Garmin Announces GPS Cyclocomputer - The Edge

Today, Garmin announced their cycling specific GPS device, the Garmin Edge©. It’s a thing of beauty and loaded with everything we could ask in a device under $350. At the same time, we’re announcing MotionBased’s future support of The Edge©. It should be no secret that most of us at the MBHQ are heavily into cycling, so we are very excited about the Edge©.  Yeah we love toys, but this one is different than all the others. This cyclocomputer promises to provide the most accurate detailed information, more than any other device, on the market.  New features, like displaying cumulative elevation (Edge 305 only) and Courses, make the software superior to any other outdoor GPS unit on the market. This great new product is a clear sign of Garmin's commitment to leading the outdoor fitness and recreation computer market.

The only downside... most of you will have to wait until January when all of the Edge models will be available for purchase.  Of course... the MB Crew will be getting their hands on some tasty prototypes in the next few weeks.  Afterall, we need to get MotionBased ready to support these new features -- one of the benefits of working at MB.  Did we mention that we're looking for software engineers?

Pricing

Garmin is offering four packages and add-ons. Choosing the right combination can be a little confusing, so let's break it down. Firstly, you'll need to decide between base units, Edge 205 or 305. We suggest the Edge 305 with barometric altimeter and expandability into heart rate and/or speed/cadence.

Model	Est. Retail Price	Altimeter	Heart Rate	Speed & Cadence
Edge 205	$249	GPS
Edge 305HR	$349	GPS + Barometric	X
Edge 305CAD	$349	GPS + Barometric		X
Edge 305 Bundle	$399	GPS + Barometric	X	X

Note:
- Cumulative elevation is displayed on The Edge 305. 205 users have to wait to see their elevation gain on MotionBased.

- The Edge 205 does not allow for expandability into heart rate or speed/cadence.

- All units include a bike mount, USB PC interface cable, AC charger, Training Center CD, owner’s manual and quick-reference guide.

Improved Accuracy

The Edge works like any other GPS unit communicating directly with the satellites high in the sky.  Using the new SiRF chip promises better signal deep in the trees, which we all know can hinder the effectiveness of using GPS to track distance.  Add the wheel speed/cadence sensor and even when the GPS signal is blocked from the sky your bike computer will track the actual distance ridden.

Independent of the sensor that is calculating speed and distance (GPS or wheel sensor), the Edge records the distance between each trackpoint and stores it in a large 13,000 trackpoint repository, to be retrieved later by the MotionBased Agent. This addition means that statistics at MotionBased can now perfectly match those statistics reported on the Edge 205 and 305 during the ride. Probably our most commonly and passionately requested feature to date and one we've been eager to provide.

Although GPS altitude is recorded by most modern GPS units, the accuracy of the altitude can be incorrect if a clear view of the sky is hindered by trees, buildings or nearby hills.  Barometric altimeters found on many watches provide a more stable view of the altitude, but require calibration to a known altitude on earth.  If you knew the altitude then why carry the watch, right?  Beyond initial calibration the barometric altimeters accuracy can change throughout your activity due to changes in the weather.

Garmin GPS units with barometric altimeters (eTrex Vista, Geko 301 and now the Edge 305) auto-calibrate the altitude using the best of both technologies to make sure your altitude is as accurate as possible.  The Edge 305 uses this combination of altitude sensors to provide cumulative elevation gain on the device, much like MotionBased does with our Dashboard Elevation view corrected with MB Gravity.

Courses

We've all been on a bike ride that turned out to be longer and more difficult than planned, wondering when it is going to end. Perhaps you made a wrong turn somewhere back wherever and you don't know how to get home. In addition, we all have a little bit of that competitive nature that makes us want to beat the other guy to the finish line. Courses are the perfect answer for these situations that make us love to hate cycling.

The TrailNetwork is one of MotionBased's greatest assets. We have secretly been building the largest digital repository of trails and routes for all kinds of activities, and haven't taken advantage of it until now. TrailNetwork activities now become courses on the device that make outdoor training or expedition guidance possible...guidance with time and elevation in mind.

