Garmin Edge 205

The Garmin Edge 205 is a GPS-enabled personal trainer and cycle computer that is suitable for both competitive racers and even weekend cyclists. It spots a light weight, rugged design that attaches easily to the stem or handlebars of a bike with the included bike mount. In order to operate it, the Garmin Edge 205 only needs to be turned on, acquire GPS satellites and go. Besides that, the Garmin Edge 205 also helps you to measure your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude. It also has the ability to record the data for later review.
Specifications
The Garmin Edge 205 is easy to install with no calibration required. Besides that, it also incorporates a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for distance and speed information. In addition to that, the Garmin Edge 205 also has the ability to record previous courses and relay them to you to allow you to race against a previously recorded work out in order for you to compare your current and past performances over the same ride. There is also an Auto Pause function to help you stay focus on your ride by automatically putting the timer on pause when you slow down or stop. It will also automatically resume the timer when you start to speed up again. In addition to that, there is also an Auto Lap function that automatically starts a new lap each time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance. Not only that, the Garmin Edge 205 also helps you to track your progress by helping you to plan, analyze and store data from your workouts through an online community called the Garmin Connect. Alternatively, users can also opt for Garmin’s free software called the Garmin Training Center. To use the Garmin Connect feature, conveniently upload your data for an in-depth analysis of your workouts, online mapping and route sharing to help take your training to the next level. As for the Garmin Training Center software, it has the ability to help you analyze data with interactive graphs that chart your speed, time, heart rate and elevation. In addition to that, you can also overlay your ride on a map to pinpoint specific areas in order to see how elevation and other factors affect your performance. The Garmin Edge 205 is also suitable for endurance athletes as there it is also compatible with TrainingPeaks.com which is an easy-to-use web-based training system designed to help athletes train for any event. The Garmin Edge 205 measures 44 mm x 94 mm x 23 mm (W x H x D) in dimension and weighs approximately 88 g. It also features a display that measures 3.0 cm x 3.7 cm (W x H) with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. The Garmin Edge 205 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can provide up to 12 hours of battery life based on typical usage. The Garmin Edge 205 also incorporates IPX7 technology which makes it water resistance. Besides that, the Garmin Edge 205 is also GPS-enabled, with a high-sensitivity receiver and comes with RoHS version available. In terms of maps and memory, the Garmin Edge 205 has the capacity to store up to 1000 lap histories, 100 waypoints/ favourites/ locations, and 50 routes. Additional features include Garmin Connect compatibility, Garmin Training Center software compatibility, Virtual Partner, Courses, Auto Pause, Auto Lap, Advanced workouts, Simple workouts, pace alerts, time/ distance alerts, interval training and a customizable screen.
Reviews

“If you’re looking for a good GPS unit to take mountain biking, the Garmin Edge 205 is easily the best we’ve seen (though in the very near future we’ll probably upgrade to the 305). The improved satellite reception, small form factor, included software, and simplified interface make the Edge series the perfect replacement for your cycling computer or recreational GPS unit.” (SingleTracks, 2007)

“Overall it’s a great little unit and if you like gadgets then it’ll keep you amused for a few months, especially if you get the superb tracklogs software. Tracklogs allows you to follow the route on either a 1:25000 or 1:50000 scale Ordance Survey map. The map can either be viewed flat or contoured using the elevation data and it will display the route you have done in 3D if you wish.” (MuddyMoles, 2007)

“Whether you’re prepping for your next ride or just want a more accurate way to measure your performance on the trails, the Garmin Edge 205 GPS-enabled Personal Trainer and Cycle Computer can help. The Edge 205 is easy to use, requires no calibration, and features customizable screens and data fields to meet your needs.” (Amazon, 2007)