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Edge 500 question

Woody FreeseWoody Freese
in General Training Discussions

I have a Garmin Edge 500 that I am planning on installing in the next week or so.  It indicates GPS capability.  When I think of a GPS, I think of a device in my car that tells me to turn left in a half mile or "recalculating" when I have made a wrong turn...

Curious to know (not having read the manuals yet) if I can load a course from our local cycling group, (gpx. files) where the Edge 500 will direct via arrows when to turn, etc...  

Also, I was told that this unit can easily switch back & forth from a training wheel w/ a Power Tap and a race wheel with a Power Tap - using one computer head (vs. the two yellow heads I have now)

Thoughts?

Thanks -

Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    The navigation features are kind of limited. Basically, it just warns you that there's a turn coming up ahead. Also, there's a screen that shows you the next few turns and distances you have to go. The annoying part about it is that sometimes the unit beeps at you for being "off course" when you are on the right course, and it takes a while sometimes for it to get back on track.
  • manconamancona
    Anson is correct, edge 500 will do very basic routing and basically just draws a line for you to follow and can have turn arrows pop up if you use a file that has them programmed.

    THe edge 800 has base maps so it can show an actual map and can re-route you or generate directions on the fly like your car gps.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    The navigation functionality of the Edge 500 is bad enough that I bought an Edge 800 this year expressly for the purpose of going off and doing some new and different cycling routes
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    It is pretty limited, but yes, you can load routes and then execute them. Friends can send them to you or you can use services like ridewithgps.com to create them. The file format the 500 really likes is .fit. The 800 will let you put in an address and plot a course for you like your car, if it works like my old 705. The 500 will only show your courses that your spoon feed it. There is no address option.
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