Clothing and Accessories

Test: Garmin Edge 705

Details

Parent Category: Clothing and Accessories

Category: Garmin

Published on Thursday, 04 June 2009 20:01

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A unique product of its kind, perfect in off-road is also useful for those who love the road, complete set of data collected

The Company

Founded in 1989 by a group of engineers, Garmin has always been focused in developing tools of navigation used in all sectors such as automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor and wireless applications. Within 10 years, from small businesses, has become one of the biggest brands in the sector employing more than 7,000 people around the world.

The Garmin range

The Garmin range for the cycling consists of two series: Forerunner and Edge. Both are intended for cycling, but the mind is more suitable for the Triathlon and people together with other sport bike practice and the second is much more specific. Models Edge 205, 305, 605 and 705 differ in functionality and features with the latest 705 model which offers a set of data, including compatibility with the power meter (type SRM, Power Tap, etc..), fully complete and total.

The model we tried: Garmin Edge 705

The Garmin Edge 705 is seel in four different configurations: with Heart Rate and range sensor speed/cad, with Heart Rate and range sensor speed /cad addition to the micro SD road maps with Italian road, with Heart Rate and sensor speed/cad in addition to DVD and Micro SD Land Navigator. Meet as if, in practice, different instruments: a ciclocomputer, a heart rate a GPS navigator, and is also compatible to receive data from the SRM, Power Tap, and other power meter. The main features of navigation are the direct route (straight line) to any waypoint, waypoint marking, recording automatic AETR, the TracBack, the sliding track (PanTrack) for selecting a destination along the journey, it is also possible creation and navigation on road with driving directions with alert tones (only with preprogrammed MicroSD card). He built a barometric altimeter and compass GPS. Also has the function to search for points of interest such as shopping malls, food and drink, service stations, hotels, shows, attractions, services, transportation, emergency, geographical points, Nautical Navaids (with optional data from MapSource DVD). The screen and the various screens can be customized as the Waypoint Icons, guidance page Map (North up / Track up), the intensity contrast of the screen, the selection visible and hidden pages in the sequence of the main pages, the layout pages, the choice of data types in the fields, the number and size data fields. It is also the possibility of projecting a waypoint for a given distance and bearing. The ciclocomputer is equipped with heart rate, pedal sensor (depending on the version) and Virtual Partner. The batteries have a duration of about 15 hours and are rechargeable, the instrument is completely waterproof and comes with everything you need (pads, straps and instructions) for its efficient assembly. Is, then, possible to be downloaded, from the official website, the use manual and the Garmin Training Center for displaying and analyzing data of training, in addition to the programming of the same.

These details the main features (for a detailed list refer readers to the Garmin site where you can download the instruction manual):
Waypoints:
Total: 100
name length: 30 characters
with symbols: Default
with comments: yes
Search near waypoint: yes
Calculation of the average position: yes
Indication of the proportion: yes
Routes:
Number: 50
Number of Waypoints per route: 100
TracBack function: yes
Tracks:
Points stored in the track log: 13,650
Alarms: yes
Warning tones: yes
History of ": automatic up to 1000 laps by day or week.
Cartography
Map Mode: Shows you the position and the positions marked. An arrow shows the direction oriented toward procedures to arrive at the destination.
Rewritable non-integrated Basemap: yes
Internal memory for maps: yes
Memory cartridges for maps: yes
Assistant Training
AutoPause ™: yes
AutoLap ™: yes
Virtual Partner ™: yes
Alarm step: it
Alarm time / distance: yes
Interval training: yes
Corse: yes
Accessories
Heart Rate
Cadence sensor
Automatic saving of user settings at shutdown: yes
Daylight saving: auto, manual
Formats of communication: USB
Battery duration: up to 15 hours, typical use
Body: Fully waterproof, resin shock resistant, water-resistant according to IEC 529 IPX7 (immersion at 1 meter up to 30 minutes)
GPS Type: High Sensitivity
Operating Temperature: -20 ° C to 60 ° C

This weight detected with our instrumentation:
GPS: 108 grams
Cadence sensor/speed: 35 grams
Bands and GPS support: 10 grams
Strip Heart Rate: 66 grams

