Garmin Edge 705 GPS Bundle w Street Maps

Price Paid:  $565.00 at Brands cycle

Favorite Ride:
cervelo

Bike Setup:
Cervelo SLR
Cervelo P2

Summary:
I am not sure it is me or the device but this is a far cry from the SRM. At first I downloaded an updated version 2.7. Do not do this unless you do not want to down load your data. It will be lost in a folder on your desktop. I then unistalled and reinstalled the 2.6 version. They are still working out the kinks on the 2.7
I never felt comfortable with the reliability of the device unlike the srm which I always knew would capture my data.
At times my device would capture my data in the history folder on the device but would not download it to the folder on the desktop either through the garmin folder which comes up when you plug the device in or the garmin center. I am also unable to view the folders without internet connection. Again I am not sure if the original set up was corrupted or it doesn't work that way.
I am currently using it with an SRM wireless setup and the SRM does work with the head unit of the garmin.
I returned the device after 2 months and received another which is still in the box. I am just not sure I can trust the device although to be fair everybody I have spoken with likes their device

Strengths:
It has multiple screens which can be set up.
Ease to transfer to other bikes

Weaknesses:
It feels flimsy on the stem.
Software horrible. Use WKO+ if you want to get anything out of your data.
Manuals are a waste.
No power

Similar Products Used:
Polar
Ergomo
SRM

Price Paid:  $400.00

Favorite Ride:
around

Bike Setup:
varies

Summary:
On the whole, I am extremely pleased with this bike computer. It is great to be able to see in google earth/maps precisely where one has ridden. With some fiddling, one can also create routes in google maps.

The included software is just terrible, although par for the course when it comes to GPS devices. (For some reason the GPS industry doesn't want to make it easy to interface with their devices. I would like to see a google-maps mashup that would make it easy to create a route and export it to the GPS.) However, Motionbased.com(subscription for the advanced stuff) can (slowly) read the track files created by the 705, and its software isn't absolutely awful.

Strengths:
-very easy to move from one bike to another
-history
-custimisability of viewed data
-expandability (cadence, power meters)
-pulse sensor works great (I haven't tried any other ANT+sport devices)
-showing of gradients

Weaknesses:
-it doesn't come with decent maps
-altimeter, while great to have, is a bit unstable
-the included software (garmin training center) is a joke
-the mount could be a little bit better
-a little bit big

Similar Products Used:
only car-based GPSs and older, non-GPS cyclocomputers.

Price Paid:  $450.00 at ebay

Summary:
Save your money and wait for a more advanced version (805?) to come along before you buy one.

Using bikeroutetoaster.com I've been able to make courses for myself. This works reasonably well. Trying to go on rides in unfamiliar places used to be scary/adventureous/time consuming. Now I just spend a few minutes on the website planning my course, and the 705 tells me where to go - Very Nice!!!

The big issue: I bought the 705 instead of the 605 or even the 305 because it is able to receive power data from my powertap hub. It does receive the that data. It even *displays* it on the screen as I ride. So far as I can tell it DOES NOT save that data, and there is certainly no way of accessing the power data in the Garmin Training Center software (version 3.4.3).

This is a big deal. What good is power data to me if I can't use it to track my training? Am I supposed to memorize the numbers as they flash by on my screen? WTF was Garmin thinking? The whole point of the 705 is the power data! If it doesn't save the data or I can't get to the data then why didn't I save a hundred dollars or more and get the 605?

I feel cheated.

Price Paid:  $435.00 at Amazon

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
2006 Trek Madone 5.2
SRAM Red
Bontrager Race-X-Lite wheelset

Summary:
EXCELLENT - I love the data and the custom-ability of the screens and views. Functionally the unit is easy to mount and use - set-up, though, is difficult...the unit itself is simple - the GARMIN issued software and Garmin Connect are unrefined and not worthy of the quality of this device.

Strengths:
Data logging
Ease of use/mount

Weaknesses:
Manuals
Garmin Connect

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Flite-Deck

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Trek 1600

Summary:
I bought the 705 about a month ago. 2 weeks into it the speed and distance became eratic (20 mph then 45 mph then 0 mph); basically it stopped working. It did this on 3 of my rides. Luckily I was able to return it since the store had 30 days return policy.

For $560 it should be flawless. And if its the sensor battery then it sucks that it died within 2 weeks.

Strengths:
Lots of data recorded
beautiful color screen
shows total Altitude

Weaknesses:
expensive
low quality control
not reliable