Clothing and Accessories

On test: Garmin Edge 500

Details

Parent Category: Clothing and Accessories

Category: Garmin

Published on Sunday, 28 March 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Lighter than other Edge loses the mapping to become a product even more specifically for cyclists, great functionality

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The new Garmin Edge 500 represents a particular evolution of Edge Series loses the function mapping models 605 and 705, a product to become even more focused on the needs of sports cyclists. The loss of function mapping has helped to reduce considerably the size, making the new GPS-like an ordinary cycle computer. There are however important and interesting added features, such as the detection of the external temperature, the detection of the instantaneous vertical velocity and a new calculation of calories consumed. The GPS has an autonomy of about 18 hours and the tool is compatible with the main power detectors on the market. Can then transfer waypoints, courses and training from one unit to another wirelessly, or share and analyze workouts to your computer via the USB interface. The cycle computer is available in two configurations: the GPS-bike computer or GPS-bike computer with cardio and cadence sensor. In both cases comes with everything you need (swabs, clamps and instructions) for its efficient assembly. Then you can download from the official site the user manual and Garmin Training Center program for viewing and analyzing data in the training, in addition to the programming of the same. These detail the main features (for a detailed list refer readers to the Garmin website where you can download the manual):

Waypoint: Yes

Routes: Yes

Lap: Yes, up to 1000

Alarm: Yes

AutoScroll ™: Yes

AutoPause ™: Yes

AutoLap ™: Yes

Virtual Partner ™: Yes, just following races

Alarm step: no

Alarm time/distance: Yes

Interval training: no

Racing: Yes

Calculator: Yes

Custom fields: Yes

Garmin Connect: Yes

Garmin Training Center: Yes

Formats: USB

Battery life: up to 18 hours

Body: waterproof to IEC 529 IPX7 (immersion at 1 meter up to 30 minutes)

Type GPS: High Sensitivity

Barometric altimeter: Yes

Accessories

Cardio strip

Cadence sensor

This weight detected with our instrumentation:

GPS: 58 grams

Cadence sensor/speed: 35 grams

Bands and GPS support: 7 grams

Tread cardio: 66 grams

Road test

We tested the Garmin Edge 500 long, even with adverse weather conditions and din mtb. Assembly is easy and very good is the new solution for attaching the computer to report a substantial reduction in weight, the whole group, compared to the Garmin Edge 705, which still has many other features. Excellent implementation of the sensor cadence/speed, easy to install in any type of bike. The setting of the various approaches available is relatively easy, especially the ability to customize the screen and its data. Always good an opportunity to connect to the Garmin website to share with others workouts and analyze data collected by cyclometer. Regarding the data analyzed, these are complete, for a perfect analysis of the training. The only thing missing, then the function mapping of GPS, that will not disturb the most agonists, while the cyclists would do well to prefer the 705, more comprehensive and effective use recreational/tourism. Always welcomes the opportunity to easily change the batteries in chest strap and the cadence sensor, good battery life of GPS. Always good and effective transmission of the encoded signal of a chest strap and cadence sensor/speed. Once the need, as usual, a few seconds for the actual launch and the location of satellites. The three screens available are capable of monitoring all training data and the auto-scroll, can always see all the information. Actually the best thing is to set the first screen with little data, but large and easily accessible and join all the other information in the other two pages. Excellent, as always, the ability to set an auto-lap, that is storing data automatically by time or distance or the place, so you can then see with consecutive workouts. Perfect satellite signal reception and excellent water resistance of the instrument. Among the various functions is always useful than the "virtual partner" that could compete, during the journey, with the provision of training before, with a graphic visualization of position and altitude profile. Unlike what happens with the Garmin 705, here virtual partner usable only after saving a run and following that course. Useful, then, the data on the slope of the trail, the temperature and up velocity. Equally effective is the function cardio frequency, with the ability to view data and their format in different ways (instantaneous heart rate, average, maximum, calorie consumption, etc.).. The function of the cycle computer is complete with the ability to focus on data that you prefer, such as average speed, maximum or cadence. The possibility, then, to analyze the possible part-time and total is basically everything you need to analyze and plan the best training. Not present here, the feature interval training, those who love to train with such a function, then the model will use Edge 705. To pass data to the computer it is better to register at Garmin Connect (http://connect.garmin.com/), the program online that allows you to analyze and customize the details of their Edge 500. A product, thus without gaps or flaws, which fits best within the range Edge, has fewer features in 705, but is more suitable in size and weight of the cyclist sports, which often ends up not using the many possibilities model offered by the Edge 705. For those who prefer a GPS mapping, however, the model Edge 705 is the ideal choice. Dell'Edge 500 is the price of 229 Euro for the basic version, and 299 Euro for the full range of cardio and cadence sensor / speed in both cases, appropriate prices to product quality, costs less than 705 and if you do not need maps out its functions or features that differentiate it from 500 and go about it better, cheaper and lighter.

Positive aspects

Ease of installation and programming

Stability and continuity of data transmitted

Complete coverage of training data

Compatibility with most popular power measuring

Weight reduction compared to other models Edge

Presence of the Virtual Partner

Negative aspects

None

To learn more:

Garmin

Website: www.garmin.com