New Garmin 800

[RobGrinter]

......As others If I was fortunate enough to be in the position of doing some decent touring then the 800 would be a much more attractive prospect though.

And right there is the purpose of the unit.

- Edge 500 makes for a great Bike computer.

- Edge 800 makes for a great Bike computer with mapping.

Its exactly the same as the Edge 500 versus Edge 705 argument. There is room for both in the market place !

[HAKS]

There looks to be a button on the left side towards the top. Any idea what function it performs?

[Boognoss]

There looks to be a button on the left side towards the top. Any idea what function it performs?

Guessing it's power as my Edge 305 and Edge 705 have theirs in the same location.

[wombatK]

There's a good review on bikeradar http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/g ... view-27494.

Might not be a great idea to rush out and buy one of the first models off the shelf...

Our preproduction sample isn't without its glitches, though. As of right now our percent grade display isn't working properly (though the post-ride data shows that the unit is properly recording elevation changes) and when the backlight isn't turned on, the numbers can look a bit fuzzy around the edges.

Garmin senior media relations specialist Jake Jacobson tells us that the development team is close to resolving the percent grade issue and is still debating final display color and contrast options for better visibility. Thankfully, both hiccups will be repairable via an easy firmware upgrade.

I'd be very keen to learn whether it does any better with elevation data, and whether it auto-routes any faster. Haven't been able to find any mention of this so far.

The Edge 500's apparently still have elevation (and temperature) accuracy issues if Bike Computer Blogs review is credible. Would expect 800 and 500 to be using the same chipsets, so not a great sign.

[Aushiker]

I'd be very keen to learn whether it does any better with elevation data, and whether it auto-routes any faster. Haven't been able to find any mention of this so far.

Hi

DC Rainmaker's review shows the auto-routing in action (video). I guess it comes down to your interpretation of fast. Looks okay to me. Also DCRainmaker responds to questions; see the comments for his approach, so you could ask him.

Oh he also writes about the elevation data ....

Regards
Andrew

[Fred Nurk]

Hopefully this will bring the prices of older Garmin units down, particularly as mine jumped off the handlebars by itself on the weekend.

Its also a good reason why I wouldn't want to use a phone as a bike computer, if you crash and lose your phone, you're really stuck if you need to call for help. My phone lives in my Camelbak.

[wombatK]

I'd be very keen to learn whether it does any better with elevation data, and whether it auto-routes any faster. Haven't been able to find any mention of this so far.

Hi

DC Rainmaker's review shows the auto-routing in action (video). I guess it comes down to your interpretation of fast. Looks okay to me. Also DCRainmaker responds to questions; see the comments for his approach, so you could ask him.

Oh he also writes about the elevation data ....

Regards
Andrew

Good idea Andrew. So I posted my question on dcrainmakers' page last night - and have already got an answer to them. I wasn't sure whether the auto-routing in action video was giving the 800 a good workout because he didn't describe the route it was covering. Short routes weren't much of a problem on the 705, but long ones (10 km or more) are. Dcrainmaker says his route was 10 to 15 miles, and so it does look improved. He also indicated that he hasn't found it to be any problem with signal dropouts or elevation error - two problems that have been reported in various forums for the 500's. His review is super thorough, and you can't help but be impressed by the speed of his response to questions/comments.

If Garmin aren't paying him, they should be donating to his favorite charity.

[RobGrinter]

Update on delivery in Australia is that the Edge 800 will arrive late October/1st week November.

Get your order in soon to ensure you are part of the first delivery.

With Xmas not far away, this will be a sought after device with a shortage expected. (Garmins last device they released, the Forerunner 110 took 2 months to come back into stock after the 1st delivery and now there are 40,000 units on back order worldwide. 3 months later we still have long waits with stock coming in and out spasmodically)

- Edge 800 Unit only $50 Deposit (expected to be $549)
http://www.highlytunedathletes.com.au/G ... F8E92.html


- Edge 800 Bundle version $60 Deposit (expected to be $649)
http://www.highlytunedathletes.com.au/G ... F8E92.html

[x8pg2qr]

This is a follow up to my query about smartphones and GPS devices. I appreciate the earlier responses.

A 2 year old iPhone 3G (the slow one) goes for A$300 on eBay—and this price will only fall. Over time, the 3GS and 4 will join the 3G at that sort of price point. And the decent Android devices haven’t hit eBay at lowish prices yet.

IMO these are just right for casual consumers who would want to experiment with the tracking or mapping features of the Edge 500/800-type device, or even a forerunner-type device, but can’t justify the cost. I now leave my iPhone turned on running Trails, which tracks my route, and (at the end) tells me how far I’ve ridden. I’ve also used the mapping feature to import bikely routes, where previously I would have printed the route out on paper—the software pre-downloads maps so that I don’t need a GSM signal for the maps. I leave the phone in my jacket pocket when I’m not referring to it, so I don’t use realtime speed features (or cadence etc). This was for a short trip only (CBD to Ashfield NSW).