Traditional GPS routing only knows location in a two-dimensional world. The old school way to calculate estimated time of arrival is to take your average speed and figure out the distance to your next location on a flat Earth, and guess when you might arrive at your destination. What if there is a massive hill along the way? It could take you three times longer than the GPS estimated. How about 5 miles of technical single track that feels like 50?

Courses take location, elevation and time into consideration, to make the most accurate estimation of guidance. Using previously recorded rides, the Edge will now make estimations that pertain to the real world, not the mathematical two-dimensional world without terrain changes. This means that you can use courses to help you understand how well you are doing along the route.

You may be asking yourself where on Earth could you get a course for a ride that you've never done before?  Our answer is the MotionBased TrailNetwork.  Yes, you have been helping build the world's largest repository of time-based route information. Based on rides shared at MotionBased, you now can use your Edge to help you navigate a ride, know how long it will really take to complete the ride, and yes know if you are going to beat your time or someone else's.  Imagine competing against the winner of last year's record breaking Mt. Tam Hill Climb, Tom Danielson's record breaking Mt. Evans Hill Climb or Wier's record breaking Downieville Downhill.  The Edge is taking Dot Racing to a whole new level!

Whatever level of cycling you enjoy the Edge will enhance your cycling experience, both during the ride on the Edge or after the ride at MotionBased.

Update
We're updating this post to notify you that the Garmin Edge won't be out until January 2006. On the bright-side, Garmin has announced a fourth product SKU for the Garmin Edge -- the Edge 305 Bundle which will include the whole enchilada (Heart Rate monitor and Speed/Cadence sensors).  The estimated retail price of the Edge 305 Bundle is $399.  We've updated the charts above to reflect this new product bundle.

Comments

[Kenneth Buddel]

I was wondering If I would need a converter for the power since I am in Germany?

[Clark Weber]

Cleon,

The best way to see the benefits of MotionBased is to use the service. The free version allows you to upload unlimited activities. You may also access your most recent 10 which should give you a good idea on how the service works. The only thing you don't get with the paid version is the Analyzer. I recommend looking through the Information section of our site to see how the Analyzer works.

[Clark Weber]

Matt,

The existing Garmin Forerunner 301 heart rate strap will NOT work on the new Edge devices.

[Clark Weber]

Kenneth,

If you purchase your Garmin Edge in Europe, it will come with the appropriate electrical plug and/or adapter.

[Clark Weber]

Ralph,

Garmin currently does not have any provisions for the recumbent situation you described. You would need to use GPS speed only.

[fitz miller]

The combo cadence/speed sensor is not going to work on a recumbent. So I would have the combo sensor next to the crank for cadence only.

Since it is a GPS unit, why can't it get its speed from the GPS?

[Clark Weber]

Fitz,

Garmin added the speed sensor for those rare cases when the GPS signal is weak or out completely. This will replace your speed/distance calculations during those moments.

[Francesco]

Have you more news about Edge 305 expected availability?
It would be my Christmas gift.

[Clark Weber]

Francesco,

The Garmin Edge will not be available until January.

[David Bumgardner]

Grade, Grade, Grade!!!?

Always important for cyclists - will the new 305 display an accurate and real-time readout of the steepness of the hill you are on? I have been using the 301, and would consider buying the 305, but this is a MUST HAVE feature first.

[David Squires]

Is it possible to make the track you are following fill the whole screen? Based on the screen shots I've seen it looks pretty small, so I'm wondering how useful it would actually be for following a pre-designed route.

