Garmin Edge 500 or 705?

mtb2road · Mar 8, 2011

Hi all,

I'm about to get my first Garmin GPS and have narrowed it down to two. I like the size of the 500 with the bundled HR monitor and cadence and and was going to go with that one, but now see that the 705 with the same bundle is almost the same price.

I'm not sure how much use the maps will get, but I've never had that option, so tough to say if I would use it or how much. I have to carefully monitor my HR because of a medical condition, so if the system beeps at my limits that would be a huge selling feature. Any recommendations?

redondoaveb · Mar 8, 2011

I just ordered the Edge 500 without the HR strap and cadence sensor at Runners Roost ($199.00) no tax, free shipping. I doubt I would use a cadence sensor and if I need the HR strap, you can find them pretty cheap on ebay.

ericm979 · Mar 8, 2011

Just about any HRM can be set to alert at specific heart rates. You don't need a GPS for that.

If you don't need maps, the 500 is a really good bike computer. The GPS feature is nice because you don't need to set up a wheel sensor. But if you're just looking for HR alerts and cadence, and don't need data recording or power, you can get something much cheaper.

fastfed · Mar 8, 2011

I can only give you an opinion of the maps deal..

Do you use your bike to travel? go to stores? If not I don't think the maps during the ride would be of any use*

I don't use maps ever with my cycle computer (phone with the same features as the garmins)

*Maps are cool to look at after the ride though.. Don't know if the 500 has that feature.. but its a great way to track your ride and watch yourself live.. You can see all your stats at any point during your ride.. And would be a great way to check your HR during certain points.. It could even help with adjustments at certain points..

Drew Eckhardt · Mar 8, 2011

fastfed said:
I can only give you an opinion of the maps deal..

Do you use your bike to travel? go to stores? If not I don't think the maps during the ride would be of any use*

Or if you ride new to you routes solo. It's easier look at a computer than a map and cue sheet stashed in a jersey pocket.

The Edge 500 does do "courses" which tell you where to turn and direction + distance when you depart from the course but that seems to require importing the course with the Windows Garmin Training Center software and exporting as a .fit file. I've yet to jump through the hoops to do that (About 40 out of the last 2400 miles have been someplace new so it's not that common) and see how that goes.

*Maps are cool to look at after the ride though.. Don't know if the 500 has that feature..

Edge 500 recordings include GPS coordinates and barometric pressure which various on-line (mapmyride.com, connect.garmin.com) and stand-alone applications (Garmin Training Center, Training Peaks, Golden Cheetah) give you some way to relate the recorded data to maps.

Unfortunately software which plays nice with maps (I can fairly easily get power, heart rate, cadence, speed, and elevation for any geographic point on a ride from connect.garmin.com) doesn't deal with the metrics you want for training (acute and chronic training load, mean maximal power, etc.) and vice versa. Training Peaks has a lot of plugins and might do the trick but I don't usually have a computer booted into Windows.

mtb2road · Mar 8, 2011

Drew Eckhardt said:
.....but I don't usually have a computer booted into Windows.

I Do need full details as I train my heart back to health (cadence, comparisons to previous rides, etc), but your post does pose a question. Does the Garmin SW work with Mac?

Drew Eckhardt · Mar 8, 2011

mtb2road said:
I Do need full details as I train my heart back to health (cadence, comparisons to previous rides, etc), but your post does pose a question. Does the Garmin SW work with Mac?

Web-based software does (you may need to manually select the data files to upload from the Garmin which is mounted like an external USB drive instead of getting the Garmin plug-in to do it).

Garmin Training Center has a Mac version. Golden Cheetah (what I use) also works on Mac (I run it under Linux). Power meter users get more out of Golden Cheetah but it'll still give you time in heart rate zones and do performance management with heart rate via TRIMP points.

62tbirder · Mar 8, 2011

Hi, I've been using a 500 with heart rate and cadence since November and it's been brilliant. Easy to install. I use Garmin Connect and it uploads and works fine on my PC at work and Macbook at home. The computer has never missed a beat or dropped the GPS. You'll need to downland garmin Communicator to suit whether you're mac or PC.

