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.
