Garmin Edge 800

I was looking fo a computer to load trail maps from others and follow them. This unit does this and so much more heart rate, cadence, and all the usual sped elevation timer, etc...

The touch screan is easy to use with gloves on, and easy to see with riding glasses on too.

Garmin's probably about to release the next version of its top end GPS bike computer, I guess, so I got this for a very good price. Doesn't matter; the Edge 800 has everything I needed and more.

I bought this for one reason: I plan to ride new routes that I downloaded from sites such as Garmin Connect and RidewithGPS, but don't want to use a route sheet. And I want to find my way back if I am lost. So far, the Edge 800 has performed well. I used the navigator function on some of my rides and it took me back safely. I used the route function to ride a pre-loaded route and it worked well too. It would tell you if you make a wrong turn or go off route. So I am pretty happy with the Edge 800, especially since I got it for a good discount.

The only thing I wish for is if it can navigate a custom route, like some of its brothers used for car driving. Or maybe I just haven't figured out how that works yet. Right now, the route function only displays the route in purple and tells you when you are off route.

I bought this item as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend who is a avid cyclist. But he was always looking routes up on the computer and printing them out for us to ride. Not to mention most of those cyclist in our cycling group had an older version of this product and were able to know the route and tell us all more then we all could get off our own bike monitors. Needless to say, he loves it and is using it all the time. He tells me it beats his old bike monitor and thanked me for making his ride more informative and fun. Thanks Western Bike, you were by far the best price I found online.

Sincerely,

Lisa G.

Very versatile product - only wish the temperature function had a calibration feature. Seems Garmin calibrates at rest. At speed the reading is 4-7 degrees low.

Purchased this for an early birthday present. Was disappointed with the GPS function as it only showed major freeways as purchase and you needed to buy a expensive upgrade to show small roads. This took 9 days to show up once purchased. It now shows small roads but clarity is not that impressive. Overall I like the fact that you can make the display show exactly what you want on mutiple screens. The race against a virtual rider is o.k. but unless you are on a long flat your ave will change so much that the rider will either be way to slow or passing you on the hills. Since it stops recording if it does not see movement and captures movement with a combination of wheel speed and GPS position, on a trainer it will stop and start randomly so I have not figured out how to record my full indoor ride. Overall it is the best computer I have had but at this cost.. not perfect.

Not very much is left out of this computer once you have it set up to your satisfaction. Setting it up involves a few quiet moments and adherence to the instruction manual that you print out yourself. Without taking that time you will drive yourself nuts and not get nearly all you can from this computer.

Using both this and the Edge 500 I have come to realize that these really do need to be attached to a bracket extending out front of your handlebars in order to be more easily read. Not all of us past 50 are the beneficiaries of lasik as yet. Garmin needs to supply one in addition to its already very good securing system ...and not for the ludicrous prices ($40) the aftermarket seems to want for a simple plastic arm!

WORST documentation EVER. This device is so counterintuitive, and the backup documentation, well, sucks. Also - no where is it clear that you have to purchase the maps separately. Really, Garmin? I get better maps on my iPhone, and at no additional charge. I'm hoping that after putting in what is undoubtedly going to be a ridiculous amount of time that the device will actually be useful - the intent is to be able to upload routes prior to heading out the door and going on rides. I'm pretty sure that will work well - once we figure out how to use the damn thing. Garmin needs to take a few lessons from Apple. Harumph.

Its a conventional GPS unit that works OK on paved roads. I bought it specifically for navigating mountain bike trails and its completely useless. I even loaded it with the $100 Garmin topo map. Now it shows a handful of topo lines but still wont navigate anything off road. It appears the technology is just not there yet. Save your money.