Garmin Edge 305 users...

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I've searched the Gear and Accessories board ..also this one.. to see what you gals (and Mr. Silver!) thought about your Garmins. I'm right on the edge (get it?) of breaking down and buying one.

I don't often ride far enough to get lost, so I didn't think the 605 or 705 would really be necessary, but I do have a question. I just wanted to be sure I was reading right before.. Can you really map out a course before riding, down/upload it to your Garmin and then ride the route? I think I remember someone commenting that they could set some kind of alarm to tell you if you'd gone more than 25ft off course.. something like that.

Does the 305 do all that?

I just figure since I'm selling my PowerTap, I'm losing a pretty good computer,so..I need another bike computer. Might as well be a nifty-nice computer, right?

You people are very bad influences! LOL (jk)

[Mr. Bloom]

Can you really map out a course before riding, down/upload it to your Garmin and then ride the route? I think I remember someone commenting that they could set some kind of alarm to tell you if you'd gone more than 25ft off course.. something like that.

I've not spent anytime figuring it out, but it's my understanding that it works as you described. I'm hoping to have time this summer to figure it out.

I might suggest you look at the owner's manual on Garmin's site.

Notwithstanding this, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Garmin!

[7rider]

A quick review of my owner's manual, which I keep handy on the computer desk:
I can't find anything about "loading" or "uploading" pre-marked routes in my owners manual. You can ride a route, and mark spots along the way. Later, you can go back and navigate straight lines between them. It seems horribly labor intensive -- a slow and ponderous process (especially naming the points so they make sense!).
You can create and edit "courses" - again, based on a previously recorded ride. You need to use the Training Center software that came with the unit for that.
I think (although I'm not sure) you may have more functionality using an aftermarket program like MotionBased to upload totally new courses (assuming someone else rode them and shares them). I've uploaded routes to Bikely.com via motionbased (requires some file coversions) so perhaps that route can go in the other way, too.

[dakay]

Yes, you can map out a route and ride it with the 305. Last year when I rode my century I mapped out the route at mapmyride.com and downloaded it to my computer and then to my edge. The 305 then pointed me in the right direction during the ride.

Kathy

[SouthernBelle]

I too have dl'd courses onto my 305. One was a century, one was about 70 miles.

Look Here!

[HoosierGiant]

Yes, you can plot/download courses to the Edge 305 -- we use Course Creator http://cc2.bradculberson.com/flex/bi...seCreator.html to do ours. The only time we have a problem following the course is if we are in an area with streets fairly close together -- it's sometimes difficult to ascertain where exactly we are supposed to turn -- but all it takes is a couple of small adjustments, and the Garmin will tell us we're back on course.

[SadieKate]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=courses

I use www.gpsies.com because it is so fast to create a course and load, and it has multiple formats available which means you can also use Google Earth or load to another mapping program.

You do get a little pop-up message when you are off course, but I haven't been able to figure out an audible alarm.

Just a note: you do not upload a map to the Garmin; you upload a "cookie trail" or a black line of your course. You will see an arrow representing you traveling along this course. There are no street names, etc., but you can create waypoints icons for places such as your house or the bike shops and use for orientation.

I use motionbased as a course database. For instance, we're riding the Firecracker 100 in July 4th so I searched motionbased for other users' entries. I picked the cleanest looking one, downloaded it to my laptop and then uploaded it to www.gpsies.com, the Training Center app, my Garmin, etc.

Oh yeah, one last note: the Training Center loads all courses into your Garmin. You cannot pick and choose until the Garmin's memory is so full that it will then allow you to choose. I haven't reached this point yet, but I have read about it. The forum at motionbased is a wealth of info.

[SadieKate]

http://wiki.motionbased.com/mb/Course#Download_Courses
http://wiki.motionbased.com/mb/Train...urse_%28crs%29

Basics to Create -
1 - create course/track somewhere like www.gpsies.com, etc.
2 - download to PC as a Garmin CRS (when asked, "Save" and be sure to switch file type to "all files" or your computer may change to a XML suffix)
3 - Open GTC and select Course folder on left
4 - on Menu - File / Import / Courses - select file from PC
5- Connect Edge
6- Click "Send to Device"

Basics to follow a Course and record an Activity-
1 - Start Garmin
2 - Reset to create new Activity
3 - Change mode to select Navigation / Courses / Select Course / Do Course
4 - Start Timer
5 - Change mode to view the course map

Garmin users, do I have that right?

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Wowzers! What a wealth of information! Ask and ye shall receive, huh?
Thanks! I will bookmark those sites and use'm! tytytyty!

Next question - have you guys had any complaints about battery life? I was reading reviews of the 305 for hrs last night and many of them brought this up. Only thing is that most of the reviews were older. I was hoping that the "newer" version has gotten some of that issue fixed. ?

Most of my weekend (long) rides are 4hrs or more...but generally just 4-5hr deals. Its the odd ride where I decide 'on the fly' to do a century. LOL (that was just once)

[HoosierGiant]

Not had any issues with battery life on the unit itself. Made it through RAIN (160 miles/1 day) last year without a problem, though we did have USB cables and battery packs at the ready. Our complaint is that battery life for the cadence sensor is really poor.

[7rider]

Our complaint is that battery life for the cadence sensor is really poor.

That reminds me....mine is dead and I need to replace it.

I love getting Garmin threads here. I learn so much more about my unit. I only wish I used it to its full capacity!

[SadieKate]

No issues with battery life. Longest I've used it is for a 100 mile century in smart recording mode. I also don't bother with HRM and cadence. I can count each as my heart goes "dum-dum-dum" and my legs go "ow-ow-ow."

[SouthernBelle]

When replacing the cadence sensor battery, try to find a medical grade battery. It will last much longer.