Stumpjumper FSR · Mar 8, 2011

redondoaveb said:
I just ordered the Edge 500 without the HR strap and cadence sensor at Runners Roost ($199.00) no tax, free shipping. I doubt I would use a cadence sensor and if I need the HR strap, you can find them pretty cheap on ebay.

You may want to read the fine print and check out the versions tab, I think the $199.00 is for the Edge 500 only:

•Edge 500
•Heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor (select models only — see Versions tab for details)
•Bike mount
•AC charger
•USB cable
•Owner's manual on disk
•Quick start manual

squareslinky · Mar 8, 2011

I have the garmin 500. I picked up the heart and cadence sensors through an Amazon store, pretty cheap. I really like the ability to review my rides after through Garmin Connect. It also allows for me to customize my screens and set them up how I want to view them and scroll through them.

Regarding the maps in the 705. It looks like a nice feature and it is appealing. I see that feature being used in certain situations and not applicable for me in others.

ZoSoSwiM · Mar 8, 2011

I like my Edge 705 but I rarely if ever use my maps. 99% of my rides I never change off of my main screen. Had the 500 been available when I picked up my 705 I would have got it. Plus the grey/white isn't a bad color and the size is better.

looigi · Mar 8, 2011

I use the map and navigation almost every ride on my 705. I plan the rides on ride mapping websites and download them to the 705. Rides around here often have as many different roads as miles. One of my loops has 28 different roads in 25 miles. It's nice to be able to concentrate on riding, pedaling and traffic rather than navigating. However, you can download routes to a 500 and it will show as a track on the display which you can follow. It just won't give you turn-by-turn instructions or show any other roads like you get with a 705 or 800.

voodooguy · Mar 8, 2011

Funny, I just got done reading an Edge 500 blog review by DC Rainmaker @ http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review.html ~very comprehensive and well written. There is a review of the 705, too. One con about the 500 that he notes is the glare from the screen. This does not appear to be an issue with the 705. This is not always an issue with the 500 as it depends on the angle of the sun, overcast, etc. He responds to the question of preference between the two in the comment section that follows the blog. Well worth the read, IMHO.

peterk · Mar 8, 2011

I have been using the 705 for the past year. I need the map feature because I will plan rides on my computer and dump them into the GPS. Many times I am going to areas I am not familiar. The last thing I want to do is get lost when I am 40 miles from home. The accuracy is unbelievable. I did a solo 75 mile ride last year through some towns and roads I have never seen in my life. I remember thinking, "I'm screwed if this thing is wrong". No problem; it took me home with ease.

I also use the 705 for running, riding on a trainer, geo caching with the kids and skiing (I have topo as well). It has been a blast logging the total feet descended while skiing. We just passed 750,000 feet this weekend

I believe you can do the same with the 500. So, I agree with others. If you aren't riding in unfamiliar areas, the 500 is fine.

Either one you choose, they are a blast to have.

One thing to add: The 705 gives turn by turn warnings. I believe you get a heads up when you are about 19 seconds from a turn. It tells you the road that you will be turning to and whether it is a right or a left. Pretty cool.

redondoaveb · Mar 8, 2011

Stumpjumper FSR said:
You may want to read the fine print and check out the versions tab, I think the $199.00 is for the Edge 500 only:

•Edge 500
•Heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor (select models only — see Versions tab for details)
•Bike mount
•AC charger
•USB cable
•Owner's manual on disk
•Quick start manual

Yeah, that's what I said, "no heart rate monitor or cadence sensor". Does come with bike mount, AC charger, USB cable, owners manual on disc and quick start manual.

Stumpjumper FSR · Mar 8, 2011

redondoaveb said:
Yeah, that's what I said, "no heart rate monitor or cadence sensor". Does come with bike mount, AC charger, USB cable, owners manual on disc and quick start manual.

Yes you did, my mistake...
guess I was still sleeping when I read your post this morning.
Sorry!

olapequena · Mar 8, 2011

I've had a 305 for the past 2 years. Other than ANT+ compatibility it's pretty much the same as the new 500. For just tracking fitness and ride stats it's pretty great. Add power (ANT) and you've got the whole shebang.

