new reviews browse reviews search
submit a review
Rollin' Thunder
User image

Garmin Edge 705 review

  • Price Paid:$423.00
  • User rating:
    (4)
  • Would buy again from this company: Yes
  • Used product for: 2 months
  • # of logged workouts:

"Great addition to your training regiment. It is a pricey tool and if you are just beginning, I would suggest you wait to purchase the Edge 705. If you have been training for a couple of years and really enjoy data like I do, purchase the Edge 705 from Garmin and you will find it provides you with all the data you can use and more. "Rollin' Thunder

(5)

Ease of installation

I actually ordered an extra bike mount because I was scared that I would screw the mount up. The mount consists of two zip ties and a piece of rubber to keep the unit in place. I used the two mounts (one vertical and the other horizontal) to put on my tri and MTB respectively. All you really need is a pair of pliers and snips and your unit is mounted.

(3)

Ease of use

I am not the smartest guy around. Heck, my wife has hsitorically programmed the VCR, DVD, and the microwave. I have owned two Forerunners and am familiar with the operating system Garmin uses. The unit is easy to use, but you could take months to learn and utilize the full capabilities of the unit. If you were not familiar with the OS, you may find the unit very complicated.

The HRM worked out of the box without any challenges.

(4)

Quality of Construction

I haven't dropped mine yet, but I have crashed on my MTB with it. So far, there have been no issues with the unit becuase of jarring from MTB rides.

(3)

Durability

Not enough time to tell. I have generally been pleased with my Garmin products. My Forerunner 201 just konked out on me after four years. I have the Forerunner 305 that I upgraded to last year and there have been no problems so far with it.

(5)

Value

I don't want to subvert the sponsors of this site, so I will not name names of where I purchased this product. All I would suggest is you go to Google and price shop. I found the price for the unit plus the HRM for what I listed it at in this review. I was stoked to say the least. I saved around $100 by shopping the price for 10 minutes.

(4)

Performance

I love this unit. I tend to be a late adopter to allow the company to work out all of the bugs. I have not seen the issues that confront some purchasers of the Edge 705. So far I have only lost signal in slot canyons, which is not surprising.

I was riding at dusk the other day and the unit automotically switched to the night view. I thought that was pretty convenient.

I have not had any issues with uploading the ride data to my laptop either. I love seeing how incline and speed impact my heart rate. This data helps me plan race strategy.

Strengths

If you currently are looking for a new CPU for your ride, strongly consider the Edge 705 with HRM. I have been riding for a couple of years (not as long as Bear), so my muscle memory for cadence is pretty much set. For this reason I did not get the cadence sensor that is available for the unit.

But the data it can provide you with is fantastic. I love not having three gadgets strapped to my body between the HRM, the GPS unit, and anything else I choose to carry that day. I have tried to consolodate for the last couple of years and this unit helps me do that. The HRM strap for this unit works seamlessly with my Forerunner 305.

Take that stimulus check and put it to good use...

Weakness

In the reviews I have read on the unit, many users have complained about the unit shutting down during the middle of a ride and not restarting or restaring and losing all of the data that had been accumulated during that trip. I have been using my Edge 705 five or six times a week for three months and have not experienced that. Many users also complain about substandard service from Garmin when this becomes an issue. Both of these reasons convinced me to not purchase the Edge 705 for about eight months.

I did have similar issues with my Forerunner 305, but through updates to the software, I have worked through those. I have not had to communicate with Garmin directly, so I am cannot confirm or deny the service claims.

Read 8 more reviews  
Buyers clubEdge 705
  • 17 people use
  • 35 workouts logged
  • 16582.52 miles / 687.1 hours logged