Nice unit poor software [Roadie perspective]
Despite a large number of user and site reviews to the contrary I believe this item is let down by poor software design and quality. The Edge products are something of a 'hook' item in that they are sufficiently crippled out of the box to require subscription to online services or other products. Having used the unit for about 3000km now I think I can offer some addition perspective to what is already out there...
Don't get me wrong the concept of a GPS based cycle computer is great - I regularly and easily swap it between the bikes I frequently use without wires or calibration. The unit feature set is also pretty comprehensive in fact one has to be quite judicious in display setup options so as not be overwhelmed by data. The GPS chip is plenty good for road quick(ish) acquisition and tracking sufficient for speedo accuracy etc. With the good stuff out of the way...
But - and for me this is considerable but - the unit firmware is flakey (you will have to figure out how to do a soft reset as the unit will freeze up on you) and the Training Center software is even worse. Here come the hooks for me (in NZ) the basemaps included for course planning are practically useless (though there is a way to create your basemaps own if you have the time and data) the cost of correcting this the Garmin way is horrendous [h1]. A great alternative however exists in MapMyRide (though you don't get to insert course waypoints). But you still have to resolve the following...
Getting data in and out of the unit becomes more problematic over time in fact I have installed Training Center on 3 separate PCs (all of the XP variety) and all of them stopped receiving data from the GPS with an error sooner or later. Sometimes they would receive sometimes they wouldn't - final resolution was a complete uninstall (AND manual user dir delete). The alternative is use of the MotionBased site (2) though paid subscription is required [h2] for a full suite of services. An alternative exists again in the form of SportTracks a great donorware piece of software (no affiliation).
Other minor gripes include the usual - HRM interference at times poor barometric related elevation performance - especially in the wet [don't even think about it in heavy rain]. GPS related gripes - the Course following option is a little flakey if created via software as opposed to ride history. Lapped or complex courses (retracing sections) also problematic - a moving snake option highlighting the current say 1km section of the course would alleviate this somewhat though. Finally you'd think you would be able to 1. insert an autolap point on a course *before* you rode it (like a lapping waypoint) and 2. insert more than one autolap points. But no you cannot achieve either of these with the 305 Edge.
In summary yes the Edge 305 is full featured and bloody convenient for multiple bikes. After you get the unit turned on the on bike features even work pretty well. The great letdown comes when you want to download analyse and share all that data you collected out on the road or heaven forbid do some planning before you hit the road to take advantage of a GPS platform. If you are prepared for multiple workarounds on the SW side of things the Edge 305 is still a great option if not its power (and potential) is wasted and you'd be better off with a Polar or similar speedo.
Edge 305 Firmware 3.20
Training Center Version 3.2.3
Hope this helps.
Ron
ps. I wouldn't even think of dropping money on an Edge 605/705 until these SW issues are sorted. More bug testers and actual cyclists involved in the next edition please Garmin.More detail ...
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