Joining the techno revolution..A Garmin 800

[crazycanuck]

I've been pondering purchasing some sort of Garmin type thing for a while and a thread on another forum caught me eye http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/vi...p?f=12&t=31567

A mtn biker techo dude told me about about DC Rainmaker's review http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/g...irst-look.html

I've no idea how to use any of these GPS things but am willing to go crazy learning . I have a deposit on one and they're being released i believe early next week here in Australia .

[gnat23]

oooh nice! I'm supposed to be getting one too (belated birthday gift) and have heard nothing but rave reviews for it. I've gone through about 4 Edge 305s, so hopefully this will last me!

-- gnat!

[tzvia]

It sounds like what I have been looking for- to get my Polar HRM watch+mount, trip computer and my Etrex Vista+Ram mount off of my MTB and replace them all with the 800. That I can quickly move it to my road bike means I can remove the HRM mount and computer from it too. I'm running out of handlebar real estate now that I sometimes mount my GoPro HD to the MTB bars so it looks like it will leave me some room for my hands!

Having a GPS on the handlebars gives me the ability to take off on bike trips and not get lost in the mountains in a state I have never cycled before. Went to Bend last year and again this year, and always knew where I was and where the trail went, and how to get back to the hotel or car. Went to Grand Junction CO and Boise ID last month and just took off and never got lost.

You will love the freedom it provides, but what I've read so far is that the base maps are rather thin. I have the full Streets software from Garmin and their TOPO already so when I get mine I am going to load the detailed maps. If you plan to use it off-road or in unfamiliar territory, I would suggest them.

[OakLeaf]

Yay! I love my 705. Enjoy yours.

[crazycanuck]

I received confirmation today that the 800's arrived in Syddddennney today, shop tomorrow and will be in my hot little hands on Friday!!!

I won't be able to really read the instruction manual til the following tues though...my exam is wayyyyy more important!

[kacie tri-ing]

Sounds wonderful. I have a 705 that I love! Can't wait to hear your review

[Pedal Wench]

REI has the 800's. LOVE the smaller size, lighter weight. I have a 705, so it's gonna take a lot to convince me to upgrade, but it's just so thin and light and easy to use that I just might have no choice!

[crazycanuck]

I used this for the first time on saturday & thought it was quite the thing . There are a few things that drove me nuts & will have to figure out before I use it again:
You can't see your estimated time of arrival if you don't download a trail/route (Rather important for an Audax or Mtb event)
The screen keeps moving to a new page every few seconds

I also can't figure out why a trail we've downloaded from bikely & put on google earth won't upload (download?) to the Garmin.

I'm new to all this....

So far so good.

[hebe]

Have fun with your new toy!

My Garmin is a Dakota and I've found that it does generally do everything I want it to do, but it can be a bit of a faff working out how to set it right.