Cycling Computers Reviews

Garmin Edge 305HR with HRM

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you’re prepping for your next century ride or want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, take your training to the edge with the Garmin Edge 305HR GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer. The Edge 305HR is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, descent, and more, the Edge 305HR will help you to always know where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Main menu. View larger.

Bike computer display. View larger.

Course with elevation profile. View larger.

The Edge 305HR with heart rate monitor is the ultimate GPS-enabled fitness partner for cyclists. View larger.

With a built-in barometric altimeter and heart rate monitor, the Edge 305HR goes a step beyond its little brother–the Edge 205. The altimeter delivers extremely accurate elevation readings, and a chest strap monitor sends your heart rate data to the 305HR via a robust wireless transmission. In addition, the 305HR is compatible with the Garmin Speed/Cadence Sensor. This optional, self-calibrating wireless sensor attaches to your bike’s rear chain stay and delivers speed and pace data while you train.

The Edge 305HR couldn’t be easier to use. Simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount, and hit the road. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver knows your position in tree cover and canyons, making the Edge 305HR an extremely reliable navigation device. And with the customizable cycle computer, you can select from up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback. Garmin goes well beyond typical cycle computers by integrating GPS technology for basic navigation. In addition, the Edge 305HR gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map and even “race” a virtual partner, making your training fun while helping to push you toward your goals.

The included PC-based Training Center software gives you the tools to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance and measures your speed, distance, climb, descent, and heart rate data against varying terrain, elevation, and more. And with the Edge 305HR ’s built-in USB interface, it’s quick and easy to upload and download information.

The virtual partner screen depicts a digital cyclist (representing your desired speed) in relation to your real-time speed. From this set of data the icons will show how far ahead or behind you are from your digital competitor. The Courses feature allows you to race against a recorded course to try and match previously set speeds at every point along the way.

Training in urban areas can be tricky, and undesirable traffic can skew training data. To help remedy this problem, Garmin has included an auto-pause function that pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride, not on your data collection. And with the auto lap function, this smart little device automatically triggers a lap every time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance.

With its sleek, waterproof design (the Edge 305HR meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means that its components can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes), the 305HR is the perfect companion on any bike, and it attaches to either the stem or handlebars. This lightweight device (88 grams) is powered by an 800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and delivers an average of 12 hours of use per charge. The rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that makes it a breeze to view the data fields. So whether you’re racing against your virtual partner, fighting to shave precious seconds off your old record, or training for the next big race, the Edge 305HR will help to monitor your progress and make you a better cyclist.

What’s in the Box
Edge 305 with heart rate monitor, bike mount, Training Center CD, A/C charger, USB PC interface cable, Quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Overpriced
For what it does, the cost is excessive. Map is hard to use. No streets at all.

2 Stars Power on problem
I’ve had the 305 for 11 1/2 months now with no issues, and now it fails to power on. Up until now it has worked nearly flawlessly. This unit was not abused, dropped, emersed in water or put through anything negligent. Just normal usage – 75 to 100 miles a week – mostly dry rides. I was very happy with the unit – it has all the features that I need for basic cycling without the 705 bells and whistles. I’ve tried the FAQ’s at the Garmin site and the unit does respond (reset + mode) – but only with it hooked up to a computer via a USB cable. Without the cable, nothing! I searched the web and it turns out the power on issue is a common problem (among other problems). I will attempt to contact customer support to see if they’ll fix or replace this unit, otherwise, beware before purchasing the Edge 305!

1 Star Dead On Arrival
The unit arrived and my first thought was “this has been repacked”. Usually, electronics have a protective plastic cover over the LCD, this one didn’t.

Then I charged it up and it indicated that it was charging. The next morning, it indicated that it was completely charged. I unplugged it from the charger, tried to turn it on and nothing happened. I’ve tried the published method for resetting it…still nothing. It’s literally a paperweight.

I had timed the arrival with a big mountain bike trip this weekend. I’m very disappointed

I’m going to contact Garmin and Amazon tomorrow to see what to do. I’m fairly certain that a working unit will be great (according to my friends who own them) and a 1 star rating may seem unfair, but they need to take lump for this quality control issue.

