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118 of 120 persons found the following review helpful.
Big step up from 705
By KMan
As a basis for my review: I'm somebody who owns a 305, 705, 500 and 800 (and has the Cyclemeter iPhone app). I've ridden thousands of miles with all of them (well, not the iphone app and 800- yet). I've owned polar watches in the past too. My current set-ups include bikes with a powertap and Quarq. My training rides for the duration of the winter include 5+ hour road rides- even though this is not one thing equated to what the rondo folks do. I'm also a Cat 2 road racer with experience in galore numerous some races. (also race MTB and cyclocross- no track this year)
At initial I was a little hesitant when it comes to the touchscreen having been so employed to my iphone. Is it sensitive? Can I use it with gloves on? I will say for a fact that the touchscreen changes your entire fundamental interaction with the device. It does work with gloves- and astoundingly well at that. Have you ever tried to enter selective information into the 705 using the little thumbstick? Hunt, click, hunt, click. It's a discouraging and hindering experience. With the touchscreen it's a snap. Tap, tap, tap. Done. Don't suppose iPhone/Android phone screen quality- if you did, you'd be paying a couple hundred more for it (and in all probability wouldn't be competent to use gloves with it)
Benefits over the iphone: screen works with gloves on. Don't need to worry when it comes to it getting wet. If I drop it, I don't need to worry regarding it as much. I still have navigational capability and maps if I'm out of cell range (happens a lot if I'm in the Cascades or the Oregon coastal range).
Another bonus over the 705- the sheer number of screens and discrete informational elements. 3 info screens with a possible 10 fields per each. Plus more available selective information fields on the map, courses and workout pages. A bike geek's dream. If you want to modify one of the info fields- for example, rather of power, you figure you need to see 3 second power, you hold your finger on the field and poof, you may select the field you'd like to modify it to. Changing all the fields on the 800 is a much having little impact routine too, and if you don't want a screen, you may turn it off. (most of them at least)
Another big improvement- writing speed equated to the 705. I plug the 705 in and if I have a lot of activities, it takes eternally to mount- if you have the 705, you recognise what I mean- that stinking green bar. The 800 mounts much more quickly and the files are much littler as .fit.
Compared to the 500- it's a altogether dissimilar unit made for dissimilar purposes. The 500 I use in race situations for selective information collection and I only have a few selective information fields shown. Distance, power, heart rate and time. I seldom look at it but it's nice to be capable to recognise why I am in regards to to blow at sure points. The 800 on the other hand is outstanding for training- the capacity to modify fields on the fly, the maps are rather handy to see where roads go and having the navigational capacity is handy too. 500 takes more steps to alter fields too so I seldom like to alter them. Other fields that are available on the 800 but not on the 705, temperature (is at freezing- kinda necessary to know), watts/kg.
There's still a lot of constituents that need to be bettered but given Garmin's track record for providing magnificent updates, those ought to be fixed. For example- for the duration of workouts, using instantaneous power for narrow band workouts is not the best. If you're attempting to work at threshold, instantaneous power have a tendancy to bounce around, and it in truth will have to have 3 second power as the basis. Otherwise the outside of zone alarm keeps on going off. The other piece I wish for is the capacity to habit tailor fields to each bike. (So I choose my cross bike, it shows the suitable screens since I don't have a power unit on that).
The other betterment over the 705 is the mounting system. It has the twist lock like the 500 rather of the 705 mount with the flimsy push down flap that breaks.
My summary? I for one love the 800- and the linchpin is the touchscreen. It makes the unit much having little impact to work with over past units. I was a little jaded and didn't suppose much from touchscreen but now that I've applied it, it has made a world of difference. I would say this is a big step improvement, not incremental.
How would I compare these?
705- 2nd generation, good evolution from 305, info entry a chore, good navigation capabilities, fixed screens
500- minimalist, lightweight- outstanding for those who don't need to navigate but want sufficient selective information to train with.
800- 3rd generation, UI principally improved, info entry a breeze, a great deal of info available, flexible with potential for more improvements
Is it worth it? Yeah, in my sentiment it is. For the amount of time I spend on the road, absolutely.
