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mask of sanity
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Sussex/Bristol
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 Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 8:23 pm |
I just received a £750 bursary from my uni which I wasn't expecting to get and that got me thinking about whether I should get a Garmin 705... Its just it's a lot of money to spend in one go so thought I'd get a bit of input from you guys before parting with my cash.
Is it something you would recommend getting? Anybody had any issues with them? How good is the altimeter?
Sorry, lots of noob questions that have no doubt been asked and answered before...
Thanks for any help!
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x8swift9x
Joined: 28 Sep 2008
Posts: 159
Location: Bristol
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 8:29 pm |
The first thing I would do is uprgrade my brakes!
Get a garmin, it will mean we have to stop less when we go out!
Winter steed: 2008 Dawes giro 300
Summer steed: 2009 Planet x Sl Pro Carbon Ultegra
Bristol Radars VC Facebook Group |
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dmclite
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 1492
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mask of sanity
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Sussex/Bristol
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 8:40 pm |
| dmclite wrote: | Why not honour the bursary and buy some books.  |
That's what the university library is for
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HonestAl
Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 247
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harpo
Joined: 04 Aug 2009
Posts: 33
Location: Kent
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 9:00 pm |
I love mine. I can bore the hell out of everyone with stats on how high, far, fast etc. On one occassion I got to tell how I nearly burst my heart out of my chest when it recorded 233bmp.
The pervious post hits the nail on the head regards the mount, it will break. Get decent maps. There are feebies available.
Use it to plan different routes with different training needs and sit back and concentrate on your effort.
Not straight forward to use it but you'll get the hang of it.
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APIII
Joined: 16 Aug 2007
Posts: 904
Location: Leighton Buzzard
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 9:17 pm |
They've recently modified the mounts, so they are better (I've broken about three of the old ones). However, the new Garmin 500 has a completely redesigned mount which looks a huge improvement.
I've always found the altimeter spot on. On some climbs in the pyrenees it was within 1 or 2 metres of the altitudes on the kilometre markers.
They are good, but depends on what your priorities are. Want mapping? I'd look at something else like the new gps from memory map that has ordnance survey mapping. If you want a training device, or just want a gps record of where you've been, I'd wait for the Garmin 500. The 705 is a do-it-all product, but you pay for that.
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ballspondroad
Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 19
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bikeboff
Joined: 09 Feb 2009
Posts: 29
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 9:49 pm |
I wouldn't personally put anything expensive in one of those adapters. I bought a similar thing once, realised how flimsy its grip was (and how bulky, plasticky and rattly, while I'm at it) and consigned it to my 'spares' box.
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mask of sanity
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Sussex/Bristol
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 11:46 pm |
Cool.
I think I'd quite like a training device as well tbh. Is the 500 the same as the 705 then with regard to it's mapping capabilities?
I think I'm probably in a better position to buy one now then I ever will be tbh, what with a rather substantial student loan and now this bursary. I just wasn't sure if people thought they were worth the money and they are obviously rather pricey!
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amaferanga
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 1346
Location: Sheffield
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 8:36 am |
If I was looking for a training device and had a spare £750 I'd get a Powertap and maybe an Edge 500 (if I could get the Powertap at a good price).
The Edge 500 doesn't have maps btw.
More problems but still living.... |
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GavH
Joined: 04 Dec 2008
Posts: 525
Location: Lisburn, N Ireland
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 12:18 pm |
An excellent bit of kit which has totally transformed my cycling by allowing me to plan routes to areas I've not recced and thus get out more and go further than I would have done using my previous Polar CS600.
As for the comment above re: the altimeter showing someones house 10 - 20 ft higher than when he left, this will happen with almost ANY altimter, as they work on barometric pressure, which obviously fluctuates with the weaher. A change of 10 - 20 ft is nothing to concern yourslef about at all.
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brownleather
Joined: 03 Nov 2009
Posts: 107
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 12:29 pm |
| dmclite wrote: | | Why not honour the bursary and buy some books. |
Did you go to University? When I went books weren't worth buying as you only needed a chapter or two out of each one, and the library had the books anyway.
Bursaries tend to be more for living expenses than buying books anyway. A Garmin 705 is definitely high on the list of priorities for living, so I say get one now.
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DAG on a bike
Joined: 21 Feb 2005
Posts: 282
Location: North Hampshire
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 6:02 pm |
Buy a 705? Yes. No hesitation.
There's no such thing as too old. |
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x8swift9x
Joined: 28 Sep 2008
Posts: 159
Location: Bristol
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dodgy
Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 571
Location: Wirral
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mask of sanity
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Sussex/Bristol
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 2:03 pm |
| x8swift9x wrote: | Rich... I hope you've ordered it then  Seems like everyone thinks you should! |
 dmclite doesn't...
I'm on the verge of definitely getting one, just want to get the bursary money in case they change their mind about giving it to me!
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pickled
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 154
Location: South Manchester
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sampras38
Joined: 05 Feb 2009
Posts: 559
Location: West London
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 4:14 pm |
Had my 705 for over a year and it's fantastic.
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Brocade
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
Posts: 135
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