Garmin Edge 305 Question

[bikerHen]

OK, I'm not a techie. I read the information, but it just doesn't seem to sink into my brain. I think a new bike requires a new Garmin cyclocomputer. Right? I've looked and looked, but can't find the answer to this burning question.

If I get one, I want to use it for both my bikes. I know I need a second bike mount and sensors, but I'm stuck on the calibration. Does this thing calibrate wheel size automatically or do you have to program in the wheel size? Or do you even need a wheel size? My bikes have different size wheels. Will this be a problem? Is it even possible to change back and forth between bikes? Help!

My friend just got one and had it on her bike for last nights ride. It was sooo coool! bikerHen

[maillotpois]

OK, I'm not a techie. I read the information, but it just doesn't seem to sink into my brain. I think a new bike requires a new Garmin cyclocomputer. Right? I've looked and looked, but can't find the answer to this burning question.

The answer is YES.

If I get one, I want to use it for both my bikes. I know I need a second bike mount and sensors, but I'm stuck on the calibration. Does this thing calibrate wheel size automatically or do you have to program in the wheel size? Or do you even need a wheel size? My bikes have different size wheels. Will this be a problem? Is it even possible to change back and forth between bikes? Help!

I don't think it required any calibration in the real sense - like measuring out wheels. I don't remember programming anything in, although the user data section is very easy to use. You can program for different bikes, inputting weight of the bike, etc. - but I never even do that. I just switch the unit from one mount to the next (it came with 2 mounts).

I use it on both my MTB and road bikes. The GPS tracks speed and distance. The cadence/wheel mount sensor thing acts as a backup for that GSP speed/distance data. 2 of my 3 bikes don't even have the cadence attachment and all works well.

[Thorn]

Yep, Malloit has the answers, but....just to vote...absolutely a new bike screams "buy me a GPS"

Only my primary bike has the pickup unit (cadence and wheel). My secondary bike just has the handlebar mount on it. I've even taken the second handlebar mount and GPS unit with me on vacation and used the GPS on a rental bike. Very convenient toy.

[bikerHen]

You all are really stretching my resolve to wait just a bit before making another major purchase! It really is a cool and useful toy, isn't it! Thanks for your answers. It's good to know I get two mounts. And I'll be sure to tell my friend about the rebate, and maybe use it myself!

Cadence is something I use all the time, and find it very helpful. I also need it for the winter months on the trainer. It's one of the reasons I like the 305, it's has everything I "think" I need. bikerHen

[keeper]

I've spent most of the day researching bike computers and I just ordered one. I can't wait until it gets here and I can play with it There is a $75 rebate http://www.powerbar.com/nirf/cm2/upl...rminRebate.pdf Just under $200 for the cadence/HR combo.

[lisakinsel]

I've spent most of the day researching bike computers and I just ordered one. I can't wait until it gets here and I can play with it There is a $75 rebate http://www.powerbar.com/nirf/cm2/upl...rminRebate.pdf Just under $200 for the cadence/HR combo.

Hi there,

I am bikerhen's friend who rode with her on her on Monday night with the Garmin Edge. I had no idea there was a rebate! So, thanks! I still have my receipt and box and I am learning a little more about my new toy every time I ride. Other than having to remember to push "start" every time, which I'm not used to, the gadget has been great. I love the computer charts! Now that I am going to get money back on this, I love it even more! Also, thank you to Bikerhen who sent me the e-mail telling me to check the posts here. You guys are great!

[onimity]

I have the Forerunner 305 and really dislike it but the Edge is supposed to have better elevation readings which is one of my major complaints. That said, I'm thinking seriously of taking the Forerunner back and getting the Edge 305 though I am hesitant about the latter part at least based on my experience with the forerunner.

The Garmin HRM isn't always accurate, especially going downhill. You can get big jumps in your readings if you wear synthetic jerseys and they flap in the wind (!). The HRM band is also way too big for me even at the smallest setting which means I have to tie a knot in it and so can't wear it if I am carrying anything on my back. Not typical for most people's training rides, I realize.

The Garmin software also leaves a lot to be desired and they are VERY slow to update it, including motionbased, their web-based software. BTW, I'd be very hesitant to sign up for that. I did and the site is down a lot, but worse I've gotten unnerving login errors from other accounts.

The good stuff...it's great to be able to look at a map of your rides, see totals, averages, etc. It captures just about everything, the accuracy just leaves a lot to be desired in the case of the Forerunner. They are really cool devices in theory but they are not without their bugs. I just don't know if there is anything better?

The Edge 305 has a barometric altimeter auto-calibrated by GPS, but I've still read a lot of reports of elevation jumping suddenly by thousands of feet, etc.

Can anyone confirm/deny these accounts?

But in short, a definite yes to the new bike deserves new toys rule!

Anne

[SadieKate]

From talking with Edge 305 owners (and sometimes comparing their data to my own Polar and ciclo), it appears that after running the elevation data through the Garmin Training Center software, cumulative elevation gain/loss reports compares consistently with other barometric altimeters such as VDO, Polar, Ciclo, etc.

