Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

I've had and used my Garmin Edge 305 with heart rate and cadence for about 18 months. This is my quick summary:

I was very excited when Garmin announced this computer. I pre-ordered a unit as soon as I could. The excitement faded not very long after I got it. At first, it was my primary bike computer. Now it get used only every once in a while.

Battery life is terrible. I only get about 5 or 6 hours from a charge (vs. 11 hours advertised). This makes it almost useless for centuries or any day-long adventures.

Unlike any other cycle computer you have to remember to turn the unit off at the end of the ride or your battery will die. At the end of a hard ride I never had enough wits about me to remember. Then the next day it would be dead when I wanted to start my ride. This is one reason I got a second computer.

You have to take the unit off the bike to charge it. I, often times, would forget to grab it on the way out. Another reason to have a second computer.

It does give you a plethora of data that can be fun to explore a couple times. But eventually all I was interested in was total miles ridden and average speed. Lack of a permanent odometer was yet another reason to get a second computer for the bike. These days I only use it when I want to know the elevation gain of a new route (but the internet has several sites that will give this to me as well) or if I'm riding someone else's route (with them) and want to review it later.

The speed/cadence sensor battery lasts for about 2500 miles of use (about a year or less for me).

I've even switched back to using my wrist mount Polar HRM when I want HR data because I feel it's more accurate. The calorie counter on the 305 is a toy. Its very inaccurate and about 30-50% too generous when compared to every other HRM I've used. Try coasting down a long hill and watch the calories fly by. Who knew burning calories was so easy.

The % grade display would be nice if it wasn't so noisy. I often see a steady 6% grade measure from 2% to 10% within a few seconds of each reading. I think a little bubble level grade indicator would be better.

It was a fun toy for a while, but not a serious cycling tool. It has too many limitations that make it frustrating to use, and too expensive for what you get.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

DC asked "who rides more than 10 hours?"
I do, and so do a lot of others.

I like the 305's ability to track my cumulative elevation and current gradient. I like just about everything about the 305 unit EXCEPT:

1)battery life (I worked around this by buying the small solar panel with USB connections at REI, it charges as I ride)

2)The handlebar mount is prone to breakage. The bike user boards are full of reports of broken mounts and lost 305's. Mine broke 2 weeks ago.

3)Calorie counter is a joke. I too have noted that I burn a great amount of calories while coasting down hills. The unit does not take into account the difference in energy required to ride with a tail wind vs riding into the wind.

4)Communication with my computer was spotty at best. After much back and forth with Garmin tech support. (yes, the usual uninstall/reinstall and software updates) it now doesn't talk to my pc at all.

For the most part the unit still works fine and provides a lot of useful information as long as I don't want to transfer data to my computer for analysis.

Bottom line? I've given up trying to get mine to work as advertised. I sold it today to another cyclist today who has more patience.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

I use my Edge 305 when mountain biking. The accuracy is much better than my older eTrex Vista. The battery life seems to be as advertised for me (I have used it twice during the Leadville 100, and it worked for about 11 hours both times). I haven't noticed bad speed data, and haven't played with the inclination feature (didn't know it was there). But for recording my ride data and uploading it to my computer, both to the Garmin Training Center and to National Geographic Topo!, it has worked very well for me.

My main complaint is one shared with every other heartrate monitor I have ever used (2 Cateyes and 1 Polar): in windy conditions, e.g. if I am going downhill, the heart rate often reads much too high.

I have only used the Macintosh version of the Garmin Training Center to download the data and display it. I haven't tried uploading workouts or routes to the unit. I don't use MotionBased. So far, this has worked well for my purposes, but I'd like the ability to overlay two rides or two laps that cover the same territory to compare how I did on different days on the same trail. I'd like the ability to insert lap markers in places where I forgot to do so during the ride. I'd like the ability to edit out the false heart rate spikes that sometimes appear in windy conditions. Otherwise, I'm pretty satisfied, much more so than the other reviewers appear to be.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

It provides you with TONS of data. I experienced anomalies though... like MAX speed being recorded as 58.9 and 181.4 MPH when there is no way I went over 45. Second, for all the data it does do, it does not have an odometer. I track and schedule my maintenance by mileage, so this was disappointing. And odd since you can get an Odometer on the[$] units.Then there is the quality: The first unit had a short and immediately had to be returned. The second head unit rattled... Loose Lap button. [...] 705s are being returned too, according to him. I give up Garmin: I don't want one.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

I'm on my fourth Edge 305. So far, none have been capable of displaying heart rate. I have a pacemaker and am intensely interested in what my heart is doing under the stress of exercise. On the surface, the Edge seems to be more than enough for my needs and it is with the exception of monitoring heart rate. For now, all I can do is to wear a Polar HRM and use the Edge only for time, speed, etc. on the bike. Finally, I appreciate Garmin's efforts to resolve the HRM problem but I don't think the Edge is up to the task.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

