Garmin Announces GPS Cyclocomputer - The Edge

Today, Garmin announced their cycling specific GPS device, the Garmin Edge©. It’s a thing of beauty and loaded with everything we could ask in a device under $350. At the same time, we’re announcing MotionBased’s future support of The Edge©. It should be no secret that most of us at the MBHQ are heavily into cycling, so we are very excited about the Edge©.  Yeah we love toys, but this one is different than all the others. This cyclocomputer promises to provide the most accurate detailed information, more than any other device, on the market.  New features, like displaying cumulative elevation (Edge 305 only) and Courses, make the software superior to any other outdoor GPS unit on the market. This great new product is a clear sign of Garmin's commitment to leading the outdoor fitness and recreation computer market.

The only downside... most of you will have to wait until January when all of the Edge models will be available for purchase.  Of course... the MB Crew will be getting their hands on some tasty prototypes in the next few weeks.  Afterall, we need to get MotionBased ready to support these new features -- one of the benefits of working at MB.  Did we mention that we're looking for software engineers?

Pricing

Garmin is offering four packages and add-ons. Choosing the right combination can be a little confusing, so let's break it down. Firstly, you'll need to decide between base units, Edge 205 or 305. We suggest the Edge 305 with barometric altimeter and expandability into heart rate and/or speed/cadence.

Model	Est. Retail Price	Altimeter	Heart Rate	Speed & Cadence
Edge 205	$249	GPS
Edge 305HR	$349	GPS + Barometric	X
Edge 305CAD	$349	GPS + Barometric		X
Edge 305 Bundle	$399	GPS + Barometric	X	X

Note:
- Cumulative elevation is displayed on The Edge 305. 205 users have to wait to see their elevation gain on MotionBased.

- The Edge 205 does not allow for expandability into heart rate or speed/cadence.

- All units include a bike mount, USB PC interface cable, AC charger, Training Center CD, owner’s manual and quick-reference guide.

Improved Accuracy

The Edge works like any other GPS unit communicating directly with the satellites high in the sky.  Using the new SiRF chip promises better signal deep in the trees, which we all know can hinder the effectiveness of using GPS to track distance.  Add the wheel speed/cadence sensor and even when the GPS signal is blocked from the sky your bike computer will track the actual distance ridden.

Independent of the sensor that is calculating speed and distance (GPS or wheel sensor), the Edge records the distance between each trackpoint and stores it in a large 13,000 trackpoint repository, to be retrieved later by the MotionBased Agent. This addition means that statistics at MotionBased can now perfectly match those statistics reported on the Edge 205 and 305 during the ride. Probably our most commonly and passionately requested feature to date and one we've been eager to provide.

Although GPS altitude is recorded by most modern GPS units, the accuracy of the altitude can be incorrect if a clear view of the sky is hindered by trees, buildings or nearby hills.  Barometric altimeters found on many watches provide a more stable view of the altitude, but require calibration to a known altitude on earth.  If you knew the altitude then why carry the watch, right?  Beyond initial calibration the barometric altimeters accuracy can change throughout your activity due to changes in the weather.

Garmin GPS units with barometric altimeters (eTrex Vista, Geko 301 and now the Edge 305) auto-calibrate the altitude using the best of both technologies to make sure your altitude is as accurate as possible.  The Edge 305 uses this combination of altitude sensors to provide cumulative elevation gain on the device, much like MotionBased does with our Dashboard Elevation view corrected with MB Gravity.

Courses

We've all been on a bike ride that turned out to be longer and more difficult than planned, wondering when it is going to end. Perhaps you made a wrong turn somewhere back wherever and you don't know how to get home. In addition, we all have a little bit of that competitive nature that makes us want to beat the other guy to the finish line. Courses are the perfect answer for these situations that make us love to hate cycling.

The TrailNetwork is one of MotionBased's greatest assets. We have secretly been building the largest digital repository of trails and routes for all kinds of activities, and haven't taken advantage of it until now. TrailNetwork activities now become courses on the device that make outdoor training or expedition guidance possible...guidance with time and elevation in mind.

Traditional GPS routing only knows location in a two-dimensional world. The old school way to calculate estimated time of arrival is to take your average speed and figure out the distance to your next location on a flat Earth, and guess when you might arrive at your destination. What if there is a massive hill along the way? It could take you three times longer than the GPS estimated. How about 5 miles of technical single track that feels like 50?

