Looking for input from Garmin users
08-15-11, 11:20 AM
#26
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,180 Times
in
1,470 Posts
Heavy coverage from branches and leaves block signals. The model doesn't make any difference.
08-15-11, 12:28 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I looked into getting a Garmin a year or so back and decided against it because I read that it didn't work well in heavily wooded areas, and I ride through quite a few of those. Now I'm hearing that they might have cleared that up with the 500, any experiences you can lend? I'd be fine (not thrilled) if I just lost the ability to see a speed for a few hundred yards, but would I have that distance counted in my total distance? i.e., does it just not show you the data in wooded areas, or is not recording the data?
For $125, you get get a Garmine Forerunner 305, and for another $40 the speed/cadence sensor. Works great on a bike.
Wooded areas not a problem. It might seem to be glitching for instantaneous tracking since cover does interfere with the GPS, but the Garmin does a great job in recapturing the signal often enough that your data points will be overall accurate when you go home and upload the data to computer and see the data points on the map. So it might not be perfect for 'instant' feedback, but it's extremely accurate for overall data - haven't had a single problem with screwy data points even after 2 years of riding in some heavy tree cover.
08-15-11, 12:43 PM
#28
Descends like a rock
The 500 has been pretty much perfect as a recording device for me. However, it has crashed numerous times for me when using the 'Courses' feature to navigate. From googling it appears that this is a common problem, something to bear in mind if you want to upload routes.
08-16-11, 06:39 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 1,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
See this for example:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=5225&page=10
08-16-11, 08:10 AM
#30
Guadzilla
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dialing it up to 400W
Posts: 3,697
Bikes: Pinarello F4:13 W/Campy Reecord & Blue RC6 W/SRAM Force
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
+1.. My 705 has been great except when it went flying off the top of my car at 60 MPH.
08-16-11, 08:15 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Chi Town
Posts: 129
Bikes: Tarmac S- Works; Cervelo S5; Lynskey Helix; Crux
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-16-11, 08:18 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 58
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have been using my garmin 500 for over a year. I love it. not much tree cover here in Houston so that has never been an issue for me. I think the cadence/speed sensor is a must. I Have also used while skiing in Colorado and it worked great.
08-16-11, 08:36 AM
#33
Descends like a rock
I have the latest firmware. And the issue has not gone away apparently, unless they've made a very recent update.
See this for example:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=5225&page=10
See this for example:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=5225&page=10
08-16-11, 09:04 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 1,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is. The 500 is a great computer but it has a critical bug that compromises one of its neatest functions, i.e. the ability to actually navigate.
08-16-11, 09:06 AM
#35
Descends like a rock
08-16-11, 09:20 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sebring, Florida
Posts: 766
Bikes: Trek Navigator, LeMond Buenos Aires, Madone 5.9, S-Works Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Don't be surprised if there is some difference because your wireless varies with tire pressure. Anything measured off your wheel is less accurate than GPS technology
08-16-11, 09:29 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sebring, Florida
Posts: 766
Bikes: Trek Navigator, LeMond Buenos Aires, Madone 5.9, S-Works Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ebay has the garmin edge 305 refurb with cadence sensor and HR monitor for about $160. i do not have a computer at all at the moment, i normally use an android app called cardio trainer. it does great but i want real time stats and casence so i considered a cateye double wireless for the speed/cadence real time read outs and run the cardio trainer in my saddle bag like always then i saw the ebay 305. can i upload my stats from the 305 to my pc and it gives me all the ride data like cardio trainer? i see the more expensize garmins do but im not sure about the 305, does anyone have a link to their rides they tract with their 305?
08-16-11, 10:05 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Paducah KY
Posts: 754
Bikes: 2013 Tarmac Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Either to Garmin Connect or Map My Rides. I download to both routinely. Garmin Connect gives speed, heart rate, cadence and altitude plus a map of where you went and reports of week, month, any time frame you want to compare results. I've had my 305 for over 2 years now and love it.
08-16-11, 06:47 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 68
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac S-Works SL3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the Garmin 800 bundle and its the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on a cycling product. Ive had random shut-offs, failed uploads, slow processing speed, mediocre battery life, and lost data. The list just goes on. I bought mine at $450+tax, almost $200 off the retail price and it still wasnt worth it. I dont recommend it to anyone because its down-right expensive and unreliable.
Also, if you look at the Garmin Forums theres tons of information where users are having the same problems. Its sad to say but Garmin needs to spend money on making reliable products than to sponsor teams.
Also, if you look at the Garmin Forums theres tons of information where users are having the same problems. Its sad to say but Garmin needs to spend money on making reliable products than to sponsor teams.
08-16-11, 10:24 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,059
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have the Garmin 800 bundle and its the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on a cycling product. Ive had random shut-offs, failed uploads, slow processing speed, mediocre battery life, and lost data. The list just goes on. I bought mine at $450+tax, almost $200 off the retail price and it still wasnt worth it. I dont recommend it to anyone because its down-right expensive and unreliable.
Also, if you look at the Garmin Forums theres tons of information where users are having the same problems. Its sad to say but Garmin needs to spend money on making reliable products than to sponsor teams.
Also, if you look at the Garmin Forums theres tons of information where users are having the same problems. Its sad to say but Garmin needs to spend money on making reliable products than to sponsor teams.
I have recommended it to anyone who asked. None of them have had any problems to my knowledge.
08-18-11, 05:48 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 1,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think I've only used TCX but I'm struggling to remember right now. From what I've read this problem is unique to the 500 so I'm not surprised if the 705 works fine. I vaguely remember one suggestion being that having too many course points overloaded the system - there is some scope for experimentation to try and reduce crashes. As it stands, my 500 has frozen and/or shut down every single time I've used it to navigate for 60+ miles, and sometimes for shorter distances too IIRC.
08-26-11, 11:43 AM
#42
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: lower mitten
Posts: 1,555
Bikes: With round 700c & 26" wheels
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have Garmin 305...no problems in wooded areas at all. From my and my friends experience using garmin 305 is problems with signal around high rise buildings ( downtown of big city ) and another problem is with battery life. My battery can last around 10-13 hours only, meaning that you need to find the way to recharge it for longer trips. I found a solution to this problem here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13088993
08-26-11, 08:55 PM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Paducah KY
Posts: 754
Bikes: 2013 Tarmac Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ok i just rode with my used 305 i got from ebay. the battery is almost dead at 5 hours and it will not send the data to garmin connect. is there a fix for this or should i just get a refund?
08-27-11, 12:21 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 180
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Blizzard (stolen), Haro Roscoe (sold), Giant TCX Rabobank, Cervelo RS, Rocky Mountain Altitude
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Been using a 500 since early Spring. No issues. Use it with two bikes. The 500 can support up to three. I have the chainstay mounted Garmin pickup on one bike and a Trek DuoTrap in-frame sensor for the other bike. Sometimes the unit does not pick up cadence ... and it is because I forgot to re-set the bicycle in the settings.
08-27-11, 01:38 AM
#45
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: lower mitten
Posts: 1,555
Bikes: With round 700c & 26" wheels
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Refund!, unless it was stated in the listing that this garmin was half dead :-) U can find 305 for around $120 or less, brand new with hart rate monitor. Good luck.
08-27-11, 07:21 AM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Paducah KY
Posts: 754
Bikes: 2013 Tarmac Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i updated the firmware and it is working just fine now. it hadnt been used in a little over a year so it needed it. all is good now but thanks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Velocirapture
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
2
04-03-15 11:19 AM