Bought this unit a month ago to give me more than basic speed and distance, and so far its been worth every penny. Through the years my performance had dropped, but when I decided to get serious again about my health and performance on the bike, this is exactly what I was looking for. Its my first serious computer, so I don't have much to compare to. Love the features, big display, and ease of use. The cadence and HR monitor have been extremely helpful maximizing my workout on rides, along with all the alerts you can setup to keep yourself on a desired pace. Its also nice to be able to download and keep track of my performance from ride to ride. The only downside so far is the horrible PC S/W. Very basic and very limited functionality. For you S/W buffs, the S/W this comes with is going to be a real let down. I had also bought my wife the Forerunner 305 which is essentially the same thing as the Edge 305 and even comes with the same S/W and version, but we had to install hers on a different computer. Looks like it only allows for a single profile to be setup. The Garmin S/W dept definitely could use a face lift.

Overall the Edge305 is a great computer. So far its done everything I was looking for and I have seen tremendous improvement since spending the extra money for something like this.

For serious riders, or those like me, who want to become serious about their workout and improved performance level, you can't go wrong with the Edge305. If your not looking for anything more than a speed/distance computer, overkill would be an understatement.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

I have about 400 hours use with my Garmin Edge 305 since last year and like the unit a lot. It's a vast improvement over the eTrex Vista because it's lighter, has a longer battery life, has a quicker spool up time (about a minute versus five), and will stay locked on. In fact, the only time it loses reception of the GPS satellites is when I go into a long tunnel.

Two things I would improve:

1) Software. Garmin's software is terrible. It doesn't adjust for erroneous spikes in data (sometimes showing me going 100mph or climbing fantastic 30% grades). It's also prone to being unable to communicate with the GPS. Their recommendation is "uninstall, reboot, reinstall." Thing is, other software like Google Earth, Garmin's online site, and even the freeware Sport Trax have no problem talking with the unit. Because it's so limited, I use these other utilities.

2) Battery life. I get about 11 hours on a charge, which is a good/bad thing. It's about what the eTrex vista got on a fresh set of AAs, but I don't have the option of popping in another on the ultra-long rides. I have a sort-of solution in the form of a Minty Boost, a portable AA-powered USB charger, but it would be nice to have an official auxiliary power source.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

Spending serious money on a, "toy" for one's bike requires some kind of rationalization. Mine finally came down to the fact that with 2 (or ever 3) bikes the Edge was to only cyclometer that one could transfer from bike to bike without having to buy more cyclometers.So, in my case with a couple of road bikes one of which is touring with the cadence feature on it I could just move the Edge off one bike onto the other and not have to concern myself with setting and resetting it.I've used it while hiking, touring, club rides and just riding around Southern Cal. I like the fact I can upload data from it to my Mac using software from Ascent. Nice maps of my ride, and more.The downside to the Edge is that even after all the cries and gnashing of teeth since Garmin put the Edge on the market battery life has not been improved. Forget 12 hours. Five, 6 and maybe even 7 if you hold your mouth just right. Long rides are going to require some sort of battery back-up. Keep in mind that if your out of warranty on the battery and it needs replacement, it's not a trip to the battery section of your local supermarket. You're going to have to send it back to Garmin (unless you bought it from REI).Rather than readability being a problem, it's more like visibility is the problem. If your wearing dark sunglasses your not going to see anything on your Garmin unless the sun is just right in relation to you and the Edge.I've told friends/acquaintances about the Garmin. Everything. In at least one case the turned him away from purchasing it. [...]

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

[...].I will soon be on my fourth 305. They last about 8 months and then it will start turning itself off while riding. You can restart the device but it looses all of the previously stored ride information except the mileage? Whats up with that? Why does Garmin use barometric pressure to calculater the elevation? It's a GPS right? Isn't it supposed to traingulate your position using satelite information? Seems dumb to me.

Comments about Garmin Edge 305 Deluxe Wireless Bike Computer:

Overall, this is a good computer. I use the heart rate monitor with every ride, and everything works well. I download the information on Garmin's Training software and on Motion Based's internet site. Both provide ample statistics. With MB, you can also map your route on Google Earth maps. A nice feature for those that love gadgets.

My biggest criticism is the battery life. I always make sure it is charged before every ride, even if I have only used it for a couple of hours the day before. It seems like the battery drains when it is turned off. Also, the battery died after about 8 hours last summer during the Ride Across Indiana - 160 miles in one day. I had to ride the last 40 miles with no information.

Finally, I have had the computer lose the satellite during rides on the Little Miami Scenic Trail just outside of Cincinnati. Lots of trees interrupted t signal.

With all that said, it is still recommended buy.