31 of 31 persons found the following review helpful.
Fun!
By Elie
Garmin Edge 800
I have never owned a bicycle GPS, but have tested a good deal of basic bike computers. The Garmin 800 is accurate, fast, easy to use and most of all fun.
My main reasons for purchasing the device were to have a bike computer to use on my road bike that would provide respective kinds of data in addition to speed and distance (heart rate, time to destination...), and to be capable to go for long rides without worrying in regards to getting lost, permitting me to concentrate on cycling and exploring new places instead. I was looking for a product that would give me the data I wanted but without distracting me.
The basic data are very precise and data fields are easy to read while riding, as long as you do not cram too some fields into a single page. (Screens are customizable and you may flip through data/map pages.) I use two selective information pages: one with basic information, and the other with info such as intermediate speed or temperature which I do not need to consult constantly.
The screen is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, and it lights up mechanically if it is dark outside.
The touch-screen interface makes the device very user-friendly and may without apparent effort be operated with sweaty fingers. I have not tested it with gloves yet but other users have said that they are not a problem.
The maps are exact and easy to read, though I do commend getting the city extension which is sold separately. Otherwise only main roads are displayed. I use this for road biking so I was not fascinated in having topographical maps.
The map may be programmed to keep away from highways. However, on one or two occasions my GPS device led me to major roads that were not suitable for cycling. Since they were technically not highways, they were not blocked. Obviously the GPS does not replace your brain or your eyes. That might sound foolish but I was astonished how easy it is to follow the device blindly. Just keep your eyes open. If you do not follow the GPS instructions it will recalculate a route based on the direction you take. The device is not irruptive or aggressive like a great deal of car GPS devices. It will not yell at you or display huge warnings if you miss a turn. Instead, it will adapt.
I was not on purpose fascinated in uploading my rides to my computer but I have started using Garmin Connect to analyse basic data and track my progress from ride to ride. It's likewise neat to see your ride on a map and to be competent to download other people's rides.
I was likewise not planning on using the heart rate monitor regularly but I think I will start. It seems to work pretty well.
The price for this device is very high in my opinion. Of course, this is the top-of-the-line model from Garmin. Yet equated to car GPS models it still seemed like a lot. I don't regret the purchase, and I do not regret having purchased a for less model because I would in all likelihood have ended up buying this one afterwords anyway.
The Garmin Edge 800 has more features than anybody could perchance want. But it is very fun to use. If you are taking into account for less models but are drooling over this one, then buy it. No, you do not need it. But you do not need to get up at 5:00 AM on a Sunday to go for a bike ride wearing Lycra tights either. You do it because it's fun. (Riding, not wearing tights.) If you may spare the cash, buy this.
EDIT: My impressions after 250 miles using the product
-Heart rate monitor is accurate, utile and sensor is comfortable to wear. I thought it would get on my nerves but it turns out I like it
-Battery life is more or less as advertised, but evidently depends on constituents such as whether or not you use the backlight, etc.
-Charging time is very fast!
-Today, the step-by-step navigation lead me into a lot of guy's backyard claiming it was a road. According to him, there was one there... three years ago! He says people using GPS gadgets end up there all the time because Garmin apparently hasn't altered that share of the map... Not a big deal, only happened once but amusive story.
41 of 44 persons found the following review helpful.
Unreliable
By Todd
From a feature/function perspective, the edge 800 is a fantastic device....WHEN IT WORKS! Some of the troubles I've had multiple times include (but unquestionably not fixed too)...
Speed going to Zero randomly, then the device will auto-pause causing loss of data.
Last 3 rides the device came across a waypoint error in which it all of a sudden showed I traveled 1000's of miles totally throwing off all my data fields including intermediate speed, distance, elevation, etc. I've had intermediate speed reach 15,000mph.
Corrupt fit files on the device that prevented me from uploading selective information to Garmin connect.
In short, I would not buy this item until Garmin fixes all the software bugs with a new version firmware. If and when they do, I will rate the product at 4-5 stars as it is a outstanding GPS when working. (at the time of this post, current firmware version is 2.1)
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