Forerunner 305 data which only uses GPS for elevation can report the elevation correctly, but not the cumulative gain/loss. I've had it report as much as 3x the actual.

[maillotpois]

The Edge 305 with barometric and GPS has very accurate elevation data when run through Garmin Training Center (the standard software that comes with the unit). Running it through something like Motion Based will give you an artificial increase in your elevation data.

I have only had one weird elevation anomaly with the Edge - and 7 of 10 people I was riding with that day had Edges and all reported this weird anomaly. We were climbing and the units showed a steady descent. We figure we must have been in some sort of satellite black hole. Overall, the data given after the ride was accurate (the mileages and GTC climbing data were consistent with prior Polar and Ciclo readings for this ride - just this one stretch of road (with no tree cover even) where the readings were wonky. That's the only time I have seen something funky with the elevation for the edge.

[7rider]

Oooo... freaky mp.

I've heard that the Edge 305 is much more accurate vs. the Forerunner for elevation. But - even the Edge has its idiosyncrasies - like and out and back route showing different start and end elevations when you are in the same place. Overall, it's been pretty good.

I didn't think you could put wheel sensors on more than one bike. I currently use my Edge 305 on 3 bikes - the road, the commuter, and the mtb. I have the sensor only on the road (plus the cadence pickup). I would think if you DID have two sensors, you would need to switch the bikes tracked, so it could auto-sense the proper wheel. Or, maybe since it's automatic, it wouldn't matter? Not switching the bike would not really alter key metrics like speed or distance, since that would be tracked off the satellites, whether you had the sensor or not.

[Alex]

Yes, BikerHen, you need a new computer for the new bike! After all, you didn't buy new wheels for your road bike!

Costco's website has the bundle at a very good price. With the rebate, it's practically free.

Incurable romantic that I am, I suggested that the Edge 305 would make the perfect 20th wedding anniversary gift. (Isn't a bike GPS the traditional gift for the 20th anniversary?) (The order was placed today so I will have it before the anniversary, but in time for the 111-mile Utah Lake Century Epic Ride.)

I'm going to have to upgrade the OS on my Mac, however...

Alex ("A GPS is Forever")

[BikeDutchess]

The Edge 305 with barometric and GPS has very accurate elevation data when run through Garmin Training Center (the standard software that comes with the unit).

Is the standard software Mac-compatible?

[amelia05]

ooh...I just installed one of these--love it! I felt a little guilty spending that much money on a bike computer since my top speed average is like, 17 mph, but I love me some gadgets.

what maillotpois said is totally right--I just wanted to confirm that it does autosense your wheel size, but there's an option to configure it manually for each bike as well. There's a chart in the manual that tells you the numbers to put in based on your wheel circumference and thickness(? is that the right word). But like she says, the speed sensor on the wheel is only used if the GPS is unavailable or if you choose to turn it off for a trainer workout.

Overall, the installation/use is super easy and user-friendly. The biggest problem I had with the install was that the GPS "head" absolutely refused to see the cadence sensor. I turned the option off and on, rescanned, put the head right next to the sensor...nothing. My LBS guys were able to fix it by going into the settings for "Bike Computer 1" and selecting cadence as one of the display fields for that profile. After that, it went out and found the sensor and all was well. I guess it's a pretty common problem, so just a heads-up.

Oh, and mine came with two bike mounts as well, so all you'll need is an additional sensor to use it on two different bikes. And really, that's only if you want to measure cadence, or see distance or speed on indoor/stationary workouts.

(Also, if you need more incentive to take the plunge, you can get a $75 rebate on the Edge 305 for signing up for the Powerbar newsletter. The offer's good on purchases made from 6/1/07-11/30/07, so your friend's eligible too if she still has her receipt and original box/UPC.)

[Jiffer]

I love my Garmin! I use the same one on both my single road bike and the back of the tandem (while Dh has his own on the front of the tandem).

Someone mentioned it was like a guilty pleasure, since she doesn't go very fast, but I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. It tells you how many miles you've gone, your cadence, how long you've been riding, pauses the timer when you stop if you program it to, etc. Why should only "fast" people get to know all that information?

At a rest stop on the century we did a week ago, Dh said he was asked why we had two computers on the bike. Why does the stoker (me) need a computer? Hello? Do I not get to know how far we've gone and still have to go? Do I not get to know how fast we're going? Should I have to ask Dh all this information every time I want to know it ... or just stay in the dark wondering? We also use it to try to stay at a certain cadence. Dh will say "let's try to keep it at 85 cadence" or "let's try to stay at 25 mph" ... and I can watch my computer and know how hard I need to pedal. Also, as the official directions giver on the century, I was able to know when our next turn was coming up based on how many miles we had gone, and let Dh know.

When I switch mine from one bike to the other, I have to reset it to read the cadence differently, but that's easy.

GET ONE!!!!!!!!!!!