Courses take location, elevation and time into consideration, to make the most accurate estimation of guidance. Using previously recorded rides, the Edge will now make estimations that pertain to the real world, not the mathematical two-dimensional world without terrain changes. This means that you can use courses to help you understand how well you are doing along the route.

You may be asking yourself where on Earth could you get a course for a ride that you've never done before?  Our answer is the MotionBased TrailNetwork.  Yes, you have been helping build the world's largest repository of time-based route information. Based on rides shared at MotionBased, you now can use your Edge to help you navigate a ride, know how long it will really take to complete the ride, and yes know if you are going to beat your time or someone else's.  Imagine competing against the winner of last year's record breaking Mt. Tam Hill Climb, Tom Danielson's record breaking Mt. Evans Hill Climb or Wier's record breaking Downieville Downhill.  The Edge is taking Dot Racing to a whole new level!

Whatever level of cycling you enjoy the Edge will enhance your cycling experience, both during the ride on the Edge or after the ride at MotionBased.

Update
We're updating this post to notify you that the Garmin Edge won't be out until January 2006. On the bright-side, Garmin has announced a fourth product SKU for the Garmin Edge -- the Edge 305 Bundle which will include the whole enchilada (Heart Rate monitor and Speed/Cadence sensors).  The estimated retail price of the Edge 305 Bundle is $399.  We've updated the charts above to reflect this new product bundle.

Comments

[Arleigh]

been looking for a GPS for awhile now for riding. The key thing I am looking for is a cue sheet print out.

Any recommendations?

[Robert]

Thx 4 your clear reply.
I'll put your comments directly through to Suunto.
4 times 'lucky'? ;)

[Anoll]

Hello,
is it possible to trackback a route wich I've created on my PC before? (e.g. with Fugawi, Ozi Expolorer or Magic Maps)
I usually drive routes wich I've never seen before. And right now I always need a HAC4 together with my yellow Etrex. If it is so, the Edge would be mine.

regards
Anoll

[Clark Weber]

By cue sheet, I assume you want to print a list of directions from point A to point B. The Edge will not support that functionality. We are exploring this feature for MotionBased.

Rather than a print-out of directions, the Edge provides a course for you to follow. You can put the GPS in map mode and if you have uploaded the course from MotionBased to the Edge, you can follow a breadcrumb line as you ride. You will know quickly if you get offfoute.

[Clark Weber]

Anoll,

We plan to introduce functionality that will allow you to trackback routes that you manually create in Google Earth Plus/Pro (paid versions). Here you can draw routes on Google Earth and then save the file to your desktop. Then, you will download that file through the MotionBased Agent to the Edge. I'm sure Garmin will provide similar functionality with their mapping program -- MapSource.

Better yet... you can always look up the 100,000+ activities on the MotionBased TrailNetwork to find a new ride. Here you just find a route you like, click on a link, and our MotionBased Agent will download that route to the Edge.

[Andrew Robinson]

Here is a wild idea: add a small wireless weather station. Think I am crazy? It would be really nice to know wind conditions for us road bikers. Head wind conditions are a major factor in cycling. I have see three bladed wind cups with a single cup that is slightly larger. The unit is able to gauge wind direction. Factor that in with known ground speed and direction from the GPS. Might as well get temperature in there. Plot all of that against your speed, cadence and HR! WOW!

[Rick]

I understand that the Edge will be able to use "courses" from Motion Based. Would this feature be available in the "free" version of MB?

[Clark Weber]

Rick,

Our "Download" feature will be available to everyone -- paying and non-paying customers. Anyone will be able to browse their own Digest or the TrailNetwork and download that activity into the Garmin Edge as a "Course".

The beauty of this system goes beyond simply navigating a route on the GPS but to see how you're performing against the activity you chose from MotionBased. So sweet!!!!!!!!!!

[Robert]

Hmmm... on the speed/cadence function, this would need to be two sensors in one package from how the specs read and what the photo of the unmounted sensor, one for monitoring crank rotation and the other for monitoring rear wheel rotation... is this correct? If so, i was wondering how much it would get in the way during wheel changes. Just wondering if anyone had a chance to check this aspect out.

[Clark Weber]

Robert,

The speed/cadence function will use one self-calibrating wireless sensor that mounts to the bike’s rear chain stay. A wheel magnet mounts to the rear wheel for speed and a cadence magnet attaches to the crank arm.