5 Stars Track your progress
This is actually the second Edge 305 that I have owned. I bought one in January and recently lost it because I did not make sure that it was securely clipped into my bicycle mount. I would recommend this to anyone that likes to keep track of details and improve performance. Everything you need is here. It tracks heart rate, distance, speed, time, elevation, cadence and maps your ride automatically using GarminConnect or MapMyRide websites. This particular one only had the heart rate monitor in the box. I would recommend getting the one with the speed and cadence sensors also. Mounting it to the bicycle was a breeze and the heart rate monitor just clips around your chest. If you get the box with the other two sensors they are a little trickier to place, but not too bad. I like that it is wireless except for the connection to the computer which is a standard UB connection. I have also used this during hiking and snowshoeing excursions to monitor my performance and map my hikes.

4 Stars big improvement over 205
this unit is great, especially for the price that amazon offers. key additional features relative to 205 are autopause and barometric altimeter. heart rate monitor is fun too. definitely worth the extra money. Would give top marks for service also. The unit started behaving erratically about 90 days after purchase. I sent a note to amazon support, got a quick response with contact info for garmin support, sent a note to them and received a quick response with simple, clear instructions to reinstall the units firmware. works great again.

Buy/More Info

Garmin Edge 205 GPS Enabled Cycling Computer

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you’re prepping for your next ride or just want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, the Garmin Edge 205 GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer can help. The Edge 205 is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, descent, and more, the Edge 205 will help you to always know where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Main menu. View larger.

Bike computer display. View larger.

Course with elevation profile. View larger.

The Edge 205 GPS-enabled personal trainer and cycle computer is the ultimate fitness partner. View larger.

The Edge 205 is easy to use. Simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount, and hit the road. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver knows your position even in tree cover and canyons, making the Edge 205 an extremely reliable navigation device. And with the customizable cycle computer, you can select from up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback. Garmin goes well beyond typical cycle computers by integrating GPS technology for basic navigation. In addition, the Edge 205 gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map and even “race” a virtual partner. This is a great way to make your training fun and push you toward your goals.

The included PC-based Training Center software gives you the tools to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance and measures your speed, distance, climb, descent, and heart-rate data against varying terrain, elevation, and other conditions. And with the Edge 205’s built-in USB interface, uploading and downloading information is simple and fast.

The virtual partner screen depicts a digital cyclist (representing your desired speed) in relation to your real-time speed. From this set of data the icons will show how far ahead or behind you are from your digital competitor. The Courses feature allows you to race against a recorded course to try and match previously set speeds at every point along the way. By combining the Virtual Partner and Courses features, you can race an opponent who varies speeds while climbing hills and navigating turns.

Training in urban areas can be tricky, and traffic congestion can skew training data. To help remedy this problem, Garmin has included an auto-pause function that pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride, not on data collection. And with the auto lap function, this smart little device automatically triggers a lap every time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance.

With its sleek, waterproof design (the Edge 205 meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means that its components can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes), the Edge 205 is the perfect companion for any bike, and it can attach to either the stem or handlebars. This lightweight device (88 grams) is powered by an 800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and delivers an average of 12 hours of use per charge. The rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that makes it a breeze to view the data fields. So whether you’re racing against your virtual partner, fighting to shave precious seconds off your old record, or training for the next big race, the Edge 205 is there to help monitor your progress and make you a better cyclist.

What’s in the Box
Edge 205, bike mount, Training Center CD, A/C charger, USB PC interface, quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars watch out for refurbished units sold as new
At least one dishonest Amazon vendor (Buy Accessories) is selling overhauled/refurbished units as new. Play it safe and only buy from Amazon itself.

Other than that, it looks great; have not used it yet. Buy a USB emergency battery charger for longer trips. APC has several good ones:

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=314&ISOCountryCode=us

4 Stars Garmin 205 is only odometer you’ll ever need
Once you own a Garmin 205, you’ll get rid of the rest of your bike odometers. Buy the extra mounts for your other bikes. No need for wires, magnets, batteries, etc… For a short term use, it even works pretty well in a shir or bike bag pocket.

