If you are in the market for a cycling computer, the Garmin Edge 800 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer is quite possibly the one for you. Once you use it, you may never look back.
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Touchscreen GPS Cycling Computer
A cycling computer is a convenient t and easy way to keep track of your cycling progress. The 800’s GPS function also ensures you never get lost! It is an incredible investment and will allow you to enjoy the sport of cycling even more than you already do. With the Garmin Edge, you don’t have to worry about going off the beaten path while riding. You can enjoy your surroundings and you can explore new places without worrying about getting back home. The battery life is 15 hours, so you don’t’ have to worry about your device dying while you are experiencing the great outdoors on your bike.
The greatest thing about the Garmin Edge 800 is that it’s touchscreen. In fact, it was the first touchscreen GPS bike computer on the market. The screen is sensitive enough to respond to taps through gloves. You can pan and zoom through maps with simple taps. The color display can be seen even in bright sunlight. This is a high end option for the serious enthusiast and is by no means cheap (check latest prices at amazon.com).
Track Your Ride with the 800 Edge
The Garmin 800 Edge records your location distance, speed, and ascent and descent. You can also use it with a heart rate monitor to track your heart during your bike wor out. For those of you who mountain bike, the Garmin Edge 800 is built to withstand even the roughest rides. It’s even waterproof (to IPX7 standards).
The body of the device is made out of carbon fiber. It comes in blue or white. There is a small mount you place on your bike stem or handlebars. The unit is securely locked in place but you can easily swap it between bikes with the reusable bands. The standard mount comes with the Garmin 800 Edge, but other mounts can be purchased from Garmin.
Garmin’s Exemplary Maps
So how does the navigation system work? The device comes with a built-in base map that shows all of the major roads and cities. You can also purchase Garmin microSD cards that have even more street and topography maps. You can use the Garmin Edge 800 to track you via the maps functions, or you can enter a destination and receive turn-by-turn directions and navigation prompts on the screen, just as you would in a car or when walking.
Cool Route Functions
One of the best-loved aspects of the Garmin Edge 800 is its ability to guide you along routes that other cyclists have recorded. There is a Garmin Connect website that allows anyone to upload routes. There are millions! You can set the navigation to guide you through these routes and you can even attempt to race the times set by others or yourself.
You can use the device to create your own route and upload it. This is great for group training or training for a specific course for a specific race. Alternatively, you could mirror elevation for an upcoming race in a different state or country. You can prepare a route on your computer and upload it to the 800 for route guidance and navigation. There are several websites that make it easy to draw out routes for your area.
The GPS function is ultra-sensitive so it stays on even under dense trees. It even adjusts automatically for the time zone you are in! For most beginners, a lower cost bike computer would be a more suitable purchase. However, experienced riders would be best suited by the Garmin Edge, as its features blow other competitive models out of the water. It earns a solid 4/5 stars.
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