Is The “Highly Sensitive” Garmin Edge 800 Bike GPS A Reliable Training Partner?
This product is currently available. You can find newer model here.
Creating a beneficial training regime and monitoring your progress while you are cycling can be difficult without a reliable piece of kit on your bike and that is why the “highly sensitive” Garmin Edge 800 Touchscreen GPS Bike Computer was created.
This European model uses a worldwide base map, which is upgradable with additional data packs and maps, helps riders plot their routes and progress through customisable pages and monitors their work with sensors for speed, cadence and heart rate.
On first impressions, this Garmin Edge 800 GPS product seems like a high tech gadget with a lot to offer for dedicated cyclists, but what do average riders make of it?
What benefits does the Garmin Edge 800 offer and it is too technical for the average rider?
The reliability of this product is one of the main reasons why people are so keen to take it out with them on the roads and recommend it to other buyers. The Garmin bike computer has a surprisingly long battery life, meaning users have been able to enjoy a really good workout without worrying about the time spent on the road, and it has been developed to help riders in any weather condition.
The waterproof nature means that it can still provide data in a heavy rain shower, the accuracy of the maps mean that users have been able to navigate terrains in early morning fog and the touchscreen has been designed so that it is visible in bright sunlight and responsive to gloves.
Another frequently mentioned benefit of this Garmin road bike GPS product in user reviews is its technical nature; the system has many capabilities and offers plenty of features to help riders with their fitness and training but it is not so technical that people find it difficult to use.
This comfortable middle ground offers a good balance between function and user-friendly convenience to create a useful training aid that people are keen to use on a regular basis.
One final, advantageous feature in the specification that is also worth mentioning is the mount because it provides great access in a very sturdy support – so sturdy that it has even stood up to a few crashes.
What are the downsides to owning a Garmin Edge 800 GPS?
The majority of reviews for this Edge 800 model are very positive, with numerous buyers urging others to purchase one so they can also experience its potential as a training aid; however, the remaining buyers are less enthusiastic about the product’s capabilities because there is one, large issue that the five star reviewers have somehow overlooked – the cost.
The initial price tag is seen by many as being fair considering its function but it must be remembered that this covers the base map and not the additional, downloadable maps that have their own hefty cost. Many agree that the base map is useless because of the lack of details and roads and that the device really needs these extra maps to be of any worth.
Additionally, there have been some comments made about the connectivity of the product, the quality of the on/off button, which can fail to work properly after a while, and the poor instructions.
Like many gadgets, the Garmin 800 GPS has a simple, uninformative start menu and a much more complicated, separate PDF manual, neither of which offer much insight into how the product works.
Summary: should you look elsewhere for a more detailed system or stick with the Garmin Edge 800?
The negative aspects of this product ultimately depend on the viewpoint you take; there are issues with the cost and the extra maps, and some feel cheated at the prospect of additional downloads, but this can be solved with free alternatives and the problems with the instructions can be overcome with a simple internet search.
When you put these issues aside, it is easy to see why this system has so many 5 star reviews. The reliable, user-friendly nature, along with the great tech and downloadable maps, means that many users have renewed their motivation to get the bike out and found a training aid they are confident to use.
This Garmin bike GPS is a constant companion that can be called upon in any season and all weathers – saying that you cannot train because of the wintry conditions is no longer a valid excuse.