Garmin Edge 605 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer Review

The Garmin Edge 605 GPS is one of the Garmin Edge range of GPS enabled personal trainer and cycling computers which can also integrate topographic mapping. The units come with rugged yet lightweight mounts for attaching the unit to the bike stem or handlebars. The SiRFStarIII high sensitivity GPS receiver is one of the best for coping with weak GPS signal reception areas likely to occur in spots such as under heavy tree cover.

Garmin Edge 605 Bike GPS Computer

Training Data

Using data supplied by the GPS receiver the Edge units can automatically output speed, distance, time, calories burned (not heart rate based), altitude, climb and descent. The data screens are customizable to individual preferences and can display up to 16 lines of data on the color display. Adding a microSD card provides memory for storing workouts, courses and rides. Menus for the Garmin Edge 605 are intuitive making the device easy to use. Customer reviews from online retailers reflect a similar opinion.

Some features provided which assist cycling training are:

Virtual Partner provides a virtual competitor to race over a specified distance and speed.
Courses enable you race against a previously recorded workout, so you can compare your current and past performances over the same ride.
Auto Pause pauses the timer when you slow down or stop and resumes when you speed up again, so you can focus on your ride.
Auto Lap automatically starts a new lap each time you pass a specified location or travel a preset distance (you can record up to 1000 laps).

There are various alarms and limits which can be set to assist with your individual training approach.

Time/distance alarm
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts)
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals)
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace)
Time/distance alert
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals)

Navigation and Mapping

The Edge 605 comes with a built-in basemap which can be augmented with map detail by insertting a microSD card into the slot provided. For turn-by-turn navigation directions its necessary to plug in an optional, detailed MapSource City Navigator data card. You can also add optional topographical maps for off-road training. Saved or imported rides can be shown against the map background.

Training Analysis

For analysis of stored training sessions Garmin provide Garmin Training Center software. It’s simply a matter of connecting the Edge 605 to your PC via a USB cable and uploading the stored data (Garmin Training Center controls the upload). Software features include:

Workout data review – pace/speed, distance, elevation, time, calories burned, heart rate (if available) and cadence (if available);
Detailed graph of workout data, plotted against time or distance;
Map of workout;
Categorization of workout history according to type of activity;
Review of previous workouts saved by day and week;
Customized workout creation with specific goals and rest intervals for download to your Edge 605;
Schedule workouts using built-in calendar.

For sharing training information with other cycling enthusiasts, Garmin provide the Garmin Connect website. Garmin Connect is a product of Garmin’s 2007 acquisition of Motion-based which still has the largest shared repository of customer-generated gps-based routes, courses and maps available for use.

Battery life for the Garmin Edge 605 is 15 hours which means it will last a full days riding or training. The unit has an IPX7 waterproof casing to cope with being exposed to the elements (rain). There is a backlight for early starts or late finishes.

Review Summary – Garmin Edge 605

The Garmin Edge 605 combines a cycling training computer, mapping and GPS navigation into a convenient and easy to use package. The amount of data which can be collected, stored and analyzed would satisfy most who use a bicycle for recreation and exercise. For the enthusiasts Garmin have the Edge 705 which provides the ability to connect with and display data from a heart-rate meter, cadescence sensor and power meter.