Road test

We tested the Garmin Edge 705 is on road bikes Mtb, with different weather conditions and trying to exploit all the possibilities for planning and analysis offered by the tool. The assembly of the Garmin 705 is very easy; in the same way it is easy to mount the cadence sensor and speed. In particular, the design allows it to adapt perfectly to every type of bike (road and mtb). The setting of the various possible settings is relatively easy, that is, it's easy for anyone familiar with the GPS and the computer requires a minimum of patience for everyone else. In fact, the ability to customize display and data to be displayed (number and size) is total and allows you to "cut tailor" the instrument to your needs. Excellent opportunity to easily change the batteries in the chest band and the cadence sensor, as rapid recharging of the batteries of the GPS good and their duration. Thanks to the coded transmission we have never had problems of transmission to the GPS signal or the speed of cycling counts as cardio band, which indeed it takes a signal amplitude truly remarkable. Once turned on it should be a few seconds to boot and the actual location of the satellites. The information available, are many and excellent is the ability to decide the number, type and size of the numbers. All these settings can be changed even in the race. The satellite signal is always present and only in the galleries is interrupted. Excellent waterproofing and resistance of the whole product. We also tested in mtb, as mentioned, and also with the mud and the most adverse weather conditions (rain and snow) we have never had problems receiving the signal (either from the GPS, from the Heart Rate or the speed sensor/cadence). Excellent features offered by GPS, easily programmable, especially for those who are already accustomed to its use. So it is easy to arrange detailed itineraries, or return home (or better in the hotel) after a long hike in places not known. Among the various functions of GPS, in addition to that "back home" even more helpful for those trains, is the "virtual partner" that allows you to compare, during the journey, with the performance by us or set with previous workout. The fact that the ciclocomputer is also a GPS, allows a range of training opportunities that go far beyond the classical repeated. That is, decided a course of training and established the routes and points of reference, we can plan and set the speed to hold, the frequency or the number of heartbeats to maintain, with a sound alert. In these functions, we have only touched on some of the various possibilities, the limit is the imagination more than on the instrument. Also coached by themselves, with proper planning, we can simulate each stage of a race (from the shots, the leakage), even managed to modify some of the difficulties of the route that you're doing. In particular we refer to the ability to set, in a hill climb or a dessert, a low frequency of cycling, combined with a high heart rate, so as to oblige us to use a very long time, simulating, in fact, a climb difficult. We repeat, the threshold in the programming of training, is the imagination, from this point of view, the instrument is excellent. Equally excellent is its use in cycling, for the planning of their trips by bike, and the walker in mtb. All situations where the GPS functions are found useful and practical. Equally effective is the function heart rate. Always receives the signal and you always have perfect control of the pulse and calories consumed. The opportunity to meet customization will then see all of the data and its format as far as possible (instantaneous heart rate, average number of beats or % of maximum heart rate, etc..). The ciclocomputer is excellent, indicating the average speed, maximum and pedalling cadence. You can also choose the frequency of data recording between two option: every second and auto. The transition of data to computer is easy and intuitive, like we have found the use of program Garmin Trainig Center. For even more detailed analysis of training, a better interpretation of data and programming of training, however, it is better to register at Garmin Connect (http://connect.garmin.com/), the online program that allows you to develop the most out of the instrument Edge 705.Infine suggest that the frequency of recording in auto mode, (from Garmin mode) the computer records the data with a frequency of 4 seconds, allowing a range of recording 14 hours, sufficient for every need.

Conclusions

We have not listed every single feature of this product, very interesting. In fact, the monitoring is training that the path is truly total. The simplicity of use is excellent as well the ease with which it assembles and adapts to any type of bike. Most traditionalists may even say that they like less than a certain complications, but you should try the product before giving certain judicial decisions. The fact that it is a GPS and a ciclocomputer makes it suitable for the athlete, followed by a personal trainer, as well as the tourist or hiker in mtb. All will find it suitable to your expectations, you may not use or consider less important functions, but this is normal when you want to propose a product overview. Finally, a complete and effective product.

Positive aspects

Construction quality
Ease of installation and programming
Amount of information gathered
Stability and continuity of data transmitted
Effectiveness and utility of GPS
Seamless integration of data between GPS and ciclocomputer
Ability to organize every detail in their training or tour
Compatibility with most popular power meters

Negative aspects

None

Price

The Garmin Edge 705 is positioned at the top of the range Garmin with a price ranging between 429 and 529 Euro depending on the model chosen. Though high in absolute terms, the price we think it justified by the undoubted quality of the product, unique of its kind.

Is suitable for

It is a comprehensive tool, suitable for everyone from the professional cyclists, everyone can find the features most useful to him.

For further informations:

Garmin
Web Site: www.garmin.it
E-mail: mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.