The only weakness is the battery life. It can only go about 8 hours between recharges. It does recharge pretty quickly, however, it does need AC. I tried a external battery recharger but it sucked 2 AA batteries dry without getting a full recharge.

It does recharge from a PC USB port as well as AC, so it is convenient to recharge at home, but not so good for tours and multi-day trips.

I have had mine for over 2 years now and it has functioned almost flawlessly.

The Garmin Training Center software for uploading and reviewing the rides is kinda basic especially for maps. However, it does provide exports to a number of other websites for conversions and mapping. You can export to Google and see your ride in the satelite view. Nice for planning future route extensions.

It can provide some limited course routing as well. The return home feature works nicely for going back along the route you went out on. You can also load a follow a predefined course. The display is pretty basic for these features, but they do work.

5 Stars My second Gramin Edge
Lost my first one after a couple of years. Good value for the price, although if you want precise elevation–get the 305 and above.

3 Stars Great Speedo but Has Its Problems
I have used the 205 for 2 and half years and am on the third one. Garmin replaced the first one free after 14 months but the next time (15 months later) I had to pay $69.

I use the 205 as a speedometer and wear a Forerunner 305. Over a 30 mile ride the difference between the two is about .23 miles with the 205 registering more. The 205 is also more generous in computing average speed.

I haven’t had any issues with the batteries but then I only ride for 90 minutes per day and then put it back on the charger.

The altitude is definitely wrong. I live in Florida and the highest point I ride up is a bridge that may be 20 feet in change. At the end of the ride it shows an elevation change of 50-70 feet up and down with a net change of 3 feet.

4 Stars Good product
Well built and useful for basic ride data. Buy a USB emergency charger for long rides. Watch out for Amazon sellers; at least one (Buy Accessories) is selling refurbished units listed as “new.”

Buy/More Info

Garmin Edge 305HR with HRM

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you’re prepping for your next century ride or want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, take your training to the edge with the Garmin Edge 305HR GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer. The Edge 305HR is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, descent, and more, the Edge 305HR will help you to always know where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Main menu. View larger.

Bike computer display. View larger.

Course with elevation profile. View larger.

The Edge 305HR with heart rate monitor is the ultimate GPS-enabled fitness partner for cyclists. View larger.

With a built-in barometric altimeter and heart rate monitor, the Edge 305HR goes a step beyond its little brother–the Edge 205. The altimeter delivers extremely accurate elevation readings, and a chest strap monitor sends your heart rate data to the 305HR via a robust wireless transmission. In addition, the 305HR is compatible with the Garmin Speed/Cadence Sensor. This optional, self-calibrating wireless sensor attaches to your bike’s rear chain stay and delivers speed and pace data while you train.

The Edge 305HR couldn’t be easier to use. Simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount, and hit the road. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver knows your position in tree cover and canyons, making the Edge 305HR an extremely reliable navigation device. And with the customizable cycle computer, you can select from up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback. Garmin goes well beyond typical cycle computers by integrating GPS technology for basic navigation. In addition, the Edge 305HR gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map and even “race” a virtual partner, making your training fun while helping to push you toward your goals.

The included PC-based Training Center software gives you the tools to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance and measures your speed, distance, climb, descent, and heart rate data against varying terrain, elevation, and more. And with the Edge 305HR ’s built-in USB interface, it’s quick and easy to upload and download information.

The virtual partner screen depicts a digital cyclist (representing your desired speed) in relation to your real-time speed. From this set of data the icons will show how far ahead or behind you are from your digital competitor. The Courses feature allows you to race against a recorded course to try and match previously set speeds at every point along the way.

Training in urban areas can be tricky, and undesirable traffic can skew training data. To help remedy this problem, Garmin has included an auto-pause function that pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride, not on your data collection. And with the auto lap function, this smart little device automatically triggers a lap every time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance.

With its sleek, waterproof design (the Edge 305HR meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means that its components can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes), the 305HR is the perfect companion on any bike, and it attaches to either the stem or handlebars. This lightweight device (88 grams) is powered by an 800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and delivers an average of 12 hours of use per charge. The rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that makes it a breeze to view the data fields. So whether you’re racing against your virtual partner, fighting to shave precious seconds off your old record, or training for the next big race, the Edge 305HR will help to monitor your progress and make you a better cyclist.

