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Joule 2.0 or Garmin 705 - Need more 411 - Which should I buy?

John StarkJohn Stark
in General Training Discussions

In my never ending quest to "keep up with The Glynn" on the course and with tech, I am noodling getting the new Joule 2.0 or the Garmin 705.

I did some searching the the EN archives and haven't really seen a serious comparison between the two.  I also Googled and haven't seen anything either.  So, with that said, if anyone wants to give me their opinion on either, I would appreciate it.  Any and all.  Big and small.  Or post a link where I can go to get the info.

One note, I am not concerned about the mapping stuff on the 705 at all.  Or should I be? 

Also, I currently run a PT 2.4 SL wireless with yellow CPU and WKO+ 2.2.

Thanks in advance for your help.

John (aka Tom Glynn's Whipping Boy)

Comments

  • manconamancona
    Go with the garmin edge 500... half the price, smaller, better mount, and does almost everything the others do except turn by turn directions/mapping and TSS/NP/IF. I've had mine since december and love it. I have a review on my blog. Just my 2 cents, others will have different opinons.
  • manconamancona
    BTW, you will need to make sure your hub is ANT+ to use the 705 or 500, or any other non-saris computer.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Thanks, Matt.  Haven't looked at that one.

    Just to clarify, the Garmin 500 DOES or DOES NOT show IF/TSS/NP in the display while riding?

    And yes, I upgraded me hub to Ant+ last year.

    John

  • manconamancona
    sorry to complicate your comparision, but I think it is worth it. the 500 does not do TSS/IF/NP real time, only after you download to WKO.

    Basically, I look at is as:
    If real time TSS/IF/NP is worth ~$200 to you, go with the Joule
    If turn by turn mapping is worh ~$200 go with the edge 705
    otherwise save $200 and go with the edge 500

    Again, just my opinion...
  • DocHoffartDocHoffart
    Stark,

    I have a 705 with mapping and a Joule 2.0. I use a Quark Cinqo and PT with ANT+. Either works great.

    I like the Joule 2.0 because it has the TSS/IF/NP. They are still working thru some of the firmware at Saris as those metrics are based upon an arbitrary 250 watt FTP and I'm not sure if you can yet set your FTP manually in the Joule 2.0. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong as I have only seen the FTP setup in PowerAgent and then upload to the Joule. Saris appears to be hearing and developing the needs of users rather quickly according to what I've seen.

    The 705 is easier for me to create workouts in Training Center (garmins software). I have yet create workouts in the Joule and think that the software for the joule workouts is primarily to setup for the Beam and other Stationary Saris Spin-type bikes (PT4000?).

    I like them both. I would agree with Matt if you do not want the mapping (I have yet to ever use it but ride only in my area that I'm familar with) go with the Garmin 500 unless you like the metrics for racing then the Joule is your puppy.

    FYI: The joule has a temperature feature that logs the temp when you download it into PowerAgent. Because I look over my data I like that feature to smooth data comparison especially with harder efforts on the same courses, races, etc.

    Vince
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    @Vince - I also am using a Joule and have found the arbitrary 250 watt FTP settings are only an issue if using Power Agent to analyze the data.

    I download to Power Agent, then export to my desktop, and drag and drop from there into WKO+ 3.0 (much easier then it sounds). (I have not figured out how to download directly from the Joule into WKO+ like I could with the little yellow computer.)

    I have configured my Joule via Power Agent to reflect my correct FTP. The TSS/IF/NP numbers on the Joule during my ride correspond pretty much dead on with what I see when I analyze later in WKO+.

    I went with the Joule because I have no interest in the mapping and wanted real time TSS/IF/NP numbers.
  • TerryOTerryO
    Strong work, Al! The FTP issue is no longer with the Joule. It's a great computer.
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    They have just fixed the 250 watt FTP in the Joule with the latest update. There is a post is the power/pace, but basically you can enter your FT in power agent and then sync with the Joule
  • DocHoffartDocHoffart
    @Al and @ Tom: I did update the firmware in the Joule 2 wks ago. So are you guys saying that in PowerAgent if I set my FTP then the Joule updates to that number/wattage and my realtime TSS and IF are fixed to match what WKO would show? Perfect. I will have to watch tomorrow then during my ride. The numbers seemed high as my actual FTP is about 290-300 and my 246 norm watt ride had me at 0.90+ I thought, which would equate to 250 FTP range.

    Is there a way to manually set the FTP in the Joule sans PowerAgent? I haven't found a way...just wondering if I was missing something.

    Vince
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    @Vince - Just make sure that you hit the configure device icon in Power Agent after you set that FTP in Power Agent so it is dumped to the Joule.

    I also updated to the latest version of Power Agent and it still seems to default to an FTP of 250 - but again - no worries if you use WKO+.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    I LOVE EN!  Post a question and in 24 hours your have good feedback.  Thanks everyone!

    After reading this thread, doing more research and finding a friend who has a 705, I have decided to get the Joule 2.0.  The fact that the real-time IF, etc. is now fixed in the software helped push me over the edge.  Plus, I LOVE new tech. 

    I ordered my new toy this morning and will be looking forward to receiving it sometime next week. 

    Thanks again.

  • DocHoffartDocHoffart
    BTW: I'm riding tomorrow with both the Garmin and Joule to compare data. Hoping to see identical TSS and IF's between WKO and the onscreen Joule calcs.

    I did the update of my Joule via configure device Al. Thanks.

    Vince
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