That said, I just picked up a 705. I do a whole lot of dirt road riding where there are rarely, if ever, street signs. Likewise, cell phone service in western ma, southern vermont is more than a bit iffy. The topos/street maps are incredibly helpful in finding a) where I am and b) where I need to go c) which road is actually not going to dead end at the top of 6 mile hill when you are trying to regain the ridge you just accidentally descended because the ghost graveyard with the left hand turn after it seemed to be 'the graveyard' you were actually looking for at mile 80. Then again, it would have probably been useful BEFORE you decided to go down the damn hill.

redondoaveb · Mar 8, 2011

Stumpjumper FSR said:
Yes you did, my mistake...
guess I was still sleeping when I read your post this morning.
Sorry!

No problem. I know the feeling. Since I really don't need the heart rate monitor or cadence sensor I figured $200.00 was a good price. Everybody else has the basic unit for $249.00. I guess my Cateye V2c will go into the archive file.

ragweed · Mar 8, 2011

I like data and really enjoy that my 705 displays 8 data fields per each of two screens.

SBH1973 · Mar 8, 2011

I think the Edge 500 is really all you need. It's just the perfect bike computer, not too big, plenty of functions, and it works really well - at least it has for me. If you're going touring, maybe the 705 is better, but for most riding, this will give you more information than you need - and it's just a lot of fun looking at your maps on GarminConnect (which I also hightly recommend).

NealH · Mar 8, 2011

The 705 is much easier to see and, to operate (changing screens). The 500 is a pain to see (small numbers and rather poor contrast compared to 705). Depressing the side button on the 500 to change screens is far more difficult than the 705 - where one only has to touch the joystick button to index the screens. On the 500 when wearing winter gloves its all but impossible to change screens. The 705 has mapping ability too, if that is of any importance to you.

Verdict: Get the 705, or 800. Much nicer than the 500.

squareslinky · Mar 9, 2011

Just to correct the above post on the unreadable part. The 500 has the option to put 3 stats on your screen or 6, so the font size varies. re: gloves and the 500, buttons are buttons. gloves make pushing them difficult. And a touch screen with gloves?

It all comes down to maps, price, and alternate options. I have the 500, its a good computer that solves my needs. Everyone has different desires with these things and some prefer not to have them. The 705 is appealing to me and I am kicking around the idea of upgrading, but I don't think I will use the maps or actually need them. But it looks cool and more features are nice.

mtb2road · Mar 9, 2011

Thanks all for your replies and input. They both seem like pretty good options in their own way. I guess it's decision time.:crazy:

looigi · Mar 9, 2011

squareslinky said:
The 500 has the option to put 3 stats on your screen or 6, so the font size varies. re: gloves and the 500, buttons are buttons. gloves make pushing them difficult. And a touch screen with gloves?

The 705 also varies the number of data fields you can put on the screen, from one to 8 with similar variation in font size, of course. I run 7 on my main screen: time, cadence, HR, speed, distance, grade, and time of day. There is another screen on which you can set up another 1 to 8 fields and there are like 50 things you can choose among to display in any field. Then there's the map screen too and you can add data fields to that.

Gloves do make it a bit harder to work the buttons on the 705 but I ride down to 32 F and can operate the buttons reasonably well with my winter riding gloves, which are not very thick. I haven't used an 800 on the road but from all reports, the touch screen works very well with gloves and when wet.

Check out the Garmin user forums. There's lots of great info and helpful users there. https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

redondoaveb · Mar 10, 2011

Just got my Edge 500. Did a full charge on it and set it up. Set up was so easy. Will be taking it out tomorrow for a test run. :thumbsup:

mtb2road · Mar 10, 2011

I decided to go with the 705 after all. I really like the size of the 500, but have been lost on a ride or two in the past. Also liked the idea of being able to load topo maps for the off road rides. Given that the 705 is really close to the price of the 500 on Amazon at the moment, I felt that was a pretty good deal. I still really like the size of the 500 too and that would have not doubt been a great choice as well. Thanks again for the input everyone provided. It really helped sort things out and fill in the gaps.

Garmin Edge 500 or 705?

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