The Garmin Edge 800

Lots of equipment choices to make before August. One of the big things on my list was a GPS that had the ability to download routes - a definite requirement according to the tour organizers. Their suggestion was the Garmin Edge 800.

I looked at what else was on the market, and Garmin truly leads the bike GPS field, at least according to the available reviews out there. My question was whether to buy the 800 or the newly released 810, which comes with bluetooth ability to sync wirelessly with your mobile device. Given my needs for this ride, choosing the 800 might have been a mistake.

Anyway, after a lot of digging around, I found a decent deal on backcountry.com and ordered one (There is a steeper-priced version that comes with a data card and heart rate monitor, which I didn't need).  When it arrived, I had to charge it overnight and then plug into my laptop via USB in order to get the manual - it comes with a pretty useless quick start paper pamphlet, so I needed more.

Even with the manual, it is a hard device to understand. If you are used to firing up a new smartphone or tablet and figuring it out, then you won't be impressed. There are a few good sites out there with tips and tricks - I found this one particularly useful. Eventually I knew enough that I was ready to mount and try it.

So - I recorded a ride, and also recorded it on my iPhone using Strava. When I got home, my Strava ride was already on their website. I had to plug the Garmin into my laptop, connect to a specific site using a specific driver, and sync it up. To sync with Strava, I had to download another piece of software and install and configure it. What a pain. Should have sprung for the new Bluetooth version.

This also has an effect on what electronics I bring on the trip. Since the iPad and iPhone have no USB socket, I will need to bring a laptop. And since the laptop has no built-in wireless connection, I will have to figure out how to rig a hot spot - but more on that in another post.

Bottom line? The Garmin gives me a waterproof way of logging my rides with the same accuracy as my iPhone. It is much more of a pain than my iPhone for syncing with my online logging. And it has the all important ability to download (and follow) a route. Not worth the money for any other reason, in my opinion.