So... you're looking at one mount and two magnets on the back of your rig.

[Robert]

Clark,
Thanks for verifying this... it should be a very cool unit for characterizing routes, baseline riding performance etc. I remember incidents of others or myself bumping rear sensored kits out of alignment when doing a fast wheel change (e.g. race conditions). I probably would not use it on a race rig anyway, simple is always a good thing ;-)

[Mort]

Am I to infer that if one wants to have both cadence and HRM features, it will be possible? Purchase the HRM, for example, and then buy the cadence/speed sensor separately?

[Clark Weber]

Mort,
Yes. You will be able to have both Heart Rate and Cadence. At the time of this post, you would have to do the following to get this setup:

1) Buy Edge 305HR and the Cadence/Speed sensor seperately, or
2) Buy Edge 305CAD and the HRM seperately

At this time, Garmin does not have a product SKU that combines all of them at once. Hopefully, this will change.

[Rick]

I wonder if the Forerunner 301 HRM strap will be compatible with the Edge 305?

[Clark Weber]

Rick,

The heart rate staps don't appear to be compatible...forward or backward.

[Jason]

I'm highly interested in useing the Edge for BOTH cycling and running. I do both a lot and I only want to purchase one device. The Edge seem superior in most ways to the Forunner... is that true? How hard would it be to carry the Edge during a run...?

[Clark Weber]

Jason,

The Edge is designed for cycling. We've been told that the new GPS chipset doesn't like the constant motion of swinging arms and can produce bad results. That said, I've done two runs with my prototype and it works like a charm. Keep in mind... I place the Edge in a pouch strapped to my upper arm so it is being used exclusively as a recording device. I get no real-time benefits this way.

BTW... the results are very good.

[Jason]

Thanks for the quick response Clark.

That's pretty much what I expected you to say and is disappointing. I'd really like to run with this device. In Winter, riding can be a challange here, but without being able to see Pace and HR both at a glance, the benefit of the unit is greatly reduced.

What disadvantage do you see to my getting the Forerunner, keeping in mind that I'll use this for cycling 6 months per year, running year round and the occasional mountain biking and Tri. events.

Thanks,
Jason

[Craig]

I've preordered the edge 305. I saw on Garmin's website that the expected ship date was changed from November 2005 to January 2005. Has the release date changed?

[Craig]

I've preordered the edge 305. I saw on Garmin's website that the expected ship date was changed from November 2005 to January 2005. Has the release date changed?

[Alejandro Bruyere]

I have a FR201 and find very nice results exporting data to xml and then uploading file to qpsvisualizer
question : among using MotionBased site.. may I still have access to the Edge 305 data in xml format.

thanks Alex

[Cleon]

I am in Atlanta Ga. & as I read the questions & Comments I am made painfully aware that I really don’t know enough about how to get the full benefit of MB or my 301hr devise. I think if I new more I would get a bigger benefit to my training & my device. What can I do to help this? Is there a customer service number or what do you all suggest? I would love to use the importing of the trails to my unit to track my performance from earlier run & or rides but I just don’t know how. Thanks for any & all advice and I love the site. In case you can’t tell I am new to training and am training for triathlons and think my 301 & your site will get me to where I need to go. Currently I have the free ver. but I am just about to get the paid year. Also how would I go about seeing if you all have the silver comet trail in your data base already?

[Ralph Jauch]

I see that the Edge 305 speed/cadence sensor is a single unit dual sensor mounted on the chain stay to measure both wheel and crank rpm. I have a Rans V-Rex Recumbent with crank high out in front and wheel elsewhere with no line up for a single unit available. Would I need to purchase an additional speed/cadence sensor and would that work?

Thanks, Ralph

[Matt Pryle]

can the 305 be used with exsisting Garmin hr rate strap

[steve moss]

garmin still need to do further soft ware development on the 301, which is excellant and I have been using for a while. But we need to be able to print etc without doing screen prints and paste. We also need to be able to section routes off after wards when analysing a race in sections. Comparing heart rates speed etc. The total climb recording is extremely useful in mtb races pity the 301 doesn't have that ability. keep developing. We often ride in unmapped areas so being able to print out and add notes to routes is an extremely useful feature that is missed. Steve Botswana