Those looking for GPS.. Garmin has 2 new options just for you

[jvanbrecht]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/garminedge.jpg

More details here
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/08-29-2007/0004653185&EDATE=

(sorry about the lack of a link, my browser is being stupid and I forgot the link syntax)

Basics, supports both street and topo maps using memory cards, and a crapton of other features, should be out in Dec.. however, they are by no means budget friendly :(

[jabberwocky]

Those are pretty badass looking. My only concern would be battery life: lots of people who do long rides find the current Edges have barely enough battery to last a long ride (8 hours or so). Hopefully they beefed up the battery, because those pretty color screens suck down juice.

[jvanbrecht]

They are listed on garmins site now, assuming you beleive the specs they list, they state 15 hours of battery life. I am going to guess that will vary depending on which wireless sensors you pair with the device as well.

The cost for the 705 heh...

Edge 705, Heart Rate 010-00555-20 $ 541.65 USD
Edge 705, Heart Rate & Speed/Cadence 010-00555-30 $ 595.82 USD
Edge 705, Heart Rate, Speed/Cadence & Data Card with Street Maps 010-00555-40 $ 709.07 USD

Full specs for the 705
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=10885
Full specs for the 605
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=10884

[DaveG]

Those are pretty badass looking. My only concern would be battery life: lots of people who do long rides find the current Edges have barely enough battery to last a long ride (8 hours or so). Hopefully they beefed up the battery, because those pretty color screens suck down juice.

I did one 8 hour ride and my 305 was only down to 2 bars out of 4 on the power display. No idea if it's really linear or not. I'm hoping I can finish the SM100 before my battery runs out :)

Dave

[jabberwocky]

I did one 8 hour ride and my 305 was only down to 2 bars out of 4 on the power display. No idea if it's really linear or not. I'm hoping I can finish the SM100 before my battery runs out :)

DaveI've done some 9+ hour rides in the shed and my 305 has lasted the whole time, and I've also forgotten to switch it off when I get to work and it had enough juice to make it home (maybe 10 hours?). You'll probably be ok.

The new units definitely look really interesting, although thats a pretty big pricetag. I'll definitely be watching for reviews when they come out though.

[jvanbrecht]

I am adding the base 705 with heart rate monitor to my wedding registry.. heh..
The pics show only mockups (the same dummy units you see in electronic stores for cellphones and such), I want to see the actual screen in action, whether or not its readable in direct light and such. I especially like the ability to transfer data between other 705 units, unfortunately its only a 3m range. Would have been cool had they included some of the rhino functionality, showing other riders with the same units within say a 1 or 2 mile range on the mapping portion of the unit...

[eloach]

What? No high sensitivity receiver? That's surprising. Garmin is supposedly moving to all "H" units over the next two years. I hate to admit it, but I have no use for the color screen.

Note that the battery life on the 305 is listed as 12 hours.

[jvanbrecht]

High-sensitivity receiver: yes yes (thats yes for the 605 and 705, I used the compare option after selecting them on the garmin site)

[tsteele999]

I have a 305 and should have saved the money on the cadence kit and just got the 205, you live and learn. My battery life is fine if I charge and ride, but sometimes I either forget to turn it off or don't use it for 2 weeks or so and find it dead. I have records of 3 1-mile rides because it died 5 minutes after leaving the house.

Those maps are a great idea. My wife, not knowing I had already got myself a 305, bought a Garmin Nuvi for my birthday, one of her points was that it was battery powered and I could use it on rides. It is a little big for that, but otherwise I love it. The best part about it being battery powered is I have the powered cord in my car and we use it on battery in the other cars.

[jabberwocky]

What? No high sensitivity receiver? That's surprising. Garmin is supposedly moving to all "H" units over the next two years. I hate to admit it, but I have no use for the color screen.From the Garmin page:It features a high-sensitivity receiver that holds a signal under trees and near tall buildings, and comes with a click stick for easy screen navigation.For what its worth. Dunno if thats what you meant.

Note that the battery life on the 305 is listed as 12 hours.Battery life varies quite a bit, although 12 is probably pretty accurate assuming normal usage (for me at least). I'll be interested to hear how the new units batter life is under normal usage.

[piperj]

Edge 705, Heart Rate 010-00555-20 $ 541.65 USD
Edge 705, Heart Rate & Speed/Cadence 010-00555-30 $ 595.82 USD
Edge 705, Heart Rate, Speed/Cadence & Data Card with Street Maps 010-00555-40 $ 709.07 USD



It would be interesting to see what the heart rate monitor does when you read the prices... :p

[senator]

It would be interesting to see what the heart rate monitor does when you read the prices... :p
It performs automatic defibrillation when the user drops dead after using the battery for all 15 hours on a single ride.