What’s in the Box
Edge 305 with heart rate monitor, bike mount, Training Center CD, A/C charger, USB PC interface cable, Quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Power on problem
I’ve had the 305 for 11 1/2 months now with no issues, and now it fails to power on. Up until now it has worked nearly flawlessly. This unit was not abused, dropped, emersed in water or put through anything negligent. Just normal usage – 75 to 100 miles a week – mostly dry rides. I was very happy with the unit – it has all the features that I need for basic cycling without the 705 bells and whistles. I’ve tried the FAQ’s at the Garmin site and the unit does respond (reset + mode) – but only with it hooked up to a computer via a USB cable. Without the cable, nothing! I searched the web and it turns out the power on issue is a common problem (among other problems). I will attempt to contact customer support to see if they’ll fix or replace this unit, otherwise, beware before purchasing the Edge 305!

3 Stars Overpriced
For what it does, the cost is excessive. Map is hard to use. No streets at all.

4 Stars big improvement over 205
this unit is great, especially for the price that amazon offers. key additional features relative to 205 are autopause and barometric altimeter. heart rate monitor is fun too. definitely worth the extra money. Would give top marks for service also. The unit started behaving erratically about 90 days after purchase. I sent a note to amazon support, got a quick response with contact info for garmin support, sent a note to them and received a quick response with simple, clear instructions to reinstall the units firmware. works great again.

5 Stars Track your progress
This is actually the second Edge 305 that I have owned. I bought one in January and recently lost it because I did not make sure that it was securely clipped into my bicycle mount. I would recommend this to anyone that likes to keep track of details and improve performance. Everything you need is here. It tracks heart rate, distance, speed, time, elevation, cadence and maps your ride automatically using GarminConnect or MapMyRide websites. This particular one only had the heart rate monitor in the box. I would recommend getting the one with the speed and cadence sensors also. Mounting it to the bicycle was a breeze and the heart rate monitor just clips around your chest. If you get the box with the other two sensors they are a little trickier to place, but not too bad. I like that it is wireless except for the connection to the computer which is a standard UB connection. I have also used this during hiking and snowshoeing excursions to monitor my performance and map my hikes.

1 Star Dead On Arrival
The unit arrived and my first thought was “this has been repacked”. Usually, electronics have a protective plastic cover over the LCD, this one didn’t.

Then I charged it up and it indicated that it was charging. The next morning, it indicated that it was completely charged. I unplugged it from the charger, tried to turn it on and nothing happened. I’ve tried the published method for resetting it…still nothing. It’s literally a paperweight.

I had timed the arrival with a big mountain bike trip this weekend. I’m very disappointed

I’m going to contact Garmin and Amazon tomorrow to see what to do. I’m fairly certain that a working unit will be great (according to my friends who own them) and a 1 star rating may seem unfair, but they need to take lump for this quality control issue.

Buy/More Info

Garmin Edge 205 GPS Enabled Cycling Computer

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you’re prepping for your next ride or just want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, the Garmin Edge 205 GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer can help. The Edge 205 is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, descent, and more, the Edge 205 will help you to always know where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Main menu. View larger.

Bike computer display. View larger.

Course with elevation profile. View larger.

The Edge 205 GPS-enabled personal trainer and cycle computer is the ultimate fitness partner. View larger.

The Edge 205 is easy to use. Simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount, and hit the road. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver knows your position even in tree cover and canyons, making the Edge 205 an extremely reliable navigation device. And with the customizable cycle computer, you can select from up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback. Garmin goes well beyond typical cycle computers by integrating GPS technology for basic navigation. In addition, the Edge 205 gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map and even “race” a virtual partner. This is a great way to make your training fun and push you toward your goals.

The included PC-based Training Center software gives you the tools to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance and measures your speed, distance, climb, descent, and heart-rate data against varying terrain, elevation, and other conditions. And with the Edge 205’s built-in USB interface, uploading and downloading information is simple and fast.

