Reviews of the Garmin Edge 500

Real Reviews Submitted by Real Users!

I recently purchased the Edge 500 as a replacement for my 4 year old Garmin Edge 305 and I was blown away!  It is so compact when compared with the 305.

While still in the parking lot I turned my new Edge 500 on in my car and within just 10 seconds it had locked onto a signal.  I was still accustomed to waiting about a minute or two with my 305 which sometimes wouldn't even lock on even though I was parked at the curb!

Even though I still had my old heart monitor that I got with the 305 it still recognized it and offered no hassles when I paired them.  I might add that I didn't even need to instruct it to pair either!  That is fantastic!

One feature I think is simply brilliant is the beep you hear if you start moving but haven't recorded your waypoints yet.

I have been in possession of both the Garmin Edge 605 and 305 and this is by far the best.  Although the others have color screens they are not easily seen in sunlight so I find the black and white map-less modes far better.  I also find that it is capable of more and works better than the Garmin biking products that preceeded it.

You will need to fiddle about in order to discover just how to use the system properly.  I had a problem with mine shutting down in the middle of a ride but I discovered that I need to disable the auto shut-down feature.  This model is easier to see, battery life is longer, the built-in thermometer is wonderful, it is more lightweight, more compact and has less buttons.  Fortunately I was also able to upload all my saved rides that were on Garmin Connect.

There is only one map-less model but if you require the extras like the heart-rate monitor, cadence and power you can simply purchase these add-ons and are therefore spared the cost of buying a new unit.  Also, you will be interested to know that even other brands of heart-monitor straps can work with it.

There are 2 Drawbacks:

1. Whereas the 305 allowed me to set up my desired readouts including speed and distance when adhering to a training course I don't seem to be able to do so with this unit.

2. Courses that I designed through Map My Ride cannot be downloaded.

To me the Garmin Edge 500 has proven to be everything I expected as the most eagerly awaited GPS/cycle computer from Garmin.  It is compact and attractive and does all and more than you would normally expect from a cycle computer.  Even though the computer is slightly larger than I expected it still fits my handle bar stem despite the fact that I happen to have a short 80mm stem.  Going from the packaging to being used is easy and quick and it acquired satellites quickly, paired easily and didn't drop signal at all even on the first ride, as I was afraid it would.  Three screens allow 8 fields of data which means that you can keep a watch on 24 data sets in real time throughout your ride.  There are other options but space constraints mean I cannot go into them here.

In my opinion this is a winner and a smart buy.  Unlike the Edge 705 this model is a downgrade due to the lack of maps it has available but it is nevertheless a great device.

See Lowest Price on Garmin Edge 500