Comparing the Garmin Edge 705 and Edge 500
Let’s take a look at the Garmin Edge 750 compared to the Garmin Edge 500. I’m sure I’ll be learning even more about the Edge 500 as it is used more on my bike. For now, I’ll focus on the dimensions and menu navigation.
At first I’ll admit that I was more comfortable using the Edge 705. It was the unit with which I was most familiar. While the joy stick is has can be annoying when trying to select a menu item (it will sometime twist when you press down moving you to another item instead of selecting one), it did provide a lot of versatility when navigating through the menus.
The Edge 500 does not have the joystick. However, once I started understand the logic of the menu and how you moved between them, it started to become second nature. If you are looking to get the 500 and haven’t had the 705, you probably won’t think anything of it.
For the most part, the units are very similar in their basic operation. The biggest changes are actually things you don’t see. For instance, the Edge 500 no longer uses .tcx files. Instead the .fit format is used. The reason for this is that the file size of the later is smaller and is a more efficient use the unit’s memory.
I have not yet been able to test this, but Garmin says the battery life on the Edge 500 is 18 hours. The Garmin 705 is supposed to have a 14 hour life. I’m one of those people who plug things in automatically so rarely go on two rides in a row without charging my units. I’ve never had any trouble with the 705 and I doubt I will with the 500 — even on longer rides.
Garmin has created a solid unit for rider who is into training and racing. The price is right. I’m sold.
Tags: Garmin Edge 500, Garmin Edge 705, Video
Can you download maps from Map My Ride or Bikely to the Garmin 500? What are the differences in functionality between the 500 and 705?
Donna, what you are looking for is the Garmin Edge 705. It has been providing that functionality for some time. The Garmin Edge 500 is for those of us who don’t use that functionality and are looking for a training specific device. Granted, its appeal is for the more the hardcore rider, but it is also a competitive price option against other pure cycling computers. To be honest, I bought the Garmin Edge 500 entirely because it was the only option to work with my ANT+ powermeter. The mapping, etc. was simply extra stuff. The Garmin Edge 500 gives that same ability to capture data from ANT+ devices without the extra size, weight, etc. For ME, if I didn’t have a Garmin and had to choose between the two, I would go with the 500. It sounds to me, that YOU would probably want to go with the 705. It’s nice to have the options!
Nice post. I am posting a link back to this on my Digg, Mixx, Reddit, Stumbleupon, Twitter and Facebook right away.
I’m amazed and happy to say that garmin products is of high quality albeit the price is also a bit high but it’s worth paying.