larger brighter display; the battery will last MUCH longer than the 305, which required me to run a battery pack for rides over 12 hours; it doesn't short out and completely shut down as the 305s were known to do (even my newer one started to do this); it is a better looking unit (IMHO).
Cool. Thanks for the info. Your post caused me to dig deeper into researching the Garmin options. The one my husband tried was the 705. I had no idea the 500 was an even newer one. It DOES look nice. We looked at it on the internet together and now I actually know what to get him for his birthday. And what to tell him I "need" for mine a month later. Ha ha! Glad this thread came up.