Garmin Edge 705 Handheld GPS Receiver

Great cycling computer as well as a very nice GPS unit (actually more sensitive than the 205/305 which are the older generation in the Edge series). Crammed with possibilities - it can be used both as an outdoor GPS with traces and routes (and is also convenient when walking, although Garmin advertises it as a cycling computer), and as a routing GPS (not as convenient as a real car GPS though), at the same time (you can ride following a trace downloaded on the internet, and be guided back to the trace should there be a closed path - not tried this possibility though). An the autonomy is good too, quite sufficient for the whole day.

But there are caveats:

- The unit comes with a crappy "base map" including only the main roads, useless for any real use. To use maps on the Edge you need GPSTopo (topgraphy) and/or City Navigator (navigation), which almost doubles the bill if you want/need both. Or you can use the Edge without using the maps (yes, it can be done, it has plenty to offer even without that).

- The learning curve is steep, as the unit is crammed with possibilities and the documentation is lacking on many points (e.g. you have a choice of 3 navigation options, for which there is no desciption whatsoever), and the debugging. Besides, the hybrid nature of the 705 does not seem to have found the suitable ergonomy it deserves yet : you can do plenty of things, but they don't appear in a logic way yet, according to my first trials. Be prepared to spend some time on the field and on the internet to master this puppy !

- As a training tool it is, well, lacking: the Garmin software (Training Center) is nowhere as usable, as a training analysis tool, as the Polar (or others) offering. Hardly more than a gadget IMO. I dream of using Polar Protrainer with the Edge, that would be the perfect solution - but of course there is no such thing as a Garmin-Polar converter.

Overall, not the perfect GPS (there is no such thing), but it certainly offers all the present technology allows to a rider / trekker who has the time and the will to learn to use its capabilities. Not very convenient yet, and often confusing, but things are evolving fast as you will see on the forums discussing the 705.