The virtual partner screen depicts a digital cyclist (representing your desired speed) in relation to your real-time speed. From this set of data the icons will show how far ahead or behind you are from your digital competitor. The Courses feature allows you to race against a recorded course to try and match previously set speeds at every point along the way. By combining the Virtual Partner and Courses features, you can race an opponent who varies speeds while climbing hills and navigating turns.

Training in urban areas can be tricky, and traffic congestion can skew training data. To help remedy this problem, Garmin has included an auto-pause function that pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride, not on data collection. And with the auto lap function, this smart little device automatically triggers a lap every time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance.

With its sleek, waterproof design (the Edge 205 meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means that its components can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes), the Edge 205 is the perfect companion for any bike, and it can attach to either the stem or handlebars. This lightweight device (88 grams) is powered by an 800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and delivers an average of 12 hours of use per charge. The rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that makes it a breeze to view the data fields. So whether you’re racing against your virtual partner, fighting to shave precious seconds off your old record, or training for the next big race, the Edge 205 is there to help monitor your progress and make you a better cyclist.

What’s in the Box
Edge 205, bike mount, Training Center CD, A/C charger, USB PC interface, quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Garmin 205 is only odometer you’ll ever need
Once you own a Garmin 205, you’ll get rid of the rest of your bike odometers. Buy the extra mounts for your other bikes. No need for wires, magnets, batteries, etc… For a short term use, it even works pretty well in a shir or bike bag pocket.

The only weakness is the battery life. It can only go about 8 hours between recharges. It does recharge pretty quickly, however, it does need AC. I tried a external battery recharger but it sucked 2 AA batteries dry without getting a full recharge.

It does recharge from a PC USB port as well as AC, so it is convenient to recharge at home, but not so good for tours and multi-day trips.

I have had mine for over 2 years now and it has functioned almost flawlessly.

The Garmin Training Center software for uploading and reviewing the rides is kinda basic especially for maps. However, it does provide exports to a number of other websites for conversions and mapping. You can export to Google and see your ride in the satelite view. Nice for planning future route extensions.

It can provide some limited course routing as well. The return home feature works nicely for going back along the route you went out on. You can also load a follow a predefined course. The display is pretty basic for these features, but they do work.

4 Stars watch out for refurbished units sold as new
At least one dishonest Amazon vendor (Buy Accessories) is selling overhauled/refurbished units as new. Play it safe and only buy from Amazon itself.

Other than that, it looks great; have not used it yet. Buy a USB emergency battery charger for longer trips. APC has several good ones:

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=314&ISOCountryCode=us

4 Stars Good product
Well built and useful for basic ride data. Buy a USB emergency charger for long rides. Watch out for Amazon sellers; at least one (Buy Accessories) is selling refurbished units listed as “new.”

3 Stars Great Speedo but Has Its Problems
I have used the 205 for 2 and half years and am on the third one. Garmin replaced the first one free after 14 months but the next time (15 months later) I had to pay $69.

I use the 205 as a speedometer and wear a Forerunner 305. Over a 30 mile ride the difference between the two is about .23 miles with the 205 registering more. The 205 is also more generous in computing average speed.

I haven’t had any issues with the batteries but then I only ride for 90 minutes per day and then put it back on the charger.

The altitude is definitely wrong. I live in Florida and the highest point I ride up is a bridge that may be 20 feet in change. At the end of the ride it shows an elevation change of 50-70 feet up and down with a net change of 3 feet.

5 Stars My second Gramin Edge
Lost my first one after a couple of years. Good value for the price, although if you want precise elevation–get the 305 and above.

Buy/More Info

Garmin Edge 205 GPS Enabled Cycling Computer

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you’re prepping for your next ride or just want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, the Garmin Edge 205 GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer can help. The Edge 205 is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, descent, and more, the Edge 205 will help you to always know where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Main menu. View larger.

Bike computer display. View larger.

Course with elevation profile. View larger.

The Edge 205 GPS-enabled personal trainer and cycle computer is the ultimate fitness partner. View larger.

The Edge 205 is easy to use. Simply take it out of the box, snap it into the included bike mount, and hit the road. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver knows your position even in tree cover and canyons, making the Edge 205 an extremely reliable navigation device. And with the customizable cycle computer, you can select from up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback. Garmin goes well beyond typical cycle computers by integrating GPS technology for basic navigation. In addition, the Edge 205 gives you the ability to overlay your ride data onto a course map and even “race” a virtual partner. This is a great way to make your training fun and push you toward your goals.

