Garmin 705 Edge

[sundial]

Hubby surprised me with a Garmin 705 for our anniversary--the Chipotle team one. I was so excited to try it out on our ride today and by the end of the ride, I just wanted to cry.

It constantly flashed different speeds every second, going from 17 mph to 8 to 10 to 5 and so on. It wouldn't display the altimeter at all and the distance was incorrect. I know because Mr. Sundial rode right beside me with his Garmin 305 Edge and we matched gearing and cadence. The only thing that seemed to be working right was the HR and the cadence. I am so mad at this thing. Right out of the box and it doesn't seem to display the satellite info correctly.

I know we set it up correctly with the sensor because the light was green when we paired it with the magnet on the spoke. Hubby has a 305 Edge so he is very familiar with the set up and menu.

Right now he's on the Garmin website uploading the latest info into the Garmin in case it's a software issue. If it doesn't resolve the issue I'll have to contact customer service Monday. I don't know what else to do. Anyone have any suggestions?

[OakLeaf]

I'm not sure which version of the firmware yours would have shipped with, but there have definitely been some issues addressed, so I'd see how it works next ride before you panic.

I get wild speed fluctuations if I'm riding right underneath power lines, though I would think that would affect the 305 as well.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

What a disappointment for such a cool gift (and a special anniv). I don't have any good input for you except that when I was deciding to get one of these 705's, it scared me to read about problems people were having. Maybe its helpful that not everyone's gives them fits.. Mine's (not a Chipolte colored version) never given me any problems - knock on wood.

I've had it since last summer. I think I've uploaded one update on it since buying it..but its (thankfully) been good to me.

I hope yours starts working right. If not, return that puppy and get them to give you another new one.

[sundial]

Thanks for the tips Oakleaf and BabyBlue. I have a hard time understanding how one could get a faulty product after paying $$$. Hubby downloaded updates for the computer and so far it's working. I'll take it out on another spin and test it again.

It makes me want to stick with the $25 computers.

[ItchyBits]

I have had my 705 for about 6 months. I just had to return my cadence sensor because it stopped working. Annoying - Garmin was responsive and told me how to return. It was their discretion as to whether they repair or replace which I was kind of unhappy with. After owning for 6 months and paying $600 it should have been "we'll send you a new sensor"! So I don't know what they did but its been 2 weeks and I still don't have it back so it leads me to believe they repaired. I've been told it shipped. The GPS can still calculate avg speed and distance so the only thing I am missing is my cadence number.

I've never had the data problems your experiencing. I say contact Garmin right away! I did it all through email.

[sundial]

After owning for 6 months and paying $600 it should have been "we'll send you a new sensor"!

See, to me it's the principle of the idea. Why would Garmin market a faulty design? Who would think to update the firmware of a new Garmin? I am really having an issue with a $600 computer that is problematic.

[OakLeaf]

well.... I definitely agree that the thing was released with way too many bugs. I don't know what all the development holdups were, but obviously they were major, since as you recall the release itself was delayed for months.

But... any time you buy a new desktop or laptop computer, the first thing you do is download a couple of hundred megs of system updates. Considering the 705 has more processing power than the entire Apollo Space Program (true!), I definitely expect it to behave more like a computer - with all the pros and cons that entails - and less like the little mechanical speedos we had when we were kids.

Look on the bright side, at least you're getting the benefit of a year of everyone else's involuntary beta testing.

I don't know why some people's experience with Garmin customer service is so different from others'. Myself and my DH has always been no questions asked, they fix more than we even ask them to fix, immediately. His experience with them goes back almost 10 years, and we've both had service done in the last couple of months, too. It used to be their service was like that for everyone, but I know I've heard different from enough people recently.

Hope that you don't need to call them (it really does sound like you're describing bugs that have been addressed), but if you do, that they treat you as well as they've always treated me and my DH.


PS - if you import your ride data into SportTracks, it will fix the total distance for you.

[ccnyc]

I had the exact same problem on my 705 which I had been using for about 6 months. It had something to do with the auto pause feature, which had initally been set up correctly. The thing just got stupid (stupid computers!). My DH did a "reset" of the unit and it's worked perfectly since then. If you'd like more info on the reset I'll have to ask the DH since he's the expert on the 705.

Carol

[sundial]

PS - if you import your ride data into SportTracks, it will fix the total distance for you.

Thanks Oakleaf, I didn't know that.
As for customer service, I have a feeling that companies won't be as generous in customer support or doling out free replacement parts due to the tanking economy.

My DH did a "reset" of the unit and it's worked perfectly since then.

I thought about doing that as I was riding but I *think* it's fixed now. Will have to take it for a ride to check it.

I hope I didn't get too much of a computer for my needs. I don't like feeling frustrated and helpless when it comes to dealing with compooter issues.

Wish Honda would make a computer.

[Running Mommy]

my lowly 205 has done that willy nilly thing before. Generally I have to stop and reset the entire thing. Shut it down, the whole enchilada. But it always works itself out.
I feel for you tho, because that 705 is a pricey bugger! We bought one as a christmas bonus for our manager. Even at COST they are 500 clams!!!


As annoying as the whole thing is, you have to admit that technology has come a long way in a short time. I remember my first timex gps that I wore for running. It had a seperate pod I had to strap on my arm. Annoying thing it was. But I thought I was robo runner at the time. ha ha

[Jiffer]

My husband and I have the 305. He upgraded to, I guess the 705 (whatever the next one up is), but decided it was so much money for what you get. He went back to using the 305 and has been intending to Ebay the other one.

We have had problems off and on with our Garmins. Dh is good at figuring it out usually, but we have had to have one or both replaced with refurbished ones. They can be annoying, but yet they're so great too.

My friend just got a 305 and was having a hard time getting the "speed" working properly. My husband turned it to GPS mode for her, instead of having it work with the cadence sensor or whatever sensor figures out speed, and it works fine now. He says he usually can't get his to work without putting it in GPS mode (where it figures out speed from satellite or whatever). He moves his from our tandem, to his MTB, to his road bike .. so he's had to mess with it on several bikes ... plus mine on my road bike and the tandem. He's my "fix it" guy!

[djgafi]

it's always advisable to do a hard-reset of the unit and upgrade to latest firmware.

this should solve the problem, but contact support and see what they say.

i've had mine for a couple of weeks without any problem, but i've read on different forums similar issues as yours, and these were the most common suggestions.

hope you can get around it fast!!