Training Buddy: Garmin Edge 605 GPS Cycle Computer

The addition of GPS to a cycle computer gives you a range of powerful features not found in conventional units. Here are some examples:
-Set a waypoint (your home, for example, or any starting point) and use the GPS map and bearings to find your way back, complete with distance remaining readout. Simply choose menu, where-to, back to start.
-Save any ride in your history file and re-ride it later by calling it up from the history file. If you call up a stored ride, the Edge will even calculate a route from your current position and show you how to get to the start of the stored ride.
-Navigate to an address or point of interest (nearest restaurant, for example).
-Save any location as a favorite (trailhead? coffee shop?) and select it to navigate back to it at any time.

You can set custom data fields to display, or even have multiple custom settings (bike 1, bike 2)... kind of like pushing the automatic seat and mirror adjust button in a Lexus. You can place up to eight separate data fields in the big display (yes, they are all easily visible) including elapsed time, current speed, trip distance, time of day, calories burned, heading, accuracy (in feet), and elevation. Or, you can take it down to two fields, such as elapsed time and current speed, and the numerals get larger to take up the screen.

I especially like keeping the heading display (tells you which direction you're going, i.e. north or northeast, etc.) up as one of the readouts when riding in unfamiliar territory.

The Garmin Edge 605 comes with very sturdy and simple nylon mounting brackets that let you mount the unit on the bike's stem or handlebar. Just select your location, snug down the included zip ties, and you are ready to clip in the 605 and go. It literally took about 30 seconds. Garmin uses very sturdy composite nylons for the Edge 605 body and the mounting brackets, so they promise to hold up to even hard mountain bike use. Built-in rubberized backing prevents the mount from slipping.

What are the differences between the Edge 605 and the Edge 705?
The 605 comes in one version, as reviewed here. The 705 comes in three versions, per below:
-Edge 705 with wireless heart rate feature and wireless heart rate transmitter chest strap: $542 suggested retail.
-Edge 705 with heart rate and cadence sensor: $596 suggested retail.
-Edge 705 with heart rate, cadence and micro SD card with Street Maps USA: $709 suggested retail.
If having a heart rate monitor is important to you, hold out for the Edge 705. You can automatically log and chart your heart rate data, too.

The Edge 705 also has a barometric altimeter (more accurate than relying on GPS data alone), and can receive, display, and log data transmitted wirelessly from third-party power meters, so you can track and log power output.

More Edge 605 Specifications:
-Weight: 3.7 oz (104.9 g).
-Battery: rechargeable li-polymer, charge life, 15 hours.
-Water resistant.
-Maps: simple basemap included. Optional detailed map on micro SD card, $140.
-Virtual partner: train against a digital opponent.
-Courses (compete against previous workouts).
-Auto-pause.
-Pace alert.
-Time/distance alert.