The included PC-based Training Center software gives you the tools to create workouts, manage and download courses, and create a detailed post-ride analysis that charts your performance and measures your speed, distance, climb, descent, and heart-rate data against varying terrain, elevation, and other conditions. And with the Edge 205’s built-in USB interface, uploading and downloading information is simple and fast.

The virtual partner screen depicts a digital cyclist (representing your desired speed) in relation to your real-time speed. From this set of data the icons will show how far ahead or behind you are from your digital competitor. The Courses feature allows you to race against a recorded course to try and match previously set speeds at every point along the way. By combining the Virtual Partner and Courses features, you can race an opponent who varies speeds while climbing hills and navigating turns.

Training in urban areas can be tricky, and traffic congestion can skew training data. To help remedy this problem, Garmin has included an auto-pause function that pauses the training timer when you slow down below a specified speed and resumes when you speed up again so you can focus on your ride, not on data collection. And with the auto lap function, this smart little device automatically triggers a lap every time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance.

With its sleek, waterproof design (the Edge 205 meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means that its components can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes), the Edge 205 is the perfect companion for any bike, and it can attach to either the stem or handlebars. This lightweight device (88 grams) is powered by an 800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and delivers an average of 12 hours of use per charge. The rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that makes it a breeze to view the data fields. So whether you’re racing against your virtual partner, fighting to shave precious seconds off your old record, or training for the next big race, the Edge 205 is there to help monitor your progress and make you a better cyclist.

What’s in the Box
Edge 205, bike mount, Training Center CD, A/C charger, USB PC interface, quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Great Speedo but Has Its Problems
I have used the 205 for 2 and half years and am on the third one. Garmin replaced the first one free after 14 months but the next time (15 months later) I had to pay $69.

I use the 205 as a speedometer and wear a Forerunner 305. Over a 30 mile ride the difference between the two is about .23 miles with the 205 registering more. The 205 is also more generous in computing average speed.

I haven’t had any issues with the batteries but then I only ride for 90 minutes per day and then put it back on the charger.

The altitude is definitely wrong. I live in Florida and the highest point I ride up is a bridge that may be 20 feet in change. At the end of the ride it shows an elevation change of 50-70 feet up and down with a net change of 3 feet.

5 Stars My second Gramin Edge
Lost my first one after a couple of years. Good value for the price, although if you want precise elevation–get the 305 and above.

4 Stars Garmin 205 is only odometer you’ll ever need
Once you own a Garmin 205, you’ll get rid of the rest of your bike odometers. Buy the extra mounts for your other bikes. No need for wires, magnets, batteries, etc… For a short term use, it even works pretty well in a shir or bike bag pocket.

The only weakness is the battery life. It can only go about 8 hours between recharges. It does recharge pretty quickly, however, it does need AC. I tried a external battery recharger but it sucked 2 AA batteries dry without getting a full recharge.

It does recharge from a PC USB port as well as AC, so it is convenient to recharge at home, but not so good for tours and multi-day trips.

I have had mine for over 2 years now and it has functioned almost flawlessly.

The Garmin Training Center software for uploading and reviewing the rides is kinda basic especially for maps. However, it does provide exports to a number of other websites for conversions and mapping. You can export to Google and see your ride in the satelite view. Nice for planning future route extensions.

It can provide some limited course routing as well. The return home feature works nicely for going back along the route you went out on. You can also load a follow a predefined course. The display is pretty basic for these features, but they do work.

4 Stars watch out for refurbished units sold as new
At least one dishonest Amazon vendor (Buy Accessories) is selling overhauled/refurbished units as new. Play it safe and only buy from Amazon itself.

Other than that, it looks great; have not used it yet. Buy a USB emergency battery charger for longer trips. APC has several good ones:

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=314&ISOCountryCode=us

4 Stars Good product
Well built and useful for basic ride data. Buy a USB emergency charger for long rides. Watch out for Amazon sellers; at least one (Buy Accessories) is selling refurbished units listed as “new.”

Buy/More Info