[Clark Weber]

David,

The Edge will provide Grade. Here's the most recent list of available metrics the Edge will calculate and display:

Avg HR
Avg Lap Time
Avg Speed
Calories
Distance
Elevation
GPS Accuracy
Grade
HR to Go
HR Zone
Heading
Heart Rate
Lap Distance
Lap HR
Lap Speed
Lap Time
Laps
Last Lap Dist
Last Lap Time
Rest Distance
Rest Time
Speed
Speed - Max
Speed Zone
Sunrise
Sunset
Time
Time of Day
Total Ascent
Total Descent
Total Distance
Total Time

[Clark Weber]

David,

You can zoom out enough to show the entire route, but you are correct. It becomes garbled and tough to distinguish the entire route given the small screen size. Regardless, it is easy to zoom in and out in map mode until you find the best resolution for your particular activity.

[David Squires]

Hi,

I've been told that GPS systems like the eTrex Venture have both a track mode and a compass mode (which shows what bearing the current route is on relative to you, gives advanced warning of upcoming turns, and warns you if you go off route). Does the 305 have the same functionality?

[Clark Weber]

David,

You will not get the same navigation functionality as the eTrex or Geko series. However, you will get turn notification at critical junctures as long as a track point exists. We have not thoroughly tested the Course navigation of the Edge, so I can't give a first-hand account.

[Ted]

Help,
New to gps..does anyone have a device recommendation for ATV'ing,mtn biking and backpacking in areas with dense canopies. Some areas where we hike/ride provide maps with gps coordinates to facilitate identification of boundaries and restricted areas. Other areas, are very remote and mountainous..slight evidence of a trail (old abandoned strip-mining/wagon roads) ...with many trials (unmapped)..hence the need for gps to facilitate mapping and exploring the "unknown" instead of spending hours trying to navigate home. MB sounds like the answer to my software/maping issues..but which device??

Thanks, Ted

[Francesco]

Will I can use the Edge 305 on two different bikes?
Thanks, Francesco

[Clark Weber]

Ted,

For the activities and conditions described, I'd go with any of the following devices from least to most expensive:

eTrex LegendC
eTrex VistaC

GPSMAP 60
GPSMAP 60C
GPSMAP 60CS

Rino 520
Rino 530

The Rino series may be great for you if you travel in a group. The walkie-talkie features is great to round everyone up.

[Clark Weber]

Francesco,

The beauty of a GPS device over a traditional bike computer is the portability -- not only between bikes but for other activities (running, hiking, skiing, etc.). If you plan to use the Edge on two bikes, you will want to purchase the following accessories for your second bike:

- Bike Mount (if you want to mount on your handlebar)
- Speed/Cadence Sensor (if you want to track cadence)

[Jason Waterman]

How well does the route following mode work? Let's say I've downloaded a route that I've never ridden before, how easy is it to follow? How does the device let me know that I should, for example, turn left at this intersection?

Regards,
Jason

[Clark Weber]

Jason,

Route finding works great. It will display a breadcrumb trail of the route and show where you are in relation to the route you downloaded to the Edge. It will also display turn arrows at major changes in direction. It does NOT provide street names or audible instructions like many of the Garmin mobile devices.

[C. O.]

After your ride, can the Edge display the amount of time spent in each heart rate zone? Reporting average and max heart rates don't help much, but reporting total time spent in each zone is very helpful. (I am assuming it uses 5 target zones, like the 301).

[C. O.]

It would be nice if the bike computer industry would tone it down a bit with the wireless everything. Wireless is subject to interference from many sources, including the increasingly popular HID bike lights. I can live without heart rate information for my night rides but I'd still like to have mileage and average speed info at the end of the ride. I can't understand why an industry would work so hard to promote a technology that is more expensive, less reliable, and offers absolutely no advantages over a wire. New does not always mean better.

[Clark Weber]

C.O.,

The Edge device itself won't tell you the amount of time spent in each heart rate zone, but you can review that information after you upload your data from the Edge to either MotionBased or the Garmin Training Center.

The GPS device will calculate mileage and average speed without the need of a wireless addition -- so you should be all set.

[C. O.]

Thanks Clark. A few more questions.

Do you happen to know if GPSs are sensitive to interference from HID headlights?

Is the Edge display backlit?

Does either the Garmin software or Motionbased summarize the heartrate data by time spent in each range or is it just a continuous graphical heartrate/time display?