I don’t think that dedicated bicycle GPSes will disappear, or car GPSes for that matter. But I think that competition (Tomtom, Navman etc) caused the prices of Garmin car GPSes to fall from A$900 in 2005 to $300–400 now, while there has been little competition in the sports/cycling market. And 1st or 2nd hand smart phones will create continual upward pressure on the bang:buck ratio of dedicated devices, which is overall good for consumers. I sort of think that this is analogous to the camera phone: “if you want a camera, get a camera”. But as cameras in phones get better and ubiquitous, camera phone casual snaps are increasingly common compared to those from a real pocket camera, while regular digital cameras still sell well.

Competition yay.

[GregW]

If I was in the market for one of these, it would not be in the first 6/12 months, while software and hardware issues may arise on a new model.
I have the 705....but an expensive toy. The maps are rubbish, and I refuse to pay another $200 for the Garmin maps......there are alternatives.
If you need the GPS ability the Edge 500 is worth considering.

$ 100-150 for a bike computer with cadence/hr
$299 for Edge 500 with CD/HR
$549 for Edge 800.....certainly not worth the money to me.
My wife and I do a lot of running and cycling. To me the touch screen would appear, the same as the bezel configuration of the Forerunner 405 that my wife had, difficult to use while in motion.

[Boognoss]

Looking forward to the release. I don't need one myself (still happy with my Edge 705) but a friend I've loaned my spare Edge 305 to is going to buy the 800 when it's released. I have been told I "have" to have it for a few weeks to play with and review as a thank you.

I think it will be punishment once I have to hand it back

[jacks1071]

Bastards!! I just bought a 500 last week and I'm a gadgetaholic.

You'll be forced to upgrade for years to come

[jacks1071]

Hopefully this will bring the prices of older Garmin units down, particularly as mine jumped off the handlebars by itself on the weekend.

Its also a good reason why I wouldn't want to use a phone as a bike computer, if you crash and lose your phone, you're really stuck if you need to call for help. My phone lives in my Camelbak.

The other reason is the GPS on the phone will nuke your battery in no time flat - especially on an iphone so you might be left with a flat phone when you most need it....

[x8pg2qr]

The other reason is the GPS on the phone will nuke your battery in no time flat - especially on an iphone so you might be left with a flat phone when you most need it....

$10 external battery pack from China.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42620

[Boognoss]

The other reason is the GPS on the phone will nuke your battery in no time flat - especially on an iphone so you might be left with a flat phone when you most need it....

$10 external battery pack from China.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42620

I can vouch for a similar battery pack that I bought (from Jaycar a few years ago which they no longer have - for about $70 at the time ). Works a treat for charging on the go for mobiles, Garmin GPS, etc.

[Aushiker]

Hi

Well I put a deposit down on a Edge 800 from Highly Tuned Athletes. Even though early pricing from the UK suggests maybe $100 cheaper there given my previous experience with Garmin I decided to go local this time. Fingers crossed the experience is more positive.

Andrew

[jacks1071]

The other reason is the GPS on the phone will nuke your battery in no time flat - especially on an iphone so you might be left with a flat phone when you most need it....

$10 external battery pack from China.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42620

How do you water proof the phone though?

[RobGrinter]

Andrew,

Some great news.

Just found out today, the new Edge 800 will be released in Australia now with the full Aus/NZ Topo maps pre loaded.

This is $200 odd worth of maps now included, instead of having to buy them as optional extra.

Retail will change to RRP $699 (instead of $649)

We will be holding the $649 price to existing pre orders, but from later today/tomorrow, the price will go up to $699.

Pre orders can be made at: http://www.highlytunedathletes.com.au/d ... searchview

The delivery has gone out about 1 week and is now 2nd week of November.

Any imports from UK, USA or elsewhere will not have the maps loaded. Warranty may also revert back to country of purchase as Garmin AU will know if it was imported!

[GrumpySmurf]

Please confirm - is that just Topo maps? So no street maps? Topo maps are not routeable right?

Just found out today, the new Edge 800 will be released in Australia now with the full Aus/NZ Topo maps pre loaded.

[Aushiker]

Please confirm - is that just Topo maps? So no street maps? Topo maps are not routeable right?

Hi

They routeable ... see here

Topo maps are the better option as they cover both road riding and mountain biking.

Andrew

[wombatK]

Topo maps are the better option as they cover both road riding and mountain biking.

And what would be even better would be if the software use the topo map to figure out what the correct elevation is instead of using the rubbish the barometric sensor tells it.

Might even persuade me to buy one if someone could confirm it does that !

Cheers

[Aushiker]

Hi

Bikerumor have a bit of a review on the Edge 800.

Andrew

[petal665]

Just found out today, the new Edge 800 will be released in Australia now with the full Aus/NZ Topo maps pre loaded.

Can you get it without those maps included? They are of no interest to me.

[RobGrinter]

Yes you will be able to get the Edge 800 without the TOPO maps.

The non-bundle version Edge 800 remains at the original price of $549 and will not have TOPO maps pre-loaded.

You could then add speed/cadence and Heart rate strap if you wanted.

It is here: http://www.highlytunedathletes.com.au/G ... 906C3.html

Cheers
Rob

[RobGrinter]

More news from Garmin;

Edge 800 with Topo maps has now been dropped to RRP of $649

Edge 800 (non bundle) drops $50 to $499

Pre orders on both for delivery around 2nd week of November are still available.

Be quick though, our 1st batch is near selling out.

Can be purchased here: http://www.highlytunedathletes.com.au/d ... searchview